Page 64 of The One Who Changed Everything

Sophia huffed dramatically. "You've already waited forever. I mean, I’m practically a grown-up now. If you wait any longer, I’ll be off to college before you two get your act together."

I turned in my seat, meeting Evan’s gaze. He looked at me with that same unwavering steadiness he always had, the kind that made me feel safe, made me believe that maybe, just maybe, forever wasn’t something to be afraid of.

"She’s got a point," Evan murmured, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "But no pressure. Whenever you’re ready."

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, emotion thick in my chest. "You really mean it, don’t you?"

"Yeah, Sam. I do." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, flipping it open to reveal a ring. My breath hitched, heart pounding. The diamond wasn’t extravagant, but it was perfect—simple, elegant, timeless. Just like us.

"I’ve been carrying this around for weeks, waiting for the right moment," Evan admitted, voice thick with emotion. "I didn’t want to push, didn’t want to rush you. But I knew, Sam. I knew I wanted this—us—forever."

Tears welled in my eyes as I blinked rapidly, overwhelmed by the sheer depth of what he was offering. A lifetime. A home. A love that had never wavered, even when I’d been too afraid to reach for it.

Evan slipped the ring onto my finger, his hands warm and steady. "I love you, Sam. Always. Will you marry me?"

I cupped his face, pulling him in for a kiss—soft, lingering, filled with every unspoken promise. When we finally pulled back, Sophia was practically vibrating with excitement.

Sophia groaned loudly from the backseat. "Okay, okay, enough kissing! Just say yes already!”

I laughed, shaking my head as I looked between them—the two people who meant everything to me. Fear had kept me from this for so long, but love? Love was stronger. Love had brought Evan back, had given Sophia the father she deserved, had given me the family I never thought I’d have.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle over me in the best possible way. "Okay," I whispered, squeezing Evan’s hand. "Yes. Let’s do this."

“I totally get to plan the wedding," she demanded.

Evan chuckled, resting his forehead against mine. "Guess we better get started."

Sophia let out a shriek of excitement, bouncing in her seat. "Finally! This is the best day ever!"

Evan grinned, lifting my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss against my fingers. "Best day yet," he corrected. "There are a lot more to come."

And as we drove home—home, where we belonged—I knew he was right. Our story wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. And it was just beginning.

Epilogue

The fellowship hall pulsed with warmth and laughter, the scent of pine, cinnamon, and something sugary filling the air. Strings of twinkling lights crisscrossed the ceiling, and the massive Christmas tree in the corner glowed with colorful bulbs, reflecting off the glossy tile floor. Kids darted between tables, weaving around clusters of firefighters and their families, their excited giggles rising above the hum of conversation.

I’d heard that the annual Christmas party was always a big deal, but this was my first. And I had to think it was better than ever.

Maybe because Samantha was by my side, her arm looped through mine as we moved through the crowd. We’d been married for a month, and I would never tire of introducing her to everyone I met as my wife. She looked lovely tonight, effortlessly beautiful in a deep-green sweater that brought out the warmth in her hazel eyes. The soft glow of Christmas lights reflected in her hair, and the scent of cinnamon and something distinctlyherwrapped around me like a familiar embrace.

But it wasn’t just how she looked—it was the way she carried herself. Graceful, but with that quiet strength I’d fallen in love with. The way she spoke to people, making each conversationfeel important. The way she laughed, soft but rich, like she was savoring the moment. The way she squeezed my hand every now and then, as if to remind me she was there, that we were in this together.

I’d spent so many years believing I didn’t deserve something like this. Likeher.But God had given me a second chance, and I wasn’t about to waste it.

Or maybe tonight was special because Sophia was nearby, shrieking with laughter as she and Nathan Wells’s boys chased each other in a game of tag around the tree.

Or maybe it was the overwhelming sense of belonging pressing into my chest, the realization that this wasn’t just a job, and these weren’t just coworkers.

This was family.

True to my word, I hadn’t spoken to my father since the last time I’d stepped foot in his office. My mother, on the other hand, had made the trip to Minden not once, but twice. Once to meet Sophia and again to attend her middle school choir concert earlier this month.

The meetings hadn’t gone perfectly, but Samantha had encouraged me to let my mom try to earn a place in Sophia’s life. I knew Sam’s parents left even more to be desired than my own. I suspected she liked the idea that Sophia would have a grandmother who cared about her.

I felt Samantha glance up at me, her hand squeezing my arm briefly before we were intercepted by Bryce and Krystal. Krystal’s cheeks were pink, her eyes shining with a secret she was clearly dying to spill. Bryce, on the other hand, had the kind of smug grin I recognized from months of working alongside him—like he’d just aced a difficult rescue and was waiting for applause.

“We’ve got news,” Krystal announced, resting a hand on her stomach.

---