EPILOGUE - NOAH
FIVE MONTHS LATER
It was the big event, and one I was so thankful to actually have lived long enough to see. There wasn’t a day that went by when I didn’t remember what had happened to me, and by whom. Luckily, they caught Cade before he could finish the job.
His arrest had been the only thing to put Lulu at any sort of ease. It didn’t completely solve everything though because she now she was worried about what would happen to her ex-husband, especially since she and the kids had moved in with me right before Thanksgiving. It had been the best part of the holiday season. I had truly shed my bachelor ways, and their constant noise filled the cold walls of my penthouse, bringing a renewed energy to the space that was sorely needed.
After the large holiday dinner with my friends, I helped the kids put up the Christmas tree which was one of their annual traditions. Being included in something so special was more than I could have ever asked for. When helping them decorate, it reminded me of the times when I had a family of my own to do things like that with. It had been a very long time, but the memories came back so swiftly that it felt like only yesterday. Without a brother, sister, and later parents, something as simple as that had lost its luster for me, so my grandparents just hired someone to do it each year for us. I finally felt as if I now had everything that I needed. I not only had an amazing woman in my life that I loved so completely, but I also had three wonderful children. And although they missed their father, they were finally starting to warm up fully to me.
What helped a lot was knowing that Cade would be put away for a long time. Initially, the prosecutor intended to charge him with first degree attempted murder with aggravating factors. Cade would likely have spent his entire life in prison if found guilty. Somehow, he had managed to present a plea deal which we accepted for no other reason than his son and daughters who still loved him in spite of everything that had happened. Cade ended up pleading guilty to reduced charges, and was sentenced to just fifteen years in prison as opposed to life.
Lulu and I had wanted to make him serve the max time, but we thought about the children, and ultimately put their needs ahead of our own. Now, he would still be close to sixty when he did get out, but at least he would have a chance to be in their life in some sort of way. He would never be in ours, though.
Life, it was fleeting, and I had learned that lesson the hard way. In my career and personal life, I had always considered myself invincible. The title of Titan tended to blur things, or at least it had for me. I learned many lessons from my near-death experience. The most important being that we didn’t always get a second chance to make a different impression, or to change someone’s mind. Other times, we did though, and it had not only happened for Lulu and me, but also Callum and Nicole. The poster children of second chances, however, were the two people standing at the altar, which was a place they had always been meant to be.
“Harper is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. I’m so happy that they are finally tying the knot,” Lulu told me.
I looked at my woman. She would also one day stand at an altar, but not right now. We’d had the most eventful year that a couple could have, so there was no need to rush something that was going so well. Still, I could picture her standing there in a white dress with her hair blowing in the wind.
“I’ve been here, and I’ve done this before with them,” I whispered to her.
Her head spun around, and she mouthed. “You what?”
Chuckling, I leaned in and kissed the top of her nose. “Gabriel and Harper used to act out their wedding all the time when we were kids. After all, there was no one more perfect for one another than the two of them.”
“They really are a fairytale couple,” she mused, and Nicole leaned in and added her two cents.
“Harper looks just like a princess.”
They all let out a sigh, as did Charlie who was on the other side of Nicole. The three of them had been selected as bridesmaids, and Harper’s childhood best friend was the maid of honor. I had known Charlene Mitchell all of her life. We had always been friends and nothing more, but as I stared at Daxon, I saw the way his hand rested a bit too familiar on her hips. I arched a brow. If I didn’t know any better, I would think the two of them had something going on which would be a surprising development.
Thinking about it, she actually was a perfect match for my best friend. Daxon was so straight-laced and serious all of the time. Charlie would bring that sense of fun into his world, and as I watched her tilt her head to look up at him, I grinned. It was very possible that she was already doing so.
I then turned to look over at Callum. His arms were wrapped tightly around Nicole, and I almost wondered if they would be the next to get married. It was very possible, and finally, I looked over at Romeo. He was standing behind Nina, who was Harper’s design assistant. It was obvious that neither wanted to be in close proximity with the other which meant there was likely a story to be told there. One of these nights, I would get it out of my friend, but today was all about love, and there was definitely something different going on between them.
