Epilogue – Marielle
The soft amber lights made the piano shine even more.
My dress, which flowed around me like a waterfall, boosted my confidence as my fingers glided over the keys.
But the true source of my confidence was in the back.
He was dressed in his usual black suit and white shirt, standing with his eyes fixed on me.
The look of unadulterated pride and love he gave me drove me higher than the impressed nods of the patrons hearing me play. I wasn’t just playing for them; I was pouring my heart into each stroke of the keys.
I glanced at him again, the love of my life, my protector, my husband. Away from the press and the chatter, he watched me like no one ever could. He knew the story behind my music, the story no member of the audience had the slightest idea of.
I expressed our shared struggles and joys without speaking a word. The sounds conveyed the ups and downs of our unconventional relationship. From the time I believed Lucien was coming to save me, to when I married for protection, and when I thought Eduard and I would never get a chance.
And he heard it all.
When the final note lingered in the air, deafening silence filled the room.
And then, all at once, the thundering sound of joined applause replaced the silence. Nods and cheers spread across the room.
When it all rolled over, I walked over to Eduard with a smile. He took my hand in his and kissed it. He pulled me out, toward the car.
As I pulled my heels off, I asked him, “How was it?”
“Baby, do you even have to ask me that? It gets better every time. I was stunned.”
“Thank you,” I answered. “Where are we going?”
“The countryside house is ready. It’s all ours now,” he informed, his lips curling up in a smile.
“Already? Thank you!” I gushed, throwing my arms around him.
“It’s my utmost pleasure, baby.”
I curled into his side as the car melded with the traffic.
The countryside house was nothing short of a dream come true. From the moment I set my eyes on the building, I had loved it. It was going to be our safe haven, away from the city, far from the noise.
I couldn’t wait to be there.
***
I couldn’t find the words as I took in the interior of our new home.
Just like I wanted, it was simple. The stone fireplace sat majestically against the sitting room wall while my piano took the space by the window. I didn’t need to think twice to know he specifically chose that spot for me.
“You’ve not even seen the garden, yet. Come, “ Eduard prompted, leading me out into the back garden.
It was larger than I had in mind. There was more than enough space for me to grow all the herbs I’d been rambling to Eduard about.
I couldn’t resist.
Still barefoot, I ran through the grass, the wind carrying the sound of my laughter.
When Eduard eventually joined me on the grass, he had a serious expression on his face.
“Hey, husband,” I teased, rising on my toes to wrap my hands around his neck.
He held me close.
“Marielle, I never thought I’d find peace. Never thought I even deserved it. But one look at you is all it takes for your beautiful calm to soothe me. You mean the world to me, baby.”
Joyful tears welled in my eyes as I told him, “It goes both ways. I love you.”
Then he sealed our confessions with a kiss.
We had forever to explore each other—and music.
***
THE END