Epilogue
“ Is this really necessary, Kai?” I reach up to pull the blindfold covering my eyes down, but Kai playfully smacks my hand away.
“Woman, if you ruin the surprise I have planned, I won’t go down on you for a month.” Kai’s threat is an empty one—I know he would die before following through on it—but I drop my hands back into my lap, biting back the smile threatening to break free.
“Oh no, anything but that.” I gasp in mock horror.
Kai lets out a muttered “brat” as he pulls his hand away. I lean my head back against the headrest and close my eyes, trying to see if I can get a sense of where we are going by using my other senses. I recently got a promotion to detective for good reason. I’ve got killer instincts and an eye for details. It’s helped me a lot in my career as I’ve risen in the ranks of the Birch Falls PD.
When I got home from work, Kai told me to get changed because we were going out. He said he had a surprise planned for me. It’s almost my birthday, so I want to assume he’s taking me out for a nice dinner, but my detective brain tells me that’s too obvious and not special enough for all the cloak and dagger stuff.
He’s been working long hours putting together his show at the art gallery downtown, so maybe he’s trying to make up for that. The show opens tomorrow night, and he’s been there late every night this week making sure everything is hung just right. It’s his first solo show, and I know he’s nervous about how well it will be received. He’s so nervous, he hasn’t even let me have a sneak peek yet.
Kai has built an impressive resume in the world of photojournalism since we graduated from BFU seven years ago. He has traveled all over the world covering major news events like elections, protests and wars, but his favorite thing is to stay closer to home, doing human interest stories on everyday people. The show at the gallery is supposed to feature some of his work that never made it into the news. Photos that are personal and important to him. Kai is hoping this gallery show will launch the next stage in his career as a photographer, so he can start spending more time at home and less time traveling. We’ve talked about starting a family, and Kai has said he doesn’t want to miss any of it. He wants to be there for every first, and I’m tired of missing him so much. While I’m proud of the work he’s done and the recognition he’s garnered with his career, I’m ready to have him home for good.
Kai slows the car to a crawl before flicking on the turn signal. I feel the car back up, turn then pull forward slightly before Kai shifts into park. My skin starts buzzing in excitement knowing we are finally at our destination.
“Can I take it off now?” I move to raise my hand, but Kai intercepts it. He brings my hand to his lips, gently kissing my knuckles.
“Patience, baby. I promise you it’ll be worth it.”
I huff out a mock irritated sigh as I wait, acting aggrieved at his request. Kai exits the car, and seconds later opens my door to lead me to the surprise. Taking my hand, he helps me out of the car. The sultry summer air settles over the bare skin of my arms like a blanket. I listen carefully for any hints of where we might be, but all I hear are the sounds of traffic and people passing by on the sidewalk. Kai steers me into a quiet, air-conditioned space. The change in temperature causes goosebumps to rise all over my skin. There are no smells of food wafting through the air. I also don’t hear the tell-tale sounds of other diners enjoying their meals, so it likely isn’t a restaurant. Holding both of my hands, Kai guides me further into the mystery room before stopping. I feel him move around behind me, pressing his front to my back and gently brushing his lips against the shell of my ear.
“You ready for your surprise, ReRe?”
Shivers run down my spine at the low, melodic tone of his voice. I can’t believe he can still cause such a visceral reaction from my body after almost ten years together.
“Yes.” My reply is little more than a gasp as I feel my core heat at the gentle graze of his fingertips against my skin as he moves to remove my blindfold.
Freed from the blindfold, I blink my eyes to adjust to the light. In front of me is a massive black and white portrait of…me. It takes up nearly the entire wall.It’s a close up of me smiling, head thrown back mid-laugh, my curls wild and free, blowing in the wind. It’s from our wedding—I can tell by the white halter strap that crosses around my neck. We had a small intimate ceremony at the top of Buffalo Mountain in the fall. One of Kai’s buddies did the photography, but Kai also had his camera out during the day, snapping pictures. I don’t remember ever seeing this one.
“Kai…” I’m at a loss for words as I stare at what is probably the happiest moment of my life.
“SURPRISE!”
