Epilogue - Forever
Eight months later
Dex
It’s the twentieth of August today and it’s finally Leon’s birthday again.
We’ve been dating for a little over a year now.
It’s actually been exactly one year and twelve days since Leon took me on the first park date and we decided to count that as our anniversary, despite not actually having the exclusivity talk until a few days later.
Like most things these days, we’re both on the same page and are counting that as our first date, since it kinda ended in our first kiss as well, even if it was just a brush of the lips.
We had our one-year anniversary celebration last week and we made sure to really celebrate the whole night.
I don’t think he realized what he was saying when he let it slip a couple of months ago that his last birthday was his best yet and the only way to top it would be for me to ask him to marry me.
He was joking, but little did he know I had already bought the ring months before and had been hiding it at work, trying to come up with the perfect day to pop the question.
It was initially meant to be on our one-year anniversary, but then he mentioned the birthday thing and everything clicked in place.
Since Leon is such a family guy, we could do his birthday and the proposal with all his loved ones there, while our anniversary would be just for the two of us.
It was back on Christmas Eve, after we had the best day and afternoon cuddled up together, that I got the measuring tape out when he was asleep and sneakily got his ring size.
The ring itself was custom-ordered from a jeweler who had amazing reviews.
The band is platinum, with a thick line of onyx stone running throughout the whole length of the ring, topped with one small blue topaz stone.
I kid you not, I managed to take a really great photo of Leon’s face, enhanced it on his eyes and took it to the jeweller to get the exact color match.
The ring arrived weeks later and I couldn’t stop staring at it when I should have been working.
I also couldn’t stop getting hard imagining Leon with my ring on his finger, so I locked it tight in the back of the drawer and only pulled it out again yesterday.
As I walk to Bean There with the ring in my pocket, I go through the mental checklist to ensure everything is ready for the proposal.
All of Leon’s family and our mutual friends who are available today should make it down within the hour, since they’re all in on the surprise.
Leon will think it’s a surprise birthday party, after which I’ll show him the real surprise.
Lacey is also still in America since I told her about my plan before her trip and she decided to extend her visit so she could be here for the main event.
I’m meeting her early at the cafe to decorate.
The owners were very happy to hear about my plans since they already loved Leon.
Not that anyone couldn’t love my unicorn.
They agreed to let us rent out the full place for one afternoon.
Lacey is already there and has started decorating by the time I make my way inside.
The theme is (surprise, surprise) flowers.
Specifically, different varieties of lilies, since he has that one which is his most prized baby.
I sure hope that changes when we have actual kids.
We got everyone flower garlands to hang around their necks and the cafe owners made the cake in the shape of a water lily.
“Dex!” Lacey yells as I walk in. “Come help with this banner.” I see her haphazardly balancing on a chair, trying to pin the banner to one side.
We manage to pin it in place and I go around checking all the arrangements.
The champagne is chilling and the caterers have dropped off the food trays with the mini stake and egg bites on potato waffles, mini burgers and trout cakes.
I’m pulling all the stops for my unicorn and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.
Dexter from a year ago would have been completely lost trying to organize something like this, but Leon taught me how to be a true romantic.
Turns out, it doesn’t take much more than listening to the other person when they’re telling you what they like.
Who would have thought it was that simple?
I make my way back to Lacey just as she finishes putting the tiny boxes containing party favors on the tables for the guests.
“Looks so good, Lacey! I feel like I haven’t done much since I got here. You had everything pretty much sorted.”
“How can you say that?” Lacey asks with a gasp. “You thought of everything, Dexter. All these ideas are yours. I just put on some banners and some boxes on the tables.”
I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment. I’m not very good with compliments when they’re given so lovingly. Compliments about my work or my body, sure. But this is uncharted territory.
“It’s just some of the stuff he likes, it wasn’t anything difficult. But thank you.” I say sincerely.
“It’s everything. I love how I can see Leon in every little corner of this place. I’m so glad it’s you and not Jen.” She says firmly and completely outta left field as well.
“Way to bring the mood down.” I tell her jokingly.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” She explains.
“I was just thinking about the last time I was in the country for Leon’s birthday three years ago and he was celebrating at his parents’ house.
She got him a designer belt, Dex. Since when does Leon care about designer anything?
They had been dating for a while as well, she had no excuse.
” She puffs at the end in indignation. This is why I love Lacey, a very smart woman indeed.
“That’s true, Leon couldn’t care less about designer stuff.” I say with a laugh.
“Exactly my point. You are so much better for him, in every way and shape possible. I’m happy for you guys.”
“Thank you so much.” I tell her and pull her in a hug, just as the front door opens and Leon’s cousin Carter walks in. He’s the friendliest guy in the world, a bit oddly shaped, but extremely charming. He’s been working with Kaylee for a while now, but I understand that he’s moving on soon.
“Hi gang!” He says as he makes his way over. “Place looks great.”
“Thanks.” Lacey and I say in unison, then fall into easy laughter.
“ETA for everyone is about ten minutes and Ryan should bring Leon over in about twenty.” Carter tells me.
“Apparently, Leon has been bitching to Ryan for the past hour to cut their friends-only birthday activities short, so he could go back to you. Ryan has had his work cut out for him keeping Leon away from this place.”
My chest swells with pride and joy at hearing this.
I’m happy for Leon to hang out with his friend, but I’m happier to hear that he never wants to be away from me for long.
Carter goes back to texting away, being the organizational wizard that he is.
He’s in charge of all the planning the family does, group chats, events, trips, you name it.
He’s been a massive help in getting everyone here for the proposal.
More of Leon’s family and our friends filter in steadily until it’s five minutes left on the countdown. Everyone hides as best as they can while Carter turns off the lights. Only a few minutes pass until I hear the sound of the door opening and Ryan’s voice reaches me first.
“I’m telling you it’s open.”
“It’s never open after three. And all the lights are off. They probably forgot to lock it.” Leon pipes up from behind.
“SURPRISE!” Everyone yells as they pop up from their hiding places when Carter turns the lights back on. I see Leon’s stunned face, mouth gaping wide before it turns into a smile so huge it looks like it goes from ear to ear.
“You guys!” He says as he lovingly punches Ryan in the shoulder. “For once, I’m happy to be surprised. Holy shit, this looks amazing!”
He’s immediately blanketed with hugs from people on every side, so I take the chance to move swiftly behind him, pull the little box from my pocket and drop to one knee.
Leon takes long seconds to hug everyone and tell them individually how happy he is to see them, until he scans the room and asks, “Where’s Dex?”, before turning and spotting me behind him on one knee, ring box open in my hand.
I see his bottom lip quiver before he pulls it between his teeth. A second later, I hear him say “Yes!” loudly.
Laughter erupts throughout the room and I let out a small chuckle at his impatience. “I haven’t asked yet.” I tell him between laughs.
“You don’t have to.” He replies with a giant smile.
“What if I want to?” I ask instead.
“Ok, ask.”
“Will you marry me?” I finally manage to get the question out.
“Yes.” He says again as he drops to his knees and takes my mouth in a hard kiss. I can hear cheers going all around me.
“Will you be my husband for the rest of my life?” I whisper in his ear as he hugs me in the familiar way I love.
“Forever.”