by Elsie James
“Hey lady.” I smile when I hear my sister-in-law’s voice. She and Hunter spend so much time traveling these days that anytime I get with her feels like a treat.
“Juni,” I’m so happy to see her. The single purple stripe in the front of her natural brown hair is a change from the rainbow colored hair she’s been sporting lately.
“How are you?” Juni says cheerily. “I grabbed you some snacks.” Juni puts a plate of fruit, cheese, and crackers in front of me.
“Thanks, I’m starving. How’d you know?” I ask laughing. I waste no time devouring them.
“Lucky guess,” Juni replies. “I saw my favorite nephew making a run on the cupcakes.” Juni loves Little Leo and she’s one of his favorite people too. In fact, there’s not a single member of the Romano family who hasn’t fallen in love with Juni.
“You know Leo, he takes what he wants just like his dad.”
“His dad huh?” Juni smirks at me.
“Oh I have no idea what your insinuating.” I smile and turn my head away, tapping my heel into the ground. I simply refuse to acknowledge that Leo may have gotten a little of his stubborn streak from me.
“I’m so glad you were able to make it,” I tell her.
“I wouldn’t miss it. Getting to know Gram at Petals has been such a highlight of my life the last few years. Hunter and I love our visits with her at Petals when we pop back into town.” Juni’s eyes light up at the mention of Hunter.
“Where is my brother anyway?” I ask.
“Oh, he and your dad have been taken hostage at the kid table.”
She gestures towards the back of the room. Daddy’s gigantic legs fold underneath his body as he balances on a tiny chair. Leonardo and three other children climb on him. Pulling at his shirt and asking to color with him. He’s grinning from ear to ear. Just when I thought there was nothing in the world he could be better at than being a father, he knocks it out of the ballpark as a Papa. Retiring and leaving the vineyard in Amelia’s capable hands my dad spends all of his free time with his grandkids.
Michael takes stands at the front of the room holding the microphone.
“Hey, I hope you all had a chance to eat. I wanted to take this opportunity to ask if anyone has anything they’d like to share about Gram.”
A brunette with two boys about Leo’s age stands confidently. She’s been sitting at the back table with a smoking hot fire fighter that I recognize from a kitchen incident we had at the vineyard last year. She makes her way towards the front of the room in a white sundress.
“Wonderful, I’ll give this to you.” Michael smiles as he hands her the microphone.
Epilogue Chapter 3: Rachel
I take the microphone from Gram’s grandson and look around the room. I’m largely an outsider here, but they haven’t made me feel that way. From the moment I walked in I had the impression that everyone who knows Gram is connected.
“Hi, my name is Rachel. I met Gram through my friend Juni.” My eyes find Juni in the crowd and she smiles at me. “I’m a teacher at the elementary school downtown. When Gram heard that most of the students in my classroom had never experienced the joy of planting a garden, she made a donation to the school. As a result, we have the largest community garden in the county.” Applause for Grams impact on the community echoes through the room.
I continue, “Our students take care of the plants from seed to fruit. Whatever we harvest is sent home with them. The program has made such a positive impact on our school. But the most special part of the program is that each spring, Gram makes a visit to my classroom. She talks to my student’s about the joys of gardening and shares one of the stories from her treasure trove of experiences in the nursery. It’s my favorite day of the year. So thank you Gram for all you’ve done for my students.”
Shifting my weight from one foot to the other and smile at Gram.
“On a personal note, my husband Greyson and I live in a small house downtown. It is filled with love, laughter, and kid toys. When the boys came along, we needed space. So my husband built a little garden escape in our backyard.” I smile at my husband, the sexiest man in the world. We are more in love than ever.
“It’s a simple room out where I can read and recharge. Gram had the nursery deliver plants in every shade of green. The view from my reading nook is always filled with colorful blossoms. Cheers to you Gram.”
As I walk to Gram she reaches out a hand and places it on my cheek. “Thank you dear. That was beautiful.” I hug her while she sits in her chair. I am thankful to know this amazing woman.
I get back to my seat and Greyson wraps me in his arms. “You were brilliant honey.”
Epilogue Chapter 4: Juni
People in the crowd take the microphone one at a time. Each with their own connection to Gram. As I listen to one testimony after the next, I’m taken aback by this awe inspiring powerhouse wrapped in a tiny and frail body. The lives she’s touched are a testament to what can happen when you live your truth.
My corgi Vulcan is dressed in his Sunday best for the occasion, a fresh shampoo and a little red bowtie. He’s gray now and he’s put on a little weight in his old age, but he’s still a charmer. He lays on his back soliciting belly rubs from anyone who will offer. Rachel’s three year old son lays on his stomach across from Vulcan. He showers Vulcan with attention and he eats it up. When it’s my turn to speak, I keep it short and simple.
“Gram, I feel like I’ve known you forever. But in reality four years is the blink of an eye. The people in this room represent a tiny portion of the people you’ve touched in your one hundred years. My wish is to live a life as fearlessly as you do. Thank you for showing us the way and for offering outside the box ideas for our arrangements.”