Nothing else mattered right now because we were there to celebrate Gabriel and Harper. A lot had happened after she moved away from Gabe, and things ended horribly between them. It was then that I had come to a conclusion of my own. I didn’t believe in love anymore. If the two of them couldn’t make it, then no one else could. I was so glad to have been wrong about that because they belonged together. Back then, and certainly now.
The music finally came to an end, and her veil was raised. We all grew quiet as they prepared to say their vows. The minister was the first to speak. “Now, will you please turn and face one another, then join hands to express your vows of love and devotion.”
We watched as the couple did as they were asked, and I could not only see, but feel the happiness radiating off of them before either one started to speak. Their silence was short-lived, because Gabe cleared his throat, then began.
“Harper, I’m so lucky to be standing before you today in the presence of our friends, and those as close to us as family. Most men would start off by saying something about not being able to believe where they are, or what they are doing, but I’ve dreamed of this moment ever since I was five years old when I proposed to you in my backyard with nothing more than a freshly picked flower and a bracelet. I’ve always known that we were meant to be together, even if it ended up being more of a struggle than I ever imagined it would be. I sometimes wondered if I’d been wrong, but I later learned I’d been right all along. Remember that later on in our marriage. A man can be right at times.” The crowd all laughed, and the blushing bride smiled even wider. Nothing Gabriel was saying was news to me, or to Charlie. We had been there the whole time with them. “Does that mean that things for us will always be easy? No, but we have fought our way back to one another once, and I’ll never stop fighting for you, or for us, ever again. The day I thought I lost you propelled me into a darkness that only you could save me from. Your emergence back in my life was the light I needed. You’re what I needed. You’re what I have always needed. I love you as much now as I did then. I’m just so thankful that you said ‘Yes’ to me to begin with. I love you Harper Grimes. Then... now... and forever.”
Women always tended to get sentimental, but I still shook my head at the four women all dabbing at their eyes. I nipped Lulu’s ear, felt her shiver, and almost whispered something in her ear, but Harper started to talk so we gave her our undivided attention.
“When we’d started our journey all those years ago, I’d never wanted anything more. I’ve always wanted only you. At times, it was hard to believe that we’d ever see this day because after all, the promises made to one another had been when we were mere children. I’ve come to realize that our ages didn’t lessen the sincerity of the things we’d vowed to one another. Not then, and not now. Like you, I also found myself in a very dark place. Without you, I lacked purpose... drive... self-worth... but most of all, I lacked love. If someone would‘ve told me two years ago that we would reunite, and I would be standing here in front of all these people, I would’ve never believed it. Here we are, though. It is rare enough to find true love once in a lifetime, but to realize that it never actually disappeared is truly magical. Our entire journey has been a fairy tale, especially this second chance we’ve now gotten with one another. I love you, Gabriel Blake, and I can honestly say that there’s nothing more I want in this world than to officially become your wife, once and for all.”
When Harper grew silent, the minister looked to my best friend, then spoke once more. “Will you please repeat this vow to your bride, saying after me: I, Gabriel, take you Harper, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward... for better or for worse... for richer or for poorer... in sickness and in health... I promise to love and cherish you.”
Gabriel repeated those words, then the minister turned to Harper. “Will you please repeat this vow to your groom, saying after me: I, Harper, take you Gabriel, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward... for better or for worse... for richer or for poorer... in sickness and in health... I promise to love and cherish you.”
She also repeated those same words, and he continued. “You two have displayed the depth of love that you have in your hearts for one another, and you have chosen to symbolize the solemn vows you have made to one another today.” He then looked to Gabriel. “You may present your ring for Harper.” When he had it in his hand, the minister turned to Harper. “You may present your ring for Gabriel now, too.” She had hers in her hand, and he continued, “Rings are important in their significance. Not only are they made of precious metal and stone, but they are here to remind us of love. It is neither cheap, nor common. Instead, love is priceless, so may these rings be a constant reminder of the promises you are making to one another on this day.”
