Epilogue #2
They followed us around relentlessly for weeks.
Not to mention a few not-so-nice things were posted.
Some people thought it was a lie. A publicity stunt.
Women threw themselves at him harder than ever, thinking they’d be the ones to lure him away, because how could a man like Kaplan Fritz ever love a girl like me?
But once Senator Van Der Heusen was charged with sexual harassment and assault, the world moved on to that.
Then it was discovered that Millie had a secret love affair with her mother’s assistant and all hell broke loose for that family.
“All my siblings are getting engaged, or married, or having kids,” Kaplan murmurs in my ear as we slow dance, our bare feet playing with the sand.
My head falls to his shoulder. “That’s what people do when they get to a certain age.”
Luca is proposing to Raven tonight in the garden.
She has no clue. Evidently, this is where they first got together.
Where they fell in love. Even if it ended in heartbreak the first time.
And now that Elle is pregnant, I’m guessing she and Landon won’t be far off.
I think he was planning on doing that anyway.
Grace and Carter got married shortly after Owen was born in a tiny ceremony that was only family. Kaplan was the best man.
We’re the last ones.
But I don’t think either of us is in any particular rush to change that.
“Is that what you want?” he croons, whispering into my ear. “To get married and have babies?”
Or maybe I’m wrong?
Pulling back, I play with some of the hair tickling the top of his collar, trying to read his expression. He’s giving me nothing to work with. “Not this minute, no.”
“I’m turning thirty-seven in September.”
“Oh, I’m not saying it’s a bad idea for you. You’re old and should probably get on that. I’m saying for me, I’m not ready for kids yet.”
He pinches my nipple through the chiffon of my dress until I squeal. I smack his hand away. “There are people here,” I hiss, looking around and rubbing discreetly at my smarting nipple.
His lips layer with mine as he stares into my eyes.
The warm ocean breeze whips across us, kicking up the fire and causing sparks to shoot up into the night sky.
“No one is paying us any attention. So, you’re saying not this minute, but what about finally agreeing to move in with me? Your lease is up next month.”
“That I can do.” Especially when I practically live with him already. Most of my clothes and shoes already have a home in the second master closet.
“So, if I gave you a pretty diamond, told you I loved you and asked you to be mine forever?”
I pause, tilting my head because this is the first time we’ve ever discussed anything like that. “I thought you never wanted to get married?”
“I didn’t say I did. Just curious about your thoughts on it. Can’t blame me for having them tonight.” He’s smiling the smile that makes my insides mush as he glances back up at the house where the main party is happening.
I think about this for a moment, staring into his emerald-green eyes. I have no real response that I can give him because I haven’t allowed my mind to go in that direction. Though I’d be lying if I said the idea of being his forever didn’t set off a fleet of drunk, giddy butterflies in my stomach.
“I don’t know if I’m a diamond kind of girl.” Been there once already and that didn’t go so well.
“Then it’s a really good thing I didn’t get you one.”
Only now, he’s lowering himself onto one knee, staring up into my eyes like I’m his reason for breathing and existing. Like without me, he’d perish, and his world would end. The amount of love shining up at me from this man makes my breath catch and tears sting my eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“Tying my shoes.”
I laugh, the first tear hitting my cheek. “You’re barefoot.”
“Oh right. So maybe I’m showing you something instead.”
And then he’s opening up a jewelry box that has… “My ring!” I gasp, and immediately more tears start falling. “I sold that. How did you—”
“You sold it to me. You just didn’t know it.”
My hands cover my mouth as my body shakes uncontrollably.
I started selling some of my jewelry a few months ago and this was the one piece I was most reluctant to let go of. I loved it so much. But I had no practical reason to keep a gold ring with a huge floating emerald.
He bought it. For me. I can’t believe he did that.
He reaches for my hand, prying one of them from my trembling lips.
“Bianca Bunny Barlow, I love you. From the moment you walked back into my life, everything has changed in the best imaginable way. My mother likes to tell me I’m smiling now, but it’s more than that.
I’m happy. You make me so fucking happy.
And that’s all I want to do for you. Make you happy forever.
I was going to do this tonight on the boat but looking at how beautiful you are by the fire…
I couldn’t wait another second. Will you marry me?
Be my wife? My partner? The mate to my soul? ”
“Yes,” I cry, nodding vigorously. “Yes. I can’t believe you. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
A breathtaking smile lights up his face and he stands, sliding the ring, my ring on my finger. In my next breath, he’s lifting me in the air, kissing me like it’s what he was put on this earth to do. I cling to him, wrapping my legs around his waist and kissing him back with everything I have.
The way I’ll kiss him forever.
With all the wild love and passion and happiness I have swirling through me every time I look or think about him. Every time I’m near him. This man. This layered, complicated, sweet, incredible man owns my heart just as I own his.
“You really want this? To get married?” I breathe against his lips. “No more Dr. Untouchable who swore himself to a life of being alone?”
“Only with you, B. Being alone is miserable without you. It’s dark and vacuous. You brought color and texture and light into my life. You’re the only one. Ever. It’s always only been you. I even asked your stepfathers and mother for permission.”
“You did? You asked them if you could marry me?”
“They said no, but I decided to say fuck it and do it anyway.”
I laugh as he twirls us around in a dizzying circle.
“They said yes,” he whispers into me, holding me impossibly close. “But even if they had said no, I would have begged you anyway. You are my heart. You are my ocean. You fill my soul.”
The End.
Thank you SO much for reading the Doctor Untouchable.