50. Epilogue
Epilogue
Alisha
Five months later
A lot had happened over time but nothing could ruin my happiness. Felix and I would go back and forth, visiting each other over the last few months. We were committed and we'd fall back into our usual routine every time we’d first see each other.
My family had taken really well to him, Kiya especially. My brothers didn’t want to know all the soppy details but were happy for me. At first, they asked Felix what his intentions were. I remember that conversation like it happened yesterday.
“So, you must love our sister then. Are you planning on marrying her?” Zane had asked so boldly that I’d almost spat out the water I’d been drinking. Fucking Zane.
“If you’re with someone you love, the goal is to get married. So yes, I do,” Felix had responded.
It had been the right answer and satisfied my brothers so they didn’t drill him anymore after that. Kiya had been less of a problem but still wanted to make it clear to Felix that she wanted the best for me. My parents? Well, they couldn’t have been more welcoming. I had let out a huge sigh of relief when they invited him to dinner and instantly said they liked him when he told them how he felt about me.
Nothing could go wrong. Felix’s plane was due to land at any moment now, and I was waiting at gate five for him. I would always get nervous but once I’d lay eyes on him, the nerves would be replaced with love and excitement.
He’d be staying with me for two weeks this time and we were planning on going on a road trip to Scotland, to see as many places as we could. We’d take turns driving, it would be long but it’d be worth it. I’d never been on a road trip before but going on one with the person you loved would be a perfect adventure.
Ophelia was helping me at work, I was working on another article for the company as my last few had been really popular. I was now a regular journalist and I’d been given a generous pay rise. Enough to finally find a bigger place. Culture Horizon was on the up and if things kept going well, we could branch out in Europe. Well, that was what Grayson hoped for.
I’d celebrated my twenty-sixth birthday two months ago and it had been the best one yet. All my family, Ophelia, Mira and Felix together. I’d ended the day with a lot of cake and mind-blowing orgasms provided by Felix. Chou thankfully didn’t see as he’d disappeared into the bathroom. Good for his sake too.
“Poor cat,” Felix had said after we had finished our lovemaking and I giggled when Chou entered the room, as if he had known we’d finished.
The months after that had been busy but that was how I liked it. Now, I could take a long needed holiday and spend time with my wonderful boyfriend. I still couldn’t believe it had been nearly six months since we’d met. But they had been the best, I couldn’t imagine my life without him. I was lucky in love. Irrevocably smitten with Felix, the way he was and the way he would be in the future, especially as a husband and hopefully father.
Yes, over the last month, I had thought about that more and I felt ready for the next step in our relationship. We’d discussed moving in together, but it probably wouldn’t happen quite yet due to our jobs. Felix was thriving as a ski instructor and always had a busy day’s work with lessons. People liked him and seemed to only want him to teach them.
I had gone back to Ischgl two months ago myself and had some extra ski lessons with Felix. We had to keep it professional, especially with people around us and small children. But after every lesson, he’d take me back to his and have his way with me.
Some people would have wondered how we made it work, how we kept the magic alive, but we just did. We were two people deeply in love who wanted to make it work. Of course it was hard at times, when both our jobs kept us occupied and we’d have nights where we didn’t pick up the phone. But that was the reality of relationships. We were mature enough to recognise that and didn’t belittle one another.
Ever since that text from Caden months ago, I never heard from him again. He must have caught wind that I was with someone. I was glad because I didn’t want to hear or see him again. He’d remain in the past, where he belonged.
I spotted Felix instantly and sprinted over to him, like I always did whenever I saw him.
“Hello, gorgeous.” Felix beamed at me, placing his bag that was on his shoulder down. He had a large suitcase with him.
“How was the flight?” I asked him as we walked hand in hand to the car park.
“Bit of turbulence. I had a nap, still pretty tired. Can’t wait for our trip tomorrow.” Felix let out a small yawn.
“I’ve made sure you’re insured on my car. Just don’t crash my car please,” I joked. But I knew Felix was a perfectly capable driver, he had driven us all around Austria when I last went.
“As if,” Felix scoffed, miming flipping his hair. Speaking of his hair, he’d grown it out a little. I liked it as it meant there was more to grab when we were making love. He also hadn’t shaved, something else I loved.
“Are you going to grow a full on beard at this point?” I reached up to gently scratch his chin, where most of the hair was.
