EPILOGUE
KIAN
Three years later
Fortunately, the house is warm when I wake up. Unfortunately, the clock on the bedside table says it’s 6:09 in the morning and way too early for me to be up. But my heart is beating hard in my chest, and I know I'm too awake now to try to fall back asleep.
I risk a peep at Trent, and see him tucked tightly into the blanket, his mouth slightly open. His chest rises and falls in a steady motion while I stare at him, making sure he stays asleep while I start part one of my plan.
I’m not the most stealthy, but I’ve had help in planning this day for us. It’s Christmas today, and I want Trent to have the best day ever. He spends every moment he has taking care of everyone around him, especially me and Mitch, and the least I can do is take care of him now.
It’s been a learning experience the past two years since we moved in together officially, but I wouldn’t trade a minute of those times together. I’ve learned to love Trent in the way he needs, not the way I want to love him. Making him breakfast and dinner, setting out clothes for him so he doesn’t have to worry about what he’s going to wear every day, and cleaning the house.
I’m very much a house-boyfriend, and that’s okay with me. I love taking care of him and making sure he’s happy and healthy, and actually eating food that is nutritious. It’s been trial and error with learning how to cook, but I have it down to a science now. Mostly thanks to easy how-to videos, but I still make the recipes, so I deserve some credit for how hard I work in the kitchen.
I gently roll out of bed, my socked feet hitting the hardwood floor. Padding to the door, I keep my footsteps light, and gently crack open the door. I chance one last glimpse over my shoulder, and watch as Trent rolls toward the warm spot I just vacated. His brown hair sleep tousled.
Leaving the door open, I make my way to the kitchen to work on the first part of his surprise. Down the hallway, I glance at the pictures of us lining with walls, a smile tugging on my lips as I pass them.
***
Two hours later, I hear the creak of the bed, so I rush to finish the final touches on the breakfast platter I have set up across the granite counter.
An array of fresh waffles, mini-quiches with ham, thick slices of bacon, homemade donuts, and toppings for his waffles. I don’t normally go all out, but not only is it Christmas, I have a huge surprise waiting for him later.
He comes out of the bedroom, dressed in his Kian’s Biggest Fan shirt that he had made for himself to wear when he comes with me to modeling shoots. It’s been three years of fun seeing people’s reactions when we both show up for a set, because I refuse to go anywhere without him. His pajama pants ride low on his waist, showing off the hint of a V-line that I just traced with my tongue last night.
“Freckles?” he asks, before his eyes focus on me and his smile widens.
“Merry Christmas, Sunshine.” I clap my hands in excitement while he rounds the island to wrap me in his arms. Lifting me off the ground until I squeal and my back pops.
He sets me down, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “What is all this?”
“It’s for you, duh. You never get this much stuff for breakfast, so I decided to let you splurge today,” I tease him, because I try to make his breakfasts healthy, and never sugar and fat filled. But I tried a new recipe for the donuts, so maybe they’ll be added to the rotation. Not very often, though.
The need to make sure he’s eating healthy and balanced meals comes from worrying about Mitch all the time, and making sure we don’t do what he was doing. I’m not sure what causes that, but I’ll take any step needed to make sure that Trent lives a long, healthy life with me. Mitch also enjoys coming over for breakfast before Trent goes to work, so I also have to make sure he’s taking care of himself too. It’s honestly a full time job.
“Is Mitch coming over?”
I shake my head, tucking it into his neck and inhaling his smell. The deep masculine scent of him is stronger with nothing trying to cover it up. AKA the cologne that I accidentally bought him thinking it would smell like him. It doesn’t, it smells like a cheaper version of him.
“Not right now.” I have to bite my lip to keep the secrets inside of me. They want to burst free because I’m horrible at keeping secrets. This is a good one, though, and he’ll be so excited. It’s something we’ve talked about forever, and now it’s about to happen.
“Eat, and then we’ll do presents,” I tell him. “We have plans with Mitch at two.”
“Okay, Freckles.” He lifts me up and rests my ass on the counter. Too close for comfort to the food.
“What are you doing?”
My question is answered with a kiss. Our tongues tangling together in a crescendo of love and lust.
“I love you, Kian.”
My face heats and my smile hurts my cheeks. “I love you so much more.”
***
TRENT
My excitement thrums in my veins, the texts between me and Mitch burning in my phone. Oh my gosh, this is really happening. Something me and Kian have talked about for years is coming to fruition, and I hope he’s as excited as I am.
I planned on waking up and cooking him breakfast, but he beat me to it.
He’s been so good to me, so much better than I deserve. Kian has been making it his life's mission to make my life easier, no matter how many times I want to shake him to get it through his thick head that the only thing I need in my life is him.
This is a big step for us, but I think we’re ready for it, and I know Kian will love it. He’ll be surprised, and scared for sure at first, but it’ll come to him as easy as breathing.
Mitch confirms with me that he’ll be at the park and ready with the surprise. I’m jittery.
I told Kian after we finished breakfast that I wanted to go to the park before we opened our presents. It’s become a tradition to go there on our anniversary, birthdays, and holidays. We have a tradition of going there after we open presents, but I’m changing our plans this year because I’m not sure if I can keep quiet.
Kian cued up our playlist, and we’re on our way to the park as “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur croons through the speakers. Kian’s eyes are focused out the window while his finger traces patterns against my thigh. I can’t hold his hand right now, because he’ll feel how clammy my palm is.
Finally, fucking finally, I pull into the parking lot, parking the truck and turning it off. Mitch rode with Karuna, because I didn’t trust him enough on his own to be able to accomplish it. Not that I’m doubting him, but it is a big deal.
