Epilogue

Remember I said happy ending?

Three days later…

Holly kept her arm tucked in Liam’s as they strolled along the streets of Oxford. Oxford. The street of Tolkien and Lewis…and here she was, a humble little American tourist, walking the same streets the greats had trod. She’d left her phone at the hotel by accident and hoped Jess wouldn’t be too annoyed that she wasn’t texting any pictures. After they got back to the hotel, Holly planned on making sure Liam sent her all the pictures she’d let him take with his phone.

The sun was setting behind the old building lining the streets. It kissed their stones from dusky brown, turning them gold. Cotton candy hues spread across the sky and set her heart to skittering in excitement. The lampposts began to glow, adding a warm light to the cobblestone streets. Only a few pedestrians lingered…and it felt like the whole world was theirs – hers and Liam’s. A dream world. And she didn’t want it to end. She heaved a blissful sigh. Liam glanced down at her and squeezed her hand.

“It’s such a lovely view, isn’t it?” Holly whispered, her heart shining in her eyes.

“Yes, it is.” Something in his voice made her glance up, and when she realized he wasn’t looking at the streets or the sky but at her when he said that…heat crept over her face, and a blush lingered on her cheeks. He intertwined his fingers in hers.

Holly stopped walking, her eyes meeting his, something in his face setting her heart going faster and butterflies going in her stomach. Before she could say anything, he dropped her arm…and dropped to one knee, reaching into his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he pulled out the small box and opened it.

“Holly Langely,” his voice came out choked, and he cleared his throat to try again. “Holly. I knew you were special when we first met, but I didn’t realize how much you would come to mean to me. Your servant’s heart, your joy of living, your bright faith – you encourage me every day to be a better man. Will you marry me?”

Holly’s eyes filled with tears, and she pressed her fists against her mouth as one rolled down her cheek. She could only nod and, heedless of the elderly couple standing across the street watching, throw her arms around his neck as she whispered fiercely,

“Yes. Yes, yes, yes a hundred times!”

He brushed his thumb against her cheek, wiping away the tears that fell faster than ever. Then Liam swooped Holly up and twirled her around, setting her lightly back down on the ground and – to the cheers of the elderly couple – dipped her back and kissed her, stopping her heart and stopping time for a single, blissful moment…