Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Scarlet
One Year Later
I can hardly believe it. A year ago, this day seemed so far off. Like it would never get here. More of a concept than anything else. Something I looked forward to every day, even while I was looking forward to the baby’s arrival. It’s been a year full of hope and joy and love, and it’s been better than anything I ever imagined, even in my most childish fantasies. Back when the closest I could get to Ren was in a dream.
This is no dream. Standing here, just inside the doorway, leading out to the garden, everything is very real. I see it all so clearly. The sky is bluer than I’ve ever seen it, the trees greener, the flowers more lush and vibrant. Their sweetness drifts my way through the open door, and I close my eyes, trying to take it all in. I want to absorb this moment. Standing here, minutes away from my biggest dream coming true.
Everyone is already out there. From where I stand, I hear Rose babbling happily in Mom’s arms. My little girl. Just the thought of her makes my heart swell. I didn’t know it was possible to love the way I love her. I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of.
Well, not quite yet. In a few minutes, I will. Once Dad walks me down the aisle.
He’s wearing a gentle smile as he approaches, looking me up and down. “You look radiant,” he tells me as he admires my ivory lace gown. I wanted something soft and romantic to suit the setting, and the long skirt swishes gently around my legs when I turn in place for him.
“Thank you,” I whisper, already fighting back the waves of emotion that have been trying to drown me all day. “Thank you for all of this. None of it would be possible without you.”
“It’s a father’s privilege to give his daughter a beautiful wedding.” He gently kisses my cheek, chuckling. “Don’t want to ruin your makeup. Your mother made me promise.”
Obviously, he didn’t really mean his promise, because he adds, “You’ve been a wonderful daughter and have always given your mother and me a lot of happiness. Now that I’ve watched you grow into the role of mother, I couldn’t be more proud of the woman you’ve become.”
“So much for my makeup.” I laugh through the tears I can’t hold back. He takes a handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabs the corners of my eyes while we laugh together.
“And now, there’s a very anxious young man waiting for you at the far end of the garden. Do you think we should go out and meet him?” I answer by taking his offered arm, a bouquet of lush gardenias in my other hand.
Luna and Aspen take that as their cue, both of them giving me big smiles before turning to face the guests. Once Luna takes her first step onto the white runner, a string quartet begins playing Canon in D. The guests waiting in the rows of white chairs turn to watch the girls float down the aisle, their rose-pink dresses matching the roses pinned in their hair and the delicate blooms dotting the hedges. Once they reach the end of the runner, it’s our turn.
Please, don’t let me forget a second of this. The smiling faces of so many people I love. Sophie and Roman, both looking choked up on their side of the aisle. Mom, holding Rose in one arm and clutching little Tristen’s hand to keep him in place. His blue suit matches the ones worn by his daddy and Ren, and Tristen might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. He and Rose are already joined at the hip, and I hope they grow up with a strong bond. If the past couple of years have taught me anything, it’s the importance of family.
Mom is sniffling through her bright smile. Rose waves both arms when she recognizes her mommy walking slowly toward her—I blow her a kiss, then another for Mom. I couldn’t have done any of this without her support.
At the end of the runner stands my brother, hands folded in front of him, smiling at me before grinning at his best friend. The two of them managed to get past everything that took place when Ren was at the height of his illness. Seeing them together again, the way they used to be, has been one of the most satisfying parts of the past year, right up there with Rose’s birth, as far as I’m concerned. I want Ren to have everything he needs, and the best friend who has always been more like a brother to him is definitely one of those things.
Finally, my gaze lands on the man I’m about to marry. I can’t breathe when our eyes meet, and he flashes the sort of smile that still makes butterflies flutter in my stomach. He is so handsome in his navy suit, but it’s the love radiating from his face that makes him the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. That’s the only word I can think of to describe him now. The past year has only made him more precious to me. Watching him become a father, seeing the gentle part of his soul coming to the surface whenever he plays with Rose or rocks her to sleep.
He blows out a soft whistle when I join him. “You are stunning,” he whispers, then shakes Dad’s hand before taking mine. Luna holds my bouquet before I turn to her brother. I have never felt so sure of anything in my life as I do at this very moment.
The officiant smiles at both of us before looking out over the gathering of family and friends. “Dearly beloved, we are here today to join Scarlet and Ren in matrimony. It is my honor and privilege to stand before you and assist in this process, but it is the love and devotion these two share that makes this possible.”
Now I am so glad we decided not to write our own vows, because I’m pretty sure I couldn’t make it through the first sentence without bawling my eyes out. I can barely hold back the tears as I look up into the shining eyes of the love of my life. He has given me everything I’ve ever wanted, and even more that I never knew I needed.
But if I did write my own vows, I would have to tell him how grateful I am for him working so hard to get better for both of us. I would tell him how proud I am of how far he’s come and how he has changed my entire life for the better in a hundred little ways. How every day, he finds a way to make me love him more. I wouldn’t think it was possible, but there’s no denying facts. And the fact is, I love him more at this moment than I did during our rehearsal dinner last night.
