Epilogue
Sailor
Can’t Fight Destiny
I STOOD AT THE TOP OF the quaint little church with the sun beaming through stained-glass windows. Pews full of young and old neighbours from Ember Drive watched us with bated breath, and the ghosts of the North and Rose family watched me pledge my life and love to the boy next door.
Two months since he proposed and now he had me at the altar.
It’d been a whirlwind, but…every step had felt absolutely right.
Fate had stepped in the moment we stopped fighting the inevitable. The day after we announced our engagement to our friends, everyone came together and made it happen.
It’d seemed too easy—terrifyingly easy—almost as if this entire affair had been choreographed by the universe itself.
Lily stood behind me in a coral pink bridesmaid’s dress.
Colin stood behind Zander in a crisp black tux.
Even Peng had been invited, sitting obediently in his little basket on Christina’s knee, where she sat next to Zander’s other sister, Jolie. He had a leash on to prevent him from destroying the decorations, and he blinked with such loving green eyes, he reminded me so much of the man I was about to marry.
“Do you, Sailor Melody Rose, take Zander North as your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
I blinked and focused on the celebrant. A lovely old priest who’d regularly had a few sherries with my nana.
Zander and I would’ve preferred a small garden wedding or even an elopement, but the moment the suburb learned we were finally getting married—after Melody and Mary had spoken of this auspicious day for almost three decades—the entire town wanted to attend.
The church had offered to host, the local flower shop owner (who Zander had sewn up after a nasty accident with a pair of pruning scissors) offered free blooms, and the cake had been donated by a lovely woman I’d grown close to at the market who sold cakes way better than any I could ever make.
I sighed with utmost contentment.
I felt so loved, so content, so safe.
Zander squeezed my fingers, bringing me once again to the present. I kept drifting off, floating in a wonderful dream that’d come true. “Eh, you’re making me nervous, Little Lor.”
Pop’s nickname for me made my heart threaten to explode.
Zander regularly called me all kinds of things when he had me in his bed. And I often called him X when he wore the mask and took me roughly. I had the best of both worlds. I had a wonderful, intelligent man who’d dedicated his life to healing the sick, but only I got to see him as a ruthless, dominant lover who got hard at leaving a mark on my skin.
I adored the two sides of him.
I was eternally grateful I was healed enough to be healthy inside and outside of the bedroom.
And I only had him to thank.
My guardian. My stalker. My doctor. My husband.
Grinning, I tugged him a little closer. He looked absolutely ravishing in a black tux. His emerald stare sparkled behind polished black glasses, and his dark red hair glittered like fire tinsel thanks to the beaming sun.
My heart flipped, tripped, and fell into his pocket. Forever.
“I do.” I smiled.
The priest let out a sigh of relief. “And do you, Zander North, take Sailor Melody Rose as your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“Absolutely.” Zander grinned. “Always.”
A few laughs twittered around the crowd.
“Excellent.” The priest beamed and stepped backward. “I was told you’ve prepared your own vows as well. If you’d like to exchange rings and share those, then I’ll announce you.”
“That’s my cue.” Leaning forward, Colin handed Zander a ring. “By the way, I seem to remember saying this exact thing would happen.” He laughed. “And it didn’t even take three to five years.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Zander scoffed. “Nobody likes a know-it-all.”
“Happy for you, Zan.” Colin patted Zander’s shoulder and stepped back.
“Here you go, moonbeam.” Lily kissed my cheek and pressed the simple gold band into my palm.
I returned her kiss, then sniffed back tears as Zander and I faced each other one last time as separate people.
“I—”
“I—”
We both laughed. “Sorry, you go.”
“No, you first.”
Zander blushed. “Okay.” Taking my hand, he slipped the most stunning flower-shaped diamond onto my finger and kissed my knuckles. “Not a single day goes by that I’m not in awe of you, grateful for you, and head over heels in love with you. It took a false identity to realise who I truly am, and now that you’re mine, I’m never letting you go. I love you, Lori. Forever.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I slid the gold band onto his finger and whispered, “There isn’t a TV here, but I know it would’ve turned itself on with approval that we finally did this. I’ve always secretly loved the boy next door, but it wasn’t until he guarded me in the shadows that I realised I was in love with him too. I love every piece of you, Z. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”
A few aw’s feathered out from the older women watching us. They dabbed their eyes, giving Zander besotted looks.
