Epilogue
Shane
It is a day to celebrate. Amber received her combined bachelor of arts degree—with her minor in business—and her master’s in education, and I earned tenure at the end of this school year.
At the New York uncles’ insistence, we all came to Manhattan for a celebration at the nightclub, which they opened on a Sunday afternoon just for this special occasion.
Although I was ready for more, I knew Amber wanted to finish school.
She likes to put all her focus on one big thing at a time, and a wedding would have thrown her off her studying game, no matter how small we might have made it.
And with the guys finding their wives, the size of our pseudo-family has expanded.
The party is small, just close family and friends. Amber’s parents flew up from Florida, for which I am grateful as their presence plays into my plans. I wait until the end of the day, after presents are opened and a lot of food eaten.
Even my father and stepmother are here, something my mom has no problem accepting.
Many years have passed, and she is long over their marriage and years together.
In the time since his heart attack, my dad made an attempt to be part of my life and I’ve reciprocated warily. Now things are decent between us all.
Amber, wearing a pretty pink dress and gold heels, stands by my side. Knowing there is no time like the present, I clear my throat. “Excuse me,” I say. “I’d like to say something.”
The murmurs and conversation quiet down and all eyes are on me. I slide a hand into my suit jacket, which I wore because the party was dressy and I wanted this day to be special and one to remember.
Amber turns to me, questions in her wide blue eyes.
“First I want to thank the guys, Landon, Jason, and Tanner, for the fabulous party, and Faith, Scarlett and Vivi for helping.”
A small round of clapping follows.
“I also want to thank them for giving a college professor a chance with this woman here. I know if they’d put their foot down, it could have made Amber’s choices much more difficult.” In the years since that awkward meeting with Landon at Amber’s front door, we’ve all become good friends.
“I can make my own decisions, you know,” she says beside me.
I nod. “I also know you would not have wanted to argue with your family. I’m glad they didn’t make you.” I tip my head at the three men who stand with their hands around the respective women in their lives.
“Thank you, Carrie and Samuel, for treating me like I’m part of the family. It means the world to me.”
The couple smiles at me.
“Thanks to Lydia and John for raising such a fabulous woman and to my mom for being my rock.”
She brings her hands to her heart and blows me a kiss.
“Finally, L.J., thanks for sharing your mom with me. And thank you for giving me permission to do this.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring I bought a long time ago. I’ve just been waiting for Amber to be ready. Then I drop to one knee.
Amber gasps. I know she expected a graduation and congratulations party … not this.
“Amber, from the second you bumped into me on campus—”
“Umm, I think you bumped into me,” she says with a grin.
“From the second we bumped into each other and I looked into your eyes, I think I recognized the other half of my soul. I just wasn’t ready to admit to myself I was ready. We all know it didn’t take long for me to fall for your laughter, your warmth, and your poor, poor economics skills.”
The tinkling of laughter warms me inside.
“I fell for your son the minute he smiled at me. And we became a family. Now I just want to make it legal and tie you to me forever. Amber, will you marry me?” I hold out the round diamond with pavé stones surrounding it.
“Yes! A million times, yes.”
I slide the ring onto her hand and then her lips are on mine. We kiss too briefly and then I stand up, grinning like a fool, Amber pulled tightly against me.
I barely hear the clapping around us. All I can focus on is the woman in my arms. The boy beaming with approval beside us. The family that is now mine.
Thanks for reading The Sexy Series!