Epilogue
ALEXANDRA – ONE MONTH LATER
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?” We’ve been driving for hours to this top-secret location, and James hasn’t let a hint drop once.
He glances at me before his eyes go back to the winding road. “Patience. We are almost there, then you will have all of your questions answered.”
The snow is almost completely melted from that wild storm.
Now just a dusting is left across the grass.
A couple of miles later we turn down a long driveway, each side surrounded by trimmed trees.
It looks like something out of a movie, my head is swiveling around, trying to take it all in.
At the end, it opens up to acres of yard with buildings strategically placed.
A white barn sits off to the right, connected by fencing where cows graze.
A large chicken coop is off to the left of the barn.
Another large outbuilding sits directly off the driveway.
The house is tucked off to the left, and my breath hitches.
It’s beautiful. A modern take on a wooden cabin, complete with a wraparound porch.
The dark stain of the wood pairs nicely with the dark doors and windows.
It looks a lot bigger than anything I’ve ever lived in.
The porch furniture is a cozy green, the swing full of pillows.
Flowers on the end table are freshly placed, as if someone is expecting us.
There’s no way anyone just leaves that out with this weather, even if it is relatively warm today.
I turn to him as he pulls around to park in front of the garage. “What is this place?”
He lets out a sigh, looking at the house.
“This is my house. I haven’t moved in yet, but I…
I built it for my dad to finish out his days, initially.
Unfortunately, he was only able to enjoy it for about a year.
” He opens the door and motions for us to get out.
I step out, button my jacket, and put my gloves back on.
Our shoes crunch in the leftover snow as we walk across the yard, making our way towards the chickens. “When did he pass?” I ask.
“It’s been about eight years now.” He looks at the animals then out across the yard, a sadness radiating off him that I haven’t seen.
“He was my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the best damn father I could’ve asked for.
My mom passed away when I was young, so it was always me and him.
Well, my aunts, Ryder and Alester’s moms, always tried to be around as much as they could, but it’s not the same. ”
“I’d love to hear about him sometime, whenever you’re ready. And your mom.”
He looks back at me with a sad smile before I wrap my arms around his middle.
He kisses the top of my head. “Sometimes I come here to talk to him like he’s still lingering. Like he can still hear me and give me advice. The sound of his voice floats on the wind, and if I listen hard enough, I can hear him. Or at least it feels like I can.”
James reaches for my hand as he walks us back up to the front porch. I follow in silence, letting him decide what he wants to tell me.
The steps to the porch are clear of snow, a built-in fireplace set up in the corner is already full of wood and flames. The heat rolling off towards us makes it comfortable to stay on the porch and enjoy the outdoors even in the cold weather.
“This estate is set up the way he loved it. Animals to look at, a large yard, a big porch, plenty of space for future grandchildren.” James leans against the railing, and I feel my heart breaking for him.
“We came up with the idea for our company when he was in the hospital … dying.” He fiddles with the buttons on his coat, remembering.
I take in the beautiful property sprawled out behind him, imagining what could have been.
“Watching the cancer slowly kill him was bad, but when he asked me to let him go ...” His eyes fill with unshed tears.
I don’t have any words, so I go to him and wrap my arms around him as tight as I can.
“He didn’t want to fight anymore. His body and soul had had enough, and I couldn’t be selfish and ask him to stay any longer.
I sat with him, while they filled him with pain meds and his body slowly shut down at the end.
“When he was awake, we worked on the company, and when he slept, I kept working. Then one day he just stopped waking up. I stayed until they disconnected all the monitors and wheeled him away. I kept working, and I haven’t stopped.
My cousins hate that I live at the office, or that when I do venture to my apartment I never stop working, but I built this with my dad.
I feel like if I stop working so hard then his memory will start to fade. ”
He turns towards me, brushing my hair behind my ear.
“I know he wouldn’t want me to work as much as I do, but it was the only thing helping my grief.
Even with all of the time that has passed, all I can hear is him telling me the only way I’ll be able to live my life is by going out and actually living.
” He shrugs. “He saw and did so much in his lifetime, but the few years before he passed I spent a lot of time just being with him and helping as much as I could while also in school. When we came up with the idea for The Edward Corporation, I dropped out and went full force into making it a reality. I feel like watching someone’s future disappear makes you want to chase your dreams that much faster and harder.
We never know when our last days will be. ”
I squeeze him tighter. “He would be so proud of everything you’ve built.
” I look back at the barn, the cows grazing.
“This place is really magical. I can see why you say you feel him here. If this was a place built for me out of love, I don’t think I’d be able to leave it either.
I bet he watches the sun rise with the chickens and cows. ”
“Then at dusk he rocks in the chair, watching the sun set from the porch,” he joins in, rocking us slightly as we stand by the railing.
I reach up, running my fingers through his hair, and pulling him down for a kiss I feel my soul seep into. He has all of me, mind, body, and soul, and he just gave me a piece of him that I will cherish forever.
“Thank you for bringing me here and telling me about your dad.”
James kisses me again before taking me over to the porch swing. I curl into his side as we watch the sun set, him gently rocking us.
The sound of a vehicle coming down the driveway pulls us out of our moment. I peer over my shoulder at the approaching black SUV. “What’s happening now?” I ask James as a smirk spreads across his face.
“I figured we might as well get used to the chaos now, since this will be our main home.”
My eyes bulge. “Our what?”
James chuckles. “Well, I want you to redecorate or remodel as much as you want to make it yours too. But I don’t want to live here without you.”
I’m speechless, trying to wrap my head around this place, when car doors slam .
Ashlyn’s voice echoes in the quiet. “This places is massive! I brought wine!”
“I picked up your favorite large chocolate chip cookies,” Jaz adds.
Ryder jingles the metal case he’s carrying. “I’m finally going to beat all of you at poker.”
“Yeah, right.” Ash nudges him with her shoulder, and he smirks down at her.
Alester comes up the steps behind them carrying four large bags. “We picked up Chinese food on the way, too.”
All four of them go into the house, their voices echo through the walls, and I can’t help but laugh. “Full chaos?”
James wraps his arms around me as he pulls me towards the door. “Why not? It’s the only way with our people involved.”
The dining room table sits near large windows, and it’s already been converted to a full poker table layout. Ryder slid his baseball hat backwards as he sets up the decks and chips. Ashlyn is filling cups, while Alester and Jaz dish up plates of food for everyone.
This is going to get wild.