Another Curvy Girl and Grumpy Vamp (Just Another Girl Meets… #5)

9. Epilogue

Epilogue

B aden’s penthouse is buzzing, every corner filled with laughter, music, and the faint hum of magic in the air. It’s surreal, looking around and seeing all these people from different parts of my life gathered together—my family, friends, classmates, everyone celebrating me . Even if Baden went a little over the top with this “small” party in his penthouse, I can’t deny the warmth of it all.

Greer and Nina are fussing over me, arranging the tassel on my graduation cap while debating whether they should steal some of the elaborate flower arrangements scattered around the apartment. The space, usually sleek and minimalist, now bursts with festive color. A shimmering “Congratulations, Merri” banner stretches across the wall behind the dining table, which is covered with trays of my favorite dishes that Baden had flown in from every restaurant in Steele City. All of it is a little much, a little too Baden , but in the best possible way.

“Look at you, officially done with college,” Greer says, pulling me into a hug. “I knew you’d make it, but finally ! Also, just so we’re clear, I’m already planning to wear your cap later tonight.”

Nina slides over, champagne flute in hand, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Or better yet, let’s make a toast with it. I mean, what’s a graduation cap if we can’t ruin it with some bubbly?”

Laughing, I wave them off as I take a sip of my own champagne. “I think Baden would have a heart attack if he saw champagne pouring over a graduation cap in his living room.”

“Oh, please,” Greer teases, nudging me. “The guy’s practically wrapped around your finger. Speaking of which… what’s this we hear about a surprise he has planned for you?”

I raise a brow, trying to play it cool. “You know him, always with some big, dramatic gesture.”

They exchange knowing looks, and I realize I’m giving too much away by the way my cheeks heat. I’m saved from more teasing by a warm arm wrapping around my shoulders. Baden’s standing beside me, tall and imposing in a charcoal suit, his silver eyes softer than I’ve ever seen them.

“How’s the guest of honor?” he asks, brushing a loose curl away from my face.

“Probably overwhelmed,” I admit, giving him a smile. “I did tell you I didn’t need anything too big.”

He smirks, unapologetic. “This is small, by my standards.” He leans down, his voice dropping to a murmur only I can hear. “If it were up to me, we’d be celebrating just the two of us. But I knew how important it was for you to have your friends and family here.”

A soft warmth spreads through me, and I catch his hand, lacing my fingers through his. “Thank you for that.”

Across the room, I notice my parents, deep in conversation—or rather, in an intense dad-daughter’s-boyfriend showdown—with Baden’s attention fully on me, it’s the perfect moment to get a sense of how that’s going. My dad’s always been a bit of a possessive wolf when it comes to me, and I know having a vampire son-in-law was probably not on his wish list. Still, he seems to be warming up, however slowly, to the idea.

My mom catches my eye, giving me a wink as she pats my dad’s arm. Her voice is warm, though I can’t hear her exact words, I know that look—it’s her way of saying, “Stop being a grumpy wolf; it’s her life.”

As if on cue, Baden follows my gaze, watching the silent exchange between me and my dad with an unreadable look. After a beat, he slides his arm around my waist, pulling me a little closer, like he’s quietly staking his claim. My dad sees it too, his gaze narrowing, but after a moment, a reluctant smile softens his face, and he gives a barely perceptible nod. Baden grins, clearly satisfied. “Looks like your dad is beginning to accept me.”

“Oh, please, don’t act like you don’t enjoy making him squirm a little,” I mutter, biting back a laugh. “I swear, you two are just circling each other, trying to see who’s the bigger alpha.”

His smirk is purely devilish. “I like a challenge. Besides, he’s starting to understand something important.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Baden’s voice drops to a husky murmur, his lips brushing my ear. “That you’re mine. ”

The words send a delightful shiver through me, but I roll my eyes, giving him a playful nudge. “Territorial much?”

“Always,” he says, completely unapologetic. He glances around the room, then leans down, whispering, “Come with me. I have something to show you.”

He offers his hand, his eyes holding that same excitement I saw the first time he showed me his library. I follow him, curiosity piqued, winding through the crowd as he leads me out of the living room, down the hall, and into the private elevator that opens directly into his underground garage.

We step out onto the quiet concrete floor, the hush of the garage a sharp contrast to the noisy warmth upstairs. My heels click softly as I follow him toward his parking space, where a single sign gleams under the dim lighting.

The sign that usually reads Reserved for Mr. Eames has been changed. In its place, it now reads:

"Reserved for Mr. & Mrs. Eames."

I freeze, staring at the words, heart pounding. I turn back to Baden, and he’s watching me, an uncharacteristically nervous smile tugging at his lips.

“Is… is this real?” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.

“It’s very real,” he replies, taking a step closer. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, velvet box, his fingers careful as he opens it to reveal a ring—a delicate band, intricately carved with designs that seem to shimmer in the low light, a symbol of everything we’ve been through together.

I’m speechless as he drops to one knee, his eyes never leaving mine. “Merri,” he begins, his voice low and warm, “I know I’m possessive, probably infuriatingly so, but there’s nothing in this world or any other that I want more than to spend every day by your side. You’ve taught me how to live again, how to feel, how to love… And I want to give you every part of myself, even the parts that sometimes scare me.” He swallows, his silver eyes shining. “Will you marry me?”

The world feels like it’s come to a standstill, the words echoing around us, sinking into every corner of my heart. I can feel the tears prickling at the edges of my eyes, the laughter bubbling up in my chest as I nod, reaching out to pull him up.

“Yes,” I breathe, barely able to find my voice. “Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”

His smile breaks into a full, unguarded grin as he slips the ring onto my finger, the cool metal settling onto my skin like it’s always belonged there. I throw my arms around his neck, and he lifts me, spinning me in a circle as I laugh, the sound echoing through the empty garage.

When he finally sets me down, he kisses me, slow and deep, and I can feel every promise, every vow, every bit of love he’s poured into that one moment. After a while, he pulls back, resting his forehead against mine, his eyes filled with a quiet, unmistakable joy. “I think it’s time we tell the others, don’t you?”

I nod, beaming as I look down at the ring on my finger, the symbol of everything we’ve built, every obstacle we’ve overcome. Together, we walk back to the elevator, hand in hand, ready to share our moment with the family and friends who have shaped this incredible, unexpected journey.

As we step back into the lively hum of the party, every familiar face turns our way, and the room goes quiet. Baden doesn’t need to say a word—the joy on my face, the ring on my hand, and the way he’s holding me close are all the announcement we need.

My dad, who had been watching us from the doorway, lets out a huff of what sounds suspiciously like reluctant approval. He steps forward, giving me a long look before pulling me into a fierce hug, his voice gruff but warm. “You make sure he treats you right, Merri. And if he doesn’t…” He shoots Baden a warning look, though I can see the humor in his eyes. Baden, to his credit, only smiles, his hand still resting protectively on my waist. “You have my word, sir.” My dad nods, giving him a long, assessing look before he finally grins, clapping Baden on the shoulder. “Then welcome to the family.”

The room erupts in cheers, and as I’m passed from friend to friend, family member to family member, I realize just how lucky I am. Here, in this crowded penthouse, surrounded by people who love us, I know that I have found something rare, something precious.

And as I glance over to Baden, my fiancé, my mate, I know that this is just the beginning of a future filled with laughter, love, and maybe a little more adventure than we bargained for. But with him by my side, I wouldn’t have it any other way.