Epilogue: Mia

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Tomorrow is Isabelle's first birthday party and to say I'm stressed is an understatement. I know she won't remember this but I still want it to be perfect. We are only having a small party with our college friends, Ella, Ethan's mom and a few of his teammates that he has become close with over the last 10 months.

His team made it to the final 4 this year but couldn't get the win. Ethan had limited time on the ice since he was a rookie but the Bruins have already offered an upgrade in his contract for next season so he must be doing something right.

Izzy is such a daddy's girl. Whenever he is home, she is by his side, if he is here for bedtime, it is him that has to do her routine and I know he loves it, he is such a great dad. She is a real mover, crawling all around the house and I'm glad we don't have stairs. She has started to take a few steps while holding on to the furniture, but I think it will be a month or 2 before she decided to take the chance and let go.

We have talked about more kids as we both want at least 1 more but the doctors told us to wait at least a year to make sure I have healed so we have still be been taking any precautions when having sex but 12 months is up so I expect Ethan to stop that very soon with the way he keeps saying about expanding our family but who knows if I'm able to after the complications I had with Izzy. I am really hoping that I am able to have more kids because Ethan is such a great dad, he deserves this and more.

I have been volunteering with a domestic violence women's shelter once a week for a few hours when Ethan has been able to look after Izzy. If I can just help at least one person escape an abusive partner then I'm happy, nobody deserves to go through anything like that.

I am currently in the living room with Ella and Sienna, working out how to do the decorations that I have for tomorrow. Jake has Isabelle in the pool, he is her favourite uncle and he absolutely spoils her every time she sees her. Ethan walks over to where I am standing "Go and get changed, we have somewhere to be" I look at him with a questioning look. "Everybody here can look after Izzy, I have a surprise for you"

I have no idea what is going on but Ella starts to push me towards my bedroom and tells me my outfit is on the bed. I walk into our bedroom and see a flowy skirt and nice blouse with a pair of sandals on the end of the bed. I quickly change, do my hair and apply a small amount of make-up. I have no idea where we are going but the outfit I'm wearing is quite casual.

I walk back out to the living area and notice that Ella and Ethan are talking quietly. Ehtan is also dress quite casually in a pair of shorts and short sleeve button down shirt. His hair is like messy bed hair and I love that look on him, I really want to just take him into our bedroom but with all these people here that's not possible. He notices me staring already knowing what I'm thinking and shots me a smirk before making his way over to me and taking my hand and leading me out to the car.

Once we are settled in the car, I decide to see if he will tell me where we are going even though I can guess the answer already "So, where are you taking me to?" The answer I get is so predictably Ethan "You'll see" and he reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. As we continue to drive, I recognize the route we are taking and when we pull up, my guess is confirmed. This is one of my favourite places to go, it has become our place. We found this lookout by accident one day when we were out. The view from up here is magical, you can see so far and there is never anybody else up here.

I go to get out of the car but Ethan stops me. "You need to put this on first" he says as he hands me a blindfold. I give him a questioning look "please" he adds on. I'm not sure why I need this, it's not like I haven't been up here before but I humor him and place the blindfold over my eyes. I heard the car door open and he takes my hand as I get out of the car. I know there is a path down to the lookout so I'm not worried that I'll trip on anything but it is a weird experience walking blindfolded.

"Just stand here, I won't be long" he says giving me a quick kiss on my cheek before letting my hand go. I hear his footsteps and him moving around and I feel weird just standing here not knowing what's going in. He takes both my hands in his and takes in a deep breath before removing my blindfold.

I look straight at Ethan and can see he's nervous in his eyes, then I take in my surrounds. There are fairy lights hanging in the tree behind him and rose petals scattered on the ground. The sun is close to setting making the sky these beautiful shades of pink and orange. I turn back to focus on Ethan.

"Mia, we have had our many ups and downs through our time together but even through all of that, I know that I would not change a thing. You gave me one of the greatest gifts in Izzy and I feel like I am the luckiest man alive. The day that Izzy came into this world has taught me that anything can happen at any time. I was so scared that I would loss you that day. There is still one thing that is missing" he pauses and takes a deep breath "And that is you as my wife. Mia I love you so much. Will you marry me?" he lets go of my hands and takes out a small velvet box and when he opens it my hands go straight over my mouth in shock. The diamond ring inside is perfect, a single square solitaire that's not overly large, with 3 small rubies on either side.

I can feel the tears running down my cheeks, this is nothing that I expected to happen today. We really haven't even spoken about marriage because to me we are already a family. I feel the smile take over my face as I look back up at Ethan. "Yes, 100 times over. Yes Ethan. I love you" He takes my left hand and removes the ring from the box and slowly slides it on my finger. I don't take my eyes off his face as I watch him concentrate. When his eyes meet mine again, I don't waste any time. I take a small step forward closing the small gap that was there, placing my hands on his chest and his arms automatically go around my waist, and I connect our lips together in a slow, sensual kiss. I move my arms so they are around his neck with my fingers in his hair and pull him closer and tilt my head to deepen the kiss.

"Can I come out now? You two can get down to the dirty later" I can't help but giggle at my sisters comment. I didn't even know she was here. "What are you doing here?" I ask still wrapped up in the arms of my fiancé. "Ethan wanted photos so.." and she points to herself with her camera. "Now let me see the ring, he wouldn't show me before saying you have to be the first to see it"

Ethan had thought of everything, even making sure we have photos of this moment. I hold out my hand to show Ella the ring. She turns to Ethan "You did good. I can't believe I was able to keep this a secret for 2 weeks. Now let me get a few more photos." My sister has always had a knack for photography. She tells us how to stand so the ring can shine as she puts it and shows us a few for the photos. They are beautiful with fairy lights and the sunset; this is a moment I will never forget and she captured it perfectly.

"I'm going back to your house now and I'm pretty sure there are a few others that would like to know this news so don't be too long" she walks away back down the path and I turn to Ethan.

"Thank you. This was amazing and beautiful and so unexpected. But not just for today but thank you for not giving up on us when I disappeared. I never thought that you would forgive me for that. I know you have told me time and time again that it is in the past and you understand why I did it but I truly am sorry Ethan. I love you so much and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you" I hardly get to finish my sentence before his lips connect with mine again. This is my life, with the one that I love, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

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