Epilogue
ANGELO
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
“ F uck.”
That seemed to be the only word in Angelo’s mind at the moment.
“Fuck, fuck, FUCK!”
This was not how the day was supposed to go. Everyone was running around, shouting in panic, and Angelo stood frozen, his mind a blank slate.
“Angelo!” His sister waved her hand in front of his face, her warm hazel eyes filled with fear. “Snap out of it! We need to run!”
He blinked, finally taking in the chaos around him. “Run? Why?”
Katerina grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. “Because, genius, the cake just exploded!”
Angelo’s eyes widened. “The cake exploded? How does a cake explode?”
Katerina threw her hands in the air. “I don’t know, maybe your groomsmen thought it would be funny to stuff it with fireworks? The real question is how we fix this before Allison sees it!”
Just then, Allison appeared in the doorway, her dress half-on, half-off, looking like a disgruntled fairy-tale princess who had just woken up. “What the hell is going on here?”
Angelo sprang into action, rushing over to her with a panicked smile. “Nothing to worry about, sweet girl! Just a slight, um, pastry mishap.”
“A pastry mishap?” Allison raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Do you mean the cake that’s supposed to be the centerpiece of our wedding reception?”
Angelo laughed nervously. “Yeah, that one. But don’t worry! We can fix this. Right, Katia?”
Katerina nodded vigorously, though her eyes betrayed her panic. “Absolutely! We’ll get a new cake, pronto. Just focus on getting ready.”
Allison sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Okay, but if I find out there’s another surprise, I swear I’ll elope to Vegas.”
Angelo pulled her into a hug, kissing her forehead. “No more surprises, I promise. Today is going to be perfect.”
Katerina clapped her hands. “Alright, team! Operation Cake Replacement is a go!” She pointed at Johnathan—Angelo’s best man—who was now covered in what looked like frosting. “Nathan, get to the bakery and beg for mercy. The rest of you, clean this up!”
As the groomsmen—Allison’s brothers—scrambled to comply, Angelo turned back to Allison with a sheepish smile. “Sorry about this. I wanted everything to be perfect for you.”
Allison chuckled, brushing a strand of chocolate-brown hair from his forehead. “It’s okay. As long as we end up married by the end of the day, I don’t care if we have to eat Twinkies.”
Angelo laughed, feeling the tension ease. “I love you, Allison Pink Lockwood.”
“I love you too, Angelo Taylor,” she replied, pulling him into a kiss, frosting and all.
The ceremony took place in a picturesque garden, with rows of white chairs adorned with delicate pink flowers, all leading to a charming gazebo. Snow fell gently, fitting for early December, while a light breeze rustled through the trees. As guests took their seats, the sun cast a warm glow over the scene.
At the altar, Angelo stood fidgeting, adjusting his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. Johnathan gave him a reassuring pat on the back. “Relax, man. You’ve got this.”
Do I, though? What if I can’t make her happy? What if she regrets it and runs away? Or—
The music started, cutting off his spiraling thoughts. Everyone turned as the procession began. Amira walked down the aisle first, holding his beautiful daughter in her arms. Her dirty blonde ringlets framed her tiny face, and a pink bow matched her frilly dress. Wide-eyed with wonder, she looked around, while Amira gently soothed her.
The day she was born had been the best and worst of Angelo’s life. But everything had turned out perfect when both of his girls came home three months later. They named their daughter Veronica Rose Taylor—after Allison’s mom, keeping up the tradition of naming her children after colors.
Following Amira was Katerina, both women smiling gracefully in their matching pastel pink satin dresses.
Finally, the music swelled. Everyone stood as Allison appeared at the end of the aisle, and Angelo stopped breathing.
She was like the sun rising after months of darkness, warming him with each step closer. Her dress hugged her figure, corset-like at the top, making him excited at the thought of removing it later. Below the waist, the gown flowed gracefully, a slit revealing her left leg with each step.
I’m going to bite that thigh later.
Her brother, Leopold, walked beside her, beaming with pride. He had taken Johnathan’s place, originally set to give her away, but that left Angelo with the choice of Leopold or Frederick as best men—more than enough to have them as groomsmen, so Angelo had firmly opted out.
There was no trace of sorrow in Allison’s radiant face or her jade-green eyes over the absence of her father. Instead, she beamed at Angelo with that familiar, unique smile—the same one she gave him each morning or when she gazed at their daughter, unaware he was watching.
Angelo’s heart swelled as their eyes locked, and all the chaos of the day melted away.
When Allison reached the altar, Leopold hugged her and whispered to Angelo, “Take care of her.”
Angelo nodded, taking her hand, feeling an overwhelming sense of joy as he held the woman he loved.
The officiant began, his voice warm and welcoming. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Angelo Taylor and Allison Pink Lockwood in holy matrimony. Today, they declare their love before family and friends, and we are here to support them as they begin this new journey together.”
Angelo and Allison exchanged a loving glance, though Angelo barely heard the officiant’s words. His focus was entirely on her—the woman who had become his heart, his living, breathing dream come true—as she held his hands in hers.
Johnathan stepped forward with the rings, a playful grin on his face. Thankfully, he managed to hand them over without incident. Angelo took Allison’s hand, gently sliding the ring onto her finger.
