Epilogue
EPILOGUE
HARLOW
There months later
“You have made Sterling so happy, Harlow,” Sterling’s mother says, grasping my hands tightly in hers as we sit on the steps of Sydney Opera House. “Thank you for seeing him the way I do.”
“He’s everything to me,” I reassure her, the late evening sun warming our skin as we wait for Sterling to join us. He’s taking a photograph of the sun setting across the harbour, and I can’t help but notice how handsome he looks in his loose slacks and t-shirt, his hair tousled by the warm evening breeze. Today is the final day we get to spend together before Sterling and I head home to Adaga Hall, and his mother travels on to New Zealand for the next part of her trip. There’s a bittersweet tinge to the air that settles around us both. Sterling and I will miss spending time with Clara, and I know she feels the same way too.
“I always knew he’d find his way, that he’d find someone who will love him as much as I do. I’m just terribly sorry for how things worked out with his father…” Her voice trails off as her eyes mist with tears.
“I’m so sorry, Clara. For everything,” I whisper.
“Don’t be. What Robert did was unforgivable. I’m not sad about his death, despite once upon a time loving him. The world is a better place without Robert in it. More importantly, my son is the best version of himself now, and that has so much to do with you, Harlow,” she reassures me. “I have waited a long time to see the light in his eyes shine as brightly as it does now. Before you, I saw so much sadness still harboured in his heart, a sadness his father put there, but you filled them with light and I will be forever grateful to you for that.”
“Oh, Clara,” I cry, pulling her in for a hug.
“Should I be concerned?” Sterling asks aswe pull apart, swiping at our eyes.
Clara gives him a wavering smile. “Not at all, we were just righting the wrongs of the world, as women tend to do.”
He nods, laughing. “Okay.”
“Shall we head to the restaurant then? I think our table is booked for seven, is it not?” Clara asks, moving to stand.
Sterling takes her hand in his, helping Clara up. “There’s something I wanted to do first. Mum, would you mind taking a photo of me and Harlow,” he asks, handing her the camera. “I’d think it’d make a great picture with the sun setting behind the opera house.”
“Of course, darling,” she replies as he drops to his knees a couple of steps below me.
“Don’t you think you should be facing that way?” I ask, motioning towards his mother who’s currently pointing the camera at his back.
“Actually, I think this is the perfect position,” he replies, grinning at me as he reaches for something tucked into his back pocket.
“What are you…?” But my voice trails off as my eyes widen at the small velvet box cupped in his hand. “No way,” I gasp.
“I haven’t even asked the question yet and you’re already telling me no?” he laughs, not at all put off by comment. “I guess proposing to you on the steps of the Sydney Opera House with that beautiful sunset as a backdrop, was a bust then.”
He moves to stand, but I grab his arm. “Don’t you dare!” I warn playfully.
“Ask you to marry me, or leave?” he retorts with a chuckle.
“Oh my God, Sterling, stop teasing me,” I reply, my eyes filling with tears as Clara snaps photo after photo, capturing the joyous moment.
“Yes, stop teasing her, Sterling,” Clara says, her own voice light with happiness.
“Okay fine,” he retorts, throwing a smile over his shoulder before turning back to face me. “Harlow,” he begins, snapping open the lid of the box to reveal a stunning berry red ruby nestled between two sparkling diamonds set on a platinum ring.
“Yes?” I squeak, barely able to suppress my joy as I lift my gaze to meet his.
He blows out a short breath, nerves briefly flickering across his features before he reaches for the ring and pulls it out of the box. “Harlow, from the moment I laid eyes on you I knew you were mine. The colours your voice conjured may have drawn me to you, but it’s you I love. I see you, every beautiful part. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
A few people milling around stop to stare, and I feel my cheeks heat from their attention. It takes me a moment to answer and Sterling pulls a face.
“I didn’t think it would be this hard for you to make a decision,” he says, holding back a laugh. “What do you say, Harlow? Will you spend the rest of your life making me the happiest man alive?”
“Yes!” I finally reply, throwing my arms around him and almost sending us both flying down the steps. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you!”
The people around us cheer and clap, and when we finally break apart, Clara is quietly swiping more tears from her cheeks.
“Oh thank fuck,” Sterling grins. “Would’ve been bloody embarrassing if you’d said no. Not that I would’ve taken no for an answer, that is.”
“Oh yeah? What would you have done if I had said no?” I ask, as Sterling slips the beautiful ring on my finger, and presses his lips against my ear.
“I would’ve taken you back to the hotel and fucked you until you said, yes, yes, yes!”
I can’t help it, I laugh.
“Then it’s just as well I did say yes, because we have dinner reservations and I’m starving,” I reply, and as we walk towards the restaurant, hand in hand, I feel this overwhelming sense of happiness and peace settling into my heart knowing that I will forever be his little poet , and he in turn will always be my very own work of art .
THE END