Epilogue
SIENNA
Through every storm, we ’ ve found our sound
Saturday, February 14
Rosewood Hall
9:45 PM
The February air is crisp as we step onto the balcony of Rosewood Hall. The soft glow of lanterns from the gardens below casts a warm light over the stone railing.
The scent of roses lingers faintly, even in the dead of winter, and the memory of our second first kiss at this place hits me like a wave. A light breeze wafts through my shorter, newly cut hair. It feels good to have lost all the extra weight of those locks.
Callum’s hand is warm in mine. As has been the constant since we got back together almost a year ago, his grip is steady and his presence is unwavering.
His thumb brushes over my knuckles, which anchors me to this moment. He looks out at the gardens, giving me the perfect vantage point to admire his beautiful profile against the moonlight. The crooked smile that still drives me crazy tugs at his lips, and his mask dangles from his free hand.
"What's got you smiling like that, Mr. Reid?"
"Being here with you has me feeling all the feels. I'm happy. You make me happy, Sienna."
"Déjà vu," I say, tilting my head toward him.
He glances down at me, his grin widening. "Except this time, I know who I’m kissing."
I laugh softly, leaning into his side as his arm slides around my waist. "You make it sound like you’ve been kissing masked strangers all over the place."
"Just one," he says, his voice dropping slightly as his gaze locks on mine. "And it worked out pretty well."
Before I can respond, he leans down and his lips brush mine with a warmth that chases away the cold air. It starts soft, a familiar sweetness that pulls me closer, but when his hand cups my cheek, it deepens, sending a rush of heat through me that has nothing to do with the night.
When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine. His breath is warm against my skin. "Still my favorite kiss," he murmurs, his voice rough but full of something that makes my chest tighten.
I smile, my hand trailing lightly over his chest. "Mine too."
The lake glimmers in the distance, the trees swaying gently in the breeze. "It’s hard to believe it’s been a year."
"A hell of a year," he agrees, squeezing me tighter against him.
And it has been. In just twelve months, everything has changed. Legends Never Die , Callum’s debut album, was released at the end of August. And it didn’t just do well—it blew every expectation out of the water.
Five songs hit number one, and his name has dominated the charts for months. And then there’s the tour—his first national tour. Ollie and I have been by his side every step of the way.
We made the decision to pull him out of public school for the tour and I’ve been home-schooling him between concerts. He is thriving and having this opportunity has allowed us to help him explore all kinds of different things as we tour the country.
"Still can’t believe you didn’t see this coming," I tease, glancing up at him. "Five number-one hits? Sold-out shows every night? Legends isn’t in the title for nothing."
His grin widens, and I can’t help but smile back. "I still can’t believe the producers let me sneak the bonus track, "Legend," in at the last minute," he says, his voice full of quiet pride. "It was the only way I could get it on there—just a bonus track. No one expected it to take off like that, least of all, me. It was more of a declaration to you."
"It’s not just a bonus track, Callum," I say, shaking my head. "It’s the best track on the entire album."
"You’re biased," he says with a chuckle. "You’re just saying that because I wrote it for you."
"And you’re deflecting," I shoot back, nudging him lightly. "I couldn’t believe you slid that in without me knowing about it. You’re such a romantic."
He shrugs, his grin softening into something more vulnerable. "I didn’t tell anyone. Not until the album was done. I wanted it to be a surprise."
I tilt my head, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "Well, you nailed it. But you didn’t have to make me cry in front of a room full of people the first time I heard it."
His hand tightens around mine, his voice quieter now. "I want you to know, always, how much I love you."
I knew the song was special the first time I heard it. It’s raw and haunting, the kind of track that lingers long after the music stops. But more than that, it’s a declaration—a piece of his heart, laid bare for me and the world to see.
"I love it," I say softly, my chest tightening. "And I love you."
He chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I’m still waiting for someone to pinch me. But you know the best part?"
I tilt my head, feigning ignorance. "The money? The fame? The screaming fans?"
"No," he says, leaning down to press a kiss to my temple. "Coming home to you and Ollie."
My heart swells. The warmth of his words wash over me. Callum has stepped up as Ollie’s father so seamlessly, it’s hard to believe there was ever a time he wasn’t here.
Their bond is something I couldn’t have dreamed up if I’d tried—Ollie idolizes him, not just for his music but for the way Callum listens to him, supports him, and encourages his creativity.
"You know he tells everyone his dad’s a rockstar," I say, laughing softly. "He’s so proud of you."
Callum grins, his eyes shining. "He’s got the talent to be one himself someday. His natural ear and understanding of music are on the genius level. I’ve never seen anything like it."
I shake my head, smiling. "He’s already asking when he can be in your band."
"Whenever he’s ready," Callum says, his voice soft but firm. "I don’t want to miss a second."
Neither of us mentions Marcus, but his shadow still lingers, even if faintly. After the legal battles this past year, Marcus agreed to relinquish all parental rights in exchange for supervised visits at my discretion. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary—for Ollie’s well-being and for our future. And as much as Marcus’s presence has faded, I still allow him to see Ollie when it feels right, always on my terms.
