Mixed Connection (Cypress Lake Reunion #1)

24. Epilogue

24

Paloma

All set!

Anders

Perfect! I’ll be there with the grannies soon.

Paloma

Don’t call them grannies. LOL

Anders

That’s what they are.

Thanks guys… Anders you’re a fool.

Hand in hand with my Babygirl, we’re standing in front of the house I hope to completely renovate. It’s in rough shape and I know I’m probably going to need to do a lot of convincing for Cass to agree. We moved in together shortly after I showed up at the bar from my visit with Alma all those months ago.

Once we finished the remodel in Cypress Lake, we ended up naming it the Emerald Hideaway House since it had so many dark-green touches in the cozy home—it felt right .

The first person I wanted to show was my Babygirl, and I did. She fell in love with the place, and though I planned to make it a rental property, it felt like a great place for us to begin our life together.

Right after, I launched a property management unit on the consulting wing of Crews, and it’s been great. Starting something new, something that is already making a profit for us feels incredible and is giving me a focus right here at home, in Cypress Lake with Cassidy.

But right now, standing here, I’m hoping this wasn’t a mistake because Cassidy isn’t budging and it’s beginning to make me nervous thinking she hates it. The house overlooks the town’s expansive lake. It has enough square footage to become a four or five bedroom home with three bathrooms, two being large enough to have a primary bedroom and full en suite. I viewed the floor plan earlier this week and have been waiting for it to go on the market. And now that it’s about to, I’m ready to make the purchase but not before she gives me her approval.

She doesn’t know it yet, but this is going to be our forever home. There is a large kitchen inside with good bones, one that is large enough I will be able to add two kitchen islands. We started taking cooking classes down at the Night Market and it has become something we both really enjoy. I want enough space to cook whatever recipes we dream of along with enough countertops I can spread her open on and have my own meal.

“Are you sure?” her question lingers in the air. “Can we think about it?”

My plan is contingent on her agreeing. I know I’m not supposed to put all my eggs in one basket but with her, the basket overflows and I don’t have to be concerned with what-ifs, not with her.

“I’m sure, Baby. We have to make this decision now. They are letting me look at it a day before it launches on the website and I know it will be snatched up quickly.” She nods her head, not saying another word but stepping closer to our forever.

“Okay.” She turns to look at me, her smile beaming brighter than the sun. “Let’s do it! I know you can make this house incredible.”

I take her by the hand, bringing her closer to where the front porch will be. As she reaches for the door, I stop her. Holding both of her hands in mine, I bring her attention back to me, needing to feel the warmth of her gaze.

Getting a degree in architecture didn’t prepare me to build a life, it only gifted me the ability to learn to build a house—a physical structure. But this woman, my woman , has shown me that loving someone is the foundation of a great home.

With her hands in mine, I rub small, gentle circles over them with my thumbs. Watching her eyes light up as she takes me in is an all-consuming feeling, it heats my entire body. Which is exactly why nerves aren’t on my radar, there is nothing to be nervous about when it comes to the future I hope to plan with Cassidy.

“Babygirl, you’re the love of my life. I want to build more than just this house with you, but our lives. When I saw you the night of the reunion, I hoped God wasn’t playing a joke—giving me another chance. I would have never imagined a missed connection would lead me here, with you. I will do everything in my power to show you what unconditional love looks and feels like. I want to be a part of making every single one of your dreams into reality.” I smile softly at her.

I bring my hand to her cheek and stroke her tears away with my thumb. I pull out the black velvet box that has been burning a hole in my pocket and open it before getting down on one knee. “But first you have to make one of my dreams a reality. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?”

I watch her eyes widen, tears pooling as she gasps, silent joy filling her eyes. “Jameson.” My name falls from her lips in a whisper as she finally locks her gaze on the ring and it sends me back to breakfast this morning. She made blueberry waffles but all I wanted was a taste of her and have her I did, spread out over the kitchen island.

Nothing at the jewelers matched what I wanted for her so I put in an order for a custom piece. I told him I wanted something that was strikingly beautiful and one of a kind, like her. Her engagement ring is a gold band that wraps around the base of the pear-cut diamond, giving an appearance that it’s floating. I almost wish I brought her matching wedding band with me so I could claim her right here as my wife.

Her tears fall as she dips low, meeting my gaze she holds my face and kisses me before giving me her answer. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you, Bulldozer! Oh my fucking God, yes!”

Cassidy launches herself fully into me, almost knocking us both into the bushes. If I didn’t have a foot planted, I’m certain we would have both been picking leaves out of her hair.

Throwing her arms over my shoulders and tugging me into her, she kisses me with abandon and I do the same, pouring all my love into this one kiss. Tasting her like it is the first time because it always feels like the first time. Cassidy is the blueprint to my very soul and I want to be sure she knows that wherever she is, she’s my home and my very reason for breathing. I take the ring out of the box and slide it on her finger before opening the front door and walking in with her. She’s so consumed with the ring that she doesn’t look up until all our friends and family scream in excitement.

“Congratulations!’’ Everyone yells, popping confetti. It flies everywhere as my future wife’s shock stuns her into silence, that is, before Paloma and Janelle run to her. Cass wraps her arms around them with tears in her eyes as she grins up at me with a look full of love.

Paloma was a huge part of this, getting the house ready. Anderson too. He picked up the ring for me before he shuffled off to pick up Alma and Lee.

Alma is sitting in the soft chair we brought over for her, next to Lee, Cassidy’s grandma. They hold each other’s hands with pride. I’m scared of the day they become close friends, but right now, all I can see is Cassidy. Soon-to-be Cassidy Bennette.

The grannies’ smiles of approval are all I need to gather my Babygirl back in my arms, her back to my front as she looks out at our friends and family.

“Yes, a thousand times, yes.”