Lily grinned, Colin laughed, and at the exact moment the priest said, ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife’, a sparrow fluttered down the aisle and landed in Zander’s hair. It chirped, flittered to my shoulder, then flew into the church rafters.
It wasn’t a snowing TV.
But it was a sign.
A sign of approval from two matchmaking women who finally got their wish.
* * * * *
Zander held my hand as the judge read Milton’s verdict.
Testifying against him hadn’t been easy. I’d had a few sleepless nights and one mild panic attack on the way to the courthouse, but…thanks to Zander, he’d held me through it, comforted me, and given me strength. I’d held my head high while I testified against the man who tried to strip me of my incredibly happy life.
Milton had lost weight, and his eyes no longer held any resemblance of being human, almost as if evilness eroded him from the inside out. He watched me with pure hatred the entire time I answered the lawyers’ questions and studied photos that’d been taken of my wounds and strangulation marks when I’d been admitted into the hospital.
I’d feared facing him would send me back in my healing…but hearing the gavel come down and his sentence delivered, a tiny part of me that was still terrified of him breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Fifteen years with no parole for nine years.
It wasn’t forever, and in a decade, I might have to face him again if he was stupid enough to come after me a second time, but…I wasn’t alone anymore. I had Zander. I was safe. And as we headed out of the courthouse and back into the autumn sunshine, I tipped my head back to the sky and sent a quick prayer of thanks to all those watching over us.
* * * * *
“Oh no, you don’t.” I scooped Peng around the middle and plopped him back onto the
floor. Within a second, he was back on the counter, sniffing the garlic butter fish I’d just pulled out of the oven.
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my favourite fluffy nuisance and smooshed him.
Instead of squirming to get down, he lolled like a boneless orange noodle in my arms and purred as I buried my face in his belly fur. “You’re a terror. A wonderful, rascally, far too adorable terror.”
The sounds of keys clinking on the sideboard had my eyes shooting up and a bigger smile spreading my lips. “Yay, you’re home.”
“Thank God.” Dumping his satchel that no doubt held a few notes he wanted to review on current patients, he yanked off his tie as if he was sick of it strangling him. With a heavy sigh, Zander kicked off his shoes and prowled toward me.
Peng immediately turned traitor, meowing to be rescued as if I was the world’s worst cat cuddler.
Zander grinned as he scooped Penguin out of my arms and flopped him over his shoulder. “Hello, wife.” With a tired smile, he pulled me close and hugged me.
Peng grumbled in annoyance and leapt down.
I hugged Zander back, then squeaked as his strong arms circled my waist, picked me up, and placed me on the countertop beside the bowl of home-made fries and fresh garden salad.
His hands landed on my thighs, unapologetically spreading my legs.
With a hot look in his eyes, he leaned in and kissed me.
He kissed me to distract me.
He kissed me while pulling my underwear down beneath my cable dress and kissed me as he unbuckled, unzipped, then sank inside me right beside the dinner I’d cooked for him.
And I kissed him back.
I flung myself into lust and love and longing.
And when his hand came up to circle my throat, stroking me and threatening me in equal measure, I scratched his back and baited him to take me harder.
We switched from sweet hello to violent claiming.
I’d gotten everything I ever wanted.
We’d drawn up plans to renovate my place, and I’d moved into his home in preparation for some rather large structural works. We’d talked about renting out Nana’s house, but…the garden was too precious. It had all my plants needed for the business, and neither of us liked the thought of strangers living next door.
So…we’d hired an architect to combine this place with that one.
Not only had we combined our lives, but the two houses would eventually merge into one too.
Zander dragged me out of my thoughts by teasing me toward an orgasm. I mewled in frustration as he withdrew, pulled me off the counter, then spun me around and pressed me belly first against it.
With a groan, he sank back inside me. Taking me from behind, he kept one fist on my lower back so I couldn’t escape while his other hand sneaked around to my clit.
I went bowstring tight.
He knew exactly how to make me shatter in two seconds flat.
My release set off his release, and we almost crumbled to the floor as we slowly broke apart, straightened our clothing, and smiled at each other like naughty teenagers.
