Epilogue
LAKE COMO, ITALY
Two years later
“ Y o, Miles. Would it be okay if I married your soon-to-be wife?”
Miles whirled at the sound of Romeo’s baffling question, his fingers hovering over the bow-tie loosely hanging around his neck. “Say that again?”
Romeo whistled, closing the door behind him. “Indy, man, she looks beautiful in her bridal gown. Like an actual goddess.”
Narrowing his gaze on the tall hockey player, Miles didn’t miss his red-rimmed eyes. “There’s so much info I need to process,” he mumbled, ignoring the way his heart rate had picked up at the thought of Indy dressed in white. “The question is: would Isla be okay with that?”
At the mention of his beautiful date he’d been pining after for years, a furious blush heated Romeo’s face. He simply shrugged to answer Miles’ question, then turned to look at his reflection in a mirror and fix his dark hair.
“Next question, please.”
“Okay. When are you going to stop pretending you’re not obsessed with your fake girlfriend?”
Romeo glared at him. “Next question.”
“When and why did you see my fiancée?”
Yes, you read that right. Indy was Miles’ fiancée, and had been for over a year now. It happened one summer night in Monaco as he had taken her to paint on the beach. While she had drawn his portrait, he’d written “ May I be your husband?” on a canvas which he ended up showing to her when she least expected it.
She hadn’t hesitated, and he still could remember the feeling of completeness as he knelt before her and brought the diamond ring to her finger. Then, she’d tackled him to the blanket, spilling paint all over it and over himself. The night had ended up with paint stains all over her art room when they’d decided to continue making art in there—the floor, the door, the wall.Like the colours were screaming of love, too.
Romeo’s signature shit-eating grin spread across his face. “Thought I’d just go and say hi to my favourite person. I made her cry.”
“Of course, you did. Bet you cried like a little bitch, too.”
He raised his hands. “Hey, in my defence, my words were really, really emotional. So yeah, I cried. What’s wrong with men embracing their sensitivity?”
The door opened and Ezra strolled in, his untied bow hanging around his neck. “Your speech was shit. Indy cried because she’s just sensitive.”
Romeo scoffed. “Yeah, right. I can’t wait to hear your stupid speech later. I bet it’s bland like your fucking ass.”
Kai stepped into the room with a grin, Rowan in tow as he tightly held Ava’s hand.
“Pregnant lady coming in. Make room. Don’t touch her. Be careful. Give her food. ASAP!” Rowan bellowed as he led his own fiancée to an armchair.
Ava swatted Rowan’s hand away, rolling her eyes. “I’m fine.”
“Yeah, but?—”
She gently cupped his face, pecking his jaw. “I’m all good for now.”
“What about baby g—” Rowan stopped himself, pressing his lips in a thin line, which made Ava sigh in exasperation.
Miles’ eyes bulged. “Were you about to say girl?”
“Goat,” Rowan said. “Baby goat.”
“You’re such an idiot,” Ava muttered, though she smiled when she met Miles’ bewildered gaze.
“I’m sorry, sunflower.”
“Are you having a girl?” Miles asked slowly.
Ava and Rowan exchanged a glance, then nodded, beaming.
“Fuck yes! I knew it!” Ezra laid his palm flat out. “Huxley, Bailey, Quinn. You each owe me one hundred bucks.”
Kai groaned. “Damn it! I wanted baby Emerson to be a dude.”
Miles shook his head then fished his wallet out, throwing a bill at Ezra’s proud face. He then walked over to Ava and Rowan, throwing his arms around them.
“I’m so happy for you two,” he whispered, emotion rising in his throat. “You’re going to be the best parents ever.”
“Damn right, we are,” Rowan quipped.
Ava took a seat on a chair after accepting the hugs and congratulations. “Why is everyone betting on my baby’s gender?”
“Because it’s the most exciting thing that’s happening right now,” Ezra answered breezily. “Aside from the wedding. And Kai getting back together with Amara after being apart for ten years. And Romeo being here with the girl he’s been in love with his whole?—”
“Okay we get it,” Romeo cut in, shaking his head.
