Epilogue
It was funny how much a world could change in six months.
Here they were at another gala, this time supporting the new nonprofit Ainsley had spent the past few months refining. Here, with her friends, and some of his, as they gathered together to shine a spotlight on a very important cause. The Winifred Project was a catchall mission that funded various ministries and community projects that ranged from Glenda’s vision to reach women in the sex industry, to partnering with White Night on initiatives such as Violet House, where women could find refuge.
Who knew that Ainsley losing her job would result in so much viewer outrage and media speculation that the world seemed ready to take up any cause she aligned herself with?
Zac studied her as she spoke articulately to a reporter about the need for awareness of women’s issues, her strength and poise now in stark contrast to the sobbing of two months ago, when he’d stood beside her, literally supporting her, at her aunt’s grave.
How grateful he was that the approval had come through when it had. It had allowed enough time for a crazy expensive helicopter ride to take Winifred from the island to the official opening of Violet House. There was no press on that day, it was a private ceremony for the family to mark a location that needed to remain secret, but it felt as special as if it was broadcast on Vancouver Tonight .
He glanced around as the interview continued. Mack and Emmett were here tonight, along with Chris and Diana, Glenda and her husband, and various executives from the White Night charity. And his friends, many of whom had offered donations for the silent auction that was raising funds tonight.
“And I just can’t believe how many people have come out tonight!” Ainsley grinned as she glanced around the venue, waving at a couple of fans.
“We love you, Ainsley!” they called.
“You’re obviously loved,” the reporter from ET said.
Ainsley tucked herself closer to Zac, and squeezed his hand. “It certainly feels that way.”
He tilted his head, and murmured so only she could hear, “It s hould feel that way, because it’s true.”
She laughed, and the reporter looked bemused, but her attention was arrested by the arrival of the mayor who’d come at Zac’s request tonight. Which allowed Zac to pick up Ainsley’s hand and kiss the finger he planned to place a ring on as soon as the craziness gave them both a chance to breathe.
So much had happened. Winifred. The new charity. Playoffs. Western Conference finals. NHL awards. Ryan’s wedding.
Then there were Ainsley’s new work commitments. The fans demanded she be reinstated as Abigail, which had seen production on As The Heart Draws delayed after Mal capitulated and offered her back the role for one more year, while they sorted out Abigail’s exit. Ainsley, in turn, had negotiated a reduced workload for the same salary, thanks to Rosie, who seemed to have realized her job was to work for Ainsley, not the other way around.
He was so blinking proud of Ainsley, standing up for herself, owning her decisions, yet being wise with her opportunities as well.
“Good. She’s the backbone of that show, and we don’t want her to be cutting off her nose to spite anyone’s face,” his mom had said, when he’d explained the situation to her.
His mom had apologized to Ainsley, and she’d been gracious as ever. The same was true of family too. One could hold offense and create distance, or forgive, and find peace. He knew which one he preferred.
He’d seen the same with Logan, and even Mitch Reilly, who had offered their versions of apologies as Zac had collected the trophy for the MVP of the regular season. And while forgiving them was a no-brainer, it had taken longer to work through forgiving the man who had stolen Ainsley’s innocence, and harassed her so much earlier this year. Baden might’ve been charged, dropped from the Ryan Reynolds film, and his career firmly flushed out to the sea, but it didn’t seem right the man’s images likely still lurked in dark pockets of the internet, beyond what the law could reach. Yet the fact Ainsley had told Zac, had cried with him then allowed him to pray for her about that part of her past, had knit them even closer. Sharing vulnerabilities did that. As did praying together, learning each other, kissing.
Ainsley glanced up at him, her smile soft. “Are you okay?”
“More than. Tonight is going well.”
She sighed happily. “So well.”
“And you look beautiful.”
“I feel beautiful.”
He smiled, and lifted her hand and spun her in a little twirl, which instantly drew an “Aww” from the crowd as her blue dress flared out along with her golden laughter.
He drew her in, and she placed a hand over his heart. “Have I ever mentioned that I love you?”
“For real?” he teased.
“What do you think?”
With a challenge like that, what was a man to do but prove it? So he drew her close and kissed her again.
* * *
Sometimes it felt like a dream. Loving Zac. Being loved by him. Finding strength and renewed purpose in her days. She didn’t deserve him, but was so grateful for God’s many blessings. God was so good, good, good !
