Page 68 of Never To Forever

“You must be exhausted," he murmurs. “Go on and sleep.”

I turn my eyes up to his and ask, “Are you staying?”

It’s been a little over two weeks since we became a couple, and Garrett has all but moved in already, but I still ask him if he’ll stay…mostly because I like hearing his answer.

“Of course.” He grins. “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. Not now, and not ever.”

Smiling, I cuddle closer to him and breathe in his woodsy scent. Surrounded by his warmth and strength, I relax, my mind and body totally content and satisfied by this man. My White Knight.

My dream came true.

EPILOGUE

MARIE

THREE MONTHS LATER

The smellof fresh paint and sawdust still lingers in the air, mingling with the faint scent of new books. My fingers brush over the polished edge of a wooden shelf, my other hand instinctively resting on the swell of my belly. The baby gives a soft kick in response, as if sensing my excitement.

Garrett walks beside me, a clipboard in his hand, checking off items as we move through the store, his brow furrowed in concentration.

I stop in front of the cozy reading nook, where the chairs we picked out together sit with the soft lighting above them from decorative lamps. The warm glow spills across the floor, creating an inviting oasis. I sink into one of the chairs.

“Perfect,” I say, looking up at Garrett with a smile.

He grins, setting the clipboard aside and crouching beside me. “I told you it’d be perfect. You had the vision; I just followed orders.”

I laugh softly, reaching out to brush my fingers against his cheek. “You didn’t just follow orders, Garrett. You made all of this happen.”

He presses a kiss to my hand before standing and helping me to my feet. “We made it happen.”

As we walk toward the children’s corner, my eyes are drawn to the colorful murals on the walls—vibrant scenes of storybook characters like Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland. I imagine the sound of little feet scurrying across the soft rug, the excited chatter of kids exploring the shelves.

Garrett chuckles beside me. “What’s that look for?” he asks, his tone teasing.

I smile, leaning into him as we walk. “Just imagining how much my mom would’ve loved this. She always dreamed of creating a place where people could escape into a story. I think we’ve done that.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “We have, and we’re just getting started.”

We step into the café area, where the counters gleam under the overhead lights. I picture the tables filled with customers sipping coffee and chatting, the smell of pastries filling the air.

“Are you nervous about the opening?” Garrett asks, his voice soft.

“A little,” I admit, rubbing my belly absently. “But mostly, I’m excited. It feels like everything’s finally falling into place.”

We stop in the center of the store, and I take a slow turn, letting my eyes sweep over the space. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the layout of the shelves to the placement of the lighting fixtures. It’s a labor of love, a testament to what we’ve built—not just the store, but our life together.

And what a beautiful life it is. We have each other, our friends, Garrett’s family…and even mine. Things between me and Dad aren’t perfect, not by a long shot, but he’s been making an effort these past few months to mend our relationship. Reaching out just to ask about my day rather than demand a favor, standing up to Meredith for me…little by little, he’s showing that he genuinely cares.

“I was thinking,” Garrett says, his voice pulling me back to the present. “We should name the baby something bookish since we finally got together because you helped me with my English course. Like Atticus or Matilda.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re not naming our child Atticus.”

He grins. “Fine, but I’m putting it on the table. Just in case.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling. “We’ll see.”

The baby kicks softly, and I press my hand to my belly, smiling at the tiny reminder of the life growing inside me. My thoughts drift to the days ahead, imagining late-night feedings, soft coos, and the weight of our child in my arms. I think about our niece, Leila, and our nephew Oliver and how they’ve both filled our lives with so much joy lately. Having them around has only deepened my anticipation for our little one.

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