EPILOGUE
The last thing Penelope had imagined was that she’d have a tent wedding.
She couldn’t complain, though… The tent looked absolutely amazing, and it was also necessary, what with the intense summer sun hanging low in the sky.
Soon, it would disappear below the horizon, bathing the farm and the vast lands around it in orange and red beams. The moon was already taking reign over the other half of the sky with its thin, crescent shape.
As she sat at the head of the main table next to the man who was now her husband, Penny looked around the tent, smiling at the guests who caught her blue gaze and raised their glass in genuine congratulation.
Nina and Kosta were seated at the same table as her parents.
Most of the shifters they had saved in New York were present, too.
Theresa hadn’t been able to make it, but she had sent over a beautiful present for the newlyweds.
From Enzo’s part, only two of his brothers were there, and Enzo had reassured her countless times that it was fine, and he didn’t mind.
He knew his other siblings were too busy with their separate missions and personal lives.
He understood. Demetri and Jace were the only ones he actually kept in touch with, and they were enough for him.
They had come with their own soul mates, as they had been lucky enough to break the Aries Curse way before Enzo.
“My beautiful wife,” Enzo whispered in her ear.
She gave him a bright smile. Since the ceremony had ended an hour before, he had been leaning in to whisper sweet nothings to her every five minutes. She was so happy that she was surprised her heart hadn’t burst out of her chest yet.
“My handsome husband,” she said back.
“Mrs. Salvador.”
“I don’t have a come-back for that.”
They laughed and shared a quick, innocent kiss. After all, there were children around.
Enzo’s oldest brother, Demetri, had brought his toddler, Timothy, and the kid was bouncing on his knees while munching on a banana.
Demetri’s wife, Mary, leaned in to wipe his tiny mouth while holding her round belly with the other.
A little sister or a little brother was on the way, and Enzo couldn’t be happier for them.
At another table, his other brother, Jace, was talking to his wife, Echo.
Echo was a nymph, and the only woman who had been able to tame the reckless, stubborn Jace Argo.
Enzo had a feeling she was the reason why Jace had accepted to come to the wedding, and he was grateful to her, even despite the condition he had imposed: to be seated at a table far from Demetri’s table.
Enzo had thought his brothers had worked out the silly grudges between them, but…
alas… it was too much to ask from two strong Aries men.
Personally, he had nothing against either of them.
It must have been the Cancer Moon and Taurus Rising in his natal chart.
He had enough water and earth to balance his Aries fire.
When Demetri stood up to hold a toast, Jace naturally stood up as well, his impulse to compete against his brother taking over, as always.
Penny cocked a curious eyebrow, but Enzo merely rolled his eyes.
The disaster was averted by Tim, who pulled at his father’s sleeve, leaving a sticky print of banana mush.
Jace smiled and cleared his throat.
“You know, I’ve been wracking my brain for a funny joke or an embarrassing story involving my brother, Enzo, but even after an hour of intense searching, I came up short.
Penelope, I’m sorry to break this news to you, but…
you’ve just married the most boring man on Earth.
This guy doesn’t know how to have fun. He’s all about work, work, work…
” He made a pause, trying to find the right words to drive his point across.
“You know what, though? No one else could have accomplished what he has. You were there for him when he needed you most, and what I see now before me is the honest definition of a power couple. He’s dedicated his life to make a difference in our community.
Now that he has you, I know he is more unstoppable and unbreakable than ever.
So, cheers to the strongest couple I know!
Well… except for me and Echo.” He grinned.
After a short pause, he turned to Demetri and Mary, and added: “And for you two, over there.”
Everyone applauded, then raised their glasses for the next toast. Penny’s parents looked confused for a moment.
They knew some of what had happened in New York, but not all.
When they had arrived at the farm for the wedding, Penny and Enzo had told them about who he really was, and that Penny was now immortal.
They couldn’t have been happier for their daughter.
“Jace… always the family trickster,” Demetri began.
“Thank you, brother.” He turned to the groom and bride.
“Penelope, Enzo… I will not bore you like Jace did… Just joking. Looking at you two, my heart grows. Penny, welcome to our family. Through good and bad, we stick together, and I want you to know that Mary and I will always be there for you when you need us. Enzo’s mission here is not easy, nor free of peril.
You have each other, and I know you will join forces to make this world a better place, but don’t forget that we are here, too, and you can count on us.
Don’t hesitate to reach out. Ever. We might not share the same family name, but we share the same destiny.
And, Penny… I know you’re a strong believer in destiny. ”
Penny whispered “I am”, and she knew Demetri had heard her.
Her father was next, and after all the toasts were over, they all cheered and drank, signaling to the serving staff that they were ready for the first course.
After all, they all needed fuel if they were going to dance until the break of dawn.
THE END