Epilogue
Halle
“So what’s in the back?” I asked as casually as possible. When Alexsey didn’t answer right away, I twisted around as if I could reach across the back seat to the back of the huge SUV.
In response, he swatted my hand, my left hand. The one with the huge rock on it that he’d given me the night before.
While his proposal had been done officially at the concert in front of thousands of people, he’d also done a very personal one over candlelight later.
Who was I to deny him?
“Don’t you dare,” he teased. “Patience.”
Emily giggled from behind me. She had plenty of room to bop around while listening to her music playing with her new toys that she’d insisted she bring with us on our little day trip.
“You’re no fun,” I huffed, easing back into the seat.
“Oh, I’m a lot of fun. Aren’t I, Emily?” He peered into the rearview mirror.
I didn’t need to look to know she was rolling her eyes.
She was her mother’s daughter.
“So where are we going?” I tried a different tactic since he’d been so secretive for days. Always on the phone or gone for a couple of hours at a time, never telling me where he’d been.
Just like an old married couple.
How strange I couldn’t wait to be married to him.
“We’ll be there soon. Just relax. The destination will be worth the wait.” He was practically grinning from ear to ear.
He’d headed outside of Vegas, taking the highway to wherever we were going. I had to admit I was a little excited. Around Alexsey, I never knew what to expect.
“Will this surprise make me happy or sad?” Yes, I was getting desperate to figure out what he was doing. Since we had Emily with us, I doubted it was anything too intimate.
“Yes,” he said in his usual gruff voice.
Sighing, I made the sound as exaggerated as possible. That brought a coy look from him.
When he finally exited the highway, I realized we were near Boulder City. I knew a little about the town, including that it was a good place to raise a family.
At this point, I didn’t want to say anything. Maybe I was a little hopeful. Maybe I was a more than a little scared.
He certainly seemed to know where he was going, even bopping along to the beat of Emily’s music, which of course was all Lainey Rose, while tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.
Every few seconds he glanced in my direction, the eagerness in his eyes driving me crazy.
He made turn after turn until he’d reached a residential area. When he slowed down while heading down a sparsely populated street, the land around the houses filled with trees and grass, I could feel several emotions bearing down on me.
He pulled into a long driveway and a single tear slipped past my lashes.
“What did you do?” I asked, trying to keep Emily from realizing I was upset.
“I took you up on your advice.”
A group of cars came into view a few seconds before I noticed the house. A beautiful two-story with a wide, long front porch. At this point I was holding my breath.
As soon as Alexsey parked, I couldn’t figure out what to say. “Who lives here?”
“Just some friends. Come on.” He was out of the SUV first, immediately moving to the back door to release my daughter.
I took my time, trying not to get my hopes up.
When I was outside and walking closer, I noticed the swing on the front porch. There were also flowers in huge pots and a beautiful teal front door with a wreath.
Just like the home I’d envisioned.
“Come on. Let’s go see everyone.” While Emily scampered up the front stairs, he took his time wrapping his arm around me, pulling me close and even turning me to face him. “I love you, Halle. I know what we’ve shared has been a bit unexpected, but I want it to be everything you want it to be.”
Rising onto my tiptoes, I pressed my lips against his.
Then we both sensed a presence.
More than one.
“You can kiss and play house later.” My sister’s voice rang loud and clear.
When Alexsey and I looked toward the front door, I laughed. “What is this?” Almost every family member was crowding their way in and around the front door, my sister included.
“This is a welcome to your new house.” Sasha’s grin was huge and Nina squeezed past him.
Our new house.
I was instantly thrown, unable to think clearly. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“Anything for you, baby,” Alexsey whispered, nuzzling against my ear.
“Come on. Let’s go see the backyard.” Nina held out her hand, “There’s a huge swing set.”
Now I was unable to stop the tears. “You did this.” I couldn’t even put a coherent sentence together. This was too much. This was… The man had stolen my heart.
“I hope you like what I’ve done to the place.” Alexsey’s smile and the twinkle in his eyes were more powerful than the moment.
As our guests backed away, allowing us inside, I was almost overwhelmed with joy.
“Time to break out the champagne,” Vissarian called.
“Forget the champagne,” Alexsey mused. “We’re talking scotch. Lots of it.”
“Do you like it?” Kristine asked.
“What’s not to love?” And I meant that. Everything was perfect as if I’d chosen every color, every piece of furniture, and even every picture on the walls myself.
The chatter was unreal and as I looked at a few of the rooms, I knew this was exactly the kind of place I could call home, but mostly because I would be able to share it with the man I loved.
A glass of champagne was placed into my hand before I realized it.
From where I stood in the bright, beautiful, and huge kitchen, I had a bird’s-eye view of my little girl happily playing with her new best friend on her new swing set in her new home.
Then I saw what looked like another house maybe a hundred yards away. “What is that?”
“Officially,” Alexsey said as he flanked my side, “that’s the caretaker’s house.”
“Now, it’s my house.” Kristine waited to see my reaction. Then we both squealed together. “I’m going to be your best neighbor.”
“Are you kidding?”
Alexsey laughed. “Would I kid about that? Not at all. When I was shown the property, I knew it was perfect. It’s good to keep family close.”
“Everything is perfect.” Sighing, I glanced at everyone who was laughing and talking. “Wait a minute. Where’s Bristol and Mikhail?”
He backed away, shrugging while at the same time pulling out his phone. I could tell he’d just received a text. “Gotta take this call. I’ll be right back.” He backed away before I even had a chance to grab him.
“What is he doing?”
“I dunno,” Kristine purred. “You should see Emily’s bedroom. It’s meant for a princess.”
“You were in on this.”
“I was. So what? You still love me.”
“More than you know. Maybe I should see what’s keeping him.” I was even antsier.
My sis grabbed my arm before I could get away. “Why don’t we take a look at the bedrooms.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. I need to know what he’s up to.”
Kristine frowned. “You really do need to learn patience.”
Actually, I didn’t. Something caught my attention and as I turned around, the first thing I noticed was the joy on Bristol’s face, her smile so wide. After that, I only had eyes for the Golden Retriever she had on a leash.
Somehow, the champagne was taken from my hand and it felt as if I was gliding in her direction, immediately bending down.
“This is Blazer. He just graduated from a special training course for children with asthma. He’ll be able to recognize an attack before it begins.”
I looked up at Bristol, waiting until she nodded before I threw my arms around him. “Oh, my God.”
“That’s our gift, the entire family to you for your engagement,” she continued.
Now I was sobbing and I was pretty certain I was freaking out the gorgeous dog.
With all the commotion, I couldn’t hear a thing.
Except for my little girl’s concerned question.
“Mommy. What’s wrong?”
I pulled away, kissing Blazer on the head.
“Nothing’s wrong, baby. Mommy and Mr. Boyfriend have a little surprise for you.
You have all your new aunts and uncles to thank for this.
” As soon as I stood, the shrill scream was something we’d all remember.
Both she and Nina raced toward him and I was shocked Blazer was completely calm, allowing the two girls to love all over him.
As I stood, I thanked everyone in the room through my tears. Then I pushed the love of my life back away from the crowd.
“I can’t believe you did this. All of this. You are… amazing.”
He cupped my face, tilting his head slightly. “I want the world for you, Halle.”
“I don’t need the world. I just need you.”
The End