Epilogue Maia
Epilogue
Maia
Two Years Later
Icurled my legs under me as I pulled the fuzzy blanket around my shoulders and took in the falling snow through the massive windows. It was an absolutely perfect morning. And our favorite way to spend Valentine’s Day.
I’d gone from being horrified about the holiday to having it be one of my favorite days of the year. It didn’t matter that it came with some hard memories. That was life. And the hard spots only made you appreciate the magical moments more.
It had taken us all time to heal from everything that had happened at the mountain mansion. Violet was currently serving a forty-four-year sentence in a state prison with a mental health program. I’d been to see her twice. And Deck had been with me every step of the way.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to be in her life in the way I once had, but I knew her mind had betrayed her. Twisted things so she couldn’t see the truth in front of her. And I felt for her.
It wasn’t just the Violet pieces that had been a challenge. Jackson hadn’t made things easy on Decker and me at first. He’d manipulated the truth and tried to get the people in our lives to turn against us. But it hadn’t worked.
Finally, things were starting to get . . . better. Jackson had lost his big-shot investing job when he’d slept with his boss’s wife, which had resulted in him losing his fancy high-rise apartment and having to move to a neighborhood not far from where I’d ended up stranded all those years ago.
But it had been a wake-up call. He’d gotten quieter. As if reassessing what truly made him happy. He’d even come to a family dinner a few weeks ago and hadn’t made one snide comment.
Footsteps sounded, lighter ones and heavier ones.
I grinned as two dogs bounded into the living room.
A Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix named Tank and a Siberian husky–Labrador mix named Tinsel.
They came running straight for me, leaping onto our oversize sectional that faced the epic windows, which gave us views of the forest surrounding our house.
Then came my favorite footsteps. I’d begun to memorize all the different kinds over the past two years.
Deck’s morning ones were usually quiet, like he was easing into the day.
His after-work ones were always a little hurried, as if he couldn’t wait to get home to us.
Occasionally there were angry or frustrated ones, but they were rare. Sometimes there were lazy, sleepy ones.
But this morning his steps were extra slow as he took a moment to study me with our babies. “I love you sleepy.”
I grinned back at him. “You love me all the time.”
Those gray eyes flashed silver. “I do.”
He crossed to the couch and lowered himself onto it as he handed me a cup of coffee.
“Thank you.” I wrapped my hands around the mug. “Think we’ll get snowed in?”
Deck’s lips twitched. “Better than at douchebag Frederick’s mountain castle.”
A soft laugh left me. Frederick was indeed a douchebag. One who was now serving a two-year sentence for insider trading. And that mountain castle had been foreclosed on.
“I like our castle in the clouds a lot better,” I said, burrowing into the pillows.
Deck leaned forward over the heap of dogs and brushed his lips against mine. “Me too.”
Maybe because we’d gotten to design it ourselves. It was a bit of a commute for Deck to the stadium, but he said it was worth it to have this peace. And it was that.
Nestled in the forest, the materials used to build the house made it blend in with the surrounding landscape. There were plenty of rooms for friends and family to stay—like they would tonight—but nothing was ostentatious. It was cozy. Home.
“Did Booker make his flight?” I asked.
Deck nodded, a sly smile on his face.
I straightened. “You know something.”
He chuckled. “You can’t say anything. He’s telling Erik tonight.”
Our besties had gotten together right after our ordeal and stayed together. Even though it was long distance, they made it work, visiting each other as much as possible.
“Booker gave the Boston Bears his notice. He’s retiring and coming to work with me at the Cougars.”
I let out a squeal that had Tank jumping up to lick my face. I laughed as I set my coffee on the table and snuggled my pup. “I’m so happy for them. They deserve this.”
“Selfishly, I’m just happy to have my brother back,” Deck admitted.
My expression softened as I reached for his hand on the back of the couch. “You guys are going to have so much fun.”
“He’s gonna be great with the kids,” Deck said.
This year Decker was transitioning his position to one that was purely a part of the Cougars youth outreach program. He loved that part of his job so much that he wanted to do it full-time.
That smirk I loved slid across Deck’s face. “But I think he really just wants to compete with me as your number one Roller Derby fan.”
A soft giggle left me. “He did have the superior outfit last time.”
“Hey,” Deck argued, offended. “Just because I didn’t want that glitter hair spray doesn’t mean I’m not your number one fan, Birdie.”
“I don’t know . . . glitter might say it better.”
He scowled at me, only making me laugh harder.
“Okay,” I began, letting him off the hook. “My parents are still in for tonight. What about yours?”
We’d taken to having all our loved ones over for a Valentine’s Day dinner, and it was exactly our speed. It might end in a dance party, but the outfits were pajamas and slippers.
“They’ll be here,” Deck assured me. “Is Henry bringing his new girlfriend?”
I grinned. “You’re gonna love her. Huge football fan. I think she might know the Cougars’ stats better than you.”
He arched a brow. “I’m up for that challenge.”
God, I loved this life we’d built together. It felt effortless. Like I got to be exactly myself all the time and be loved for it.
Deck’s hand squeezed mine hard. “Birdie, look,” he whispered.
I turned to the huge windows and saw them. A pair of wolves just along the tree line. One was slightly larger and darker than the other, but both were stunningly beautiful.
My eyes burned as I took them in. Wild and free. Even better, they were at peace.
We watched them for I didn’t know how long, until they caught a scent and took off through the trees. I whirled to face Decker. “That was incredible. Best Valentine’s gift ever.”
He smiled at me, always charmed by how much I loved nature. “How about one more?”
“Deck . . .”
He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small box. As he opened it, I gasped. Inside was the most stunning emerald ring set in gold.
“It looked like you to me. The green of your eyes, how much you love the forests all around you. Marry me, Birdie. Keep building this life with me.”
My eyes filled, the tears tracking down my cheeks. He’d never once rushed me, even though he’d waited for me for so long. We’d taken our time to get to know each other in this new way. And now . . . I was ready.
I pushed to my knees, leaning over the dogs and into Deck. “This life is better than all my wildest dreams.”