Epilogue
EPILOGUE
JUNE
“ W e have to go,” Apollo whispers in my ear, and I roll onto my back and stretch lazily, absolutely loving the fact that we’re lying in our bedroom in the finished chapel together.
“I’m so cozy, though,” I reply and smile when he kisses me on the nose. “We’ve lived in this house for less than a week, and I never want to leave.”
“I get it, I really do. But if we don’t go to Luna’s wedding, she’ll kill us both, and we’ll never come back here.”
“You’re right.” I sit up, letting the sheet fall, and stretch before finally climbing out of bed.
Apollo and I moved into the chapel and had everything unpacked and our Christmas tree set up and decorated two days before Christmas.
I got what I wanted, after all.
“When is Indigo going to put your house on the market?” I ask as I pad into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.
“Monday,” he replies. “He doesn’t think it’ll take long to sell.”
“You know, you could just rent it out or use it as a vacation rental.”
“No.” He wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses my cheek. “You’re the real-estate-mogul half of this relationship. I’d rather just sell the place so I don’t have to worry about it. I’m not attached to that house, and it was more or less just a place to crash.”
“Okay. I’m going to walk through those empty buildings over on my new property to figure out if I can restore them, or if I have to tear them down and start over. I think I’ll do that tomorrow.”
“Not by yourself, you won’t.”
I scowl at him in the mirror. “You can’t boss me around.”
“You’re pregnant.”
“Yeah, not disabled. I’m not even throwing up as much anymore.”
“I’m not really comfortable with you walking through there, potentially falling through a rotted-out floorboard and getting hurt, Juniper.”
“You’re being ridiculous?—”
He spins me around, grasps my shoulders, and kisses me hard. “I love you, and I don’t want you hurt, okay? I’m not trying to be an asshole.”
“Kind of sounds like you are.”
That makes him grin. “Can we compromise? What if I asked you to take Rob or me with you, just in case?”
“Rob’s already on standby to go with me.” I laugh when he tickles me. “It’s so fun to get you all worked up.”
“I’m going to spank you for that later.”
“Promises, promises. Okay, I have to go to the inn to get my hair and makeup done. What are you doing?”
“I’m going to Wolfe’s big-ass garage where we’re going to get ready and play pool and do man stuff.”
I roll my eyes and walk back to the bedroom to get dressed in leggings and a button-down shirt, per Luna’s expressed orders.
“Please don’t get drunk before the ceremony.”
“Nah, we’ll save that for after the ceremony.”
“I’m only going to have three mimosas.” I have to turn away from him and press my lips together so I don’t laugh. I know he’s staring daggers into my back. “I mean, a few drinks shouldn’t hurt anything.”
“June.”
I close my eyes and pinch my lips closed, refusing to respond.
“Sure, go ahead and have four mimosas. Hell, smoke a bowl while you’re at it.”
“You’re no fun.” I whirl around and find him grinning at me. “I was trying to egg you on.”
“You wouldn’t do anything so reckless,” he replies.
“Except walk across rotten floors, thus endangering our unborn child.”
“You’re stubborn.” He shrugs and goes to grab his suit, which is in a garment bag in the closet. “Shall we ride together?”
“Sure, you can drop me off.”
I’m excited to spend the day with Luna, Sarah, and a whole bunch of other people who will be in and out during the day. My grandma and Luna’s mom are both going to be there, and when those two get together, there is never a dull moment.
The whole town of Huckleberry Bay is abuzz with excitement for tonight’s party. Those who haven’t been lucky enough to stay at the inn overnight at some point in the last month are anxious to see the finished result. Add in the fact that there’s a wedding, and it’s as if the air is vibrating with anticipation.
It’s going to be a hell of a day.
“Have fun,” Apollo says when he drops me off. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will. You have fun, too. Don’t let Wolfe escape and come over here to get a peek at Luna. It’s forbidden.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He winks, and after I close the passenger door, he drives away.
When I walk inside and head upstairs to the bridal suite, I’m surprised to find that Luna somehow managed to have even more decorations brought in.
Mostly flowers, but still, it’s as if Christmas threw up in here.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask as I walk into the room and pull to a stop. Luna, Sarah, and Luna’s mom are already here, getting their hair and makeup done. “You said to be here by ten. I’m not late.”
“No, we just got an early start,” Luna says as she smiles and holds her hand out for me. “How are you feeling today?”
“Really well, actually. The worst of it seems to be over.” I sniff the air. “I don’t smell Rose anymore.”
