Epilogue
Winter
“Honey, I’m home,” Jelly yells as she enters my house.
“In here.” I’m in the office, replying to my editor about my newest book. It’s the one I wrote last year after my kidnapping. All the final touches have been made, and the publisher is ready to get it on the market.
Jelly enters and gasps. “Girlfriend, where is your costume?”
“I told you I didn’t want to go out. Besides, Fang is taking off early to take me out for my birthday.”
Jelly giggles like she’s got some inside joke. “Yeah, there’s been a change of plans.”
“Hell no.” I shake my head. “You remember what happened last year?”
My best friend nods. There’s no way she doesn’t remember. It affected her as much as it did me. “The Hollow Bones are dead and gone.” Embracing me in the tightest hug ever, she squeals, “You have an announcement to make, and tonight at the Halloween Carnival will be the perfect time.”
To match Fang, Jelly bought me a black dress with black angel wings. A fallen angel for a fallen angel. I dress up and follow her out the door.
Snake greets us at the gate. “Hey, babe.”
Jelly gives him a kiss. “Hey.”
“Winter.” He nods at me, and I wave. Over the last year I have gotten to know the Iron Devils. They have all become like family to me. “Fang is over by the hayride, waitin’ for ya.”
Jelly loops her arm with mine and practically skips toward the horse and wagon.
Fang is standing next to the carriage, talking with Sinner.
When they hear our footsteps, both men turn around.
Fang’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning.
Just like last year, he is wearing jeans and black angel wings, no shirt.
Just like last year, my breath catches when I get that first glimpse of him. Wolf and Ramon emerge from the shadows. Footsteps behind us has me turning to see Snake jogging to catch up.
I raise a brow in question and Fang beckons me over.
As I reach Fang, Sinner steps aside, hands clasped in front of him.
Fang takes my hand and kneels. Surely, he isn’t doing what I think he’s doing.
“Winter, from the moment I met you, I knew you were the one. Would you do me the honor and marry me?”
Everyone is staring at me, waiting with anticipation. Smiling down at Fang, I say, “Yes.”
He slips the diamond on my finger and jumps up with a shout.
“Calm down, lover.” I take him by the hand. “I have an announcement of my own.” Jelly squeals, clapping her hands in excitement. She’s known this secret for the last week.
Fang gives her the side eye, then takes my other hand. “What is it?”
I place one of his hands on my belly. “You’re gonna be a daddy.”
With eyes wide, he stares down at my flat stomach. “You mean, there’s a little Armstrong in there?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
Sinner, Wolf, Ramon, and Snake all hoot and holler. Sinner gets on his radio and makes an announcement to the rest of the Iron Devils. “She said yes. I repeat, she said yes. Also, she’s got a bun in the oven.”
“You’ve just made me the happiest man alive.” Fang cups my face and kisses me so tenderly tears spring to my eyes. I’ve read that these new emotions I’ve been experiencing are due to hormones. I hope it passes soon. Crying over hotdog commercials is downright embarrassing.
“I love you, Ezra.”
“I love you, Winter.”