Epilogue #3
A ripple of laughter broke out from our friends and family, a brief moment of levity in the heavy, beautiful tension. I let out a jagged, watery laugh of my own, my vision blurring.
"You, my darling, make me feel loved. You make me feel safe," she said, her voice softening. "You make me want to be the type of woman who doesn't answer my phone on a weekend because we're too busy taking our dog on a long walk. Frankly, you made me into a woman who has a dog in the first place."
The laughter from the crowd was louder this time, but I was barely hearing it. I was desperately trying not to sob as I looked down at her. This woman, who once seemed so untouchable and cold, was baring her soul to me in front of everyone we loved.
"I love you with everything I have," she whispered, her gaze locking onto mine. "And I want nothing more than the honour of being your wife. So, Alexandria Fischer..."
She clicked the box open, and the fairy lights caught the most beautiful, elegant diamond I’d ever seen.
"Will you marry me?"
I furiously wiped at my eyes, a useless, knee-jerk attempt to pretend I wasn't fucking sobbing in front of everyone. My chest was tight, my throat was closed, and I was pretty sure I had forgotten how to form actual words.
"Lex, answer her, woman!" Mia’s voice cut through the silence like a thunderclap, followed by a chorus of laughter that finally shattered the tension.
I let out a wet, shaky laugh, the kind that hurt your lungs. "Of course!" I choked out, my voice cracking under the weight of it. "Gods, Carrie... yes. Of course I’ll marry you!"
The applause that followed was fucking deafening—a roar of cheers and whistling—but I barely heard it.
Carrie stood up instantly, her movements fluid and urgent as she pulled me into an embrace.
She didn't just hug me; she anchored me, her arms wrapping around my waist as she pulled me flush against her.
She kissed me, a soft, lingering press of lips that tasted like salt and relief.
We were both smiling so wide against each other's mouths that the kiss dissolved into breathless, giddy chuckles.
I held her so tightly I was worried I might bruise her, burying my face in the crook of her neck just to breathe her in.
"The ring, darling," she murmured with a playful, low hum against my skin. "I believe that’s the next step."
I reluctantly loosened my grip, my hands still trembling as I held one out. Carrie’s touch was surprisingly steady as she took my hand. She pulled the ring from the velvet box and slid it easily onto my finger.
The cold metal settling against my skin made it feel official. It made it real. I was no longer just the student who fell for the professor, or the graduate with a First. I was her fiancée. Fuck me.
I looked down at my hand, then back up at her, and the smug, wide-eyed grin I had that morning was back, only this time, it was fuelled by something much deeper than pride.
"I suppose this means you're stuck with me," I whispered, the ring catching the light.
Carrie’s eyes darkened with that familiar, possessive warmth. "I believe," she murmured, "that was always the plan."
Barnaby chose that exact moment to join the celebration, letting out a series of joyous, thunderous barks as he barrelled toward us like a golden heat-seeking missile.
Carrie rolled her eyes, bracing herself for the impact, but I fully indulged him, laughing as I let him weave between our legs and nearly knock us both over with his frantic tail.
The laughter was cut short by a heavy hand on my shoulder. I turned to see my Dad stepping over, his face flushed and his eyes suspiciously bright as he tried—and failed—to pretend he wasn’t crying. He pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.
"Congratulations, darl," he whispered, his voice thick. Then, he turned to Carrie. He stood tall, offering her a look of profound respect. "I am very proud to call you my daughter, Caroline."
I saw it—the way those words hit her straight in the chest. Carrie’s composure faltered for a fraction of a second, her breath hitching as she absorbed the gravity of being claimed as family and now it being true.
She tried to maintain her stoic mask, but I could tell those words had carved something deep and permanent into her heart.
She simply nodded, her voice a little more raspy than usual as she replied, "Thank you, Phil. That means... more than I can say."
Then, my Mum approached. She was walking weakly but with a fierce determination, her hand resting on Dad's arm to keep herself steady. I met her halfway, pulling her into a gentle, careful embrace. When she pulled back, she reached for Carrie’s hand, clutching it with a strength that surprised me.
"I am so happy for you both," Mum said, making absolutely no effort to hide the tears streaming down her face. She looked between us, her smile radiant despite her exhaustion. "I knew from the very start. I just knew you were meant to be."
I looked at Carrie, whose eyes were shimmering under the fairy lights, and then down at the ring on my finger. I didn’t know what was truly next, but all I knew was everything I needed was right there.