Epilogue
EPILOGUE
TORE
Three years later
“Tore Haakon!”
I walked onto the stage in my gown and cap, proudly sporting the summa cum laude stole, as thunderous applause broke out. The loudest of all was Farron, sitting in the first row, right next to my parents and sisters and, of course, his mom and siblings. They’d all shown up for my graduation ceremony.
“Tore is graduating summa cum laude. He’ll be pursuing his master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Oslo. He also holds the honor of being the all-time top scorer for the Hawley Hawks, leading them to their third national title in as many years in his second year as team captain,” the dean announced, his last words drowned out by a standing ovation.
I proudly accepted my diploma as I shook the dean’s hand, posing for the photographer. As soon as I was off the stage, Farron was there to congratulate me, kissing me in front of everyone. That picture would make the news in Norway and perhaps the US, but neither of us cared. In the almost three years we’d officially been together, we’d learned to navigate the press.
“I’m so proud of you,” Farron said once the ceremony was over and I’d shaken a thousand hands. Well, it might not’ve been quite that many, but it sure felt like it.
“Thank you.” I kissed him quickly. “Are you ready for our next adventure?”
“ Ja, jeg er klar .”
I grinned. “Your Norwegian is coming along nicely.”
He rolled his eyes. “My pronunciation is horrible, and you know it, but I’ll keep trying.”
“ Jeg elsker deg .”
His expression softened. “I love you too.”
It was the first sentence I’d taught him, and one he said often. As reluctant as he’d been about us initially, he now expressed his love for me every chance he got.
Farron had changed. He’d shed some of his gruffness and the chip on his shoulder was gone. He’d never become a sunshine like me, but that was fine. He’d found peace, and that was all that mattered.
After Farron and I made up and decided to be boyfriends officially, I’d decided to go back to Hawley and finish my degree. One reason was that Farron, who’d taken a job as a fitness trainer at a gym, would be there since he wasn’t ready to leave his siblings behind yet. But I’d also wanted to keep playing with the Hawks. The sense of belonging I’d felt there was special, and it had only grown stronger after I’d been voted team captain my junior year.
My identity had been a bit of a public secret on campus. Every now and then, I’d get some remarks—some positive, some critical—but overall, people left me alone and accepted me as Tore Haakon rather than Prince Tore.
But now that I’d graduated, we had decided to spend at least two years in Norway. Farron’s siblings would miss him, but I’d already promised they could come visit any time they wanted. Farron wanted to get to know my country—his future country as well because he’d get a Norwegian passport once we got married. The man needed to ask me first officially, but we both knew we wanted that down the line. My coming out had made the news in Europe, but it hadn’t been a big issue. Thank goodness times had changed in that sense.
Farron had been terrified of how my fellow citizens would feel about him, especially since he didn’t know much about Norway, but I’d assured him they’d love him. And, of course, we hadn’t announced anything until after he’d gotten a crash course on our country, culture, and history and had started learning the language. A natural he wasn’t, but people appreciated his efforts.
And my parents—a little apprehensive at first because he was an American—had come to love him as well. When my mom found out he’d supported his family all those years, she’d embraced him as her future son-in-law. My father had taken a little longer, but in the end, Farron’s dedication to me had won him over.
As for my friends… well, they loved him. Of course, Nils, Floris, and Greg had given me endless grief for not only coming out as bi—both Greg and Floris had made some comments about being disappointed I hadn’t been bicurious with them, the fuckers—but also for ending up with a Yank. But once they met him, they loved him.
Then again, those three had met some fascinating people themselves since then, so I’d been able to return the favor and tease them mercilessly… but that was not my story to tell.
I studied Farron as he stood there, one arm around Rowan—who was about to graduate from high school—and one arm around Calista. He was such a good brother to them. Would he want to have kids in the future? I could so easily see him as a dad, teaching our kids how to play football and dressing them in cute little football jerseys—Manchester City, obviously.
I wasn’t sure where my journey with Farron would lead, but it didn’t matter. Whether we ended up in Norway, the US, or even somewhere else, we’d be together, and in the end, that was all that mattered.
As long as I had Farron by my side, I had everything I needed for my happily ever after.