Epilogue
EPILOGUE
MEREDITH
" Y ou're going to love this place," Sofia gushed as we stepped out of the car. She'd insisted on a girl's night out, claiming we needed to celebrate the theater's upcoming restoration properly. The black dress she'd insisted I wear, one Leo had gotten me just last week as a surprise, hugged my curves perfectly, though I'd argued it was too fancy for dinner.
Now, looking up at one of the city's most exclusive buildings, I understood her insistence on dressing up.
"How did you even get reservations?" I asked, following her into the elevator. "This place has a six-month waiting list."
She winked, smoothing her emerald silk dress once we were inside the elevator. "I have my ways."
I shook my head as the pleasant music washed over us while we rode up the floors.
"Excited to get the renovations underway?" She checked her face in the mirrored wall of the elevator, grinning wide at me.
"Extremely." Leo had restoration plans done up with my input, and once we were both happy with it, he'd contracted the work. In just a few days, the theater would be a construction zone, and hopefully in a few short months, it would have a grand opening, focusing on supporting charities and up-and-coming musicians in the city. We were even planning on getting some schools involved for using the venue for shows to raise funds.
The elevator opened to the penthouse restaurant, and I froze. Gray stood waiting, looking sharp in a navy suit, but the restaurant behind him was completely empty. No staff, no patrons, just elegant tables bathed in candlelight and the city's lights twinkling through floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Hey Mer," he smiled, then turned to Sofia. "I forgot something in the car. Come with me?"
Sofia's eyes lit up as she bobbed her head a little too enthusiastically. "Of course! Mer, wait here, okay? Won't be long."
Before I could protest, they'd disappeared into the elevator, leaving me alone in the silent restaurant.
What was going on here? Where was everyone? Why on earth had they been so quick to leave me alone?
Then I heard it – piano notes started floating through the air. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the melody. Chopin's Nocturne. My favorite, one I'd mastered so long ago and had played a month ago when Leo had revealed his plans for the theater. Our theater.
I moved toward the sound, my heart skipping a beat as I rounded a corner to find Leo seated at a grand piano. His fingers moved over the keys with careful precision. He wasn't as fluid as I was, but the fact that he was playing at all...
"Leo?" My voice caught as he looked up, those icy blue eyes warm with affection.
"I've been practicing," he said softly, continuing to play. "Every day since the theater. It's the only song I know, I can't read sheet music, so it's all memory from watching and listening, but it's your favorite. I'm sorry I don't know it all yet."
Tears pricked my eyes as I moved closer, awestruck by this display as he continued to play, the familiar melody making my heart clench. He'd been learning in secret, just for me?
The final notes he knew faded away as he stood, taking my hands in his. Those piercing eyes burned into me as he offered me a small, sincere smile.
"Meredith," he began, his voice hitching slightly, but he cleared it, "you've owned my heart since we were teenagers. You see past the darkness in me, accept all that I am. You've been the woman I've dreamed of, the woman I'd do anything for, and the woman I want forever." He dropped to one knee, and I gasped.
Was this really happening?
The diamond ring he revealed caught the candlelight, but all I could see was the love in his eyes. "Be mine, completely. Forever. Marry me?"
This was really happening. My heart fluttered as I stared at him, at the emotion swirling in those blue depths.
"Yes," I whispered, the tears that had threatened now spilling free. "Always yes."
Relief swept through his face as he slipped the ring onto my finger and rose. He pulled me into a passionate kiss, one full of promise and love, one that made my legs want to give out. And then I heard cheering, causing me to grin as we broke apart. Gray and Sofia had returned, and were clapping madly, both grinning broadly.
"So you were in on this?" I laughed as Sof rushed over and threw her arms around me with a squeal.
"Um, of course," she said with an eye-roll as she pulled back before inspecting my ring. "Do you know how hard it is to not say a thing when you know how much planning and effort has gone into it?" She nodded, turning to Leo. "Good eye, it's stunning. This entire thing is amazing." She moved to hug him as well, and to my surprise, he accepted it with a small smile.
"I love it," I said softly, stepping toward Gray and accepting his embrace and congratulations before moving back to Leo's arms.
"I love you. This is perfect, thank you." I stared up at him, and he pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.
"The entire restaurant is ours for the evening," Leo said, leading us to a beautifully set table as Gray and Sof followed. "I wanted tonight to be perfect."
"It's more than perfect." The entire restaurant was incredible, with glass chandeliers and exquisite, fancy table settings. All just for me. For us and this special night.
As we settled in, waiters appeared from nowhere, serving champagne and appetizers. The conversation flowed easily, warmth flooding my chest as I looked around at my little family.
The ring on my finger was dazzling, and I couldn't stop looking at it, mesmerized by it and the love it represented.
"You definitely love it?" Leo questioned softly as Sof tested a glass of wine on offer.
"So much." I covered his hand with mine, not wanting him to doubt for a second that it wasn't the greatest ring I now owned. Sentimentally, mainly, but I was sure it likely cost a pretty penny too.
Leo was not one to skimp out.
"You know," Gray mused, swirling his champagne, "I just realized something. Mer, when was the last time you had a panic attack? Even with everything that happened last month..."
