Epilogue
One Year Later
"Piper, I’d like you to take on the Bodagon copy. If we can get it done by next Friday, that would be ideal, but I can push them an extra week if you need it." Margaret, my boss, lowers her glasses as she looks at my little box on the video conferencing app and waits for my response.
"Nope, I'm on it." My fingers fly across the keyboard as I search for the client brief on the company's shared drive.
"Wonderful, thank you. And that's the agenda. Happy Friday, everybody. Have a good weekend."
I log off the call, grateful as always to have ended up with this amazing company.
After that first weekend in Duhring Park, I had a conversation with my bosses explaining my chronic illness.
I said I was working to eat healthily and reduce stress, but that I might have occasional flare-ups that could slow my productivity.
I wanted to let them know while I was still in my probation period, because if it was going to be a problem, I'd rather look for another position to cut down on my stress.
Margaret thanked me for trusting her with my private information but insisted they didn’t hire me lightly. She said they loved the work I did, and as long as I got the projects done by the deadline, they didn’t care if I worked during the hours that were best for me.
For the past year, I've remained relatively stable with my health, partly because Emmett tracks my cues better than I do.
As I take out my earbuds and stretch my neck, the door to the office cracks open.
Speaking of the handsome devil… Emmett pokes his head in.
I close my laptop so he knows I'm offline. Zeus pushes past him and runs over to lick my hand.
"Who's a good boy? You're my good boy," I say in a baby voice as I scratch his ears.
"I love it when she talks to us like that, Zeus, don't you?" Emmett teases.
Zeus wags his tail happily in agreement.
I grin at my handsome husband. "Of course. You're my good boy too." I crook my finger at him, beckoning him over to the desk.
He grins and steps back out into the hallway.
I stand, ready to follow him, but he comes back with my suitcase and hands it to me.
"You've got one hour. Pack whatever you need for a weekend getaway. Barrett offered us his condo in St. Lucia for the weekend, and I booked us two tickets out tonight."
"What have I done to deserve this?" I ask as I process this turn of events.
"You've been working hard, and we need to make sure you're getting some rest. The warm weather always helps to keep you on track."
I clap my hands and run around the desk to throw myself into Emmett's arms. I give him a deep kiss. This man takes such good care of me.
"I don't have time for your sexy sorcery, wench," Emmett growls, patting my butt playfully. "Go get packed. We'll have plenty of time to fuck when we get there."
I grin and rush to our bedroom, thanking my lucky stars I didn't run away last year. I can't believe I doubted Emmett was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with.
He takes care of me without coddling. When I'm not feeling well, he fills my prescriptions and snuggles with me on the couch for hours. When I'm healthy, that man rails me like I've never been sick a day in my life. I’ve never been happier.
It took me about five days to get better after that weekend.
Parker and Barrett came to visit immediately, mainly to check that I wasn't being held captive or under some kind of spell.
Within hours, Parker fell in love with Emmett and fully supports my life with him.
Barrett was so impressed by his woodworking skills that he immediately spoke with his brothers about designing a line of woodworking tools.
Emmett's happy to be his guinea pig, and they've become good friends.
Emmett even built the crib for Parker and Barrett's first baby, Davy, who made us an uncle and aunt three months ago.
As I stare at my closet, trying to decide what to take with me, my phone vibrates with an incoming text.
Aubrey
Do you want to get pedicures with me tomorrow morning?
I'd love to, but I can't. Emmett surprised me with a weekend away.
You let me know if Emmett ever meets any new friends that you think might be a good match for me.
Hmm. If only Emmett had a sexy mountain man friend who might visit your bakery every single day.
Please. I prefer men who can speak more than one word.
LOL. I'll text you when we get back. Hayes is out of town, so I’d bet Sara is free for a pedi.
Great idea! Have a good trip. See you in a few days. xo.
I heart her last reply and turn back to my closet.
Aubrey, Mia, and Cynthia reluctantly drove home that morning, leaving me in Duhring Park. Emmett said they only agreed because he promised to update them hourly and to call them immediately if I got worse.
On their way out of town, they stopped at Katz's Bakery, and Aubrey saw the for-sale sign. She said it was fate, and spent all night tossing and turning about going back to the city, dreading sitting in her apartment and staring at a wall. She’d invested some of the money from closing her bakery in the city and had made a little additional money.
So she decided to give it another go, but this time in a small town in the mountains.
Sugarplum opened three months ago, and Aubrey regularly sells out of her delicious desserts. She made our wedding cake as a gift, and it was the most incredible thing I've ever tasted.
Emmett and I got married over the summer. Both our families came in for the backyard wedding, and Violet planned the entire thing—something Emmett insisted upon to keep my stress levels down. It was absolutely gorgeous.
Parker and Barrett come out to see us regularly, and we've even met up in Festival Valley a few times. I stayed with them for a few weeks after Davy was born to help out. They’re busy with the baby and figuring out what it means to be parents, so the timing of my move was truly perfect.
After I'm done packing, I head out to the living room, and Emmett runs over to grab my suitcase. He kisses me, nuzzling into my neck.
"I'm going to text you all the things I'd like to do to you when we get there. Help you get through the flight, wife."
"Sexy man." I smile, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Tell me, husband. Have you ever joined the Mile-High Club?"