Joshua stopped the car, and I looked up in surprise to realize we were already home. I hadn't recognized so much time had passed already.
He turned to me. His hand reached out to cup my cheek; then he leaned across the seat to press a quick kiss to my lips.
Joshua grinned. “You can move in any time you feel like, both of you. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I watched as he stepped out of the car, then moved to the back to pick up Trent. I got out of the car and followed him, into the house, and the first step toward our future together.
Epilogue
Alessandra
I waved goodbye to Mom and Trent, who she held in her arms, as I left the house. Joshua waited beside his car, and as he saw me approach, opened the door for me to go in, before getting inside as well.
We were silent as Joshua drove. I was happily waiting for tonight’s surprise. I had no idea where we’d be going, though since Joshua asked me to dress fancy, and even had the outfit for tonight delivered to my doorstep, I knew it had to be something big.
The car stopped, and he turned to me. “Are you ready?”
I nodded quickly. “I’ve been waiting for this for hours,” I admitted.
He hopped out, and I waited for him to come around and open the door for me. He held his hand out for me, and I took it. Once I was out of the car, he locked it with the key fob, then wrapped my hand around his elbow and led me inside the building.
It was a restaurant I’d never been to before. Joshua talked to the host about his reservation. I was surprised, and yet not, when we ended up in a large room with one table in the middle set for two. There were string lights hung on the walls around the room, and there were lit candles on the table.
“Wow,” I murmured.
“I’m glad you like it.”
We sat down. Food had already been brought to the table. The man that led us to the room uncovered the plates, then opened the wine and poured it for us, before leaving.
“Why don’t we have a toast?” Joshua said.
He picked up his glass, and while I was confused, I picked mine as well and held it out.
“Toast to what?” I asked.
“To…another good year?” he offered, then chuckled. I was sure it was just my imagination that it sounded a little nervous. “To our, and our baby’s, future.”
We clinked glasses and sipped the wine. I licked my lips, the sweet taste clinging to my tongue.
“You should go ahead and eat. This is only part one of the surprises, after all.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Is that so?”
He smiled but didn’t answer.
I had no trouble digging into the food. It was served all pretty like, the way you’d expect at an expensive, five-star restaurant. The food not only looked good, but it also tasted divine and was perfectly paired with the wine. We talked little during the meal, not because I didn’t want to or I was too preoccupied, but Joshua didn’t seem much as if he wanted to talk.
Almost like they’d timed it, just when we’d finished our dinner, the door to the private room opened, and a waiter walked inside, pushing a tray, different from the man that had shown us the place. He carried another covered dish, and I wondered what else he could add. If it was more food, I didn’t think I could manage taking more.
He replaced our used dishes with the covered tray but didn’t uncover it as he walked back out.
“What’s under there?” I asked, curious.
Joshua arched an eyebrow. Then, he reached to pick up the lid, and underneath were flowers.
I was surprised for a moment, but then I laughed.
“Is this a second dessert?” I asked, teasing. “Are these edible flowers?”