Epilogue Kai
2 YEARS LATER
I’m staring at a huge manor house with sprawling gardens and blooming purple wisteria creeping up the walls of the house. The summer air is sweet with it, and I can hear the buzzing of insects floating around us.
I look back at Cole who is dressed in a white Ralph Lauren shirt, sleeves rolled up and sunglasses. Leaning into him, Levi is wearing his sunglasses, dressed in a black t-shirt and black shorts, tattoos on full display.
We all have a little more colour in us after a week in Mexico for my birthday. Kez, Anant, my sisters plus Jenna and Marie surprised me the night we got there. Cole and Levi even flew out Connor on the second night.
My birthday also means I’ve been with them for two years now and they have been the best two years of my life.
Since Levi left A-EYE, he’s been working on his doctorate and as an assistant professor at a university in London for the past year. I think four students have explicitly propositioned him now.
After everything that happened with Adam, Kenny and Nick, I also quit my job, granting Cole his wish, and Si, and I have been working on a fund for at-risk children in the area we grew up. It’s hard work, but I feel ten times happier waking up in the morning to go to work.
I look at the house, frowning. “Why are we here?” I ask them both, confused.
It was a thirty-minute drive from the city but it’s like we’ve stepped into a countryside enthusiast’s wet dream. Large windows overlook the long driveway and the lush green land. It’s magical.
“This is Willow Abey,” Cole says with a smile. “Do you want to take a tour?”
I frown but nod once looking at Levi who is smiling too widely for this to be nothing. We step into the manor and it’s stunning with hardwood floors and a staircase out of a storybook. It could use some work but it’s stunning. Levi holds my hand as we walk through the many rooms. By the end of it, I’m in love and I don’t want to leave.
“So, do you like it?” Cole asks.
“You’re joking, right?” I ask looking down at the pond that’s a bit further. “Of course I do. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s yours,” Cole says after a second.
I stare at him blankly; not sure I heard him right.
“Remember when we had that conversation about what we’d rather do than live in the city and you said you wanted to be somewhere quiet and open, and I said I wanted to keep fancy chickens?” Levi says.
I nod once, remembering the conversation and how anxious I felt about falling for them. It’s ridiculous to think that I was so terrified of them not feeling the same. All the signs were there.
“Well,” Levi starts cautiously. “We’ve realised that even if the three of us can never get married or anything like that, the best way to show our commitment is this.” He waves a hand, but I still don’t get what he’s saying.
“We bought this for you, for us. All three of our names are on the deed. Like Levi says, what better way to show our commitment to you and to this than binding all three of us in a title deed for a home that goes back centuries?” Cole says.
Levi rolls his eyes. “You make it sound so romantic, babe,” he murmurs.
My mouth falls open. “Wait, are you proposing?”
Cole tilts his head whilst Levi looks deep in thought. “Huh, I guess we are?” he says carefully. “But no, wait. If this was that you’d know. Let’s put a pin in that.”
“Let’s call it a promise,” Cole says finally with a smile. “A promise that we’re in this for the long run and we’re committed to you.”
I look out on the sprawling garden that stretches over to what looks like a lake or something and then back at them, my eyes misting over.
“This has been a painfully difficult secret to keep, by the way so don’t be too mad at me,” Levi comes up to me and gives me a chaste kiss. “But happy birthday, baby and happy anniversary. I love you.”
Cole grins, hands in his pockets and he comes up to kiss me too. “I love you, princess.”
I still don’t know what to say. Emotions swirl through me, disbelief winning. I can hardly believe this is my life, but I see it anyway. I see us here, happy and away from the noise.
I look at them both, fighting tears. “I love you too, so, so much. Thank you.”
Levi curls his arm around my waist, pulling me into him before he smiles at Cole. “How do you feel about getting a cat?” he asks.
I grin through the moisture in my eyes. “And a dog?”
We both beam at our boyfriend, and he lets out a resigned sigh.
I’ll take that as a yes.