Epilogue
Drayton
“Wait, wait!” My hand flew up. “Before we start, everyone quiet. I have two toasts. The first.” I held the microphone in one hand, gesturing with my glass to Belinda with the other.
“Homeland was a success. Bigger than we could have hoped, but it was only the beginning.” I gestured across the room. “Ethan O’Brien, do you want to stand?”
Screams and chants fill the large, dim room, and I watched Marian laugh as she rocked her shoulder into Quinton’s. He pointed to Ethan and his wife, putting his fingers to his mouth to let out a loud whistle.
“Tonight, we not only celebrate Homeland’s success, but I hear there will be another announcement soon about a pair of our favorites, Mr. Heartthrob, himself, pairing up with his new leading costar…” Belinda started fanning her tear-filled eyes as she laughed.
“Really? Did I get the part?” She screamed. “I got it?!”
“You got it.” The roar of cheers and excitement had me laughing. “So let us take a drink to a great pair; to great friends.” I looked over to Marian. “And another toast to my amazingly beautiful wife, who shouldn’t be here tonight, but who I couldn’t tell no.”
Laughs and cheers went up again, and I drank my soda, handing the mic over to jog down to return to my booth with Marian and Quinton.
The lights dimmed even more, and surround sound filled the space as the beginning of the movie started.
I scooted over, immediately wrapping my arm around Marian, pulling her in to kiss me.
My hand flattened over the slight rounding of her stomach, and it only had me kissing her deeper.
“We can go whenever you’re ready. You’re supposed to be on bedrest. They’re lucky I even attended. We didn’t have to.”
“Of course we did. Besides, I’m tired of bed. I’ve been there since we found out I was pregnant four-and-a-half months ago. I needed this. I’ve missed it.”
“Yeah? You’ve taken to this lifestyle better than I thought. I was sure you would hate this.”
“Hate this? Hate building a life with you? Drayton… you’re all I’ve ever wanted. From the first time I saw you, I knew you were the one.”
I moved in closer, feeling that familiar pounding in my chest. I stared into Marian’s eyes… searching. Needing. Craving that mystery that kept drawing me back.
“I love you.”
“I love you too. And I’m glad you came for me in Miami. And that you forgave me for what happened.”
“How could I not? We all saw the evidence of what your mother did. Me, my parents, my entire family. We watched it with Elec as he explained. There was no forgiveness, Marian, only regret that I didn’t fight harder to uncover the truth, myself.
God… the moment I saw what your mother did, I scrambled to find out where you were.
Elec said he already had made contact with you.
That you were in Miami at a book signing with Jenn.
” My forehead rested down against hers. “I couldn’t get there fast enough.
And when you saw me… You left Bastian to run away with me.
You came back still mine. Still with the same love for me that I had for you.
You dismissed Elliot. You left your old life behind to live one with me. ”
“And I wouldn’t change anything. Fate,” she whispered, pressing her lips to mine again.
“Fate.”
Marian turned to the movie, resting her head on my chest as it played out on the large projector screen that filled the back of my club.
People laughed. Some cried. I barely even paid attention as I focused on the gratefulness I clung to.
When Marian’s weight increased and her breathing slowed, I knew it was my perfect escape.
I tapped Quinton’s shoulder. He looked down, nodding as he slid from the booth.
I lifted Marian, holding to her as I eased out and stood.
Quinton stayed at my back while I headed through the club, giving nods and smiles.
As I waited for the car to come around, I felt Marian stir.
“Is it over already?”
I laughed, watching as Quinton headed to await our ride.
“It’s over for us. It’s time to go home.”
“Home.” She snuggled in. “My favorite place.”
“You’re my favorite place. As long as we’re together, that’s the only thing I care about.”
Marian’s hand settled on my cheek, and my breath caught as her eyes stole me away.
The blissful sensation sucked me down like a drug, and I let it.
The addicting adrenaline that hit wrapped around me, feeding me a dose of love so intense, I couldn’t help but lift her closer to my face.
I loved her. I loved her. She was mine. Forever.
No… I was The Devil… for eternity. Mine to have. To hold and take care of. To…protect.
“We’re going to go home, and you’re going to tell me this again.
You’re going to show me just how much I mean to you.
You’re going to talk to our little Hanna until we fall asleep, and you’ll dream of me and our little girl, and you’ll protect us even there.
It’s only us. We’re your world, and you’ll do what you must to guard it. ”
“Yes.” I blinked, processing the words, coveting how she made me feel.
Fate. That’s all this feeling was. That was the intensity I felt.
Marian was meant for me. She said so every day.
I felt strongly because of our second chance.
I thought I lost her. Now, I’d spend every day from here on out making up for it.
She was my future, the mother of my child, and in the deepest parts of me, I knew I had to protect that, no matter the cost.
The End