We continued to watch the ceremony, and Gabriel picked up Harper’s left hand, then slid the ring onto her finger. “With this ring, I seal my promise to be your faithful and loving husband, as God is my witness.”
Harper then placed her ring on the third finger of his left hand, and repeated the same vow to him. “With this ring, I seal my promise to be your faithful and loving wife, as God is my witness.”
“Gabriel and Harper, you have come here today before us, and before God, and have expressed your desire to become husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, and have made promises of faith and devotion, each to the other, then sealed these promises by the giving and the receiving of your rings. Therefore, it is my privilege as a minister, and by the authority given to me by the State of Illinois, to now pronounce that you are husband and wife. Gabriel, you may kiss your bride.”
“I thought you’d never get to it,” he said, then cupped the back of Harper’s head. He pulled her close, then tipped her chin up, before fusing his mouth to hers. She immediately grabbed at his arms, clinging to him as he kissed her breathlessly. When they finally came up for air, the minister addressed all of us in attendance.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my great privilege to introduce to you for the first time - Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Blake.”
The crowd erupted in celebration, and as the newlyweds rushed past us down the aisle, rose petals rained down upon them. When they finally exited the church, I spun Lulu around. Tears were brimming in her eyes, and after leaning in to kiss both eyelids when she closed them, I stepped back.
“This was a beautiful ceremony,” she said. “It was even better than planned.”
“You did a great job, Lulu. Everything was perfect. Work is now done for you, so it is time to party.”
I wrapped one arm around her, and followed the others as they also headed to the building’s exit. We were in a downtown church, and Lulu had reserved space in the hotel next door. It was actually quite cold outside, but we had left our coats in the entry closet. I loosely threw mine over her shoulders, then ushered her toward the hotel.
The ballroom had been set up, and it was as perfect as the church hall had been. I could see Harper’s influence in a lot of it, but there were some things I was sure that Lulu had suggested, too. My girl had a knack for events, and this wedding was living up to being as magical as advertised. Once inside, I put our coats in the other closet, then joined her. Most of the wedding guests were also here, and it didn’t take long to find out where everyone else had gone.
All of our Titan friends from Manhattan had flown in for the event, and as the girls joined Paisley, Elsa, Rhyann, Kenzie, and Alessia, I grabbed one of the offered cigars and took my place beside Caspian, Anton, Mason, Jonas, and Kristopher. It had been a few years since the whole entire gang had gotten together like this, and I realized it had been at a wedding, too. Only, it had been Christmas, and New York City, and the newlyweds had been none other than Mason and Rhyann.
All of the Manhattan Titans had finally settled down and committed to their lady loves. Gabriel had followed in their footsteps, and it would only be a matter of time before Callum did, too. It seemed like the days of being a bachelor were coming to an end for most of us. While I had no plans to get married any time soon, I also didn’t plan to let Lulu go. She had been the most beautiful surprise in my life, and our struggles had only made us stronger. We had persevered through them all, and we were finally on top.
I glanced at her from across the room, and she turned as if she had felt my gaze. Her megawatt smile put one on my own face. I almost mouthed something to her, but Daxon nudged my elbow with his. “Are you ready to give your best man speech?”
I nodded, then motioned for the waiters to come over with the champagne. Once all of the guests had a flute in their hand, I tapped the side of my glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Good evening! Most of you already know me, but for those who do not, I’m Noah Capshaw, and it’s my great honor to have been chosen as Gabriel’s best man for this joyous occasion. Again. I had planned to use the same speech I gave when we ran through this ceremony when we were seven years old, but our vocabularies have improved a lot since then.”
I grinned at Gabe. “Well, at least mine has, but I digress. I‘d also originally planned to talk about how well I know the groom, and share a few stories from our youth, but there are ladies present, including my own. There’s no need to incriminate myself, but if you want to hear those stories later...” I purposely paused, then continued. “Just an FYI, if you laugh, this speech will be over sooner,” I added, and got a few more laughs from the audience.