I jump back, pressing into Kai’s firm body behind me at the sudden noise. Chuckling, he turns me to see the crowd of people behind us. Our friends, family and several of my coworkers from the department. An obnoxiously large congratulations banner hangs from the ceiling.
“I know you said you didn’t want to make a big deal about it, but becoming the first Black female detective on the Birch Falls PD is kind of a big deal, ReRe. I couldn’t let that go without recognizing how much of a badass you are.” Kai presses a kiss to my cheek, melting my heart with his thoughtfulness. I only get a moment to take in the scene before me before everyone bursts into motion at once to give me hugs and well wishes on my recent promotion.
“Congratulations, Serena! I can’t believe you were trying to let this slide without a party!” Grace squeezes me tightly as she admonishes me. I give her a bashful shrug before she passes me over to Luther.
Next in line is Kai’s sister, Naomi. “I tried to talk him out of it since you told him you didn’t want to make a big deal about it but…” She shoots Kai a wry look, leaving the rest unsaid. She knows I hate being the center of attention most of the time, but she also knows when Kai has his mind set on something, he’s going to do it. Kai grins at his big sister, absolutely no shame in his game.
Mom and her new beau, John, come up to give me hugs. She made so many great strides in her first two years at Whispering Grove, she was able to move into an apartment on her own, and she even started working at Brewed Awakening, which is where she met John. “Congratulations, Sweet Pea. I’m so proud of you!” She presses a wet kiss to my cheek while John looks on with pride shining in his eyes. He won’t ever be a replacement for my father, but it’s nice to see Mom happy again.
“Hey, you! I think this moment deserves a little champagne!” Eloise Fitzpatrick waltzes up, carrying two champagne flutes. I met Eloise a few years ago when she and her husband were dealing with a stalker. One of the veteran cops had sent me to take Caleb’s statement when he reported his wife missing. The officer had assumed she left him and deemed the call not worthy of his time. Turns out, she had been kidnapped, and she wound up almost dying while Caleb was being questioned at the precinct. That officer was forced into retirement shortly thereafter, and I was awarded my first commendation. Eloise went into victim advocacy after her experience, and when dealing with victims of domestic violence, I found myself recommending her over and over again so she could help guide the victims through the process of getting help or leaving their abusers. We grew to be close friends, and Kai and Caleb play softball together.
“Congrats, Serena. You are going to be a brilliant detective.” Caleb leans in, kissing my cheek before clapping Kai on the shoulder in greeting. They peel off so they can talk about the basketball game or some other sporting nonsense.
“So you didn’t have any idea he was doing this?” Eloise raises a dubious eyebrow at me, not entirely convinced I hadn’t figured out the surprise. Her suspicion is fair. Kai has tried several times to surprise me with birthday parties, and I’ve thwarted him every time.
“No idea. Swear. I guess I’ve been so busy with work, and he’s been working on his show so much it didn’t even occur to me he’d do this…” My voice trails off as I take in my surroundings. It’s Kai’s work. Photo after photo lining the walls, hanging in dramatic installations. All black and white photos of Black men, women and children—smiling, laughing, faces lit up with happiness, enjoying the big and small joys in life. A pair of older men playing chess in a park. A group of girls spinning wildly on a merry-go-round in a playground. Parents huddled together on a hospital bed, snuggling their newborn. A mother and daughter cuddled together, reading a book. An artist holding a paintbrush, studying his work, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. Me, from our wedding. Photo after photo is a celebration, a tribute to Black joy, and it makes my heart swell with pride at the message behind Kai’s work. Even when the world is dark, there is still so much joy to be found.
I look over my shoulder, seeking out my husband so I can tell him how amazing this is. He always told me after all the hurt and sadness he documented, he wanted to revel in something joyous to balance out the darkness in the world. He finally did it.
Soft music begins to play from the speakers, so I excuse myself from Eloise making my way over to the man who is the joy that balances out the darkness in my life.
“Excuse me, Mr. Roberts. May I have this dance?” I slide my hand up Kai’s arm to his neck, pulling his body close to mine.
His full, beautiful lips turn up at the corner in a sexy-as-hell grin.
“The answer was yes before you even asked, Mrs. Roberts.”
The End