Epilogue
Two Years Later
Every minute spent with Mallory since we said “I love you” has only made our relationship stronger and our love grow deeper.
Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t always been easy.
Living apart for the months I was filming was the hardest test in our relationship.
There were days we didn’t talk other than a good morning and good night text, and others where we were disheartened by the distance.
But we made it work because we’re a team with the same end goal in sight—a future with each other.
We’ve split our time between Louisville, Lover’s Grove, and Los Angeles.
Each city we occupy time in has become home in a way, because wherever she is feels like home to me.
Mallory is my safe place, my confidant, my biggest fan, and my favorite person all wrapped in one.
Some people spend a lifetime looking for a love like this.
I don’t know how I got so lucky to have found Mallory not once, but twice.
I guess that’s what happens when two lives are intertwined. When something is meant to be.
These past two years together have been incredible as we’ve built our lives together.
I’ve wanted to drop to one knee countless times throughout our relationship.
Between filming The Heartless Prince, attending events and interviews to promote the movie, and starting to film the sequel, I’ve been working endless hours.
Mallory has also been busy teaching and beginning her own side business for ice skating lessons.
Little does she know that tonight is a night I’ve been looking forward to for a multitude of reasons.
“Are you ready, Griff?” Mallory whispers in my ear.
I lean back and smile at her. “Yeah.” With her by my side, I already feel like a winner tonight. Mallory’s hair is pulled up in a twisted updo with strands of her curls hanging around her face. She’s in a wine-colored dress with a plunging neckline that’s been distracting me all night long.
“Your category is next.” She reaches over and straightens my tie before pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Time for you to win that Oscar.”
We’re currently sitting in the audience at the Academy Awards.
I’ve been fidgeting all night. The only thing that’s been able to calm my nerves is Mallory’s hand in mine.
Her steady presence grounds me. However, she doesn’t know that I’m more nervous about what I’m planning on doing after the ceremony.
I feel the outline of the small box inside my jacket pocket and smile. I’m hoping to get two wins tonight, but if I just get one—a lifetime with her—that will be more than enough for me.
“And the nominees for best actor are…”
The faces of actors I’ve looked up to throughout my career appear on the screen. Some of them I’ve even revered since I was a kid. Finally, my picture pops up, and Mallory leans over and kisses my cheek.
“Griffin Reynolds. The Heartless Prince.”
The next and final face to appear on the screen of nominees is Glen Powell for his lead role in the action movie, Brink of Oblivion.
Mallory looks over at me with a devious smirk as she wiggles her brows.
I know that she and her roommates love him and his acting from their constant teasing about Mallory’s obsession with that movie, or should I say all Glen Powell movies.
But I’m the one who gets to take her home tonight.
“And the Oscar goes to…”
Mallory squeezes my hand as the presenter opens the envelope.
“Glen Powell. Brink of Oblivion.”
I thought I’d be let down not hearing my name called.
But I’m not. I’m proud of my acting in the movie.
Simply being nominated was a huge honor, especially since it was only my third major movie.
I have my whole life and acting career ahead of me, and I’d rather cheer on others in my community than feel like I’m competing with them.
Mallory squeezes my hand and leans over, whispering in my ear. “You’re still a winner in my book.”
On his way to the stage, Glen stops to shake my hand and smile at Mallory.
She clutches my arm as he accepts the award. “Did that really just happen?”
“Yes, it did,” I whisper.
She lets out a dreamy sigh. “I think tonight might be the best night of my life.”
With the plans I have in store for her later, I think it will be.
After the ceremony is over, I answer questions for a few press interviews before we load into the back of a black SUV.
Mallory slumps in the seat, obviously exhausted, since this is much later than she’s usually up. She turns to me, running her hand up and down my arm. “How are you feeling?”
I know she’s talking about not winning the best actor award.
Reaching down, I grab her hand and interlace our fingers.
“I’m great. I was nominated for one of the highest awards alongside the greats of Hollywood.
” I lick my lips as I drink her in. “I have a beautiful woman that I love beside me in a killer dress. And now I get to go home with said woman.” I kiss the back of her hand. “What more could I possibly ask for?”
I keep the conversation flowing until the car pulls to a stop at our surprise destination.
“Are we already home?” Mallory asks.
I open the car door and grin when I see the setup exactly as I’d envisioned it. Turning around, I reach my hand out for her, and Mallory accepts it, joining me on the grass.
“Where are we?” She gasps when she looks over my shoulder. “It looks like someone’s about to propose. We should go.”
“You’re right, beautiful. Someone is about to propose.” I wrap her hand around my arm and escort her through the aisle of tealight candles and rose-petal-covered grass.
At the end of the aisle are large clear vases as tall as us, filled with various shades of pink flowers. Twinkle lights hang overhead between the trees, coating us in a soft glow.
I turn to Mallory, taking both her hands in mine.
Her eyes glitter with unshed tears. “Griff.”
My lips tilt up into a smile. “I never thought that I’d meet the love of my life by dropping spare change in her cup of hot chocolate while she participated in an elaborate caroling routine.
While I wish there hadn’t been a three-year lapse between our first date and when I finally found you again, I’m grateful that you gave me another chance.
Because there’s no one else I’d want to walk through life with than you.
I knew you were special from the moment we met, but it’s because of the time I spent with you getting to know the real Mallory that I fell in love with you.
I love your heart for helping others. I love your sass and blunt honesty.
I love watching you teach and live out your passion.
I love that you will never be found without at least one pink clothing item on you at all times.
I love that you make my friends and family feel like they’re yours too.
And I love that you make me the best version of myself. ”
With a deep breath, I drop to one knee and pull out the ring box from my jacket pocket.
“I’ve known that I want to spend the rest of my life with you for a long time, beautiful.
And I want the rest of forever to start as soon as possible.
” I flick the box open, revealing the large oval-cut diamond set on a vintage-inspired rose-gold band studded with diamonds.
“Veronica Mallory Porter, will you marry me?”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Mallory flings herself into my arms. I’m barely able to keep my balance as she squeals directly into my ear before stepping back and giggling.
“I’ll take that as a yes?” I laugh, pulling the ring out of the box.
She nods. “Easiest yes of my life.”
Hearing her throw the same words back at me that I used on our first date brings tears to my eyes as I slide the ring onto her finger.
I stand and tug Mallory into my arms, holding both my present and my future. Leaning down, I press my lips to hers. Kissing her after all these years still lights a fire inside that can’t be quenched.
While I may not have won the award tonight, I’ve gained something even more valuable: a lifetime with the woman I love.
And I feel like the real winner.