Epilogue
From what I’m told, the gala for St. Mark’s Hospital was a roaring success. Of course, my mother wanted me there, front and center, but no one was prying me from Dax’s side. How could I possibly schmooze benefactors when the guy I’m in love with was still in recovery?
I wrote a speech for the event and my mother read it on my behalf. Let’s be real, this is how it always should’ve gone down. My mother loves the spotlight and taking in the adulation. But when I told her I was quitting the society events committee, her vicious side came out to play.
It didn’t matter how she tried to deal with me, I wasn’t backing down. Besides, she promised our family that she isn’t leaving town again. She’s here to lead the committee, and she loves doing it. Somewhere down the line, we can re-evaluate my involvement, but right now, I’m done with that world.
While Dax remained in recovery, Dad asked me to join him at the office.
Even though it was an invitation made out of guilt, I gladly took him up on it.
Usually, work stories bore me, but hearing him describe how the finance, marketing, distribution, and human resources departments work under his leadership had me hooked.
When I met the head of the finance department, I volunteered my help with crunching some numbers.
It was nice that he wasn’t annoyed by the boss’s kid hanging around.
It was at the office I told Dad about my thoughts on school.
I can’t believe the amount of eye contact he gave as I told him I wanted a year off before attending college.
He even smiled when I said I wanted to choose my college.
I guess he thought it was better than me saying I wasn’t going at all.
Mom’s thrilled to have me around for another year.
I’m sure I’ll be dodging more social engagements she signs me up for with little notice.
With that all being said, I’ve never seen my brother more relaxed. The fact I’ve rewritten the rules the family set for me is giving him hope. He’ll be able to do whatever he wants after high school, instead of becoming the second Thomas Ashworth clone.
Now, I’m testing my parents on giving me freedom without interference.
Dax and I are traveling interstate on his motorcycle.
While Dax was recovering, he agreed to let my father’s PI track down his mother.
I’m so glad he was still being closely monitored in hospital because during the wait, his anxiety spiked.
I almost called off the search when Dr. Harris found another irregularity with his kidneys.
Luckily, a new course of antibiotics worked swiftly.
Nothing was more beautiful than seeing his pure joy when we were given his mother’s address. As soon as Dax was given the all-clear from Dr. Harris, I had Murphy pack our supplies and we hit the road.
And now, the moment of truth.
Dax parks the motorcycle in front of a small sandstone home. I slide off the bike, and smile at him after we remove our helmets. Dax leans against the bike, exhaling slowly.
I place my hand on his chest, nicking his pendant. “Are you ready?”
He scoops up my hand, rubbing it tenderly. His fingers move down my wrist and find the sensitive bump of my burn mark.
I bite into my lip, smiling at the love heart tattooed into my skin which encircles the mark.
“I still can’t believe my girl got some ink,” he says.
I giggle. “My parents are gonna flip.”
Dax shrugs. “They let you come this far. What’s one more change to the perfect Vanessa Ashworth?”
“I don’t think they expected me to get a tattoo on this trip. By the way, how is yours healing?”
Dax pulls up the sleeve of his leather jacket, and I can’t help grinning.
The tattoo artist did such a phenomenal job.
Where once lay a horrible scorpion that shackled him to a miserable existence, now is a landscape scene based on the magical spot where Dax and I had our first kiss under the stars.
“I love it so much,” I say, tracing a finger over his forearm.
“Me too. I don’t feel like I have to wait until I’m eighty to be free.”
I rise on my toes and peck his lips. “You’re free now, baby.”
Dax smiles and clutches my hand. “Shall we go in?”
I nod, squeezing his hand.
As we approach the front door, the door knob turns. We step onto the porch, and the door opens.
“Is that…” a voice sounds, but it’s dark inside the house so we can’t see the face.
Dax’s ears prick. “Mom?”
Suddenly, a woman rushes out of the house. I drop his hand in time for the two to embrace.
Dax’s mother’s body trembles in his arms. “But… But, how?”
“It’s okay, Mom,” Dax says, his eyes growing watery. “It’s over. They’re both locked up. You can come home.”
His mom pulls out of the hug, placing her hands on the side of his face. Her mouth hangs open as she stares at him with questioning eyes.
Dax smiles. “It’s really okay. They can’t hurt us anymore.”
Tears stream from her face. “I’ve missed you so much. Every day, I regret not taking you with me.”
Dax sniffs hard, pushing to keep his smile. “Don’t be sad. We can be together now.”
She motions to the house. “I have a home here. It’s not much, but you can move in.”
Dax rubs behind his neck, nervous embarrassment causing him to fidget. “Umm, I might have something better in mind.” He gestures to me. “Mom, this is Vanessa.”
She places a hand on her chest. “Oh, I’m so sorry for ignoring you. I was just so caught up in seeing him.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I reply. “This is a big moment.”
“I’m Jessie,” she introduces.
I take her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Mom, Vanessa has a huge home,” Dax says, “and her family have agreed to let us stay with them.”
“Why would they do that?” she asks, skeptical. “They don’t even know me.”
“But they know Dax,” I pipe up. “And I love him. I love your son, and I know it’ll make him so happy to have you back. Will you please come home with us?”
Happy tears spring into her eyes as she looks at Dax. “Is this true?”
Dax nods. “Can we go inside and catch up? We have a ton to tell you about, and I want to know everything that’s been happening with you.”
Jessie hugs him once again. “All that’s been happening in my life is waiting for you. I love you so much, Dax. Thank you for finding me.”
“You can thank my pushy girlfriend for that,” Dax jokes.
They pull out of the hug, and Jessie quickly wraps her arms around me. “Thank you, Vanessa. I can’t believe my son found such a wonderful girl.”
I hug her back. “You’re welcome. I’d do anything for him, and you too.”
Jessie welcomes us into her home, but before we follow, Dax pulls me into a kiss.
“Thank you, Sassy,” he whispers an inch from my lips. “Don’t stop being your never-quit self.”
I grasp his pendant and kiss him back. “I love you so much. I can’t wait for the rest of our lives.”
***