Epilogue
My skull pendant presses against my sweaty palm as I clutch it. The corridor outside the conference room feels like it's closing in on me, the fluorescent lights harsh against my eyes. Years of research, countless sleepless nights, and endless cups of coffee have led to this moment.
"Breathe, Liv," Megan says. "I know you absolutely crushed it in there."
I offer a forced smile as I continue pacing.
"Seriously, Liv, you're going to wear a hole in the floor," Megan says, reaching out to grab my arm. "Come sit down. You're making me dizzy."
I let her guide me to the bench, but I can't keep still. My leg bounces uncontrollably, and I twist the skull pendant on my necklace between my fingers.
"What if they hated it?" I say, voicing the fear that's been gnawing at me since I left the room. "What if it was all for nothing?"
Megan squeezes my hand. "Stop it. Your dissertation was brilliant, and you defended it fantastically, I'm sure," she says, turning to me, "Look, we practiced. It's great. You know it, I know it, and those stuffy professors in there know it too."
I try to smile, but it feels more like a grimace. "Easy for you to say, Dr. Walker. You've already got your PhD in the bag."
"And you will too, in about five minutes," Megan says confidently. "Now, take a deep breath before you hyperventilate."
"What if they hate it?" I say, my voice cracking. "What if—"
"If you say 'what if' one more time, I swear to God," Megan threatens playfully, but her grip on my hand tightens.
"You should have seen Dr. Harrison's face when I discussed the parallels between Victorian ghost stories and modern true crime. It was like I was fucking speaking Greek to him."
"Oh. My. God. Stop. Dr. Harrison always looks like he has no idea what's going on. You're good, Liv. No revisions. PhD. Dr. Falcone – or should I say Dr. Bonventi – full stop."
I laugh despite myself, remembering Enzo's promise this morning. He'd kissed me deeply and said, "Today you become Dr. Bonventi, cara mia." The memory of his confidence in me helps steady my breathing.
"God, my hands won't stop shaking," I mutter, watching my fingers tremble. "It's not fair, is it? All these years of my life being judged by five people who—"
The conference room door opens, and Dr. Hawkins steps out. His face is unreadable, and my heart stops.
"Livia, there was some debate about a few points, but," he says and trails off. My heart leaps into my throat, and Megan squeezes my hand so hard it almost hurts.
"In short, Ms. Falcone, we are pleased to inform you that you have successfully defended your dissertation. Congratulations, Doctor."
My heart races as Dr. Hawkins's words sink in. I've done it. I'm a doctor. Megan squeals and throws her arms around me, nearly knocking me off balance.
"I told you! I told you!" she shouts, her voice echoing down the hallway.
I can't speak. My throat is tight, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Years of work, of doubt, of late nights and early mornings – it's all led to this moment. I clutch my skull pendant, feeling its familiar weight in my palm.
"Thank you, Dr. Hawkins, for everything."
"No need. You did all the work. You earned this. Now, go celebrate, and I'll see you at the ceremony."
"Come on!" Megan grabs my hand, pulling me down the hallway. "Let's get out of here before they change their minds!"
Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself laughing as we half-run, half-dance down the corridor.
"We did it!" I scream, not caring who hears. "We fucking did it!"
Megan's dancing beside me, her blonde hair flying as she spins. "We’re doctors, bitches!"
We're acting like complete idiots, but I don't care. Years of stress and anxiety are pouring out of me in waves of pure joy.
"I can't believe it's over," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "All those years..."
"I know," Megan says. "But we did it. We're officially badasses now."
"Uh, hell yeah, we are."
We burst through the heavy doors into the bright afternoon sun, and I can't contain myself. I throw my head back and let out a scream of victory that's been building for years.
"WE FUCKING DID IT!"
A sharp intake of breath makes me snap my head forward. Enzo's standing there, looking absolutely terrified, his hand actually on his concealed weapon. When he realizes there's no threat, just his overexcited fiancée losing her mind, his face transforms into pure joy.
He crosses the distance between us in three long strides, catching me up in his arms. His lips crash into mine, and I taste his chewing gum and feel the proud rumble in his chest.
"Congratulations, Dr. Bonventi," he says against my mouth. "I never doubted you for a second."
"Oh god, you two," Megan says, mocking us, "Get a room already."
Enzo smiles, "And congratulations to you, too, Megan."
It was nice to see Enzo and Megan getting along. Enzo came with me to LA two weeks ago so Megan and I could practice defending our PhDs to each other, and she and Enzo got along well. She approves of him and was overly excited when I asked her to be in my wedding.