“We’ve been married three months, but I still can’t get enough of you.” Running his thumb over my bottom lip, he sighed. “Every time I come home to you and Peng. Every damn time I smell a delicious meal and know that I get to snuggle with you on the couch later and then take you to bed just…” He shook his head and clutched his heart. “It hurts, Little Lor. Right here.”
Going to him, I planted my palm over his beating heart and raised on my tiptoes to kiss him. “I have the same problem. Whenever you text me that you’re on the way home, I shake in anticipation.”
He grinned. “So we’re both obsessed?”
“I’d say so.” I smirked. “Do you happen to know a cure? You’re a brilliant doctor, after all.”
“Afraid not.” He kissed my nose and headed to the table. “We’ll just have to remain incurable for the rest of our lives.”
“I can live with that.”
“Yeah, me too.” He smirked a sinful smirk as he readjusted himself and sat down at the dining table. With a sigh, he pulled his phone from his back pocket and checked any notifications he’d missed while commuting home.
That was the one blip in our otherwise blissful marriage.
Zander still worked a lot. Some nights, I went to bed alone with my kitty, only to wake with him snaking his arms around me with an exhausted groan. Sometimes our planned days off ended with him called in to an emergency, and I did my best to be supportive all while the protective wife in me came out.
I didn’t like that he worked so much, but…I understood it.
He needed to help, so I would take care of him while he took care of others, all while secretly planning for the day when he retired, and I could keep him to myself.
At least he got regular meals these days.
My own business had grown so big, I’d had to hire someone to manage the market stalls and help me ship out the online orders every week. I spent most of my time cooking Nana’s recipes and making tinctures and remedies. Some of Zander’s patients who preferred more natural healing than pharmaceuticals had even bought a few things.
If we met someone new who didn’t know our destiny granted by our grandparents, they’d smile uncertainly at the doctor who’d married the flower child. In reality, we shouldn’t really go together, but thanks to a pact made decades ago, our future had already been written.
Besides, they only saw the upstanding, risk-averse doctor while I got the slightly dangerous, mask-wearing motorcycle rider who sometimes dragged me out of bed at two in the morning to go soaring into the stars. The stalker who’d tattooed the smallest skull above his hip—hidden beneath his scrubs and only visible when he made dirty, wonderful love to me.
“Anything important?” I asked as I made up two plates and carried them to the table.
Zander didn’t look up from his phone, a frown cutting his forehead.
“Uh-oh.” I sat down and picked up my fork. “I know that look. Do you have to go back in?”
His eyes met mine. “Sorry, no, I…I just got an email from the staffing office.”
“Oh? What did it say?” I took a bite of juicy, buttery fish.
“They wished me a wonderful time on my honeymoon. And not to answer my phone under any circumstances.”
“What? I thought we agreed we couldn’t have a honeymoon? You’re too busy and—”
“We did.” He passed his phone to me. “But somehow, I have leave booked for three weeks. Starting tomorrow.”
“How?” I scanned the email, then jolted as a message from Colin popped up. “Colin’s just texted you. He says to call him.”
He frowned and took back his phone. “What the hell is he up to?”
I shrugged. “Better call him and find out, I guess?”
With a worried look, Zander pressed Colin’s number and put the phone on speaker between us. It only rang once before Colin picked up.
“Now…before you get mad at me, there’s a reason I didn’t tell you.”
“Why would I get mad, Col?” Zander cracked his knuckles as if his friend was here to punch him. “What did you do? Are you behind the fact that I have three weeks off when I didn’t ask for any?”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“Because you wouldn’t have taken the time off if it wasn’t for me. You would’ve let your poor little wife go without a honeymoon all because you’re a workaholic.”
“I have a few important surgeries coming up. I can’t just—”
“You’ll always have important surgeries coming up, Zan. That’s the point. There will never be a break from the work. There will never be a good time to get away. Not one, do you hear me? When you’re on your deathbed and someone asks what you most regret, you know what you’ll say? You’ll say you regret not spending more time with your delectable wife and so…you’re welcome.”
Zander flinched as Colin struck a nerve. Before he could reply, Colin added, “There are other doctors. Other surgeons. Your patients won’t suffer, and you aren’t letting anyone down by putting yourself first for a few weeks. Didn’t you tell me you wanted to find a better work-life balance now that you’re hitched? Well…this is me fulfilling that wish.”