I blinked, considering this as I tried to recall my last. In all honesty, it had been that time with Leo holding me, before everything had transpired. "I... I haven't had one since everything came out."
"We talked about this once," Sofia leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, her emerald nails matching her dress. "Remember? About your repressed memories being the cause?"
"It makes sense, somewhat," Leo squeezed my hand as he shrugged. "The weight of those buried memories, the constant strain of not knowing..."
"And now that everything's in the open, you're free from it," Gray finished, although he didn't look convinced.
Whatever the case, I was grateful for the end of my attacks.
The conversation paused as our main courses arrived. I was finishing the last bite of my perfectly cooked steak when Leo's phone buzzed on the edge of the table. His expression shifted as he read the message, a mix of surprise and something else.
He stood suddenly, giving me an oddly uneasy look before he masked it. "Mer, how do you feel about meeting my parents?"
"What? I mean, sure, but?—"
"Good, because they're apparently crashing our engagement dinner." He ran a hand through his hair, looking uncharacteristically nervous. This was not like him at all. Was he truly worried? He'd only said good things about his parents. His father, a renowned man for who he was and known for his iron fist, but also a man with morals and beliefs, had been painted as a man worth my respect despite the family and life he led. Then his mother, a soft woman who loved Leo and was a wonderful wife and mother. She'd sounded sweet in the rare instance we'd spoken about them.
Sofia nearly choked on her wine. "The Donatis are coming here?"
"Did you know they were in the city?" Gray asked, straightening his tie as he stood.
"No, I—" The elevator dinged, cutting Leo off.
We all turned to watch as an elegant couple strode in. Leo's father exuded power with every step, but it was his mother who caught my attention – her warm smile reminded me so much of Leo's rare ones.
"Oh!" his mother exclaimed, taking in the scene. "Canzio, we've interrupted something special." She swatted her husband's arm. "I told you we should have called first."
"Nonsense," Mr. Donati waved off her concern, his eyes fixed on me with a knowing smile. "I wanted to meet the woman who captured my son's heart." He moved closer, studying me with familiar ice-blue eyes. "Now I understand everything. He'd said that day you tended to him, the way you looked at him... you saw him, truly saw him, even then. And considering this," he lifted my hand, nodding approvingly at my new ring before kissing the top of my hand. "I say my son has found something special in you."
"Father—" Leo started, but Mrs. Donati jumped in.
"My son has been entranced by you since you were teenagers. The way he'd speak of you, how he'd light up..." She smiled, and suddenly I saw where Leo got his softer side from. "Welcome to the family, Meredith."
She moved forward to hug me, her perfume wrapping around me like a warm embrace. "Call me Maria, darling. Oh, we have so much to plan! A spring wedding would be lovely... oh, but we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. My husband here heard that a woman had entered the scene with our son, and we just had to come see who she was. Who you were."
I caught Leo's eye over her shoulder. He looked so happy as his father rested a hand on his shoulder, so complete, that my heart threatened to burst.
This was my life now – a beautiful chaos of family, both chosen and given. And I wouldn't change a single thing about it.
"I heard how you protected your brother during the attack," Mr. Donati said, his expression approving as he embraced my brother in a friendly hug. "You're a strong woman, Meredith. Finally, a queen worthy of our prince."
"She certainly is," Maria beamed, squeezing my hands. "But we should take our leave. This is clearly a private celebration. One we had no right interrupting."
"Oh no, please, you're welcome to stay—" I started, but she shook her head.
"Nonsense, darling. A mother knows when not to intrude." She kissed my cheek, then Leo's. "We'll have plenty of time for family dinners. Tonight is for you and your closest ones."
We watched them leave, the elevator doors closing on Maria's excited smile and a pleasant wink my way. I already had a feeling we were going to get along wonderfully, and I was just glad Mr. Donati had approved of me.
"They seem... nice," I said, still somewhat stunned by how quickly they'd come and then exited.
Leo chuckled, pulling me close. "They mean well. Though I suspect we'll be fielding calls about venue options by morning. My mother will be excited."
"Well, that was… eventful," Sof remarked, and then clapped her hands, breaking the moment. "Without further ado, I think it's time to take this celebration to the next level before dessert comes out."
Music filled the air as if on cue, and Sofia dragged Gray onto the makeshift dance floor between the tables. Leo's hand found mine, leading me to join them.
As we swayed together, the city lights twinkling behind us like stars, I stared up at my future husband. The dangerous man who'd killed for me, who'd learned piano just to propose, who looked at me like I was his everything.
"What are you thinking?" he murmured, his eyes softening as he held me closer.
"That I'm ready," I said softly. "Ready to stand by your side, to face whatever comes our way."
His eyes darkened as he pulled me closer. "Always?"
"Always," I promised, rising on my toes to kiss him.
We were two souls who'd found each other despite the darkness, clinging to our own light and embracing the shadows that haunted us in order to begin anew. And as we danced under the glistening chandeliers, with two of the people we loved most, I knew that this was just the beginning of our story together.
Some loves were worth killing for.
Some loves were worth dying for.
And ours? Ours was worth living for.