“Allison, I promise to be the man you want, the husband you need, and the father our little girl deserves. I’ve loved you for so long, my heart knew it before I did.” Laughter rippled through the crowd, but Angelo paid no attention as he continued. “I promise to keep loving you just as I do now—strongly and surely. I used to think I was in control, but you, my sweet girl, took command of my heart. I hope you never let go.”
Allison, her eyes glistening with tears, slid the ring onto Angelo’s finger. He silently thanked God that he’d managed to say his vows, as he had been dangerously close to breaking down in tears.
His sweet girl took a deep, calming breath, and he squeezed her hands, offering silent encouragement. “Angelo, you’ve seen me from day one. Some people believe in love at first sight, but that wasn’t us. We had tequila, sure,” she said with a playful smile, making him laugh, “but we didn’t have love. Not back then. It took months of trying—and failing—to stay away from each other, but in the end, none of it mattered.”
Tears fell from Angelo’s eyes, as his sweet woman took a deep breath and continued. “I love you, Angelo, for the man you are, for the way you love me every single day, and for the way you love our daughter. I love you for taking something broken and putting it back together. Thank you for mending something you didn’t break, and for still choosing to be with me after all of it.”
By the time she finished, both of them were crying, sniffling softly as the officiant smiled warmly and continued. “By the power vested in me by the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Angelo reached out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from Allison’s face, the realization that she was his sending a shiver down his spine. She gazed up at him, her eyes reflecting the depth of their connection—love, trust, and a shared, unspoken future.
Without a word, Angelo cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs softly caressing her cheeks. In that moment, time seemed to stop. Everything around them faded, leaving only the two of them, locked in the magnetic pull of their love. With a soft sigh, Allison melted into Angelo’s kiss.
It was a kiss filled with both passion and tenderness—a silent affirmation of everything they felt. Angelo held her close, his hands sliding gently down her back, pulling her nearer as if afraid she might slip away. Allison’s arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair, deepening the kiss with a fervor born of both longing and belonging.
The world around them faded away as they became lost in each other, their souls intertwining in a timeless dance. Their kiss spoke volumes, expressing unspoken words of love, devotion, and a promise of forever.
ALLISON
“I was wondering when I’d get the chance to dance with you, Mrs. Taylor.”
Allison chuckled as she released Leopold, turning to face her husband’s smirking, handsome face. “Not a patient man, Mr. Taylor?”
“Not when it comes to my wife.”
A shiver ran through her at his words and the promise in his voice. Suddenly, she couldn’t wait for the reception to end so she could be properly devoured.
“And that’s my cue to disappear before I lose my breakfast, lunch and dinner,” her brother teased as he walked away. Allison laughed at his dramatic exit, remembering a time when Leopold could barely stand to look at Angelo. Today, he had given her away.
A wave of sadness hit her as she thought of her father not being there to walk her down the aisle. She hadn’t contacted him since finding out the truth seven months ago. She had been surprised when he called the next day to apologize for his behavior—both past and present. Since then, there had been nothing but radio silence.
“Everything okay?” Angelo asked, sensing her shift in mood as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.
She nodded, beginning to sway with him, her gaze locked on his deep brown eyes. “Just thinking about my father.”
Angelo shushed her softly, planting a tender kiss on her lips that stole her breath. “Today is our day, Allison. We’ll think about him tomorrow.”
“Right,” she agreed, determined to enjoy herself. It was her wedding day, after all. Glancing at the table to her right, she noticed a small line forming. “Thank God Katia sorted out the cake mess.”
Angelo grinned as they twirled slowly around the room. “Yeah, my sister can be a lifesaver when she wants to be. Did you see the replacement? It’s a giant doughnut!”
Allison chuckled, spotting the doughnut-shaped cake adorned with pink frosting and sprinkles. “Well, at least it’s unique. I hope it tastes as good as it looks.”
“I know for a fact you taste as good as you look,” he whispered in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. She couldn’t wait for their wedding night.
Allison shook the impure thoughts out of her head with a chuckle. “Where is Katia, anyway? I need to thank her for everything.”
Angelo shrugged, about to respond when a familiar voice called out, “Hey, lovebirds! Come join us for a toast!”
Leopold stood nearby, holding up a glass of champagne with a mischievous grin. Frederick and Amira were also at the table, each with a glass in hand, though Johnathan was oddly missing.
That’s unlike him.
“To Angelo and Allison!” Leopold proclaimed loudly, raising his glass. “May your marriage be as sweet and satisfying as this giant doughnut cake!”
Laughter rippled through the group as glasses clinked and champagne bubbles fizzed. Allison couldn’t help but smile, surrounded by the warmth of friendship and love.
“To Angelo and Allison!” the group echoed, and Allison laughed along with them. It was their day, filled with unexpected moments and joy, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
As the evening unfolded with dancing, heartfelt speeches, and pure celebration, the day’s earlier mishaps faded into memory, replaced by a sense of love and new beginnings.
Under the twinkling lights, Angelo leaned close to her ear. “So, Mrs. Taylor, how about we sneak a piece of that doughnut cake before it’s all gone?”
Allison laughed, her heart full. “Absolutely, Mr. Taylor. Let’s savor every sweet moment of this crazy day.”
Hand in hand, they slipped away from the crowd, ready to enjoy a bite of their unconventional, but perfectly memorable, wedding cake. They had found love in the most unexpected of places—and every moment since had been nothing short of magic.
Thank you, Tequila.
THE END.
(Kind of)