Epilogue
Wynter
Paris in June.
I’ve heard April is the best time to be here but June is pretty wonderful too.
It’s been a crazy couple of months and now I’m on tour for the duration of the European leg. There might be some Australian and Asian dates added, but nothing is set in stone yet.
And today is Tommy and Harley’s wedding.
They’re legally married but they wanted to have a ceremony somewhere romantic and then a small, intimate reception. They chose the Eiffel Tower, rented out the entire restaurant for the evening, and there isn’t a dry eye in the house as they exchange vows.
I stand there looking between Tommy and Harley, Ross, and the incredible view, wondering how I ever got this lucky. Not just because I have the most awesome sister and boyfriend, but because my life is better than I could have imagined.
The last couple of months have been wonderful even though I was working crazy hours. I liked working at the clinic and my co-workers were sad to see me go. Maybe, if the opportunity ever arises, I’ll go back on a temporary basis. In the meantime, I’ve got my own life to live.
Ross ended his lease and sold most of his furniture, putting what was left in Tommy’s condo.
He moved in with Harley after they got married, so they’re going to let us live in his place until we’re ready to figure out what’s next.
It’s win-win for all of us and it’s saving us a lot of money since it’s paid for and we just have to pay minimal utilities while we’re gone.
Ross is living his best life too, opening for Onyx Knight as Ross Rockit.
He found a great bunch of musicians willing to play with him and the crowds so far have loved them.
We’ve only been on tour for two weeks so there isn’t a lot of data yet, but I have a feeling it’s going to be better than any of them anticipate.
The plan is for them to play a short ten-song set, and then occasionally join Onyx Knight for their encore.
It feels like the beginning of something magical.
And right now, Harley is outside with Tommy, telling him about the baby she recently discovered she’s carrying.
When we were in London two weeks ago, I went with her to a specialist and she got the good news.
It’s been killing both of us to keep the secret but she wanted to tell him tonight. I haven’t even told Ross.
“Whatcha thinkin’?” he asks, coming over and wrapping his arms around me from behind.
“Harley is telling Tommy that they’re going to have another baby.”
“What?” He sounds surprised and then he kisses the side of my face. “Aw, that’s amazing news.”
“It is. We found out in London but she swore me to secrecy because this is her wedding present to him.”
“And he’s about to give her his.”
“Oh?” I glance back at him. “What is it?”
“He bought them a house on the ocean.”
I smile. “That’s always been her dream.”
“What about you? Where would you like to live?”
“I love the water too but we probably can’t afford to live there. Not in L.A. anyway.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” He shrugs. “Because Onyx Knight just bought two of my songs.”
“What?” I turn so I can face him. “When? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was a surprise.” His eyes twinkle. “If either of them hit, I’ll make a lot of money. Maybe even enough to buy a house on the ocean in L.A.”
“You know I don’t care about money or fancy houses, though, right?”
“I do know. Which is why I want you to have everything you wanted. And some things you didn’t want.”
“I keep telling you—all I want is you.”
“But you already have me.”
“So I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
He smiles. “I love you, Wynter.”
“I love you too.”
Ross
It’s time.
I’ve been planning this for weeks and now I’m nervous.
Tommy and Harley gave me their blessing because I didn’t want to propose at their wedding without asking first.
And now it’s time.
We’ve eaten, danced, and cut the cake, so the bulk of the reception activities are over. People are milling around, enjoying the view, drinking champagne, dancing, and socializing. There are more people here than they originally planned but it’s all people they care about.
It’s also the Eiffel Tower.
My girl wants romance and I couldn’t think of a more romantic location to propose.
“Hey.” I grab Wynter’s hand and tug her outside.
I’m going to do the proposal out on the deck overlooking the city. Assuming she says yes, then we’ll come in and celebrate. The photographer knows to capture the moment, Tommy has a special bottle of champagne on ice, and the ring has been burning a hole in my pocket all night.
“What’s up?” she asks curiously.
She looks stunning in a ruby-red dress that hugs her curves, with her hair and makeup professionally done. I think she’s beautiful no matter what but I know her well enough to know she’d want to look extra nice for an occasion this momentous.
“I have a question for you,” I say, one hand on her hip.
She cocks her head. “Sure.”
I slowly drop to one knee and watch the play of emotions on her face as she realizes what I’m doing. One hand goes to her mouth.
“Ross.”
“Will you marry me, Wynter?”
“Oh my gosh, yes!” She doesn’t even hesitate.
I slide the ring on the fourth finger of her left hand and get up just in time for her to vault herself into my arms.
“Yes yes yes!” she says in between kisses.
“She said yes!” Tommy yells and we’re immediately surrounded by friends and family, hugging and shaking hands.
Wynter’s laughing and crying, showing everyone the ring and I gaze over at her with the most perfect feeling of contentment.
This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Look at you, kicking ass and taking names.
Joey talks to me pretty often these days, mostly because I could never shut him up but also because I’m no longer fighting it.
No longer trying to bury the memories or the need to stay connected to those I lost. My therapist has helped a lot in that department.
She says it’s perfectly normal and so Joey and Rambo and Dixon all come to me regularly.
Clara does too but in a different way.
She doesn’t talk to me—I simply think of specific moments, specific conversations, specific memories. And they always make me smile.
She would be happy for me.
They all would.
Wynter slides her hand into mine, bringing me back to the present.
“I love you so much,” she whispers.
“This romantic enough for you?” I ask softly.
She gazes down at the ring on her finger. “So romantic. The best gift you could have given me. Other than you, of course.”
She smiles, and the love I see in her eyes is by far the most magnificent gift of all.
Thank you for reading the Rock Harder series! Check out the Crimson Edge series next.