“I don’t understand how they let you ask for it off. Isn’t there some sort of—”
“Yeah, about that. I kinda had help. Of the legal kind.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“It wasn’t entirely Colin’s fault, Zander,” a woman cut in, a smile in her voice. “I’m half to blame.”
“Christina?” Zander scowled at me before looking at his phone again. “Why are you with Colin? What the hell is going on?”
No one spoke for a second but then Christina blurted, “I’m at Colin’s place because we’re kind of…you know. Seeing how it goes. And before you start, Colin arranged your leave because, the day after you two got married, the family lawyer called me. He delivered a document that demanded your presence at some secretive location, and when we showed it to the hospital, they were only too happy to give you time off.”
“Wait. Why did the family lawyer contact you? I’m the one in charge of the Norths’ affairs.”
“Because he had strict instructions from Gran to tell me over you.”
Zander sat back, a dazed, almost hurt look on his face. “Why?”
“Because she knew you better than you knew yourself and probably figured you wouldn’t do what she asked.”
“What did she ask?”
“Doesn’t matter.” Christina laughed slyly. “You’ll know when you get there. But…you have to take a trip. You and Sailor.”
“A trip?” I asked when Zander didn’t say anything. “A trip where?”
“All I can tell you is it’s in Costa Rica.”
Zander and I made eye contact.
Growing up—when both sets of our grandparents were alive—they’d often go as a happy foursome on holiday to Costa Rica. It’d become a bit of a tradition. Every year, they packed their bags for a few weeks of double-dating vacation before returning browned, happy, and ready to work again. They’d promised to take us with them, but then Zander’s grandfather passed away, and they’d stopped going.
“Your flight leaves tonight. You have four hours before take-off, so I suggest you start packing and get to the airport.”
“What the hell?” Zander raked a hand through his hair. “You can’t just spring this on us. What about Peng? We haven’t got—”
“Lily has already agreed to move into Sailor’s for three weeks and cat sit him. You know her boyfriend Aubrey is helping with the renovation for you. It’s a perfect opportunity for him to assess the pros and cons of each house so he can figure out how to link them for you. Because we both know stuffy architects can get it wrong, and you want to get it right.”
“Why do I feel like we don’t have a choice in this matter?” Zander huffed.
“That’s because you don’t. You’re getting on that plane and you’re going to the address that the transportation service has when they pick you up. Just…go with it, Zan. For once in your life, lean on someone other than yourself. Trust us, alright?”
Zander slouched, all while my phone started ringing with Lily’s name.
“I’ll just take this.” Scooting away from the table, I accepted the call and left Z to talk to his sister. “Lils, what the hell is going on?”
“I’m already in your kitchen. I can’t find your pesky cat, though. Has he escaped again?”
I glanced at Peng happily sprawled on the back door mat licking his paws. “He’s here. With us. At Zander’s.”
“Oh phew. I thought I’d already failed at this cat-sitting business.”
“Why are you all ganging up on us and shooing us away overseas?”
She giggled. “Just you wait.”
“So you know?”
“Oh yes, I know. I had a rather wonderful time over at Colin’s a few days after your wedding. If I wasn’t falling for Aubrey and Christina wasn’t giving off possessive vibes, I might’ve been tempted. He’s freaking hilarious, but…he’s also kind and cares a lot about Zander so…just go with the flow, Sailor Moon, and get on that damn plane.”
* * * * *
“This is crazy, right?” I asked for the millionth time.
I’d asked it as we’d packed and shed a few tears as I passed my wonderful cat into my best friend’s arms.
I’d asked it as we climbed out of the Uber at the airport.
I’d asked it as we took off and flew across the ocean and landed in hot and steamy Costa Rica.
And I asked it again as Zander took my hand and led me into the arrivals hall, scanning the mismatch of drivers, family members, and hotel clerks holding up plaques with people’s names on.
Spying a guy with North scribbled on a board, he dragged me over to him. “It’s nuts, and I’m legitimately worried about what they’re all up to, but…we’re here now, so I guess we’re doing this.”
I didn’t ask again as the driver shook our hands, helped with our hastily packed luggage, and guided us outside to an awaiting white sedan.
The journey from the airport wasn’t too long. He gave us facts about how the weather had been, what events were taking place on the island, and how he was madly in love with the place where we were staying and how wonderful it was that it would be used again.
