Epilogue #3
“You two are so gross, I swear,” Mae teased. Jax could tell that she was nervous about the dinner, but Ollie was seated on her other side, ready to help her through it. “By the way, Jaxon, your jacket is sick, and I love the Apocalypse Now centerpieces.”
Tristan raised an eyebrow, but Jax gave him a shake of the head that said I’ll explain later .
“I’m so glad you’re here, Mae.” Jax had promised to be a better friend, so he’d been visiting her regularly, supporting her in any way he could, and he was thrilled that she’d gotten a day pass for his birthday.
“I’m glad too,” she gave him a real smile, looking better than she had in years. It seemed like she’d settled within herself, and Jax felt like he was finally getting the genuine Mae he’d only seen glimpses of before. “And guess what? I’m getting released next month!”
“What! That is the best news!” Jax did a little dance move with his arms.
“I’m actually proud of myself!” Her smile got wider.
“And I’m proud of you, too,” Jax reached out past Tristan, putting his hand over hers.
“Um, when I get out? I’m staying away from the scene.” While in treatment, Mae also dealt with her drug abuse, and Jax understood that if she wanted to stay sober, then she couldn’t go back.
“I think that’s a good idea,” he nodded.
“Would you also think it’s a good idea if I moved here?” She bit her lip, uncharacteristically shy. “I want to be closer to all of this. ”
“Are you kidding? I’d love it!” Jax didn’t think he could be any happier, and he wished he could shimmy in his chair.
She beamed right along with him, but their conversation paused as Winter approached with a person who looked a little too much like them, plates in both their hands.
“Happy birthday, Jax!” They said, putting the first course in front of him, but Jax’s eyes stayed on the person behind them.
“Thanks! Is this your brother?” He had the same features as Winter, but his wavy light-brown hair was slightly longer and pulled up into a ponytail.
“Yep, this is Ash, my twin and one of The Pointe’s new prep cooks.” Winter’s gray-green eyes flickered with apprehension as they did the introductions. “Ash, this is Chef Fiorelli. He makes our seasonal menus.”
“Hi.” With that single word, Jax could see the differences in the twins’ personalities. While Winter felt soft and light, Ash had a heaviness to him, and it wasn’t apparent unless you could recognize it, but Jax had just come out of that cave, so he knew where it was.
“Welcome to The Pointe. It’s nice to meet you.” They shook, and Ash’s hands were surprisingly cold.
“It’s nice to meet you too,” Ash echoed in a tone that mirrored Jax’s. “I hope you have a killer birthday.” With a nod at Jax, he turned to Winter. “Sorry, but I have to go clean my station.”
Winter cringed as Ash walked away, but they had no reason to; Ash had been polite enough.
“It’s fine, he’s fine,” Jax laughed. “We’re acting like I wasn’t a total dick when I started here.”
“What? No!” Winter laughed, patting him on the shoulder. “Eat your food.”
Following orders, Jax studied the deconstructed ravioli in front of him, appreciating the nod to his favorite dish, and the courses only went up from there.
The lobster risotto entrée actually brought tears to Jax’s eyes; it was spectacular in its simplicity, making him feel like he was back at year one, but that wasn’t a bad feeling. It inspired him to learn even more.
Emma and Kate took care of dessert, which featured a two-tiered black forest cake, pastries, and a selection of teas that Jax had chosen himself.
After cutting the cake and posing for pictures that Mason and Rain directed, Jax spent the rest of that course gushing to Angelo about the dinner, telling him that if cooking was magic, then he was a wizard.
By the time they were clearing the dishes, Jax had moved on to Stefan and the table full of his new friends, who were all excited about the official location for his cooking class.
But Ollie eventually pulled him away.
“Jaxaphone, I know it’s your day, but there’s an emergency Squad meeting going on.” Ollie seemed halfway serious, so Jax played along.
“Okay, I’m in.” Following Ollie upstairs to his tiny office, he found Liam in one of the two chairs that fit in there, and Rain sat on the desk, his legs dangling.
“Now that Jax is here, say what you said before.” Ollie gestured at Liam as Jax leaned against the wall.
Liam paused, collecting his thoughts. “I want to marry Owen.”
“Okay?” Rain blinked, looking at Jax, who shrugged. Was this supposed to be news?
“No,” Liam shook himself. “I mean, I want to marry Owen sooner than I thought.”
“Like, tomorrow? Or…” Ollie sat in the empty chair.
“Kinda?” Jax had never seen Liam look so unsure. “When he proposed, I told him that I wanted to wait until I had my bachelor’s degree, but I don’t want to wait anymore.”
“Did anything happen?” Ollie pressed, but Liam only shook his head.
“How long do you have until you graduate?” Jax shifted, adjusting his stance.
“I have another year and a half if I want to do it in three,” Liam frowned. “But I also have to start studying for the LSATs.”
“And you want to plan a wedding during that?” Ollie’s eyebrows wrinkled in concern. “It sounds like a lot.”
“It is, that’s why I’m so unsure.” With a sigh, Liam slumped in his chair.
