Epilogue
TOMI
Five Months Later
My feet ache, my ankles swell. I’m a balloon. Being eight months pregnant is not my idea of fun, but Xander’s worked hard for this. I have to admit I’m so freaking excited to see what he’s come up with, as I haven’t been able to check it out yet. So, we walk through the megacomplex, Xander has his gorgeous trademark plum tie wrapped around my eyes, blinding me, while Levi strolls alongside us. The new megacomplex is alive and buzzing.
“Okay, we’re about to step up to the door. Are you ready?” Xander asks.
“No,” I reply honestly.
Xander and Levi laugh as the door swings open, and a familiar tingle runs up my spine—the same one as the old Hope & Faith Ink—as we walk in. The same style of music is playing, and it even smells like the old shop. The sterile cleanliness with a little bit of cinnamon cookie. Don’t ask me why it smells that way, or how Xander mastered the same scent is beyond me.
Excitement swells in my stomach as our little girl kicks me. She’s excited to be here as well. We named her after my deceased sister Kaylie once we knew it was going to be a little girl. I can’t help but think of her and my parents right now and wonder about what they would be thinking of all this. Would they think I’m a sell-out for taking such a massive handout from Xander? Or, would they be proud of me for finding my feet and making a life for Levi and me—a stable environment and support for Levi to turn to? He’s been far steadier since Xander’s been around. Having a male role model is great for him.
“Okay, time for the big reveal. Are you ready, Tomi?” Xander asks, his tie still blocking my view.
I chuckle and sigh. “Yes, hurry up, or I’m gonna wet myself.”
Levi chortles as Xander slowly peels his tie away from my eyes.
I blink a few times as a loud, “Surprise!” booms through the studio. Everyone yells, making Levi block his ears instantly. I grimace, watching him, but he gives me a thumbs-up as I turn back to see Jana, Gigi, Skins, and Hogtie all standing in the middle of the most amazing studio I’ve ever seen.
It’s just like I had imagined—a reception area at the front with the cashier’s desk and a lounging area, all in dark colors and brickwork with gold accents. Then, as I stroll through further, there are separate zones all decked out with state-of-the-art equipment—reclining tattoo beds, brand-new roller workstations, and perfect lighting with the décor the same as the reception. Each zone is backed by a brick wall with white plaster running around the edges and gold furnishings. Then the back wall is black, giving the whole area a romantic warehouse vibe. It’s chic, stylish, and very upscale. I can’t help the rapture running through me right now. I want to jump up and down on the spot, but it’s not a good idea for someone in my condition.
I glance the wall over and see another area with a sign over the top that reads “Tanning Salon.” I giggle. “Oh my God, you remembered that?”
Xander tilts his head. “I remember everything you say. I wanted this place to be perfect for you.”
Shaking my head in awe, I start to reply, but Levi grabs my hand, pulling me through a little further. I giggle, following him. He’s been down here a ton of times with Xander helping him. Those two are near on inseparable now.
“Where are you taking me, Levi?”
“You’ll see.” He takes me further around the front of the reception area to where a tasteful mural is painted on the wall in the walk-in waiting area. Warmth floods through me as I admire the artwork—it’s so full of life and energy. I love it instantly.
Xander and everyone else walk around, watching me take it all in. I try to figure out what it all is, and then it hits me. It’s not just shapes and colors—it’s tastefully done so no one on the outside would know. My heart leaps into my throat as I realize that in the mass of colors and shapes are the faces of my parents and Kaylie. My hand slams up to my mouth to cover my sob at the memorial piece. Around the edges framing the piece are gorgeous cherry blossoms on branches in white but with bright pink centers and stamens. There are petals and flowers floating down into the piece as well. It’s so freaking beautiful, and with my hormones the way they are right now, I can’t hold myself together as fresh tears pool down my cheeks.
Levi cuddles into my side, and I hold onto him tight.
Xander moves in behind us, wrapping his arms around us both.
“We made it special for you, Tomi,” Xander whispers against my ear as he leans in, kissing just under it.
I sniffle, turn my head, and kiss his lips gently as I try to pull myself together. “You’re amazing,” I reply.
This place is far more than I could have ever imagined.
Xander has outdone himself.
I turn my head to my old colleagues, and I can’t help but beam. “So what does it mean?”
Skins fist pumps the air. “The old team is back together again, bitches!”
Everyone laughs as I glance at my stomach. “Well, I’m not sure how long I’m going to work before little Kaylie comes along, but Hogtie, you’ll run the fort for me while I’m gone?”
He dips his head. “You know I got you, Tomi.”
“But don’t worry, bubs and I will be in here all the time. I mean, I need to soak up this place for real.”
“Tomi, look at what Xander put in the mural,” Levi says, tugging on my arm.
I turn back to see a lion revealed in the artwork—hard to make out on its own, but when it’s pointed out, it is there for everyone to see. I love Xander thought of everything when creating this place. He’s put in an extreme effort, and I’m so glad I gave up my stubbornness and allowed him to create this dream for me and our family.
Levi suddenly spins around facing Xander. “You promised me a lion tattoo, Xander!”