“I haven’t smelled her or sensed her since we laid Daniel to rest,” Luna says.
“Apollo has.” I relay what my man told me about following Rose’s scent down to the basement to find me last week. “She helped him. Hell, she might have saved my life. I was so scared.”
“So, she’s at rest, but she’s still on standby in case we need her,” Sarah says with a smile. “That’s actually really sweet.”
“You guys.” I bite my lip, not really sure if now is the right time to ask but decide to anyway. “Would you be upset if I named this baby Rose? If it’s a girl, that is.”
“Oh, my god, I think that would be awesome,” Luna says. “And I’d jump up and hug you if she didn’t have a hot curling iron pressed to my skull.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind? Rose is kind of yours. ”
“She’s Apollo’s, too, and let’s be honest, ever since the day we found her diary, she’s been all of ours.”
Relieved, I let out a long breath. “Yeah, okay.”
“I think that’s maybe the sweetest thing ever,” Sarah adds. “I’m so happy, you guys. For all of us.”
“Me, too.” Luna smiles and looks at herself in the mirror. “Now, let’s get this show on the road.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to introduce Mr. And Mrs. Wolfe Conrad!”
The applause is deafening as the newly married couple makes their way onto the covered patio behind the inn. Everyone they pass shouts well wishes and congratulates them, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen either one of them look so happy.
“That ceremony was beautiful,” Grandma says as she comes to stand next to me. She’s in a gorgeous, bright red dress that perfectly matches her red-rimmed glasses.
“It really was,” I agree. “How are you? Do you need anything?”
“Oh, I’m going to go get some of that delicious food in a minute or so. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
She glances at my drink and then back up at me. “No alcohol tonight?”
I shake my head and feel the smile spread over my lips. “It would be really bad for the baby.”
Apollo and I told of our families, officially, that we’re together on Christmas. But we’ve been waiting to break the news about the baby until after my first trimester is over.
This is Annabelle, though, and from the look of pure joy on her face, I’d say she’s pretty damn happy.
“Oh, my sweet girl.” She reaches up to frame my face in her hands. “You’re going to be one hell of a mama.”
“And you’re going to be a great great-grandma.”
That makes her pause, and then she lets out a loud whoop! “You bet your ass I am!”
Hurrying off to tell her friends, I smile at Apollo as he joins me.
“What was that about?”
“Well, get ready for the whole town to know that we’re expecting in about six-point-nine seconds because I couldn’t keep it a secret from her anymore.”
“It’s okay. I told my parents.” My jaw drops, but he just he shrugs, adding, “They’re leaving in a few days, and I wanted them to know before they went home.”
“That makes sense, and I know they won’t make a huge deal about it in front of everyone, but now that Grandma knows and is likely telling everyone with ears, I’m worried the news might take the spotlight away from Luna and Wolfe. That’s the last thing I want.”
Worry twists inside me, and Apollo draws me closer, dropping a kiss to the top of my head. Slowly, I relax, and my attention slides to my best friend and her husband.
“God, they’re so disgustingly happy.” They are sitting at their table, leaning close and laughing at something only they know about. Apollo laughs. “Why does that gross you out?”
“It actually doesn’t, but I have a reputation to uphold, you know?” I don’t pull away when Apollo takes my hand, links our fingers, and pulls them up to his lips so he can kiss my knuckles. “I’m not even trying to deck you for doing that in public. See? I’m improving.”
“Your self-control is awe-inspiring.” He winks when I narrow my eyes at him. “So, speaking of weddings, what kind do you want?”
“What kind of what?”
“Wedding.”
My eyes fly up to his, and he’s just watching me, waiting for my answer.
“Who said we’re having a wedding?”
“I did.” He leans in and presses his lips to my ear. “You’ll get your ring later when my giving it to you won’t steal any thunder from the newlyweds, but you’re marrying me, Juniper. I don’t want to have to live without you.”
“That’s so… sweet ?”
“Also, I love you,” he adds. “We can discuss it all later.”
I take a deep breath. “I don’t think you’ll ever stop annoying me and disarming me at the same time.”
“Probably not.”
We quietly watch the crowd for a moment before I look up at Apollo. “Small, by the gazebo, over next to the lighthouse.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“That’s the wedding I want.”
“Then that’s what you’ll have.”
I nod go back to watching our friends and family, feeling grateful for this community of people that I was lucky enough to be born in to. Grateful that I’ll be bringing my own baby into the same community, where they’ll be loved and welcomed.
There’s nothing like Huckleberry Bay anywhere else in the world.
And I’m so glad it’s mine.