Hunter watches me the way he always has and I smile at him. I make my way back towards my seat and settle in close to him. He kisses me on the cheek. I’m proud to be his wife.
Gram stands for the first time, Michael by her side. His large arm around her waist stabilizes her tiny frame. She takes the microphone. Her body is feeble but her mind clear and full of wisdom.
When she speaks the room falls silent. “Thank you for coming. I’m flattered that you want to spend your time with an old lady like me.” Laughter vibrates from the walls.
“When you get old, you start to worry about whether or not what you’ve done with your life matters. I look at you all, this next generation of Peony Pointe, my heart swells with pride. I did alright. When things get hard, plant your faith in the people around you. Stand firm in your conviction that your love will help them blossom into the most beautiful version of themselves. Life is not about you, it’s about the person next to you. These people will sustain you through all of life’s hardships. And only love can propel you into the best things life has to offer. Thank you all for loving me.”
As Gram wraps up her speech, there isn’t a dry eye in the room. Her words ring true. I scan the room and love is all around us. Michael sits staring at Jessa with joy in his eyes while she happily makes small talk. Ainsley and Shane feed their baby girls while Leo hops on his Papa. Rachel and Greyson stand hand in hand each with a little boy at their side. And behind me, is my own happily ever after. Hunter drapes his arms around and I lean into him.
“He’s so good with the kids,” Hunter says.
I follow Hunter’s gaze to his father. One of the most powerful men I’ve ever met is coloring a picture of a sunflower while tiny hands reach to help him. I turn to Hunter, it’s time to tell him. I can feel it.
“I can’t wait to see your dad with our baby.”
I look him in the eyes. Hunter wants to be a dad more than anything. But, I needed time. I wanted to enjoy being married and spend our energy giving back.
“Yeah, that will be something won’t it. Maybe. Someday. If you decide. You already know I’m all in. But I’ve been thinking, I could be happy traveling with you forever. Just the two of us like you wanted.” Hunter is sweet but totally unconvincing. I know hi
m too well to fall for his lie.
“Hunter, I’ve been thinking too. We might want to get a place in Peony Pointe soon.”
“Why? You want to sell the apartment? I can’t imagine we’ll find anywhere closer to Blue Moon Bakery than we already are.” He chuckles. It’s no secret that I spend a ton of time waiting in line for cinnamon twists.
“Well we might need something with a little more space,” I say.
“We might? For…?” He gestures for me to continue swirling his hand in front of him. His eyes locked on mine.
“For the baby.”
As I say the words tears spill out of my eyes. Hunter takes a step back and looks at me. Searching my face with a look of shock.
“Are you? Are we?” Before he can get the words out tears well in his eyes. I nod my head.
“Hunter, we’re pregnant.” He picks me up spinning me in a circle.
“I’m gonna be a dad.” He whispers into my ear. “Juni you are everything. I hope it’s a girl just like you. I hope she’s an artist. Of course I’ll have to figure out how to keep the boys away.” Hunter raises his voice and announces to the room. “We’re having a baby!”
Every head turns to look at us. We haven’t even met her yet and this baby is immeasurably loved. Hunter’s dad makes his way over to us and hugs me. “Juni, you were the missing piece to our family that we didn’t know we needed. I love you kid. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I can’t wait for you to meet her,” I reply. Being a part of this family has been a never ending adventure. I’ve loved every minute of it.
“Her?” Hunter’s dad asks.
“It’s just a hunch.” I say through glassy eyes.
He turns to Hunter, pulling him into a tight squeeze.
“Son the greatest joy in my life has been being a father to you and your sisters. You will raise one hell of a person.” Patting Hunter on the back he continues, “You make sure you teach that baby how to play a guitar.”
Hunter nods, too emotional to speak. It’s nice to see them so connected.
The room erupts into cheers and congratulations. We are encircled by love. Gram catches my eye. She gives me a silent nod reinforcing what she’s already taught all of us. The people in this room are what matter, love is what matters.
THANK YOU
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for going on this journey through Peony Pointe with me! I’m so honored you chose to spend your time reading my first series. I loved writing these characters and helping them find their happily ever afters. I put a tiny piece of myself in each book. Maybe you saw yourself on some of these pages too.
If you have enjoyed reading the Peony Pointe Series, please consider leaving a review. It means the world to me! Even just one sentence makes me do a total happy dance.
I hope you’ll join me for my next series set in beautiful Candlelight Cove.
Hugs,
Elsie
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ALSO BY ELSIE JAMES
Peony Pointe
Book One Jessa
Book Two Ainsley
Book Three Juni
Book Four Rachel
Peony Pointe the Complete Collection including a bonus epilogue:
Gram’s 100th Birthday
Candlelight Cove (Coming Soon to Kindle Unlimited)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elsie James is proud to be a lifelong curvy girl. She writes stories about beautiful, strong, women who always find their happily ever afters.
Her books are romantic, sweet, and steamy with a whole lot of heart.
Connect with Elsie
Facebook: @authorelsiejames
Instagram: @authorelsiejames
Amazon: amazon.com/author/elsiejames
Email: [email protected]