When it quieted down, I continued. “Doesn’t Harper look stunning today? Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but she is just as much on the inside, too. If I would’ve picked my flower sooner when we were five, it might’ve been Gabriel giving this speech instead of me. Harper deserves the best things in life, including the perfect husband. Thank God for my friend here, she agreed to marry him before she had a chance to find that perfect man. Life is funny, sometimes. While Gabriel gets to walk out of here with Harper on his arm, becoming the envy of us all, his gorgeous bride just gets to leave with her bouquet of flowers. It’s the equivalent of going out of town on vacation and coming back with nothing more than a T-shirt.”
I heard my friend growl, but he knew this speech was all in jest. I did realize that I needed to finish soon though, so I ignored him and kept on talking. “No, Gabriel obviously has great taste. After all, he did choose Harper as his bride, and me as his best man. It’s been a long time coming for him. All he’s ever wanted was to be Mr. Harper Grimes... oh wait.... he has always wanted Harper Grimes. Truthfully, the two of you are a match made in Heaven. You have shown us the meaning of true love, and I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. I’d like everyone else here to join me in wishing you both a lifetime of happiness, love, health, success, and joy. Gabe, you’re more than a friend. You’re a brother, and I love you, man. Congrats!”
Everyone clinked their glasses, and we all drank the champagne in celebration. Callum, Daxon, and Romeo joined me and the Manhattan Titans, as the happy couple made their way onto the dance floor for the first dance. Harper’s parents had died in accidents, just as mine and Gabriel’s had as well. There would be no father daughter dance, but everything about tonight was magical nonetheless.
“Just wait until Amanda and Leslie get married,” Romeo said, and I growled.
I had become overly possessive when it came to them already. Their own father would be languishing away in jail, and whether joined by marriage or not, I planned to fill the role of the stepfather to them, so my friend was actually right. One day, they would both get married, and I would be standing there twirling them around on the dance floor as everyone watched. Perspiration beaded on my forehead, and my hands got clammy.
Lulu had to have seen how pale I had become because she came over to me, then rose up onto her tiptoes. “Are you okay?”
“Always, when you’re around,” I told her, before pulling her close against me. I slid one hand down her back, then cupped her ass, as I stroked her face with my other one. “Speaking of being around... How soon before we can slip away? I’ve booked us a suite upstairs because I knew I wouldn’t be able to wait until we got home.”
“Wait for what?” She asked coyly.
I leaned in so only she could hear me. “To tear that dress off you, then fuck you until you can’t stand.”
She let out a small moan, then looked over her shoulder. “I’ll make up an excuse so we can leave.”
I released her, then made a hasty one myself, before joining her at the entrance. Lulu had assistants working this event, so her presence wasn’t technically required. That was good for me, and it would be even better for her. I took her hand, then pulled her toward the elevator. Once inside, I pinned her to the wall and kissed her until the door opened on our floor. We made a mad dash to our room, and as soon as I closed the door behind us, I pressed her against it.
I didn’t tear her dress, but not out of lack of desire. Lulu had already started to remove it, so I used the same haste to remove my tuxedo. Once we were both naked, I pulled her farther into the room. There was a large mirror, and in it, I saw the large scar on my chest. I would always have it, but it no longer bothered me as much as it once did. It was a reminder that I was a survivor. Yes, I had lost something I cared greatly about, but I gained something I loved in return.
Lulu’s hand moved up my chest, and her eyes raised to mine. In a fluid motion, I swept her up into my arms, then carried her over to the bed. Minutes later, I was pushing inside of her as we created some magic of our own. Gabriel and Harper’s love story was great, but mine with Lulu’s was even better. We had narrowly escaped danger, but came out on the other side of it. We were together which was all that mattered. Well, almost all that mattered. I needed to hear, see, and feel her shatter, so I forced all thoughts outside of the immediate from my head, and I continued to fuck her until she shattered apart for me.