Epilogue
Epilogue
FIVE YEARS LATER
Olivia’s POV
I open the curtains to the balcony in one swift motion, sun beams entering the room, lighting every single corner. Excitement makes me push the large windows open and the spring air fills the inside of the room. The smell of the flowers over the balcony is powerful, and the lavender field is in sight.
I breathe in, feeling joyful but calm, indulging in the chant of birds, the colours, the view.
Groups of people are already in the main garden preparing everything for the ceremony. The chairs are lined facing the altar, and I can’t believe we’ve come this far.
“LIIIIIIIIV!!!!!!” Tatiana’s squeal startles me. “Everything is so beautiful downstairs!!!!! I can’t wait to see you in that dress already! But first—” She pauses, and gets behind a wooden trolley with plates, bowls, and cups.
“I brought you the perfect breakfast to start your wedding day: soaked oats, with chia seeds and blueberries, vegan croissants, scrambled tofu with tomatoes, roasted pumpkin seeds, and a hot matcha with coconut milk,” she says pointing each plate.
My eyes widen at everything she’s brought. I was only craving pancakes and honey, but I guess I’ll have to settle for croissants— vegan croissants.
Vegan croissants in the south of France.
Tate has recently discovered veganism. To my surprise, she adopted this lifestyle around the same time I told her I wanted her to prepare my wedding menu. She was so excited, that when she told me my wedding was going to be the best vegan wedding, I couldn’t say no.
Of course, this vegan lifestyle comes with a no gluten rule, and that means gluten-free wedding cake. Yay!
“Oh! And there’s papaya, don’t forget to eat la papaya.”
“ How could I forget to eat la papaya ?” I pause, looking at the bowl with orange-coloured cubes in it.
“Thank you, Tate! Everything looks yummy. The soaked oats, though, are soaked in what exactly?”
“Soy milk, of course!”
“Right.” I grin. “Well, let’s sit and eat this deliciously creative breakfast.”
Tatiana sits and eats with me, however, her phone hasn’t stopped ringing. She glances at it and she smiles without answering the call or making any comments. Instead, she silences the call and continues eating.
Huh, suspicious.
There’s a sudden knock on the door.
“Olive, love. Would you open the door for me, please?” I heard Nathan ask from the other side of the door. I stand up to open the door for him.
“ Nathan—” I manage to say, but Tatiana stops me.
“No, Nathaniel. Don’t you know it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?”
“Tate, open up. You know Olivia and I slept together last night, and I actually left the room shortly this morning.” He keeps his voice calm and neutral. I see Tatiana roll her eyes and walk toward the door.
“Ugh, you’re no fun, Nathaniel.” She opens the door, and he is right there, in his gym clothes, his cheeks are red, and his hair is damp. He keeps his hands behind his back and a wide smile on his face.
He steps in.
“I don’t need to be fun,” he says giving me a wink.
“You’re lucky you’re cute...and sweaty.” Tatiana says wiggling her eyebrows to me, and walks to the other side of the door. “You have a few minutes. I’ll be back with the hair and makeup team.” She closes the door, leaving us alone.
Nathan turns around and looks at me, revealing the bag in his hand.
“Pancakes!?” I ask, my face full of excitement.
“Yes, love.”
I almost rip the bag out of his hands and open it as fast as I can to smell it. He lets out a silly laugh.
“What’s all this?” he asks, looking at the trolley in the middle of the suite.
“Tatiana brought me breakfast.”
“Good, there’s croissants!” he says, approaching his hand to grab one.
“They’re vegan!”
“Oh, ok. I’ll drink this mysterious green coffee, then.”
I take a bite on one of the pancakes, sweet piece of heaven. My face must be showing subtitles again because Nathan looks at me with a sweet expression.
“What?” I ask.
He walks toward me and hugs me from behind, inhaling the scent of my hair while his hands travel from my belly to my breasts.
"Are you sure you want to keep it a secret?" he asks near my ear.
“Yes, I don’t want people to ask about the pregnancy on our wedding day. It’s still early.”
“You’re twelve weeks, love.”
“Exactly!”
“And you are gorgeous,” he says grabbing my chin and putting my face close to his. “And turning me on.” He kisses me deeply, hungrily.
“Do I close the blinds?” I break the kiss.
“I love you, Olive.”
“I love you, too… Daddy .”