Zander and I shared a worried look.
The longer we drove down streets that became progressively worse with potholes and overgrown vegetation, the more I clung to his fingers.
“Here we are.” The driver grinned, turning left at the top of a hill and bumping our way down a rutted driveway. Palm trees and tropical bushes blocked everything; banana fronds and mango trees gave me new ideas for face creams and lip balms, and when we finally broke through the wilderness, the most incredible house appeared.
A sprawling bungalow perched on the top of a small cliff; the ocean spilled out like sparkling aquamarine gemstones below. The mid-morning sun shimmered and played on the crystal sand, making everything ridiculously pretty.
Pulling our luggage out of the trunk, the driver passed us a rustic-looking key and grinned. “We’ve stocked the fridge and cleaned. The gardener hasn’t been well, hence the state of the jungle, but rest assured, he’ll pop by in a few days to tame it. There’s a motorcycle in the garage, and the nearest eateries are only five minutes away. If you need anything, my number is on the counter. Fresh linens are in the cupboards. Oh…and the pool has been filled, so if you fancy a swim to wash away your travels, go right ahead.”
“Pool?” Zander blinked. “W-What are you talking about?”
“It’s just down the hill a little. Can’t miss it.” Waving at our dumbfounded faces, the guy got back into his car. “Have a wonderful vacation, Mr and Mrs North. All of us in this tight-knit community are so happy your family is back to continue the tradition. I’m hosting our weekly barbecue at my place. Please join us. It will be like old times.”
“Old times?” I coughed.
But the driver closed his door, waved once more, and bounced his way back up the drive.
Zander and I shared yet another look.
Equally as lost as each other.
We opened our mouths to speak, but in the end, we just shrugged and dragged our luggage to the front door.
Inserting the key into the carved entry, Zander pushed it open and let me go ahead.
My mouth fell open.
The airy foyer spilled directly into a vast open-plan living room with huge sliding doors facing the ocean view. A pool glittered to the right, a green jungle surrounded us, and colourful birds flittered from tree to tree.
A large sandstone-coloured corridor wound like a snake to my left, while a massive granite-benched kitchen waited to the right. A large wicker basket sat beside the stove, full of fruits and vegetables, cheese and crackers.
“What on earth is this place?” Zander whispered. Propping our luggage against the wall, he drifted forward in a daze.
I followed him.
We both came to a natural stop by the long slab of wood acting as a table and room divider. Behind it rested a slouchy linen couch facing the view.
A letter sat propped up by a glass jar full of seashells.
A letter addressed to Mr and Mrs North.
Zander swallowed hard as he reached for it. The rip of the envelope made both of us tense, and the crackle of unfolding pretty flower paper made me hold my breath.
Zander licked his lips and read:
“Dear Sailor and Zander,
If you’re here, then we were right.
We hoped of course, but never truly knew if you’d fall in love.
You’re both so different but also perfect for one another, and we only wish we could’ve been there to see you get married.
You were born from best friends, and now you are best friends. We can rest easy, knowing you’re both taken care of. We know you’ll look after one another for the rest of your lives. We know you’ll work hard and laugh often, but please remember to relax too.
We bought this house back in the sixties and have loved it ever since.
Now it’s yours.
Please share it with your sisters, friends, and future family. It’s been empty for far too long and it’s up to you and your loved ones to fill it with laughter and love.
Please use it.
Please enjoy it like we did.
Please create so many happy memories.
Our only regret is that we didn’t bring you here when we had the chance, but…surprise.
This is our wedding gift to you both.
Our dream finally came true, and now our families will always be connected.
You’ve made us so proud.
We’ll be watching out for you in heaven.
We love you both so much.
Love your Gran, Grandpa, Nana, and Pops.
PS. Look up. You’re home.”
Our eyes soared to the open rafters. We noticed at the same time.
A stunning rose had been carved into the ceiling with a compass facing true north in the centre. Beneath the emblem existed three words.
The North Rose.
The final sign from the grave that our family approved of our union.
A secret house they’d kept all these years in hopes that we’d get married.
Grabbing me in a kiss, Zander scooped me off my feet, then carried me toward the corridor and hopefully a bedroom.
Behind us, the letter fluttered to the floor.
The curtains rippled.
And somewhere in the living room, an ancient box television turned on.
THE END
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