Ever since Ava had announced her pregnancy to her friends and family a couple of weeks ago, her bump looked more defined. And ever since she’d told Rowan about it, he was over-protective of her, but in the best way possible.
Miles thought his best friend looked absolutely exquisite with her pregnancy glow and small bump. And seeing her in a terracotta silk dress made his eyes water. She was not only his best friend, but also one of Indy’s bridesmaids.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” she murmured when it was just the two of them whilst the rest of the boys were chatting amongst themselves.
Miles smiled as she fixed his bow. “Please don’t make me cry. I can’t believe you’re engaged and about to have a kid.”
“Miles,” Ava whispered. “I know it’s not the time, so you can think about it, okay? But we’d love for you to be our daughter’s second godfather.”
“Who’s the first one?”
“Tate.” Rowan’s best friend.
“Makes sense.” He grinned broadly, taking her shaking hands in his. “I’m honoured. I would love to be her godfather. You three are very special to me, and I promise I’ll take good care of you all.”
“You have some real nerve to say that to a pregnant lady. Now I’m getting emotional.”
“My apologies.” He chuckled, then pecked the crown of her head. “Love you, Ave. Would a doughnut make you happy?”
She nodded, sniffing. “You know me so well.”
“He’s stressing me out.”
“He’s nervous. Let him be.”
“But why is he pacing like a mad man?”
“Because he’s nervous? You blokes are so insensitive. He’s about to get married, for fuck’s sake.”
Miles took a deep breath, then turned to his friends—his groomsmen. Before him, all dressed in regal tuxedos, they all gaped at him with admiration and emotion. Kai, Romeo, Ezra, Thiago, Rowan, and Charlie. The men he’d grown up with, and the ones he raced against on Sundays, but became family on other days.
“I’m nervous,” he admitted.
“No shit, Sherlock,” Rowan commented with a soft scoff.
“I hadn’t noticed,” Romeo deadpanned.
“Okay, none of us are helping with the situation,” Kai said. “How about we take a shot? Oh, wait. No, this won’t help our groom here.”
“We already took one,” Thiago said. “Let’s save the liquor for the party.”
“Tito always being the responsible one,” Charlie remarked wryly, which earned a grin from Thiago.
A knock on the door resonated, and when it cracked open, Lisa Bailey popped her head inside. “Hi, gentlemen. Mind if I catch a moment with Miles and Malakai?”
When everyone was out of the room save for Lisa, Kai, and Miles, he felt the tension rattling through his bones vanish. Lisa’s eyes shone, and emotion started to grip at Miles’ heart again.
He could still remember the day he’d taken the Bailey’s out for lunch when he and Indy were visiting in London. While Indy had been busy catching up with friends, Miles had grabbed the opportunity to ask her family, in secret, if he could take Indy’s hand in marriage. Lisa had cried, so had Zach, and so had Kai.
“You look handsome,” Lisa murmured, taking his hands in hers.
“And you look ravishing.” Indy had inherited her father’s blonde hair, but her stunning crystal eyes were the exact copy of Lisa’s. “How are you?”
“I should be asking you this question,” she countered. “How are you feeling, love?”
“He’s about to piss his pants,” Kai said.
“ Malakai .”
“I’m really nervous,” Miles answered, ignoring his best friend pretending to be annoyed with his mother. “What if Indy changes her mind?”
Lisa’s fingers tightened around his own. “That will never happen. She’s going to say yes the moment she walks down the aisle. Miles, Indy loves you so much. She’s loved you her entire life. There’s no doubt you two are meant for each other. You told me once that you thought you two were moving too fast, but there’s no such thing as rushing when you know she’s the one. My daughter is happy, and I’m so, so thankful that you’re the one who makes her life so beautiful and exciting.”
Swallowing the tight lump that had built in the back of his throat, Miles nodded, unable to find his voice.
“Are you happy?” Lisa continued softly.
“Never been happier.”
Miles looked over to Kai as the latter wiped a tear off his cheek. “I’m not crying.”
Lisa and Miles laughed. “Sure.”
