Epilogue
“You are not working on your wedding day,” Toni said firmly, plucking my phone from my hand with a look that brooked no argument.
“I’m not working,” I protested, laughing even as I reached for it again. “I just needed to confirm that the signed lease was received.”
She raised a brow. “That’s the definition of working.”
I sighed, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Fine. Last-minute work, and now I’m done.
I swear it.” Starting a California branch of ENS had been exhilarating and overwhelming in equal measure.
The need out here outpaced Texas by a factor of ten, and three months in, I already had a larger staff than I’d ever managed before.
It was exactly the kind of problem I liked to solve.
Still, today was not for solving problems.
Today was for starting the next chapter.
“Are you absolutely sure you want to keep doing this?” Toni asked, softening as she looked me over. “I mean, you could probably just retire and live a really comfortable, fun life.”
I looked at her and arched a brow. “You could just retire and live a really comfortable, fun life,” I shot back.
Toni rolled her eyes. “Yeah, okay. Fine. But I mean it, Serenity. You want another ENS?”
“I do,” I nodded. “And this is fun, which is why I’m done with it for today.” I raised both of my hands in the air to show her I wasn’t making a play for my phone. Again. “I swear it.”
The truth was, I’d only checked my email because everything else was done. Hair and makeup had finished up about twenty minutes ago, doing final touch-ups after I stepped into the fitted silk gown with the delicate lace overlay. It was elegant without trying too hard. At least I thought so.
When I first stepped into the dress today in full makeup, I’d barely recognized myself.
Not because I looked all that different, just better, but because I finally looked like a woman who belonged exactly where she was.
It was a feeling I’d been searching for my whole life, not that Enzo completed me, but he and Mattie completed the picture I always wanted but had denied myself for too long.
I felt beautiful.
“Thank you,” I said quietly to Toni. “Thank you for being here. And for taking over ENS in Texas while I try my hand at this crazy plan.” At first, I thought it was crazy, but with each passing day, I knew it was more than that. This was exactly what I was meant to be doing.
Toni waved me off as I knew she would. “I’m happy to do it, honestly.
It’s a nice change of pace now that the kids don’t need a full-time Mommy, and when they do, they love greeting people at the office.
” Her gaze softened at the mention of her kids.
“And I needed to see for myself that you were okay. That you’re… happy.”
“I am happy,” I admitted. “Really happy and totally healthy.” There was something about the California air and sunshine that had brightened my mood and my life. Or maybe it was being loved so thoroughly by Enzo and Mattie.
The bruises were long gone, so that part wasn’t a lie; I was completely healthy.
But the nightmares still stopped by for a visit now and again.
They came less often these days, quieter too.
Some days they were easier to shake off than others, and I cherished those days almost as much as the days I woke up from a sound—and dreamless—sleep.
Healing, I’ve learned, isn’t linear. It’s real and messy.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I murmured, lifting the champagne flute someone had pressed into my hand earlier.
Toni grinned. “You’re getting married.”
“I’m getting married!”
Enzo had proposed three more times after that dinner announcement, and each one was more ridiculous than the last. And totally perfect in its own way.
The first time was at a fancy restaurant in Beverly Hills inside a private room overflowing with candles.
The next one was a sunset proposal on the beach.
And my favorite proposal was the one he whispered against my ear in the middle of breathless, tangled sheets, when I’d said yes before he’d even finished asking.
And now here we were. Getting married.
A soft knock interrupted the quiet inside the bridal suite. The door opened and Aunt Valentina appeared, stepping inside looking as regal as ever in lavender silk that draped over her shoulders. She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes suspiciously bright. “You look stunning, Serenity.”
“Thank you, Aunt Valentina.” I smiled. “Lavender really is your color.”
She chuckled softly, a blush staining her cheeks. “We are ready for you.”
Toni squeezed my hands once before stepping aside, and together we moved into place behind Ella, whom I’d asked to be a bridesmaid without hesitation. She looked radiant, proud, and steady in her youthful beauty.
When the music began, I walked down the aisle alone. Not because there was no one to give me away, but because I didn’t need to be given. I was walking freely, giving my heart and myself freely to this man.
Enzo stood at the front, looking gorgeous in his navy tuxedo.
Every inch of him was beautiful, and he was watching me like I was the only person in the whole damn world.
When I reached the front of the aisle and stopped in front of him, he leaned in just enough to whisper, “You look like a dream come true.”
He didn’t look away from me once throughout the ceremony. And his green gaze tore through me as he recited his vows, promising to love me forever. My breath caught at his heartfelt words and the intensity behind them.
My hands were steady in his as I listened and then vowed my heart, my soul, and my loyalty to this man. This little boy. This family.
This life.
And then it was done. We were married, and Enzo was kissing me like the world was ending.
Thunderous applause filled the space, but all I felt was his perfect mouth on mine, his hands firm and sure at my waist while Enzo kissed me like we’d been waiting seventeen years for this kiss—in front of his family and friends. Mine, too.
“My beautiful fucking wife,” he whispered in my ear, clasping our hands together as we walked up the aisle, giddy and excited to start our life together.
“My gorgeous husband.” I laid my head on his shoulder, smiling so brightly because I’d never been so happy. Never thought I would be this kind of happy again.
Enzo didn’t linger; he laughed and whisked me away, back to the bridal suite that was still filled with lingerie, half-empty champagne flutes, and makeup. The door barely closed all the way before he was kissing me again, slower and deeper this time.
I got lost in his kiss and his taste, in the feel of his hands as they slid under my dress. The sound of his barely contained desire sent a rush of goosebumps over my skin. “Enzo,” I panted. “Being here with you like this,” I gasped, “is even better than the first time we were together.”
His lips split into a sexy grin. “Yeah? Why’s that?”
“Because,” I sighed, “we know how devastating it felt to live without each other. Every kiss and every touch means more because neither of us ever thought we’d be here again.”
“I like that. My poetic wife.” He kissed me again. “I love you, Ren. So damn much, and I am never walking away from you again.”
“Good, because if you even try, I’ll come find you.” Gripping his lapels, I held him closer and smiled. “I understand you now, Enzo. I won’t let you go. I love you too much.”
“Oh, woman, I am going to love you for as long as I draw breath. And then beyond.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Mr. DeRossi.”
“You can hold me any way you want, for as long as you want, Mrs. DeRossi.”
The End