“You could always go into town and just get married.” Rain made a face that said, why not? “Mason and I will probably do that.”
“But I want this squad and the rest of our Pointe family there. It might get crowded in the courthouse.” Liam gave him a wan smile.
“Can you talk to Owen about this?” Jax ventured .
“I want to.” Liam’s smile grew bigger. “He might already know. I’ve been dropping hints.”
“Listen, Li-Li,” Ollie patted his shoulder. “You do what feels right, and if you need any help with anything , I volunteer as tribute.”
“Thanks, Ollie. And I’m glad you said that because I’ll definitely need help from my best man.” Despite his earlier doubt, Liam’s smile shone, although it did falter as Ollie squealed.
“Best man! Oh em gee, Liam, I am super honored. I swear, I’ll be the best best man you’ve ever had!” He stopped, thinking for a moment. “Not that you’ve had a best man before.”
Rain laughed so hard he fell sideways on the desk.
“I’ll help too,” Jax added with a grin, checking his phone as it buzzed.
Where are you? was followed by a heart emoji and Jax knew that his grin was turning syrupy.
Ollie’s office. Squad meeting. I’ll be right down.
“And you can always call me. I’ll do what I can when I’m not under Mason or on a shoot.” Rain declared once he caught his breath.
“We don’t need that mental picture, Drizzle,” Ollie groaned.
“I meant what I said, I’d love to help you with the menu, or anything else.” Straightening up, Jax patted Liam’s shoulder. “Your lawyer friend went nuclear on those restraining orders, so I owe you one.”
“I barely helped!” Liam went bashful.
“You did, though,” Rain pointed out. “Because of you, no one’s heard from my mom in months. It’s nice.”
“And Derrick deleted all of his socials.” Leaning back in his chair, Ollie smirked.
“Okay, okay, you’re all welcome then. And yes, I could use The Squad’s help, but Jax should get back to his party!” Liam shooed him away with a smile, and Jax didn’t need to be told twice.
Heading down the main staircase, Jax’s heart began to race when he found Tristan waiting at the bottom, but it pounded with anxiety instead of love because Tristan’s smile was wobbly.
“Come with me?” he asked, holding out his hand. “I have to check something.”
“Sure. Is everything okay?” Jax took it, getting more worried when Tristan didn’t answer; instead, he led Jax across the foyer and through the glass doors.
As they stepped outside, Jax gave Tristan a sidelong glance, studying his face and almost walking into him when he stopped around the side of the building. Focusing, Jax realized that they were in front of the wall that he’d famously punched all those months ago.
“Is there a reason you’re bringing me here?” Jax tilted his head, teasing. “A memorial to the time I almost broke my hand?”
“That’s right.” Tristan’s voice had an odd tone. “But it’s also where we had our first kiss.”
“Tristan…” Jax murmured, feeling something great bearing down on him, especially as Tristan breathed in, steeling his shoulders, and looked deeply into Jax’s eyes.
“You had a surprise for me today, and I love it. But I have a surprise for you too.” Tristan extended his arm, palm up. “Can I check your hand again?”
Jax complied in slow motion, and Tristan gently grasped his palm, looking at the knuckles and placing a kiss on them before sinking to one knee.
The gasp Jax let out could probably be heard inside, and he thought he was going to pass out as Tristan reached into his pocket, holding up a ring.
“Jaxon Fiorelli?” The words were soaked in reverence and adoration, and Jax noticed that Tristan was shaking. “Will you marry me?”
“Y-Yes!” Jax nodded, trying not to burst into tears. Was this real life? Was this actually happening right now?
The black band gleamed under the moonlight as Tristan placed it on Jax’s finger, and Jax held it up, admiring the leaf pattern that curled around the outside.
“It fits!” Jax choked on a sob, wiping his eyes. “It’s amazing. I love it.”
“I admit, when I saw it in the store, it reminded me of you.” Tristan’s gaze shimmered. “Strong, stunning, and as exhilarating as a forest at dawn.”
“Tristan…” Jax couldn’t find the words, but he didn’t need to, because Tristan stood, wrapping his arms around Jax and giving him a long, thorough kiss that tasted of relief, joy, and celebration, mixed with a little salt from their tears.
“I was worried that you’d think it was too soon,” Tristan said once they parted, but Jax held up a hand.
“It’s not,” he assured, the ring catching his gaze again. “I would’ve said yes the first time I saw you at the doctor’s office.” Because loving Tristan wasn’t a choice, it was instinct. It was part of Jax, in every breath and every beat of his heart.
“That might’ve been too soon.” Tristan laughed, his arms still around Jax. “I asked you tonight because I can’t see my future without you. And I figured that we’d need to be married for a few years if we were going to consider adoption.”
“Wait, are you serious?” Jax’s mouth fell open.
“Very.” Tristan leaned down, pressing their foreheads together. “I want to build a life with you and expand our family with kids and a cat or two.”
“Yes, to all of that. By the way? This is officially the best birthday I’ve ever had,” Jax declared, tilting his head and kissing his future husband senseless.
Yeah, Jax really loved his life.
THE END