Kai’s hand came to firmly grip Miles' shoulder. “You’ve always been part of the family, but I still think I need to say this to you. Welcome to the family, mate. I love you, but if you so much as make my sister cry—except for when you exchange your vows—I will strangle you.”
The distant rumble in the grey, brooding sky was not a good sign. Despite the warm, summer air, Miles had a feeling the downpour would come to disturb his plans soon. He fixed his vest, standing at the altar, and watched over the guests who were calmly chatting amongst each other.
He cast a quick glance to the front row where his father and his girlfriend were sitting. Both tenderly smiled at him, a gesture he returned earnestly. Next to them was Lisa fanning herself with a hand, Rosie lying at her feet, Andrew and Zoya (Ava’s parents) on her other side and smiling proudly back at Miles. Maya was chuckling with her husband, but when her gaze found her brother’s, tears brimmed her already-puffy eyes.
He could see some of his favourite car mechanics he’d been working with for years sitting at the back, AJ and Enzo amongst them. Even Tate Richards (who held his daughter, Nora, on his lap), Callahan Langdon, and Alex Myers were here.
It wasn’t a big wedding despite the fact that Indy was terrifically popular. They had invited the people closest to them to Italy to celebrate this big day.
When the pianist and violinist started to play one of his original pieces, Miles felt the ball in his throat grow and grow, the knot in his stomach twist and turn. First, Kai appeared with Kamari—his best man and Indy’s maid of honour. Kamari was a beautiful, devastating woman who stole everyone’s breath away. When they reached him, Kamari squeezed Miles’ forearm before going to stand opposite him as Kai stood by his side.
Next, it was Romeo and Diana, Indy’s other best friend with snark for days and coppery hair floating down her back. Ava was holding Ezra’s arm as they marched steadily towards the altar, one hand hugging a bouquet as the other rested on her bump. Behind them, Rowan was glaring at Ezra. He was walking in the company of Amara, Kai’s girlfriend. Thiago appeared next, Isla St James on his arm, winking to Kamari when he passed in front of her. And finally, Charlie and A?da came into view.The sight of them together made Miles’ heart swell with both pride and happiness.
Then, the music shifted.
Nothing surrounded him.
Nothing mattered or existed.
There was only Indy. His Indy.
Instant tears started to blur his vision when she came into view, one hand tightly clutching her father’s arm and the other holding a beautiful bouquet.
But her…
There were no words that could describe her beauty and how she managed to steal the breath away from his lungs. Her ivory dress was breathtaking, but her smile was even more mesmerising.
Miles couldn’t help but sob when all the sounds around him buzzed to life, his hands shaking and tears streaming down his face. He caught his breath, accepting the handkerchief Kai slipped to him.
So, this was real, right? He wasn’t dreaming.
Indy and Zach stopped in front of him, and it took every sliver of strength he possessed to look away from the love of his life. Whispering something in Indy’s ear, Zach finally let go of his daughter and pulled Miles in for a tight hug.
“Take care of her,” Zach whispered.
“Always.”
The next moment, he extended his hand and invited Indy to step into his cosmos.
“Hi, stud.” Indy’s fingers entwined with his, and just like that, his body sparked to life. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Hi.” He swallowed and let out a shaky breath. “You look stunning.”
She smiled, weakening him in the knees. “You’re not too bad yourself.”
As she stood across from him, admiring him and letting awe draw upon her expression, Miles couldn’t believe she was his. Couldn’t believe they were about to bind themselves to an eternity together and let that invisible string tethering them together become stronger and unwavering.
He couldn’t look away from her. Couldn’t do anything except let himself fall further, waiting to be hers for life.
The moment it was time to exchange their vows, he inhaled deeply, his eyes looking from the little note held between his fingers and the lovely woman who was about to have his last name.
“Indigo,” he softly said, his voice trembling. He chuckled, staring into her ocean eyes swamped withtears. “How could I ever find the right words to thank you for loving me? I’ve kept everyone at arm’s length my entire life, not wanting to let anyone in or close to me, but then there was you. You’ve always known how to tear my armour down, and it terrified me for years because how could someone as extraordinary as you could want someone like me?
