Turning Dreams Into Reality

The next morning, the air was fresh, the sky clear—a sharp contrast to the storm that had torn through the land just days before. The scent of damp earth still lingered, but the vineyard had survived. That, in itself, was a victory.

Lila sat on the porch, gently rocking Lyra in her arms while she watched Ethan oversee the workers. He had barely stopped since sunrise, determined to make sure the land was prepped for planting.

His dedication was unwavering.

Lila knew Ethan had always been intense when it came to business, but seeing him apply that same relentless determination to their future was something else entirely.

She had never seen him more alive.

Margaret came outside, setting down a tray with fresh tea and bread beside Lila.

“He’s going to work himself into the ground if he’s not careful,” she muttered, nodding toward Ethan.

Lila smiled, watching as he gave instructions to one of the workers. “That’s just who he is.”

Margaret snorted. “Well, you’re going to have to knock some sense into him sooner or later.”

Lila smirked. “I do that daily.”

Margaret chuckled, shaking her head before glancing at Lyra, who was still curled up in Lila’s arms. “And how’s our little lady this morning?”

Lila brushed a hand over Lyra’s soft hair. “Sleepy, as usual.”

Margaret studied her for a moment before nodding. “Good. She’s got plenty of time before she has to deal with the chaos of this world.”

Lila exhaled, nodding in agreement.

Margaret sat down beside her, pouring them both some tea.

After a few moments of silence, she said, “I have to admit… I didn’t think this would suit him.”

Lila glanced at her. “The vineyard?”

Margaret nodded. “This life. Working the land. Building something from scratch.” She sipped her tea, her gaze lingering on Ethan. “He was always meant for more than what his family tried to force on him.”

Lila swallowed, tightening her grip around Lyra. “Yes, he was.”

Margaret smirked. “And so were you.”

Lila blinked, taken aback. “Me?”

Margaret scoffed. “Of course you. You think I didn’t see it? You were never meant to be just someone else’s maid, Lila. You were meant to stand beside him.”

Lila felt warmth spread through her chest.

She had spent so much of her life being overlooked, being underestimated. But Ethan had never done that to her.

And neither had Margaret.

Lila smiled softly. “Thank you.”

Margaret grunted. “Don’t get sentimental on me now.”

Lila chuckled, shaking her head.

By midday, Ethan finally took a break, wiping the sweat from his brow as he climbed the porch steps.

Lila arched a brow. “Finally decided to stop?”

Ethan smirked, dropping onto the bench beside her. “Just for a minute.”

Lila handed him a glass of water, which he took gratefully, drinking deeply before sighing in relief.

Margaret eyed him. “You’re going to run yourself into the ground.”

Ethan chuckled. “I’ve heard that before.”

Lila smirked. “Because it’s true.”

Ethan exhaled, leaning back. “It’s just… we’re so close to making this happen.”

Lila reached for his hand, squeezing gently. “I know. But you don’t have to do it all at once.”

Ethan studied her for a moment before nodding. “You’re right.”

Margaret snorted. “You should get used to saying that, boy.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “Not a chance.”

Lila chuckled, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “We’ll see.”

Ethan exhaled, glancing out at the land. “The first planting will start soon. Then, it’ll really be real.”

Lila smiled. “It’s already real.”

Ethan turned to her, his expression soft. “Yeah. It is.”

Later that evening, after the workers had left and Lyra had been put to sleep, Ethan and Lila sat together on the floor of their bedroom, surrounded by maps and notes.

Ethan was leaning against the bed, his shirt unbuttoned at the top, his hair slightly tousled. Lila sat across from him, her legs tucked beneath her as she scanned one of the plans he had drawn up.

“This could work,” she murmured, running her fingers over the paper.

Ethan smirked. “Could?”

Lila arched a brow. “I have to keep you humble somehow.”

Ethan chuckled, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. “You’re impossible.”

Lila grinned. “And yet, you married me.”

Ethan exhaled dramatically. “Best decision I ever made.”

Lila laughed softly, studying him.

He looked good like this. Relaxed. Happy.

She reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers. “Are you happy, Ethan?”

Ethan’s expression softened. “More than I ever thought I could be.”

Lila swallowed, emotion tightening her throat.

She had never thought she would have this—this life, this love, this peace.

But she did.

Because of him.

Ethan lifted their joined hands, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “And you? Are you happy?”

Lila smiled. “More than I ever imagined.”

Ethan exhaled, tugging her closer. “Good.”

Lila let out a soft sigh as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

For the first time in both of their lives, they were exactly where they were meant to be.

And nothing—not storms, not the past, not the weight of their old lives—could take that away from them.

They had built something.

And they would keep building it.

Together.