39. Epilogue
Epilogue
SHYLOH
Lenna and Conrad were absolutely out of their minds for throwing this Christmas party here. They set up a big tent in the backyard with lights hanging and greenery wrapping around the poles. The entire team was here, and I for one was mostly excited about surprising Becca.
What she didn’t know was that I bought a ring the week after she moved into my apartment with me. What she also didn’t know was that I invited the group from our retreat. They should start arriving—
“Shy, there are some people here to see you,” Conrad called, and I tapped Becca’s arm, letting her know I was gonna go check on something real quick. When my eyes met Donna’s, I thought I’d cry. That woman had become my best friend on that retreat, and I had spilled my guts to her about how obsessed I was with Becca. She told me to get a grip and tell the woman how I felt and tonight—I’d fulfill all my hopes and dreams of becoming a husband.
Well, not really the husband part by itself, but being Becca’s husband sounded real fucking nice.
“She still doesn’t know we are coming, right?” Donna asked.
I looked at her along with Joy and Mark. “Wait— where’s Josh?” I asked perplexed.
Donna replied, “He got caught up in a work meeting with his brother. He couldn't come and he apologized profusely.”
Lenna knew exactly where I wanted to propose by the Christmas tree outside in the tent that was decorated beautifully with blues and golds. It was the perfect winter wonderland tree, and the one thing that Becca disliked about being in New Orleans was that there wasn’t any snow, and we were sweating wearing our tacky sweaters.
Hers had the Snow Miser and mine was obviously the Heat Miser. She wanted snow, and I’d give it to her. I’d give Becca anything she wanted for the rest of our lives.
I walked up to Becca and told her to follow me. We walked to the tree, and everyone was nonchalantly standing around, knowing that I didn’t want it to be a big spectacle because she’d know.
“I have a present for you.”
Her eyes lit up. “What is it, what is it? ”
“Okay, you can come out now.”
When Donna, Joy and Mark walked around the corner, Becca started jumping up and down and ran towards them, wrapping them in the biggest group hug known to man.
“I can’t believe you all are here. This can’t be real!” Becca squealed, hugging Donna tightly.
“Oh, it’s very much real, and I have a present for you actually. Shy, could you get it for her?” Donna asked with a grin.
I smirked. “Absolutely.”
Walking to the tree, I pressed the switch for the snow machine and suddenly, flurries started to fall over everyone. Becca lifted her eyes to see the icy flakes falling down on her cheeks and she smiled at me. I pointed at her and curved my finger for her to come see me.
She smirked the entire walk to me. “You are so cunning, Mr. Mendoza.”
“Mmm, I love it when you call me that. But I do have one more thing…”
BECCA
I was bouncing on my toes, so excited for what he had next for me. First, our friends from the retreat, second the snow, third— I didn’t know what could top the other two.
When he dropped onto his knee, I gasped.
Wait— is he ?
Grabbing my left hand, Shyloh looked up at me. “Becca Dawson, my beautiful creature. I love you more than anything in this world. Will you be my Mrs. Mendoza?”
Holding up the most stunning Marquise diamond ring, I immediately covered my mouth in shock. Holy shit.
I blinked the tears away from my eyes and glanced around the space. Everyone was watching us; Lenna was crying, and Conrad was grinning the largest smile I think I’ve ever seen.
Looking back at Shyloh, I glanced back at the ring, but something else caught my attention. Etched into his skin, on his hand and between his pointer finger and thumb, was a skunk with a small butterfly sitting on its nose.
A surge of emotions overwhelmed me, and I started to nod. I couldn’t even see through the tears as Shyloh stood, hugging me and kissing the side of my face. “I love you so much, Becks.”
Pulling back, he wiped the tears from my eyes and grabbed my left hand placing the ring on my finger. “This is beautiful— when did you buy it?”
Shy smirked. “A few days after you moved in.”
I blinked a few times. “You knew then?”
“Ah no, I knew the moment you bit my head off after my practice. That’s when I knew I wanted you to be my wife. And now, you will be.”
“Mrs. Mendoza does have a nice sound to it, doesn’t it?”