“We met when we were just kids, and even then, I knew that you were special. If there’s one person who’s always been able to see right through me and break my walls down, it’s you. Life with you is simply beautiful. It’s filled with laughter, joy, art, music, racing. It’s filled with moments I will always cherish, even the tougher ones. You saw something in me—something I sometimes wonder what is—and never once looked back. You are the greatest woman I’ve ever met, and I will always be in awe of you. Of your dedication, your passion, and your selflessness. I am so incredibly lucky to be yours. Thank you for loving me, Indy. Thank you for loving every part of me, even the ones that are harder to love, and for seeing my scars and cherishing them. I’ve never felt as loved and appreciated as when you’re with me. I love you. Always. Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve had to do, and I promise I’ll do it every day. And in every lifetime, I will be yours.”
A tear rolled down Indy’s cheek, and Miles reached over to delicately wipe it away. She leaned into his touch, causing fireworks to burst inside his chest. He gasped for air, feeling a tear of his own crash down his cheekbone.
Sounds of sobs and sniffles resonated around the space, mixing with the thunder rumbling overhead. All that mattered, though, was Indy who accepted the note Kamari slipped into her hand.
Her chest rose and fell, and the moment she inhaled, rain came pouring down. A laugh bubbled out of Indy’s mouth whilst some guests gasped. He looked around, seeing umbrellas opening and other guests taking in the rain just like he was.
“Huxley,” she started, emotion woven into her tone. “You’ll always be Huxley to me. Because Miles belongs to the world, but Huxley is the one who stole my heart when I was three and plucked a daisy out of my crown to tuck it into the pocket of his racing suit.” He smiled at that memory, and in the distance, his dad’s chuckle echoed. “I always knew that you were the one for me. From the moment I met you, I just knew there was something strangely amazing that kept pulling me towards you.
“You’re an amazing man, who deemed me, a chaotic girl with pieces that needed to be mended, worthy of your love. I will always be grateful for that. You delicately helped me put myself back together. You taught me that love doesn’t need to be rushed, that it is calm and peaceful. Thank you for choosing me, for loving me, every single day. Thank you for being my biggest supporter and for always swimming by my side when I find myself drowning. You always know how to pull me up and show me how great I’m doing. Thank you for holding my hand and wanting to spend the rest of your life with me. I can’t wait to see how the rest of our married life unfolds. I know it’s going to be amazing beyond measure. I promise that I will cherish and love you for the rest of our lives, and even when death does us part, I will find you in every lifetime and claim myself as yours.”
Miles couldn’t see through the tears blinding his vision. His lungs were craving for oxygen, his fingers trembling from anticipation.
Golden bands adorned their ring fingers a moment later, and when he finally heard “ you may kiss the bride ”, Miles caught Indy’s waist, dipping her to kiss her soft, pink lips. The cheers erupting from around were drowned out by the heavy rain beating down on them—like the downpour had engulfed them in a cosmos of pure, eternal happiness.
Indy smiled against his mouth, her shaking fingers cupping his jaw. He kissed her softly, gently, sealing the promise of his love through the entwine of their breaths.
Their foreheads touched, and Miles breathed in the scent of the rain, the fresh air, her perfume. He chuckled as rain crashed down on them, brushing her cheekbones with the pad of his thumbs. “Hi, wife.” God, didn’t that sound right.
As always, Indy’s smile was akin towarm sunlight. She kissed him again, whispering words he’d dreamed of once. “Hi, husband. Are you ready to be sick of me?”
He laughed. “So ready. And you?”
He almost collapsed at the sight of her dilated pupils, her beautiful eyes flickering between his. “I’ve been waiting for this my entire life.”
“Good.” Weaving his fingers through hers, he grinned at the way they perfectly fitted together. “Let’sdo this then.”
With yet another powerful kiss binding their souls and hearts together, Miles finally felt happy and alive and complete. He knew then, that this was the beginning of a beautiful story—a story he’d, one day, tell his kids about a fierce, intelligent, captivating woman who had made his heart speed into overdrive, claiming it and never giving it back to him.