EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER - DOMINIC
I mop the wood-look tile in the kitchen that Este had pushed so hard for us to use, removing the last of the construction dust that seems to cling to everything.
The house is an eclectic mix of natural wood elements, character, moodiness, and the modern, contemporary, clean lines that Este loves so much.
Our bedroom set was delivered early this morning, so I’ve been at the house since six getting everything ready.
Este became overwhelmed in the past few weeks with writing her self-help book, so I took some time off work to prepare the place for us.
She needed some time to write without distraction.
I have all my things moved in, and a moving truck arrives tomorrow morning at Este’s for the furniture she wants to keep.
I’ve unpacked most of her clothes and books, and I organized them by color in our reading nook.
I glance at my watch. She’s probably doing last-minute packing and finishing up the final chapter of her book about grief.
Before leaving the kitchen, I give it one last look and set a table runner on our round table, hoping Este will love it. I arrange tall candles in the center, ensuring everything looks perfect for my fiancée.
I’ve turned our engagement photos at the Willis Tower into magnets that hang on our brand-new refrigerator.
I also hired a designer to create a stunning focal wall featuring all of Este’s family photos, as well as the ones we took over the summer—of the three of us—though Daisy is featured in one of them, at Este’s insistence.
She thinks of Daisy as another daughter, and I can’t help but love her too.
She’s fifty percent spunk and fifty percent sweetness, and she’s perfect for Reed.
I straighten the mirror behind the enormous range stove we had splurged on, which is attached to the marble that expands all the way to the ceiling. It looked too bare, so I found the mirror at an antique shop, and it had precisely the right dimensions for the spot.
Finally, I send a text to Este and tell her to come on over. Almost an afterthought, I set the welcome mat down outside the front door, and waited outside in the beautiful Texas December night for the love of my life to pull into our driveway.
I stand with my hands in my pockets as I hear Este’s car coming down the street. She puts on her turn signal, and I wave as she pulls up to our four-car garage.
Este looks like a million bucks in her short, blue-and-white striped jumpsuit and white sandals. It’s seventy-five degrees today, and the sun is shining as it should for this momentous day.
She pushes her sunglasses up on top of her hair and smiles as she walks toward me.
“Finished the book!” She gives me the widest grin and pumps her fist into the air, celebrating. Este doesn’t hesitate; she just jumps into my arms, where I’m always ready and waiting to catch her.
“Congratulations, baby!” I twirl her in our driveway.
“Thank you.”
I set her down and kiss her deeply, surprised when she slides her tongue into my mouth and grabs my ass. I hope she’s thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’...
“Let’s see the house before I ravage you,” I whisper against her lips. She reluctantly pulls away and holds my hand as we walk together to the front door. Naturally, I pick her up and carry her over the threshold of our first real home together. Este is all smiles and giggles as I put her down.
She twirls three hundred and sixty degrees several times, taking in the finished place we’ll call home together.
“Oh my God! The mirror!” She points to the kitchen, bypassing the living room to get to it. “It’s perfect! Where on earth did you find that?”
“The antique shop by the office. It fits just right, and I knew you’d love it.” I beam at Este, and she points out more things she loves as she walks around the house, touching everything, sniffling loudly as reality finally hits that this is really our home.
“I don’t even miss my grandparents’ house. I think they’d love this place,” Este tells me as she walks into our spacious primary bedroom, gets a running start, and jumps onto the bed.
She gets on her knees and bounces on the bed, grinning as she decides it’s “just bouncy enough.” She runs her hand over the hand-crafted wooden headboard and sighs happily.
I plop onto the bed next to her. “You haven’t even seen your closet or the incredible chandelier I found at a garage sale.”
“It can wait a second.” Este smiles at me as she rolls closer and lifts her top leg over my hips, pulling me close. Her mouth melts to mine, but I know she will want to see how her pink and gray flowery closet has turned out, so I yank her with me through the bathroom into it.
She marvels at the drawers, shoe racks, and hat holders I’ve placed thoughtfully around the room, as well as a huge ottoman in the center, placed beneath the sparkling chandelier that hangs from the coffered ceiling.
“Oh my God.” Este keeps repeating the same three words, and I lick my lips, watching and wanting her.
I sit down on the ottoman. “Get those clothes off, honey. Fast.”