Accidental Fiancé (Unintentionally Yours #5)

Extended Epilogue Maggie

The morning light filtered through the gauzy curtains of my suite at Julian’s family estate, casting a soft glow over the chaos below. White chairs lined the garden in perfect rows, their backs adorned with roses, and a sleek white aisle runner stretched between them, leading to an arch covered in cascading flowers. Our wedding arch.

I rested my hand on the windowsill, taking it all in. This was happening. In just a few hours, I would be Mrs. Julian Black.

A soft laugh escaped me. If you’d told me a year ago that I’d fall in love with Julian—my high school crush turned fake fiancé turned real-life love of my life—I would’ve called you crazy. And yet, here I was, standing on the precipice of forever with a man who not only swept me off my feet but believed in me more than I ever believed in myself.

My eyes flicked to the desk where an advanced copy of *Sweet Beginnings* lay, its glossy cover as pristine as the wedding dress hanging in the corner. The title gleamed in embossed gold lettering, and beneath it, my name shone as a quiet testament to everything I’d overcome. I trailed my fingers across the spine of the book, still marveling that it was real.

It had started as a wild idea in the aftermath of the bakery fire, a desperate attempt to hold on to the fragments of my dream. But what began as scribbled notes and scrawled recipes had grown into something tangible—something extraordinary. When Julian introduced me to a literary agent at one of his charity events, I thought it was nothing more than a kind gesture. I didn’t expect the agent to see potential, let alone help me land a publishing deal with a top imprint.

The process had been grueling: testing recipes in Julian’s kitchen, writing and rewriting stories to accompany each dish, and pushing through my doubts. But Julian was always there, sampling every batch, reading every draft, and reminding me that my voice mattered. *Sweet Beginnings* wasn’t just a cookbook. It was my second chance, my proof that even from ashes, something beautiful could rise.

I ran my hand over the dedication page and smiled. The book was as much a love letter to Julian as it was to myself and the life I’d fought to rebuild. And today, as I stood on the cusp of another new beginning, it felt like everything was falling perfectly into place.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. “Come in,” I called.

The door opened, and there he was. Julian. Dressed in a crisp white shirt with the top button undone and his dark hair slightly mussed, he looked more like a fantasy than a man. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his emerald-green eyes sparkling with mischief.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” I said, fighting a grin. “It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”

He pushed off the frame and strolled toward me. “I’ve never been one for tradition. Besides, I couldn’t wait to see you.”

“You’re terrible,” I teased, though my heart fluttered as he closed the distance between us.

Julian’s gaze dropped to the cookbook in my hand. “Multitasking on our wedding day, huh? You’re relentless.”

“It’s not multitasking. It’s… basking,” I said with a laugh. “I can’t believe it’s real.”

He took the book from me and flipped through it, pausing on the dedication page. “*To Julian, who turned my fake engagement into the real thing and taught me what love truly means.*” His voice was soft as he read the words aloud. “Maggie, this is beautiful.”

My cheeks flushed. “It’s the truth.”

Julian set the book aside and pulled me into his arms, his hands settling on my waist. “You amaze me, you know that? Every day, you remind me how strong and brilliant you are. And today, I get to marry you. Talk about a jackpot.”

I rested my forehead against his chest, inhaling the clean, familiar scent of him. “You always know what to say.”

He tilted my chin up so I met his gaze. “And you always know how to make me fall even harder for you.”

The way he looked at me made my knees weak. This man loved me in a way I’d never thought possible. And in that moment, every doubt, every lingering nerve about the day ahead, melted away.

I nodded, suddenly nervous. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”

His brow furrowed in concern. “What is it?”

I handed him a small envelope. “Open it.”

Julian took the envelope, his expression cautious as he unfolded the note inside. His eyes scanned the words, and then he froze.

“Coming soon… Baby Black, expected October,” he read aloud, his voice barely above a whisper. Slowly, he looked up at me, his emerald eyes wide with shock and something else—joy.

“You’re serious?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

I nodded, tears filling my eyes. “I found out a few days ago. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I thought today would be perfect.”

Julian’s face broke into the biggest smile I’d ever seen. He dropped the note and pulled me into his arms, lifting me off the ground as he spun me around. “We’re having a baby,” he whispered, his voice filled with wonder.

“We’re having a baby,” I echoed, laughing through my tears.

He set me down gently, cupping my face in his hands. “Maggie, you’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said, my voice trembling. “And I can’t wait to start this next chapter with you. But you're going to have to let me get ready.”

Julian’s lips curved into a wicked grin. “You look perfect to me.”

“Flattery won’t save you if someone catches you in here.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to make it worth the risk.”

Before I could protest, his lips captured mine. The kiss started slow, his mouth teasing and coaxing, but when my arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer, it deepened. His hands roamed down my back, pulling me flush against him, and the world outside ceased to exist.

“Julian,” I murmured against his lips. “We’re going to be late.”

“Let them wait,” he said, his voice husky. His fingers trailed down to the hem of my robe, slipping beneath the soft fabric to trace the curve of my thigh. He continued between my legs, brushing against the sensitive warmth there, sending a jolt of heat spiraling through my body. I gasped into his mouth as he stroked me, his touch slow and deliberate, igniting a fire that made my knees tremble. “You’re already wet for me,” he murmured against my lips, his voice thick with desire, a sinful promise in every word.

His name tumbled from my lips in a breathless plea, the world narrowing to the delicious torment of his fingers and the intoxicating pressure building deep inside me.

A sharp knock on the door shattered the moment. “Maggie? Are you decent?” Nora’s voice called from the hallway.

Julian groaned, resting his forehead against mine. “Saved by the maid of honor.”

“Go,” I whispered, laughing softly. “We can finish this on our wedding night.”

Reluctantly, Julian stepped back, smoothing his shirt and shooting me a devilish grin. “I’ll see you at the altar, Mrs. Black.”

“Not yet,” I teased as he slipped out the door, narrowly avoiding Nora as she entered.

She gave me a suspicious look. “Why do you look like you’ve just been thoroughly kissed?”

“No idea what you’re talking about,” I said, smoothing my robe and trying to contain my smile.

I bit my lip, glancing at the cookbook on the desk and the wedding dress in the corner, and thought to myself, sweet beginnings, indeed.

THE END