Epilogue
There was a light knock on the door which echoed through the room. Emmanuel smirked, as he called out, “who’s there?” He knew exactly who it was, and he had no intention of making it easy on her. It was the reason he closed the door.
“It’s me, Ivy,” she called softly.
“Come on in.”
Ivy opened the door and pushed her head inside. “Are you all done helping Sage with her project?” Her head darted from side to side as if searching for something.
“Yeah. All finished.”
She smiled as she pushed the door open, came in, and closed the door behind her.
“Where have you been?” Emmanuel asked as he rolled his chair away from his desk, making room for her to join him. Without prompting, Ivy sat on his lap, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, and kissed his cheek.
“Oh, I’ve been around.”
“Hm.” His grumble made her smile grow bigger. “Busy, were you?”
“Yeah. I’m a whole ass doctor.” Her answer was full sass.
“Who happened to be scarce while our child drove me up the bloody wall?”
She giggled. Emmanuel knew it was at his expense. He gave her a retaliatory pinch.
“I had to remind her I don’t work for her. Sage is worse than any project manager we have on staff. Daddy…” He switched his voice to mimic his daughter’s. “…I have standards. If you are going to help me construct this business pyramid, you are going to stick to the example I created.”
“Well, it is her project, and she is carrying a perfect grade point average.”
“She’s a mini tyrant.”
“Sage is just like you. That’s why they call her Junior. Anyway, sorry I couldn’t help.”
Emmanuel nuzzled her neck. “You owe me for leaving me alone to be overworked by our child.” His tone was playful. Despite Sage’s strong managerial skills, he enjoyed being there for his daughter when she needed him.
“Oh really? How ever, can I repay you?—”
Before she could complete her sentence, he captured her mouth in a passionate kiss. In a rhythm all of their own, their tongues danced together. When Doc pulled away, his attention was drawn to her pink tip as it moved between the seams of her lips. She sighed contentedly.
“Manny?” she called cautiously.
He was immediately on alert. Doc didn’t tiptoe around him.
“What’s going on?”
“I want to ask you something, and I need you to please keep an open mind.” She wasn’t making eye contact with him. Instead, she focused on the button on his shirt. Playing with it.
Using his forefinger, he lifted her chin, so they made eye contact. “Sure. Ask me, Doc.”
There wasn’t much he wouldn’t give this woman. All she had to do was ask. Hell, she knew he wouldn’t deny her.
“I’d like us to renew our vows.”
Emmanuel immediately shook his head. It wasn’t something he had to think about. “Absolutely not.”
“But you promised to keep an open mind.”
“You set me up. You can’t say keep an open mind, then ask me for something you know I’m against.”
She narrowed her eyes at him and got off his lap. Emmanuel watched as Doc sat in the chair across from him.
“Lots of people renew their vows, Emmanuel.” Her tone was terse and full of challenge.
Twenty-seven years ago, when he married Doc, he meant every single word. Nothing had changed. Except he loved her more now than he did then.
“Good for them. We will not be those people.”
Ivy shot him a glare. It did nothing to sway his decision. It was time to change his approach. “Tell me something Doc, did you mean your vows when you took them?”
“How dare you ask me that?”
“You didn’t answer my question.” He was no longer the indulgent husband; this was business Emmanuel.
They attended many vow renewals over the years. It was fine for those couples, but he never understood it. It wasn’t like wedding vows expired. He made them, lived them. So, there was no need to revisit the issue.
“Of course I meant them,” she answered. “You know I did.”
“Have you changed your mind since you took your vows?”
“No.”
“Then there is no reason for us to renew them. We meant them then and we mean them now.”
Her shoulders fell, and the fire died in her eyes. “Fine. It’s easy for you to say. Dinner should be ready in thirty.” She moved to stand.
“Wait!” He stood, then rounded the desk. Leaning against his desk, he jutted his chin for her to sit. “What was that comment supposed to mean?”
Doc’s eyes became watery. When she spoke, her tone was filled with emotion. “You have no reason to renew our vows. You’ve never doubted me… asked me to leave our home.” Her voice hitched on the last word.
Oh, this is what the vow renewal was all about. It had been months since the paternity mystery was solved. Their lives had changed. They moved past the upheaval and were stronger than ever.
“Doc,” he called. “It was an impossible situation. And you know what?”
“What?” She sniffled.
“If it wasn’t for you and your belief in me, we would have never figured out what the hell was going on. You’re a superhero.” He leaned forward and cupped her face. “It is behind us, Baby.”
Well, sort of. Seeing the pain in Doc’s eyes, Emmanuel wasn’t sure whose ass he wanted to beat more. His father’s or Leonardo’s. He played nicely with Leonardo for Ivy’s sake, but this right here was why a part of him would always hold a grudge. His actions introduced doubt into his marriage. Everything went left because of the havoc Leonardo caused.
While they did make it through, they should never have been put to such a test in the first place.
Emmanuel held out his hand to Ivy. He smiled encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, she placed her warm, delicate hands in his.
“Come here, Doc,” he called tugging Ivy to her feet. Their eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them, deep and reassuring. Emmanuel felt the warmth of Ivy’s hand seep through his skin, a gentle reminder of her presence and trust. He pulled her into his embrace, feeling her heartbeat aligned with his own. It was a moment of shared tranquility.
“I just want to celebrate us and everything we’ve come through,” she spoke into his chest.
He rubbed her back. “I have no problem celebrating us, Doc.”
Pulling back, she looked at him with a huge smile. “Can we?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded. “Still no vows, okay?”
“Okay.”
“But we can do lots of champagne, caviar, with lots of dancing.”
“Sounds amazing. Thank you, Manny.” Ivy looked so pleased. This must have been weighing heavily on her. She didn’t like crowds, or being the centre of attention. Ivy’s willingness to do so showed how much she suffered from her more than reasonable doubts.
Leonardo was going to have to cut a cheque to a charity to match whatever they spent on their celebrations. And it was going to be a very expensive celebration.
“How much time do we have before dinner?” Emmanuel asked.
“Parents!” Sage called from the other side of the door.
“I would say none,” Ivy giggled.
“You are so going to make this up to me, Doc.”
“I look forward to it.
They had an entire lifetime to look forward to.
The End
Coming Summer 2025!