“No, I’m shaving this all off as soon as we get to yours. Because I know how much you love my bare face,” Felix replied with a hint of sarcasm. Oh well, goodbye facial hair.
“I’ve made you something sweet. I bet you’re hungry,” I said to Felix as we buckled up in my car. The walk to the car park hadn’t been very long and luckily, I’d only paid for an hour. It wasn’t too expensive but airports knew how to make that extra money.
“Hungry for you.” Felix smirked and I knew exactly what he wanted. We’d had car sex plenty of times but I for one wasn’t going to do it in an airport car park. The man would have to wait.
“All in good time, honey,” I replied, reaching across the gear stick to squeeze his thigh.
“I love you,” Felix told me. He always made sure to tell me and his actions always spoke loud too.
“I love you, Felix.” I didn’t miss the flicker of need in his eyes as I said this. I needed to get us home.
On the drive home, I couldn’t stop smiling as things had worked out so much. I had an amazing job, supportive family, the best friend in the world and a man who loved me fiercely. I loved him just as much too and going on this trip with him would unlock many more memories.
Felix
Two months later, after the Scotland trip
I was extremely nervous today, more than I usually was. The reason being that I’d be getting down on one knee to propose to Alisha. Aunt Brenna and Mira had been the ones to give me that final push as a part of me was wondering if we were ready for that next step. We’d only been together for about nearly eight months. Maybe some people would say we were moving too quickly.
But when you were madly in love, did that really matter? I wanted Alisha to be my wife. I’d walk down the aisle again for her. And this time, I knew it wouldn’t end the way it had with my ex.
I had already picked out the ring—an 18K white gold halo ring. It was expensive but I knew it was perfect for Alisha. I’d also asked for her father’s blessing and he’d shaken my hand until it felt like my arm would pop out of its socket. Both her parents were happy and then started to tell me more about engagements and the wedding itself. We’d have a fusion wedding- a mix of both mine and Alisha’s cultures. It was going to be magical.
Now, I just needed to ask her to spend the rest of her life with me.
We were currently relaxing at home which had semi-permanently moved in. What I meant by that was, whenever I came down to stay in England, this is where I came. All my stuff was here but I was hoping for the move to be permanent soon.
I loved teaching at the ski school but coming home to an empty house was tough. I wanted to come home to Alisha, to tell her about my day and then fall asleep next to her. My family understood but said it’d be a big change for them, of course they’d need time to adjust. But whatever I decided, they’d support me.
My own mother? I saw her every so often, and I found out that we had a lot of similarities. She liked to ski in her free time and bake. Mira had finally arranged to meet her three months ago and had asked me to come along. At first, it was awkward, but the second time we met, the conversation felt natural. My mum had made it clear she wanted to be in our lives but we needed boundaries.
It was a beautiful, sunny day today. Me and Alisha had gone for a walk; we were currently staying in Scotland. After our trip to Scotland a few months ago, we knew we wanted to come back. We’d taken a boat this morning to go to the Scottish Highlands and the scenery was absolutely stunning. It was a perfect location to get engaged.
“This is so beautiful.” Alisha was gazing in wonder at the view around us. We were surrounded by a lot of greenery. As she looked around her, I unzipped my backpack to pull out the ring box. It was now or never.
I hoped she would keep looking ahead whilst I got down on one knee.
“Alisha?” I wanted her attention as I opened the ring box. My hands were shaking, maybe partly due to the wind as we were high up. But also because I had thought about this for the past month and now it was finally happening. The anticipation was real.
“Yeah, Felix?” Alisha whipped her head around and then gasped as soon as she saw me kneeling on the floor, holding the box out in front of her.
“Alisha, I’ve been so lucky to find you. The moments we spend together are incredible. You are one-half of me. I’m so glad we met and now I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the greatest honour and marry me?” I asked her. Her gaping mouth transformed into a huge grin and then she knelt down in front of me, so she was level with me.
“Funny, because I was also going to ask you the same thing!” Alisha exclaimed.
“So, will you?” I gazed at the woman I was completely enamoured with.
“Of course I’ll marry you, I love you!” Alisha let out a squeal and I cheered myself. She held out her hand for me to slip the ring on her finger and she cooed at it, twisting her hand in the sun to admire the sparkles.
“I love you,” I declared. I realised that Alisha was the missing puzzle piece to my life, she was right for me and I was for her. Hand in hand, we continued our trek in the Highlands and I knew I’d never walk alone again.