"I don't think Hollywood could have come up with our story," Callum says, breaking the silence. "But we got through it, made it to the other side, and everything is looking up from here. I think we've done okay, if I say so myself."
I smile up at him, my fingers tracing the edge of his lapel. "More than okay."
"You ready to get home to Ollie?" He asks. He has taken to his role as father better than I could have ever dreamed. "I know it sounds crazy, but I miss him when we’re gone."
"Me, too. And, yet. I’m ready to snuggle with you in our bed."
His eyes darken slightly, a familiar look that sends a thrill through me. “Oh, wait. There’s one more thing I need to do before we leave."
"Oh?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "Tonight? I thought you told Luke you were going off the grid this weekend."
"I am," he says, his lips curving into that crooked smile that always makes my knees weak. "But first, come with me to the bar. Maybe they’ve got those smoky drinks again. I want to go back there with you, relive that night."
I laugh softly, the memory of last year flickering in my mind. "You hated those smoky drinks. You said they tasted like cigarette chewing gum."
He shrugs, pulling me toward the ballroom doors. "Doesn’t matter. I want to stand in that dark corner with you again."
I let him lead me inside, my curiosity growing with every step. The hum of the orchestra fills the air as we weave through the crowd with his hand steady around mine with a familiar tune. When we reach the alcove bar, the dim lighting and rich mahogany paneling feel exactly as I remember—intimate, timeless, and brimming with secrets.
We burned like stars, too bright to stay
The fire ’ s ash, the price we paid
I let you go, I closed that door
But your shadow lingers on my floor
He stops in the same shadowed corner where we kissed for the first time after our hiatus. His hand tightens slightly around mine as he turns to face me, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath hitch.
My heart stumbles in my chest as I realize what it is—"Legend."
I lost you to the lies he told
The truth untold, it ’ s bitter cold
But if time bends, if fate allows
I ’ d find you then, my Legend
I glance at him, my eyes widening. "Callum..."
He smiles softly, his voice low as he begins to sing softly into my ear.
I see you there, you ’ re miles away
In every song, in every face
His hand slides to my waist as he draws me closer, and we sway to the rhythm as the rest of the room fades away. The song wraps around us, a melody that feels like it’s always been ours.
I built my walls, I wore my crown
But your ghost keeps tearing them down
My eyes sting, my heart too full to contain. His voice softens as he leans in, his forehead resting against mine.
"You’ve always been my legend, Sienna," he whispers.
I lost you to the lies he told
The truth untold, it ’ s bitter cold
But if time bends, if fate allows
I ’ d find you then, my Legend
Years have passed, but you still feel near
Your voice, your laugh, I hold them here
But what I ’ d give to rewrite the end
To find the strength to love again
Before I can respond, he pulls back slightly, dropping to one knee.
My breath catches, my hand flying to my mouth as he looks up at me, his eyes filled with every promise I never dared to dream of.
"Sienna," he says, his voice steady but thick with emotion. "You’ve been my everything for as long as I can remember. You gave me a second chance when I didn’t deserve one. You’ve given me a family, a home, and a love I didn’t think I’d ever have. I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me. Will you marry me?"
The song continues to play in the background, making the soundtrack to the single most amazing moment in my life.
The truth unveiled, the light breaks in
I see the threads, where we have been
No more shadows, no more shame
This love we lost, we ’ ll find again
Tears spill over before I can stop them, and I drop to my knees in front of him, cupping his face in my hands. "Yes," I whisper, my voice breaking. "Yes, yes, yes!"
A grin breaks across his face, and as he leans in to kiss me, I pull back just slightly. My own smile tugs at my lips. "And for the record," I say, softly singing back, " I ’ d find you then, my legend," I sing along as the song finishes. " You’ll always be my legend, too."
His laugh is warm and his arms wrap around me as he pulls me into a kiss that feels like forever. Around us, the music finishes, the world fades, and for the first time in a long time, everything feels exactly as it should.
This is our forever.
Legend
( Lyrics by Callum Reid )
Verse 1
We burned like stars, too bright to stay
The fire ’ s ash, the price we paid
I let you go, I closed that door
But your shadow lingers on my floor
Chorus
I lost you to the lies he told
The truth untold, it ’ s bitter cold
But if time bends, if fate allows
I ’ d find you then, my Legend
Verse 2
I see you there, you ’ re miles away
In every song, in every face
I built my walls, I wore my crown
But your ghost keeps tearing them down
Chorus
I lost you to the lies he told
The truth untold, it ’ s bitter cold
But if time bends, if fate allows
I ’ d find you then, my Legend
Bridge
Years have passed, but you still feel near
Your voice, your laugh, I hold them here
But what I ’ d give to rewrite the end
To find the strength to love again
Verse 3
The truth unveiled, the light breaks in
I see the threads, where we have been
No more shadows, no more shame
This love we lost, we ’ ll find again
Chorus
I lost you to the lies he told
The truth untold, it ’ s bitter cold
But if time bends, if fate allows
I ’ d find you then, my Legend
Outro
No more fear, no turning back
We ’ ve found the road, we ’ ll keep on track
Through every storm, through every sound
We were lost, but now we ’ re found