Epilogue
CLAIRE
One Year Later
The snow was falling as I peered out through the chalet window at the magical sight in front of me.
“Okay, I can see how you got both dickmatized by Declan and also this place. It’s breathtaking,” Warner said as she sipped her champagne.
I laughed and shook my head but I didn’t disagree with her. It was so easy to get lost in a fantasy here.
It had been one year, almost to the day, that Declan asked me to be his wife. Now, we were back in the place that we fell in love to officially tie the knot.
After we got engaged—for real—it took some time for Declan and I to find our exact rhythm. Explaining the situation to my parents was a bit of a trip. Declan had to work for a few months to gain their trust, but eventually they fell in love with him the way I did.
Warner was always team Hot Boss Man, and I loved the bickering sibling relationship they seemed to develop together. We never had a brother so I think she liked the mix-up.
I moved into his condo about eight months ago and since, I’ve painted and implemented an organizational system for our fridge that should be studied. Declan is a smart boy and doesn’t mess with it too much, which I appreciate.
Except for one night when we were in a fight that ended with him rearranging the entire pantry. I took one look at it and burst into tears—he immediately put it all back.
We made up shortly after.
I was nervous when Declan took me in to meet with Paul Driscoff about a job.
It never really occurred to me that after all of this, he would see my work history and our secret would be out.
Declan kindly informed me that Paul actually knew who I was the entire time so when he offered me a full-time digital marketing job, there were no lies on the table.
I was shocked to hear that we weren’t as slick as we thought we were but then I couldn’t stop laughing.
I was almost a year into my dream job and I couldn’t be happier.
Declan, on the other hand, had been through four assistants since I quit. The man was picky and insisted that no one could do the job as well as I did—damn straight.
“Are you ready?” Warner asked, handing me a glass of champagne.
I took a long pull, letting the bubbles calm my nerves.
“Yeah,” I said, placing down the empty glass.
We walked toward the double doors of the event space in the main lodge where my father was waiting for us.
“You look stunning,” he said, kissing my cheek.
“Thanks, Dad.” I looked down at my dress. It was a simple strapless satin gown that shimmered like the snow outside.
I still couldn't believe that this was where we ended up.
Convincing Declan to have a Christmas wedding in Switzerland was easier than I thought it would be. Turns out, the man doesn’t hate the holiday. He just never took the time to enjoy it with the person he loved.
The event coordinator came running up, giving directions and ordering everyone to get into position.
“I’m so happy for you, Claire,” my Dad whispered as music started playing and Warner disappeared down the aisle. “You always deserved someone who loved you for who you are. I’ll always be grateful to Declan for being that person to you.”
“Thank you, Dad,” I whispered back, fighting back the emotions that threatened to ruin my makeup.
The event coordinator ushered us forward and before I knew it, the doors to the ceremony space opened.
The air left my lungs as I took in the sight in front of me.
The entire room was glass, giving an unobstructed view to the cascading mountains around us.
There was snow falling outside and the space was dimly lit by candles.
White roses and hydrangeas bordered the aisle, and standing at the end, was the man of my dreams.
Declan’s eyes were glassy as he watched me ascend down the aisle. He was looking at me like I held the secret to his happiness, but he’ll never know what he’s done to my life.
Before Declan Alexander, I thought there was something wrong with me. I thought my entire being was weird and wrong. He showed me that I deserved love. He was the reason I embraced my confidence and was now thriving.
Without Declan and these very mountains, I wouldn’t have found myself.
My father kissed my cheek and shook Declan’s hand as we stepped up toward the officiant.
“Are you sure about this?” Declan whispered with a smirk.
I squeezed his hand. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life.”
What started as a desperate and reckless decision on a company holiday trip morphed into an alpine love affair that I will be grateful for my entire life. I owe everything to this magical place, and I can’t wait to come back year after year to enjoy it with the love of my life.