Chapter 15 The Days After Yes
1184 Words
The morning after Ethan’s proposal dawned softly. Sunlight spilled through the frost-kissed windows of Jessica’s home, casting everything in a golden glow. The world outside was quiet, muffled by a thick blanket of snow. Yet inside, Jessica’s thoughts were anything but silent.
She woke with a strange mixture of joy and disbelief, her hand instinctively moving to the ring now resting on her finger. The delicate silver band sparkled, catching the early rays of light, and she found herself smiling.
“Morning, Mom!” Lily’s excited voice rang out as she burst into the room, clutching her new doll.
Jessica pulled the covers up and sat, patting the space beside her. “Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”
Lily climbed into bed beside her, curling into Jessica’s side. “Yeah! But guess what? I heard Ethan making breakfast!”
Jessica’s smile widened. “Did you now?”
“Mhm. He said today’s special!” Lily’s eyes twinkled with curiosity. “Mommy, why are you smiling so much?”
Jessica hesitated for a moment. “Because I’m happy, Lily. Very happy.”
“Good!” Lily declared before bounding off, leaving Jessica alone with her thoughts again.
Jessica found Ethan in the kitchen, flipping pancakes with a level of focus that made her heart flutter. He turned at the sound of her footsteps, his face breaking into a smile that was as warm as the smell of syrup filling the air.
“Good morning, fiancée,” he said, his voice teasing but filled with genuine affection.
Jessica couldn’t help but blush. “Good morning.”
Lily was already at the table, happily munching on a piece of toast. Ethan placed a plate of pancakes in front of her before turning his attention to Jessica.
“Sit. You’re not allowed to lift a finger today,” he insisted, pulling out a chair for her.
Jessica laughed as she sat down. “Is that so?”
“It’s non-negotiable,” he said, setting a plate in front of her with a flourish.
As they ate, the conversation shifted between Lily’s animated recounting of her dreams and Ethan’s stories about the fireworks display setup. But every now and then, Jessica caught Ethan’s gaze lingering on her, his expression soft and full of promise.
The first person Jessica told about the engagement was Sam. She didn’t have much of a choice—he showed up unannounced that afternoon, grinning like a kid in a candy store.
“Well? Is it true?” he asked the moment Jessica opened the door.
Jessica blinked, taken aback. “How do you even—”
“Ethan called me,” Sam said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “He was over the moon, Jess. And honestly, so am I. It’s about time!”
Jessica laughed, shaking her head. “Yes, it’s true.”
Sam pulled her into a tight hug. “Congratulations, Jess. You deserve this.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
“Have you told Lily yet?” Sam asked, stepping back.
Jessica shook her head. “Not officially. I wanted to talk to her in a way she’d understand. She’s still adjusting to everything.”
“Well, if there’s anyone who can handle it gracefully, it’s you,” Sam said with a wink.
That evening, after tucking Lily into bed, Jessica sat beside her, smoothing the blankets over her daughter.
“Lily,” she began softly, “can I talk to you about something important?”
Lily’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “What is it, Mommy?”
Jessica hesitated, searching for the right words. “You know how much Ethan cares about you, right? About both of us?”
Lily nodded enthusiastically. “He’s the best! He even helps me with my snowman!”
Jessica smiled. “Well, Ethan and I have decided that we want to be a family. He asked me if I would marry him, and I said yes.”
Lily’s mouth formed a perfect “O” as she processed the news. Then, to Jessica’s surprise, she clapped her hands excitedly. “Does that mean he’s going to live with us forever?”
“It does,” Jessica said, her voice warm. “How do you feel about that?”
“I love it!” Lily exclaimed. “Does that mean I get to be the flower girl at your wedding?”
Jessica laughed, relief flooding through her. “I think that can be arranged.”
The next few days were a whirlwind. Jessica quickly realized that planning a wedding—even a simple one—was no small task, especially in a small village where everyone seemed to have an opinion.
Sam took it upon himself to organize the guest list, while Jessica’s neighbor, an older woman named Mrs. Harper, insisted on helping with the decorations.
“You’ll want something timeless,” Mrs. Harper said, flipping through a stack of fabric swatches at Jessica’s kitchen table. “None of that modern nonsense.”
Jessica smiled politely, though her mind was already spinning. “I appreciate your input, Mrs. Harper.”
Ethan, meanwhile, was busy helping Sam arrange the logistics for the ceremony and reception. Jessica found herself leaning on him more than she expected, and each time, he rose to the occasion with unwavering support.
One evening, as Jessica sat by the fire, reviewing a list of possible venues, she felt a wave of doubt creep in.
Was she rushing into this? Was it too soon after everything she had been through?
Ethan seemed to sense her unease. He sat down beside her, his presence grounding.
“Hey,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “What’s on your mind?”
Jessica sighed, setting the list aside. “I guess I’m just… overwhelmed. This is all happening so fast. What if I’m not ready?”
Ethan took her hand, his touch gentle. “Jess, it’s okay to feel that way. But I want you to know something—I’m not going anywhere. If you need more time, if you need anything at all, I’ll be here. Always.”
Jessica looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. “You always know exactly what to say.”
“That’s because I mean every word,” he said, his voice steady.
That night, after Ethan had gone home and Lily was asleep, Jessica found herself standing by the window, staring out at the snow-covered village. The stars were bright, the night impossibly still.
She thought about the life she had built here, the love she had found, and the family she was creating. Despite her fears and doubts, one thing remained clear: she was exactly where she was meant to be.
The ring on her finger sparkled faintly in the moonlight, a reminder of the promise she had made—and the promise Ethan had made to her.
Jessica smiled, a sense of peace washing over her.
This was her second chance, and she wasn’t going to let it slip away.
- Writer
