Epilogue
JAX
Around five and a half years later
Currently playing: Everlong by Foo Fighters
Remember the time when I said that marriage isn’t for me?
I take it all back as I watch my beautiful wife walk onto the stage to receive a Grammy for her latest album, Love Letters To Myself.
Soph’s stunning in her dark purple curve-hugging dress, short-styled afro, and tattoos I have inked on her skin since we met again that one fateful night almost six years ago.
Soph’s latest hit single, “To Be Loved”, a big winner of tonight, was inspired by a quote I tattooed on her left rib during our first year together: Imagine meeting someone who wanted to learn your past not to punish you, but to understand how you needed to be loved.
Even though I know what Soph is about to say in her acceptance speech, since she practiced it in front of our bathroom mirror this morning at least ten times, hearing it all live in front of the audience is different.
“Thank you, everyone. I’m honored.” Soph looks down at the Gramophone trophy award in her hands.
“Oh wow, it never gets old to be up here in front of all of you, holding this. It’s an honor to be recognized for my team’s daily hard work.
I wish I could share the stage with them, but know that I wouldn’t be here without them.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you all so much.
Mama, if you’re watching, please give da a tissue—”
The audience laughs with her.
“That being said, I hope that Love Letters To Myself helps people feel loved and makes them realize they should always put themselves first. We often think it’s such a selfish way to see things, but it truly isn’t. You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself. Remember that…”
“…Before I go, I want to give a special shoutout to my husband, Jax, who inspires many of my lyrics. Like I told you once, I want it all with you. And lucky me, I’m getting just what I wished for.
You’re everything I wanted and more. I love you and all my memories of us.
Even the less pleasant ones as they brought me here. ”
I stand up and cheer loudly. I want her to see me. To hear me. As she does, the most brilliant smile touches her lips, and everything is right in the world for that moment.
She’s my star.
My sun.
My moon.
My everything.
The last years haven’t been easy, but I’m glad I have her next to me.
After realizing I loved her, I promised to be a better man for myself, her, and everyone else around me.
Rose’s therapist recommended one of her colleagues, and I have been meeting with them for years.
I needed more sessions in the beginning, but these days we talk once every two weeks.
It helps to have a schedule and know that no matter what, someone will listen without judging. At least not too much.
Sure, Soph does listen too, but it’s different.
Having a therapist has only strengthened our relationship.
Even though Soph wants to be there for me, I realized that I can’t expect her to carry all that weight around alone.
It would be wrong to put my happiness on one person’s shoulders.
So, I pay big bucks to get support biweekly. And it’s worth every damn penny.
Another thing that has strengthened in the past five years is my relationship with my dad, his wife, and my sisters.
It took a while, but I found a place in their family.
The entire Walters clan is bananas, but that’s precisely why I feel like I belong with them.
My sisters also love being spoiled by their older brother and his wife.
Soph and I decided early on that we both wanted to focus on each other and our careers instead of growing our family of two.
Kids were never something either of us wanted anyway.
In addition to my three sisters, our nieces and nephews keep us busy with sleepovers and nights spent babysitting—especially Eli and Rose’s little boy Noah who’s turning one next month.
Not to forget Ollie’s niece, who he has been raising since his sister Livia left the kid on his doorstep.
We can agree that kids are great. But you know what's even better in my opinion? The moment when you can return them to their parents.
And that’s why it’s us two and no one else.
And we couldn’t be happier.
THE END