She smiled at her parents, then glanced around the room filled with celebrities and ordinary folk, people who all believed in the cause of raising funds to bless women.
“Hey, you two.”
She hugged Jackie and Lincoln Cash, talked babies for a while, as Zac waited patiently as ever. He’d asked a time or two about what she’d like her future to look like, whether she’d like a family like Chris and Diana or wait a little while. She’d always hedged, not daring to believe he’d even be thinking about that yet, but maybe the option of special cuddles wasn’t too far from his mind. She understood that. Sometimes when they kissed it wasn’t too far from hers.
“And you?” Lincoln asked her. “It sounds like you’ve got As The Heart Draws for one more season, then what?”
“Last I heard they’re writing Abigail’s role out, at least into the occasional guest appearance to appease the fans.”
Jackie grinned. “I don’t think they could believe the backlash.”
“I’m glad, because I don’t want my actions to affect the show, especially as it affects Cassie and her family’s ranch. But I’m really glad I stood up for myself. Finally.”
“Good for you for sticking to your guns,” Lincoln said. “So what about the Christmas mysteries movies?”
“I’m contracted for another two episodes, but next season without As The Heart Draws I’ll have a lot more room for other things. So I’m exploring my options.”
They glanced at each other, then back at her. “So, we know this is not exactly the place to mention this, but there’s no time like the present.” Lincoln nodded as Zac drew near. “How would you feel about becoming a stakeholder in our new production company?”
She blinked. “Are you serious?”
Zac placed a hand on her lower back, steadying her as he always did.
“One hundred percent.”
“Is this the Christian one you talked about before?”
Lincoln nodded. “We’ve long seen a need for Christian content in the mainstream media, so we’re looking for others who are wanting to partner with us and offering real stories that really touch hearts. We’ve got a number of Christians, including Harrison, and even Chlolinda Drewe, who have agreed to come on board. It’s exciting, yet we’re only taking baby steps at the moment, but you never know where this will take us.”
“Wow. Of course I want to know more.”
Lincoln smiled. “Keep an eye on your inbox. We’ll be in touch.”
“Oh my gosh.” She turned to Zac as Lincoln and Jackie melted into the crowd. “Can you believe that?”
“Of course I can. It’s what you’ve been praying for, for God to direct your steps.”
“What we’ve been praying for, for God to direct our steps.”
He smiled. “Speaking of, do you recognize this song?”
“Sailing,” the mellow seventies tune by Christopher Cross that they’d danced to on New Year’s Eve. “Of course I do. I love this song.”
“Then how about we step over there to the dance floor and see what happens?”
“Okay.”
He held her hand, gently, like she was made of glass, then drew her onto the dance floor where others were swaying.
“You look happy,” he murmured.
“How can I not be? I’m here with all of my favorite people in the world.”
“Have you got a really favorite person?” he asked.
“I may.”
He chuckled. “Am I allowed to guess?”
“You can try.”
Her chest tightened as his gaze grew intense. “Would that favorite person be dancing right now?”
“He might be.”
“He?”
“Mmm. I think he’s also secure enough to know who he is.”
His face lowered, his lips just a breath away. “Oh, he is.”
He kissed her and she paused, caught in this moment. A moment that was real, honest, and all kinds of good. God was good. Zac was good. The future was good. There may have been trials, but God was working things out for her good. Their good.
He pulled back slowly, leaned his forehead against hers. “I wonder…”
“Wonder what?” Her eyes remained closed.
“I wonder if you’d like to make this really real.”
“How real are we talking?” she whispered.
“You and me. A forever kind of real.”
Her eyes opened, widened, as she saw he held a ring. Saw that everyone was standing in a circle around them, watching, smiling, aww-ing. “Zac, are you for real?”
“Yes.”
Her heart soared. “Are you asking what I think you are?”
“If you’re thinking I’m asking if you’d marry me, then yes. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to marry my best friend and be the husband you need me to be. Someone who cares, who is growing in God, and encourages you to be strong in God, too.”
“You remembered,” she breathed.
“I could never forget.”
Oh, this man. Nobody could ever fulfill a role like this man could.
His lips tweaked. “So, Ainsley Violet Beckett.”
“Yes, Zachary Anthony Parotti?”
He smiled, but his gaze remained serious. “Will you let me love you for the rest of my days?”
There could only be one answer. So she flung her arms around him and said, “Yes!”
The End.