I'm still reeling from the excitement of passing my defense when I spot a familiar face in the crowd. My heart drops.
"Gabriel?" I call out, hardly believing my eyes.
My brother turns, a broad smile lighting up his face. He's standing next to a pregnant woman I don't recognize, her hand tucked into the crook of his arm.
They approach me. "Congratulations, Dr!" Gabriel says.
He catches me in a bear hug, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around like he used to when we were kids.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, breathless with joy and surprise. "I thought we were meeting in Sicily."
Gabriel sets me down, his hands on my shoulders. "And miss one of my sister's most important days? Not a chance."
I feel tears pricking at my eyes again. Despite our complicated history, despite everything that's happened, Gabriel is here. My big brother, who protected me fiercely when we were young, is standing here for me today.
"I can't believe you're here," I whisper, hugging him tightly again.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world, Liv," he says.
As we pull apart, I notice the woman standing beside him, watching our reunion with a soft smile and her hand resting on her belly. She's beautiful, with striking eyes and an air of quiet strength about her.
Gabriel clears his throat. "Livia, I'd like you to meet Anna. Anna, this is my sister, Livia."
Anna steps forward, her hand outstretched. "It's so wonderful to finally meet you, Livia. Gabriel's told me so much about you."
I take her hand, feeling a bit dazed. "It's great to meet you too, Anna. I didn't know Gabriel was seeing…I’m sorry are your pregnant?”
Anna laughs. "It's all a relatively new development. We were hoping to surprise you in Sicily, but Gabriel couldn't resist coming to see you graduate."
I turn to Gabriel, eyebrows raised. "We'll talk about this later."
Gabriel nods as Megan approaches.
"Excuse me, hi, Gabriel. Sorry," she says, and turns to me, "Holy shit. Who is that?"
I turn to follow her gaze and see Marco walking towards us, looking impeccable as always in his perfectly tailored suit. A smirk plays on his lips, always working the crowd.
"That's Marco," I say. "Enzo's brother."
Megan smooths her hair, her cheeks flushing. "He's coming this way. How do I look?"
Before I can answer, Marco reaches us. He nods to Enzo and Gabriel before turning his attention to me.
"Congratulations, Dr. Falcone," he says, his voice smooth. "Or should I say, soon-to-be Dr. Bonventi?"
I laugh, feeling a rush of pride at hearing my new title. "Thank you, Marco. I'm glad you could make it."
Marco's eyes flick to Megan, who's trying (and failing) to look nonchalant. "And who might this lovely lady be?"
I grin, sensing the spark of interest. "This is my best friend, Dr. Megan Walker. She just defended her dissertation too."
Marco takes Megan's hand and, bringing it to his lips, gives it a gentle kiss. "Enchanted to meet you, Dr. Walker. Marco Bonventi, at your service."
Megan giggles – actually giggles – and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. On one hand, I've never seen her so flustered, and on the other, it's always entertaining to watch Marco switch on his political charm.
"It's great to meet you too," she says, her voice a little breathier than usual. "Are you coming to Sicily for the wedding?"
Marco's eyes light up. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Perhaps we'll have a chance to get better acquainted there?"
Megan nods enthusiastically. "I'd like that."
Enzo clears his throat, breaking the moment. "As much as I hate to interrupt the Mayor, we need to get going. Our flight to Sicily leaves in two hours, and we still need to pick up our luggage from the hotel."
Reality crashes back in. In just a few hours, we'll be on our way to Sicily for our wedding. My stomach does a flip of excitement and nerves.
"Right," I say, trying to collect myself. "Let's go."
At the hotel, it's a whirlwind of activity as we grab our bags and check out. Before I know it, we're at a private airfield, climbing the steps to Enzo's jet.
As I settle into a plush leather seat, Enzo sits beside me, taking my hand. "Are you ready for this?"
I look around at our little group – Gabriel and Anna talking quietly in one corner, Marco and Megan flirting shamelessly in another. Then I look back at Enzo, his eyes full of love and promise.
"I'm ready," I say, and I mean it with every fiber of my being.
After the jet takes off and levels out, Enzo pulls out a bottle of champagne. "I think this calls for a celebration," he says, popping the cork.
Megan gives me a look and then smiles, raising her glass. "To the future Mr. and Mrs. Bonventi!"
"To new beginnings," Gabriel adds, his arm around Anna.
"To unexpected love," Marco chimes in, his eyes locked with Megan's.
Enzo turns to me, his glass raised. "To us, cara — wait, Livia doesn't have a glass."
I smile, turning red.