Epilogue
Rosie
O ne Week Later
I raise the wine bottle to my lips with a smile as I look over at the girls. Jenna and Jess became fast friends while Alexa was on her disaster of a date. Half of me thinks she shouldn’t push Gage, but the other half hopes she gives him hell every step of the way. Their arranged marriage is still happening, and I can tell it will be the most entertaining event of my life. I’ll have popcorn and Sour Patch Kids at the ready.
“We can still run... all of us,” Alexa says with a smile.
“I’m in.” Jenna shrugs.
“Not a chance,” I say with a laugh.
Tonight is my bachelorette party. It’s the night before my wedding, and I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and peace.
For tonight, I have an unlimited amount of alcohol, enough comfort food to keep us fed for a month, and my best friends, all in superhero pajamas .
“Okay, now that we’re all here,” Jenna says as she gives a pointed look at Alexa. “Here’s to Rosie. Let’s drink to her bagging a man who’s fine as hell, and let’s hope he knows how to use that tongue.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Jess says before downing her ginger ale. Something shifted within her after the night of the attempted kidnapping, and her demeanor has changed ever since. Sometimes I catch glimpses of a carefree side I’ve never witnessed before, like tonight, but other times, she seems to meticulously ponder every word and action. It still breaks my heart to think I’m the reason she’s different.
“Sometimes you need a censor,” Alexa says with a scrunch of her nose.
“Says the girl who looked ten seconds away from fucking in a very public parking lot.”
“Ew, Jenna, I don’t want the reminder,” I say as I take another drink. Hoping it will wash that image from my brain.
Jenna points her finger at me. “You know it’s true. The tension was intense. I could feel it from across the parking lot. Alexa’s marriage to your brother will be lit!” she exclaims.
“More like an unfortunate house fire, which is why I’m not marrying him.”
“Yeah, sure. I guess we’ll see how that goes.” Jenna laughs.
“Okay, back to the bride. Did your brother tell you anything else?” Jess asks.
“Just not to run. As if I would.” I roll my eyes. “And he said to pack warm.”
“Bora Bora,” Jenna exclaims. “It has to be. I wish I could get fake married just for the honeymoon. ”
“I bet we can find you someone to get real married to,” Jess offers.
“Ugh, pass. I enjoy being a lone wolf, and let’s be honest, no one can handle my level of awesomeness.”
“Your delusions are getting worse,” Alexa tells Jenna.
“Not any worse than yours. Mrs. Gage Gallo Moretti.”
“I’m going to kill you!” She looks at Jenna.
I love this. The friendships, the sisterhood. And now I’m marrying my best friend.
“Wait, I thought we were toasting me.”
“Right.” Alexa grabs my shoulder and looks at the girls as we get into a big huddle. “Here’s to Rosie, who defied the odds of the families and got the ending she fought for. I’ve seen you in many seasons, and this one is by far my favorite. You are strong and so damn beautiful. I know many more seasons are coming, and I can’t wait to see how you navigate with the grace and compassion you’ve always had. I love you.”
I look out the window as the car stops at a gate. Towering trees create a majestic frame on both sides. Two stone columns support the big wrought-iron gate with intricate detail on the front. With an audible creak, the giant gate swings open, allowing us to pass through. Pillars adorned with lights illuminate the newly concreted pathway .
We make our way further into the forest before the car parks in front of a stone home that looks newly built as well.
A giant sign hangs across the home’s double doors under the wood arch of the entry. “For my beautiful wife, who wanted a house by the lake.”
“He built me a house?”
“How romantic,” Alexa whispers next to me.
“Is this all I have to do for you to forgive me?” Gage asks Alexa in a hopeful voice.
“You can build me a thousand homes, and it still wouldn’t be enough.”
“Sounds like a challenge.”
My mother rounds the corner of the house. A joyful squeal escapes my lips. As soon as I step out of the car, I wrap my arms around her neck. I haven’t seen her since the fateful night I ran. Gage thought it would be for the best, and my mother agreed.
“You look beautiful, my darling baby girl.”
“Thank you, Mama,” I say, tearing up.
She rubs my back and murmurs, “Don’t cry. It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry I left. You must have been so worried.”
“I was, but I don’t blame you.”
“You don’t?”
“No. I’m glad you did.”
“Me too,” I say honestly.
“Papa?” I ask, needing to know.
“He doesn’t know I’m here.”
“I’m glad.”
“Me too, baby.”
Pulling away, she gives me a reassuring smile before grabbing Alexa and Gage and walking around the house .
“You look amazing, sis,” Marco says from the door. He looks handsome in his all-black suit.
“You like it?” I do a twirl.
“You look like a princess on her fairy-tale day,” he says as he steps closer and hugs me. “I’m proud of you. I don’t think I’ll ever get the vision of you climbing down the side of the house out of my mind.”
“You saw?”
“Who do you think kept our father busy while you ran from the grounds? I had a feeling you’d try to run that night after dinner.”
“Thank you,” I say.
We all tried our best to stay out of our father’s way unless necessary, so for him to seek our father out and distract him for me to run warms my heart.
We part as the music changes. Marco looks around the corner of the house. “As soon as I walk around, wait thirty seconds, then start walking.”
“Okay,” I tell him as my stomach drops.
My breath catches in my throat as I round the corner. Vic stands at the end of the dock, right in front of a huge floral archway. As I approach, I’m overwhelmed by the sight of thousands of roses, ranunculus, peonies, and hydrangea in different hues of white, creating a breathtaking display that perfectly complements my bouquet.
The black tuxedo clings to Vic’s body in all the right places, but it’s his face that commands my gaze. Even from afar, I see his huge smile across his handsome face.
White chairs are situated on either side of the dock as I move along the rose-petal pathway. I catch glimpses of our closest family and friends standing, but Vic’s presence consumes my sight.
Our hands interlock, and a wave of pure bliss washes over me. Filling every fiber of my being with a profound sense of contentment.
Home.
He is my home.
Vic leans in. “You’re beautiful, baby.”
As someone clears their throat, our attention shifts to Trey. He stands there, dressed in a suit, with a mischievous smile, ready to officiate our wedding.
“Ready to get married, fuckers?” he whispers to us, and I can’t help but feel torn between laughter and tears at the sheer hilarity of the situation. Who the hell let him get his license to officiate this wedding?
“Rush, I’ve fallen in love with you countless times over the years as your words danced across the pages and worked their way into my heart. I promise to love you endlessly and with every ounce of love that lives within me. My heart will forever choose you today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.”
When it’s Vic’s turn, he pulls out a little paper. As I watch him, my eyes widen in astonishment as he unfolds the paper, its edges frayed and creased just like the picture of me he had.
“Rosie,”—his voice trembles as he clears his throat of emotion while tears rim his eyes—“I want all your firsts, your lasts, and everything in between. You were my endless sunshine in eternal darkness, and I want to feel your warmth for an eternity. In exchange, I will give you all of me. You own me. You always have and always will. I love you. Now, and forever.”
A tear runs down my cheek. Vic’s eyes soften further .
“You may kiss your bride.” Vic leans down, and before I know it, he sweeps me off my feet. I let out a surprised squeak before his lips are on mine. He’s giving me the ultimate fairy-tale kiss, stealing the breath from my lungs and leaving me weak in his arms.