Epilogue.
SIX YEARS LATER
I watched as Raine paced the length of the dressing room for the tenth time in a row.
I knew she was nervous, even though there was no reason to be.
For the last five years, she’d been working hard and making a name for herself in this industry.
She’d not only performed with me, but she’d gone on to be cast in musicals and hired as a choreographer for other big-name artists.
Last year, she also released her debut album, something that neither of us saw coming.
But when I heard her sing for the first time, I knew that she was even more talented than I’d ever imagined.
I wasn’t wrong when I said that she was a Siren through and through.
From her moves to her voice, to the way she carried herself, she was ethereally alluring in the best way.
Actually, she was hesitant to let the world know she could sing at first, mainly because she wanted to keep focusing on her dancing.
But after a few late-night talks where she had a few mini anxiety attacks, I assured her that whatever she wanted to do, I would be there by her side, supporting her always.
She continuously thanked me, and when she finally decided to release a small EP, Sammie and I helped her write and produce every track.
Then, when it was time to make visuals to promote it, she was back in her element, finding joy in creating moves for her own music.
It was a beautiful thing to witness, and her fans ate it up.
Even to this day, they still ask if she’d release another album, but she announced that she wasn’t sure, but that she’d enjoyed it.
“Maybe one day in the future,” she’d said in an interview. “I just wanted to try something new, but my priority has always been dancing and furthering my career that way. I’ll leave the singing to my wife.”
Yes, you heard me right!
Her wife!
About two years after we got engaged, we finally got married.
With life and work being busy for both of us, we had to push back the wedding a few times, but when we finally had it, it was nothing short of magical.
It was a destination wedding, and although we tried to keep it as private as we could, pictures still ended up all over social media and on popular entertainment news sites.
But we didn’t mind. All we cared about was that we were officially Mrs. and Mrs. Williamson.
We’d decided to combine our names, and I loved it.
It had a nice ring to it, huh?
Speaking of rings, a couple of months ago, Raine and I received an invitation to the wedding of none other than Trelyn.
We were shocked, mostly because neither of us had seen or heard from her since that night on tour all those years ago.
She hadn’t been in the spotlight much after being dropped from Lighthouse, and we hadn’t crossed paths at award shows or events.
It was almost as if she’d fallen off the face of the earth.
We were hesitant at first, but curiosity got the better of us, and we decided to go anyway.
It turned out to be a beautiful ceremony with Trelyn marrying a woman named Adelaide.
During the reception, she found us and pulled us in for a hug as if we were long-lost friends.
It was definitely awkward as hell, but then we spent the next couple of hours talking, and she apologized for the way she’d acted in the past. She let us know that a lot of it stemmed from unhealed trauma and jealousy, but losing her job made her realize just how far she’d taken things.
So, after a couple of months of sulking, she met Adelaide, and for the first time in forever, she made her feel like life was worth fighting for.
We listened as she explained how meeting her was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Apparently, she’d left the spotlight not long after and focused on becoming a dance teacher instead.
Everything had worked out, and I was honestly happy for her.
Even Raine agreed that she was relieved to know that she had changed her ways for the better.
Yeah, life was good for both of us, and we’ve been taking it one day at a time, experiencing new things together and welcoming the love and lives we always wanted.
We even got to star in a film together a year ago.
It was a short, indie film that Esmé produced and directed.
The script was beautiful, and it incorporated both thriller and rom-com elements, which was perfect for us.
And I think it also got nominated for an award at the local film fest that was taking place later this year. I was so happy for Esmé, Raine, and me.
“I’m so nervous right now that I think I’m going to throw the fuck up,” Raine whined, pulling my attention back to her. I stood from my spot on the sofa and quickly closed the space between us.
“Raine, my love, you truly have nothing to be nervous about,” I say as she melts into my embrace. “Everyone is here today because they love you and are excited to see you take this next step.”
“I know. I know,” she sighs. “It’s just such an out-of-body feeling, you know?
Not even six years ago, I was confused about what I wanted to do, my family life was a mess, and I was just lost. So much has changed since then, and I still can’t believe it’s really real.
I know I deserve this because I’ve been working so hard, but still. ”
“There’s no need to add a ‘but’ to everything, sweetheart. It’s as simple as you said. You worked your ass off, and now it’s all paying off. This studio is your baby, and its grand opening has been a long time coming,” I smile at her. “You did this, love, and I’m so damn proud of you.”
“Thank you, Dawn,” she sighed, hugging me tightly. “Thank you so much.”
“It’s nothing,” I nod. “Now, let’s go out there and welcome everyone to your dream.” I take her hand in mine and smile. “Are you ready?”
“Yes. Yes, I am.
I kiss her once more before guiding her out of the room and down a short hallway.
The crowd of people in the distance could be heard, no doubt anticipating the ribbon-cutting of Raine’s new dance studio.
She’d be hosting dance classes for people of all ages and experience levels, and starting a dance team for high school-aged kids.
She’s gotten so many pre-registrations already that she had to add one more class a week. Further proof of my baby’s success.
“And without further ado, I’d like to welcome the founder and CEO of Infinity Dance Studio, and everyone’s favorite top-selling R it felt right.
And when the eggs were transferred to Raine for her to carry, I felt even more connected to her. It was beautiful.
Then we welcomed Hazel into the world, a beautiful baby girl who was the light of both of our eyes. Our little family was perfect, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. We had our own house now, a daughter, a cat, and a dog…now Raine was opening her own studio. We couldn’t ask for a better life.
“Hi, everyone, and thank you for coming out to join us in this momentous occasion,” Raine began to say into the mic.
“These past few years have been nothing short of amazing. I’ve had my share of ups and downs, but I’ve also been able to experience what true love and healing feel like.
” She turned to me with a smile. “Never did I think that uploading one little dance video to this woman’s song would change the course of my future, but I’m grateful for that.
I’m grateful to have a friend like Ginger who pushed me.
I’m grateful to have a wife like Dawn who always believed in me.
I’m grateful to have a family that isn’t perfect, but did their best to be the best they could be. ”
She paused, closing her eyes as a tear slowly fell.
She took a deep breath before glancing up at the sky, a smile stretching across her face.
I knew that she was sending up love to her mom, who we’d lost a few months after our wedding.
I knew that she could feel the love her mom was sending back down to her in waves by the way she nodded.
She looked so at peace, and it filled my heart with so much joy.
She glanced back at the crowd and nodded once more. “I truly appreciate every last one of you for believing in me and loving me.” She turned to me. “And you for being so damn amazing. I love you. I love Hazel. I love us. Always.”
“Always, Siren,” I nodded, holding her hand up to kiss it. “Always.”
We stared at each other for a beat longer before she finally turned her attention back to the crowd.
“Well, I know y’all are probably hot, so I’ll keep this next part brief,” she joked, and everyone laughed. “The Infinity Dance Studio is now open for business! Welcome!”
Ginger handed her the comically large scissors, and she cut the pink ribbon, sending cheers throughout the crowd.
We stepped back to allow everyone to head inside and look around.
Raine handed the scissors back to Ginger, and they quickly and cautiously exchanged hugs before I pulled Raine into my arms, kissing her with all the love I could muster.
She giggled against my lips, but wrapped her arms around my neck as she deepened it.
Once we broke apart, I rested my forehead against hers, and we stood there in silence, enjoying the closeness and the brief moment of peace.
We could feel the love radiating between us, and damn, was it a good feeling.
The End.