Epilogue
DARCY
One Year Later
“I see him!” Darcy pointed excitedly through the helicopter window, her heart racing at the scene below.
Devlin nodded, steering them to the side. The helicopter banked so hard that Darcy felt her stomach do a loop-the-loop, the mountain slope looming up through the window. Two tiny figures came into view, both dressed in bright-red climbing gear, their silhouettes stark against the white backdrop. One of the climbers was lying motionless, while the other waved frantically, trying to get their attention.
“I can’t see a place to land,” Devlin said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. He skilfully guided the helicopter lower, trying to get as close as he could to the stranded climbers. The slope below was steep, with jagged rocks and thick snow making it impossible for a safe landing. “You’ll have to drop.”
Darcy nodded. There was no room for hesitation. She unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out of her seat, moving into the back of the helicopter where the equipment was stored. Her hands moved swiftly as she rigged up the winch line to her safety harness, the metal clinking against her karabiner as she checked everything twice, making sure it was secure. She couldn’t afford any mistakes.
With a deep breath, she reached for the sliding door and pulled it open. Cold air rushed in, snatching Darcy’s breath away. She was used to it, though, bracing herself as Devlin levelled out the Bell 525 ten metres above the slope. For an instant she thought back to the woman she had been just a few months ago — scared of adventure, scared of anything new, scared of herself. If somebody had told her that one day she’d be jumping out of a helicopter in order to rescue stranded climbers from some of the highest peaks in Europe, she’d have burst out laughing.
But here she was, about to do exactly that. She’d been doing it for five months now, ever since she’d completed her training. Devlin had bought three new helicopters for the ranger team and had devoted himself to piloting rescue missions. It was as if he had found a new purpose — a way to give back, to live a life of meaning beyond the world of fashion.
He still designed, of course, and his business was doing just fine. In fact, his business had never been better. Devlin’s speech during the press conference had gone viral around the world, and everybody had praised his honesty and his transformation. Once upon a time, Devlin Storm’s name had been synonymous with arrogance and selfishness, a man who cared only about his own success. But now, he was a symbol of something else — a man who had found redemption, who had become a bastion of decency and integrity.
Devlin’s public apology had been genuine, raw and vulnerable, and people responded to it. Instead of damaging his reputation, it had strengthened it. He had become someone people respected, someone they admired. The shift had been profound, not just in how the world saw him, but in how he saw himself, and Darcy had been at his side ever since. She had never felt prouder.
He’d even made good on his payment of ￡100,000, although it had gone to a delighted Sophia, not Darcy. Darcy didn’t need his money. She had the man himself.
She looked over at him, grinning. He grinned back, his smile still powerful enough to make her feel giddy. He looked like the same man, but he was also so different from the Devlin she had first met. Goodness seemed to flow out of him, his expression was open and welcoming and kind. He was the man in the ice, the man who had always been there, and she had helped him escape.
That’s why she loved him. That’s why he loved her.
“Be safe,” he mouthed as he flashed her the OK sign with his hand.
Darcy nodded, a grin spreading across her face as she secured the final piece of her gear. She felt the exhilaration rise in her chest, the thrill of the jump buzzing through her veins. Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward into the cold, biting wind, feeling the rush of adrenaline as her body prepared for the descent. Then, with a gasp of excitement and exhilaration, she dropped out of the helicopter, her harness catching as she dangled in mid-air, the snowy slope rising up to meet her. This was her life now — her adventure. And she loved every second of it.
* * *
DEVLIN
“We’re late!” Devlin said as the helicopter bumped down on the landing pad forty-five minutes later. He checked his watch, his brow furrowing. “Really late!”
“They’ll wait,” said Darcy with a playful grin from the seat next to him. “It’s not like they have a choice. We’re the only ones who can fly them off the mountain.”
Devlin laughed, leaning across the cockpit to steal a kiss. Darcy met him halfway, her hand on his cheek. They were late because they’d had to fly the stranded climbers down to base camp. One man had broken his leg in a fall, but thanks to their quick rescue, they were both healthy, and hypothermia hadn’t had a chance to set in. They had been delighted to be rescued, but it was Devlin who was happiest. He sat back in his seat, feeling the thrill of the rescue give way to a wonderful, unbeatable sense of relief and satisfaction.
It had been Darcy who had suggested they offer help to people lost or hurt in the mountains. Of course it had. She was the kindest, most selfless person he knew. She was the bravest, too. The girl he’d first met had been terrified of everything, but that core of bravery had been in her even then.
“You’ve changed me,” he said, as he had so many times before. “I’m so glad you climbed into that helicopter with me.”
“Like I always say,” she replied, eyes sparkling with mischief, “I’m not sure I really had a choice. But I am glad I did, too.”
Without her, he never would have survived that first trip. She had changed his life. She had changed him . He had gone to the mountains to say goodbye to his mother, but in doing so he had found his soulmate, and he gave thanks for that every single day.
Devlin checked his watch again.
“Ready?” he asked.
“I’ve been ready for this for eight wonderful months,” she said.