There’s no cars parked, and the place is completely empty, so at least they listened to my requests.
“You ready? Put your jacket on because it’s cold outside today.”
Not cold enough to snow, but the freezing wind is a pain and I don’t want to risk Kian getting sick. He has a modeling shoot coming up soon, and we already booked the plane tickets and the hotel. We’re staying for a week in New York City, somewhere we haven’t been together, which will be exciting on its own.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” he says.
Did his voice crack? Is he okay?
“What’s wrong?” I grab his hand in mine before he can pull it off my thigh. The cool, sweaty skin matching my own. “Are you okay?”
He pulls away, laughing nervously. “I’m fine, Trent. Let’s go. We have plans with Mitch later, and you know he’ll complain if we’re late.” He opens his door and gets out before I can do it for him.
We traipse through the brush, walking to the clearing. My heart is in my throat as I watch him walk ahead of me. He’s acting weird right now, and I don’t like it.
Deep breaths, it’s fine. Whatever it is, it’ll all be fine. Kian loves me, and I love him, and my gift won’t change that.
We enter the clearing, Kian’s sign standing loud and proud, declaring this place his. A gift, a memory, a million moments embedded in the soil in this spot. I couldn’t have picked a better place for this surprise.
“Stop right there!” Mitch yells, his voice carrying through the trees and freezing us in our tracks.
Fuck, he better not spoil this surprise. I’ve worked so hard to make this moment perfect for Kian.
“Okay, both of you close your eyes,” he demands, “and I’ll know if you’re peeking. You’re not too old to get your asses whooped.”
I want to say he’s too old to be whooping people’s asses, but that will just make him more determined to do it.
Closing my eyes, I whisper to Kian, “Are yours closed?” He makes an affirmative noise, but I feel his body heat disappear from beside me. “Ki?” I ask, and his voice is farther away now.
“I’m right here. Mitch is dragging me away.”
Okay, so Mitch is going to distract him while Karuna helps me. Perfect.
A small hand lands on my shoulder, but I keep my eyes closed.
“Trent,” Karuna whispers urgently.
I keep my eyes shut tightly because I refuse to fall victim to Mitch’s reign if he finds out I disobey.
“Good, now hold out your hands. Keep them together tightly, so you don’t drop it. Perfect.” She adjusts me, and then turns me around. “Stay right here.” Louder she calls to Mitch, “Are you two ready?”
“Born ready,” he says.
“I’m going to keep my hand wrapped around your arm, and I’m going to guide you forward. Mitch is going to count down from three, and after one, you’re going to open your eyes.”
Why am I having to close my eyes, too? What if I trip and fall? That would ruin everything.
“Okay,” I agree, and she guides me forward.
“Kian, Trent. Open your eyes after I say one, okay? Not on one, not on two. After one,” Mitch reiterates, putting extra stress on after one.
“We’ve got it.” Kian huffs, and I have to hold back my chuckle.
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
I open my eyes, extending the wiggling gift in my arms toward Kian. The puppy I have is a mix of husky, chihuahua, and some other random lineage. The shelter said she’s very calm and low maintenance, and I can’t wait to see the bond she forms with Kian. They’re both going to have me wrapped so tightly around their fingers, but I wouldn’t change a moment.
Kian isn’t standing in front of me though. He’s…
Oh.
My.
Fucking.
Fuck.
I keep Bella tucked tightly to my chest as I fall to my knees in front of Kian, who is down on one knee holding a ring tightly between his thumb and pointer finger.
“What the fuck?” I whisper, tears streaming down my face and blurring the image of him in front of me.
“Trent. I love you. I have since that moment in science class when I first laid eyes on you. You were always meant to be mine. I’ve loved you through every stage, so will you please do me the honor and let me love you as my fiancé , and then as my husband?”
The ring in his hand is a thin silver band with an engraving on it. I stare at it in his hands, wondering how long he’s been planning this and how I had no clue. He’s the worst at keeping secrets.
“I-I-” I can’t get the words out, just staring at him in shock.
“I’ve had this ring for six years. I always knew this day was going to come for us. So if it’s the ring you don’t like, we can change it,” He rushes out, trying to explain.
“No,” I assert.
“No?” Kian chokes, and Mitch and Karuna and other people’s gasps cut through the mist covering my brain.
“No-no. That’s not what I meant,” I say.
I set Bella on the ground, and she rolls over onto her back to get Kian’s attention while mine is focused on his eyes, the bright green color dimming. He drops his gaze to Bella, and mine follows, he rubs her belly and her tongue lolls out of her mouth, enjoying the attention that is now on her.
I tip his chin up so I can have his attention back on me, at least for a minute before this all goes to shit. “Of course, I’ll marry you. Of course. Yes, a million fucking times yes.” I laugh, the sound wet and choked escaping my chest. “I meant no–you’re not getting me a different ring. I want that one. I want everyone to know that I belong to you.”
I lean forward, and he meets me halfway. I yank him into a hug, placing kisses on the space between his chin and his neck, mouthing at the sensitive flesh that I know he loves for me to kiss. “Oh my fuck, you planned this all out?”
“I did, and I was terrified you were going to say no.” He turns his head and captures my lips in a vicious kiss, nipping and biting and marking his territory. Marking me as his.
“Why would I ever say no? You’re a part of me, Freckles. In this life and every one I live, I’ll find you. And I'll love you. Just like I do now. Forever.”
Mitch cheers from the treeline, and I break my gaze away from Kian and see an entourage. Adam and Hunter and Willow and her boyfriend. Our closest friends.
Life hasn’t been easy getting to this point, but fuck. It’s been worth it.
“I love you, Sunshine. Forever.”