My skin prickles as everyone laughs. I shake my head slowly as I steady my shoulders. “Oh no, no way.”
Xander softens his grip on me, turning to face me slightly more with a pouty expression. “The first tattoo should be done by the best tattoo artist here.”
My crew all cheer along with this insanity as I sink in on myself. I guess if Xander is willing to let Levi scratch something into his skin, then it’s his pain, not mine.
“Fine, fuck it.”
Levi’s eyes light up as Xander grabs Levi around his shoulders like they’ve been waiting for this day in like forever. I’ve never seen them both as happy as they are right now. Jana, Gigi, Hogtie, and Skins go about prepping a station for Levi to work from. I groan, walking with Xander and Levi over to what will be my station as Xander lays down on the bed.
“Where do you want it?” Levi asks.
Xander beams at Levi. “On my left pec, just above my heart.”
My heart dances a little at the idea that he wants something of Levi this close to his heart. Goddamn, Xander’s such a good guy. I’m so lucky. To think how much I hated his alter ego all that time ago, I’m glad I swallowed my pride and gave him the chance to set the record straight.
Levi and I sit beside Xander as he pulls off his tank top. He’s still a marvel. It makes me wonder if Levi’s about to ruin his amazing chest.
I grimace, glancing down at Xander’s happy face. “Is this a good idea?”
“Yes,” Xander replies. “You draw the lion on freehand, and he can tattoo it for me. A piece of both of you. Yeah?”
I fill with warmth at the gesture as I glance at Levi to make sure he’s okay with this arrangement. He nods, so I pick up a Sharpie and start to draw the head of a roaring lion. It’s small, so it fits in with the rest of his artwork. It is not overly detailed, but it is enough to get the idea.
Hogtie brings over the workstation with everything we need. As I glance at Levi, excitement is oozing through him.
“You okay to do this? I can take over at any time.”
Levi scoffs as he professionally pulls the gloves on while I walk him through the process of how to do his first tattoo. He listens intently, taking in every detail. Then, he slowly moves the machine onto Xander’s skin.
“You ready?” Levi asks.
“Go for it, buddy,” Xander states.
Levi kicks the machine into gear, sending the vibration through his hand. Levi’s eyes widen, as if he’s going to chicken out, but he leans down, pressing the machine into Xander’s skin. The black ink seeps out instantly.
“Okay, you’re going in too deep, not so hard, or you’ll do a scratch job. But then not so light, or you’ll blow out. You want to be like Goldilocks, just right.”
Levi corrects himself as I wipe away the ink and blood after his lines. They’re wonky and splotchy, but he’s doing all right for his first go while Xander takes this like a champ. So, I take his hand with my free one as I sit next to Levi. It’s like the four of us—Levi, Xander, peanut, and me—are all here together.
One happy family.
“How are you doing, Xander?” Levi asks like he’s a consummate professional as he draws another line.
“I’m doing just fine. This was a great idea. I needed something from you to bond us together as true brothers.”
Levi stops tattooing while he beams at Xander. “Yeah, we’re brothers!” Levi almost yells in delight.
My heart thumps harder. Xander winks at me. I grip his hand tighter, giving him a thank you.
Everyone surrounds us, watching my brother tattoo my partner as Xander reaches his free hand into his pocket. “While I have you both here, in this place, doing something we all love…” He pulls out a ring box.
Levi stops tattooing. His eyes open wide as he giggles excitedly.
My stomach falls through the floor as I gasp.
“Tomika Beaufort, my life changed the day I walked into Hope & Faith Ink. The name not only suited your life but our story.” Giddy butterflies dance inside my stomach. “I needed hope that you would see past my name, that you would understand the negative that came with it, and that you saw the good in me through all the bad.”
I tighten my hand in his squeezing it, letting him know I see him for him.
“I had faith that you would come back to me, and we could have the most beautiful of lives together. You, me, and Levi. Now we have Kaylie as well, and I can’t wait to meet her. A piece of you, a piece of me. My life is complete having all of you in it.”
Tears well as my heart pounds hard.
“Tomi, I can’t imagine waking up a day without you by my side. Every morning is brighter with you in it, and I need every morning to start with you by my side.” He lets my hand go and opens the ring box to show me a beautiful white-gold band encrusted with diamonds. A giant ruby sits on top with a halo of diamonds around it. The ring is so unique, out of the ordinary, and totally me that it makes me speechless.
“So, will you do me the utmost honor of marrying me?”
My eyes well so much, I can’t control them as they burst into tears, excitement bubbling through me as I bounce on the spot. “Shit, I shouldn’t bounce, my bladder’s not what it used to be.”
He bursts out laughing as he continues holding the ring, then he slowly slides it onto my finger. “So, you’re my girl?” he asks.
I squeal a little. “I’m your girl. Yes !”
Levi cheers as the rest of the studio celebrates along with us. I lean down with my belly protruding, as I kiss my fiancé with my baby on the way, and my brother sitting next to us, happy as can be.
Life is great.
I didn’t think I’d ever say that when it came to Alexander Scott—the man who I assumed initiated the shutdown of Hope & Faith Ink.
I was wrong.
So wrong.