The titanium band fits his finger perfectly. “With this ring, I thee wed,” I manage to choke out without blubbering. Mom sobs softly, and I glance over to find Dad wrapping his free arm around her while holding Tristen in the other.
By the time Ren slides the diamond-encrusted platinum band over my finger, I can’t possibly hold back anymore. The first tears start to fall. He reaches out to brush one of them away from my cheek, and I’m pretty sure I hear Aspen swooning behind me.
The officiant places a hand on my shoulder and the other on Ren’s, raising his voice to make the big announcement we’ve all been waiting to hear. “By the power vested in me, I declare them husband and wife.” There’s barely time for me to catch my breath before Ren takes me in his arms to seal the first moment of our new life with a passionate kiss I wish could last forever.
Just like that, I’m a wife. He is my husband. And this is only the beginning.
Sitting in the back of an SUV when I ought to be getting ready to celebrate my wedding night, only one thing is on my mind: this had better be good.
The last thing I feel like doing after hours of dancing and celebrating is being driven out to the middle of nowhere with Ren, our dads, and Quinton. Ren seems as confused as I am, sitting by my side with his tie loosened and the top button of his shirt open. They didn’t even give us time to get changed after the reception before telling us there was a wedding gift waiting. I look at him, lifting my brows, and all he can do is shrug.
“We’ll be there soon,” Q assures us from his position on Ren’s right side. I watch him tap his fingers against his knee, which bounces rhythmically like he’s on edge. Come to think of it, he’s been a little weird lately. So has Dad, now that I think about it. I was willing to brush it aside in the last days of wedding planning, but now it’s blatantly obvious they’ve been up to something. If they didn’t seem so twitchy, I might think it’s something good and positive.
Finally, it’s clear where we’re heading. I remember this route. So does Ren—slowly, his posture stiffens, and his hand clamps a little tighter around mine. “Why are you taking us there?” he asks in a flat voice. There’s no need to say the name. I wouldn’t mind if I never heard it again, frankly.
“You’ll see soon enough,” Dad tells him. He and Roman sit in a pair of seats in front of us with a bodyguard and driver in the front row. I watch as they exchange a look and wonder why the hell they brought a guard along.
The only thing to light the area around us is the stars twinkling overhead by the time we come to a stop on the side of an otherwise empty road. My stomach turns as amber lights glow in the distance, maybe half a mile or so from where we’ve parked. Dad and Roman exchange another look, and Roman nods before reaching under his seat, pulling out a nondescript, plain wooden box. “Open it,” he murmurs, handing it to Ren.
I watch with my heart in my throat, wondering what’s beneath the hinged lid. The only thing in there is a small device with a button on top. “What is this?” Ren asks, looking around. He even looks at me, like I would have the first idea. I’m as clueless as he is.
“Consider it a wedding gift to both of you.” Dad nods toward the device. “Push that button, and it’s all over.”
I think I’m starting to get the idea, and it fills me with a mix of surprise and concern. I mean, this is pretty extreme. “What about the people inside?” I ask, chewing my lip and looking out the window. I’ve been there. I’ve seen them, or at least some of them. They’re as innocent as Ren ever was, for the most part. Sure, some of them are probably too twisted and brainwashed to be considered innocent anymore, but mostly, the people there are trapped.
“Don’t worry about that.” Q’s voice is tight, sharp. “They’ve been evacuated. The innocents, anyway.” So that’s what they’ve been up to. They’ve been arranging this all along, working behind the scenes.
“So, what you’re saying is this would destroy the compound?” Ren’s expression reminds me of the way he looked when we first saw Rose on that ultrasound. He’s full of wonder and disbelief, standing at a threshold of something he has wanted for years. He’s about to get everything he dreamed of.
“How long have you been planning this?” Because I need to know. This isn’t the kind of thing they could’ve done overnight. How much have I missed while I was knee-deep in wedding planning?
Roman chuckles, exchanging a glance with Dad and Q. “It’s been in the works for quite some time.”
“But I thought…” Ren’s gaze lands on Dad, who nods in understanding. “You said…”
“Yes, I know,” Dad admits. “After giving it some thought and planning, we devised this solution. If I were you, I’d get it over with quickly.”
“You deserve a new start, Son,” Roman concludes. “It’s time to shut the door on this part of your life and move forward.”
“We wanted to be sure none of this would ever hang over your head,” Q explains. “Once and for all, let’s put an end to it.”
Ren releases a shaky breath, his eyes glued to the device. “I never thought I would get this chance,” he murmurs. “I told myself to let it go.”
My heart skips a beat when he hovers his finger over the button. “Fuck it.”
It happens so fast. He jams his finger against the button and within moments, the first explosion lights the night sky. It sets off a chain reaction, one fireball after another exploding into the darkness. It’s so intense, the ground shakes at a distance.
The glow plays off Ren’s profile, his face immobile as he watches the destruction unfold. I tuck my hand in his elbow and lean against him, whispering, “It’s over. It’s all over. And they’re never going to hurt anybody again.”
He releases a deep breath before nodding firmly. It’s the closing of one door and the opening of another. “Let’s go home.”
Soon, we’re turning around, leaving everything behind us once and for all. We’re finally free.
My family, my husband, and me.