He opened his door, ducking beneath the lazily spinning rotors, and offering his hand to Darcy as she stepped down. They walked away from the landing pad and past the outpost station, heading up the familiar slope. It was the middle of summer, and even though there were still scraps of snow here, most of the slope was lush with grass, alpine flowers blooming and filling the air with their scent. It was so warm that Devlin had to take off his coat. Beneath was a tuxedo, complete with a bow tie.
“We may as well change here,” Darcy said. “Do you still need help getting out of your clothes?”
Devlin laughed, flexing his arm. The break had healed, and even though it still ached in the cold, he barely noticed it anymore.
“I’ll be fine,” he said. “This time. Can’t say for sure I won’t need a little help later on though, so park that thought and we’ll come back to it.”
He kicked off his boots and his snowsuit trousers, and before long he was standing there in his wedding suit. Darcy did the same, struggling out of her rescue kit to reveal the beautifully tailored white dress beneath.
“It’s unlucky for me to see it before the wedding,” Devlin said, and she smiled.
“I don’t think that counts when the groom actually designed the dress,” she said, brushing her hands over the silk. “It’s a little wrinkled.”
“It’s perfect,” he said, taking her hand and starting to walk again. “You’re perfect.”
They began walking together up the slope, heading towards the group of guests gathered near the top. As they neared, Darcy’s smile grew wider when she spotted their ring bearers — Nibbles and Norman, their beloved rabbits — sitting primly at the top of the slope, each with a little ribbon tied around their necks, holding the rings in a tiny pouch. Nibbles, her fluffy white fur contrasting beautifully with the green grass, twitched her nose as if she knew she had an important job to do. Norman, slightly larger and more regal-looking, sat beside her, his ears perked up, looking every bit the dignified rabbit.
“Devlin!” Darcy cried, her hand flying to her mouth. “You brought the kids. You know they’re going to steal the show, right?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Devlin chuckled, watching the two rabbits with amusement. “Norman looks like he’s taking this whole ring-bearer role very seriously.”
The slope levelled out as they reached the top, where their friends and family stood waiting, champagne glasses in hand. They broke into a round of cheers and applause when they saw Devlin and Darcy coming. Blake Fielding was there, and he jogged towards them with a beaming smile on his face.
“Everyone safe?” Blake asked, and Devlin nodded.
“Well done. I always thought Devlin Storm was a great name for a super hero.”
“Darcy’s the hero,” he said. “I’m just her sidekick.”
Blake grinned. “Well, either way, you’re a lucky man.”
Devlin glanced at Darcy, his heart swelling with love. “I know I am.”
Blake gestured towards the guests gathered near the rocks.
“Everyone’s here,” he said. “This place is amazing. You picked the perfect spot.”
Devlin nodded, taking in the view. He’d once risked his life to get here, and it turned out to be the best decision he’d ever made. And the last reckless one.
“It’s pretty special, all right,” he said.
“I’ll go get in place,” Darcy whispered, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. “See you in a moment.”
As she moved towards the rocky outcrop, Devlin turned to Blake, a hand on his shoulder as they made their way upwards.
“Thank you,” he said.
“For what?” Blake asked, frowning.
“For what you said to me months ago, back at the Royal Alpine. You were right. I found love, and everything makes sense. Everything .”
Blake face lit up with a knowing smile.
“I’m happy for you,” he said. “Now come on, let’s get you married.”
They walked up the slope together, rounding the rocks. Even though he’d been here countless times since the day he’d scattered his mum’s ashes, the view still took his breath away. Now, in the middle of summer, it was better than ever. The lush, green, burgeoning valley stretched for miles, cradled by the sun-drenched mountain slopes. It felt even more beautiful, knowing that this was where he would marry the woman who had changed his life for ever.
Hey, Mum , he thought, closing his eyes for a moment and seeing her there, smiling. Look at me now. I hope this makes you proud of me. You’d have loved Darcy and she would have loved you.
His mum would have been so happy to know how much he had changed. She would have been so happy that he had found love.
Two dozen seats had been arranged next to the rocks, facing the stunning view and a small archway adorned with thousands of tiny wildflowers. Beneath the arch, a priest stood waiting. Nearby, Nibbles and Norman, sat patiently, keeping the rings safe as the guests took their seats. Devlin and Darcy had wanted a small, intimate wedding, but nothing was going to stop their friends celebrating the nuptials, and at least half the seats were taken up by the people they’d rescued from the mountains.
Devlin made his way to the front, a little nervous now that everybody was watching him. Blake straightened Devlin’s bow tie, then brushed something from his shoulder.
“Good luck,” he said.
Devlin met his friend’s gaze, his heart full. “Thank you,” he replied quietly.
“Congratulations, my friend,” he said. “You’ve earned this.”
Blake sat down on his seat, and the priest began the ceremony. Devlin wasn’t listening. Every ounce of his being was taken up by the sight of Darcy walking around the rocks, her face lit up by mountain sunshine, her cheeks perfectly pink, those beautiful eyes sparkling. She walked to his side and he took her hand.
“I love you, Devlin Storm,” she whispered.
“And I love you, Darcy Wainwright Storm,” he replied.
Together, they turned to face the priest and Nibbles and Norman. Behind them, the world seemed to glow, the future stretching infinitely out for them, bright and full of possibilities. And Darcy and Devlin knew that this was just the beginning of their adventure together.
THE END