Epilogue
Three months later
Insomnia by Craig David
Enzo
WE’RE ALL OUT CELEbrATING THE SUCCESS OF ELENA’S BOOK AND WHAT better place to do that than at the club.
We’re here again at Elysium. I’m on the dancefloor with the love of my life; the mother of my child and I want nothing more than to make this woman my wife.
The sound of Craig Davids Insomnia blares through the speakers. The song lyrics weigh heavy on me. I’m no stranger to the things I’ve done… the mistakes I’ve made. That was a year ago and I am hoping that I’ve earned Elena’s trust by now.
I have my hands around her waist as we both dance and sway to the beat because apparently, I do that now. This woman, my love, my life, my everything.
She’s wearing that black dress with those boots again.
Yes, I gave them back… don’t judge me. She was so paranoid that the dress wouldn’t fit but I knew it would.
Her body has gone back to the size she was before pregnancy but she has more curves now, which I fucking love.
She looks just as sexy now as she did that night on her birthday, if not more so.
My rhythm starts to slow as I take her in… all of her. From the top of her head down the length of her body to the tips of her fuck me boot clad feet. She’s perfection. Everything I wanted in a soulmate.
My dream woman personified. I would do anything for her.
“You okay babe?”
I hadn’t realised that I’d stopped moving.
“Yes, I’m more than okay. I’m in love.”
She comes closer to me and wraps her arms around my neck. We’re still on the dancefloor, just the two of us in the middle of a sea of bodies swaying and dancing to the beat of the music. But all I see is her.
“I love you too Mr. Marino.”
I bend lower so that my lips brush against her ear.
“This song… this was me without you. Every night. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t stop thinking about what I’d lost.”
My heart clenched, the lyrics echoing around us as if this song alone tells our story. I pull back, just enough to look into her eyes.
“But now? Now it’s different. Now, I’m never letting you go. Never again Elena.”
“You never have to.”
“There’s something I need to ask you.”
“If you propose to me one more time Enzo, I swear-”
“Just come with me, okay?”
I pull her off the dancefloor towards a set of doors that lead onto a balcony.
The cool night air a stark contrast to the sweaty heat in the club. I pull out a small velvet box from my pocket and place it in her hands.
“Enzo I…”
“Give me a second.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath before opening them again.
“You’ve let me back into your life… even after everything I said.
After everything I did. I don’t deserve it.
At the hospital? When you were shot? In the waiting room, Evelyn told me that I didn’t deserve you but she was rooting for me anyway.
She was right. I don’t deserve you or your love but I’m taking both anyway because I’m selfish when it comes to you Elena.
I would do anything for you, you want flowers?
Done. You want jewellery? Done. You want me to learn to dance?
Already done. But I can’t do any of that if you don’t give me a chance.
So, I’m begging you, Elena. Please just give me this one chance to prove how much I love you. ”
She looks down at the box in her hand. I know what she’s thinking. Two stray tears spill over her cheeks. I swiftly wipe them away.
Elena opens the box; her eyes focused on the shiny gold keys within. She frowns at the keys, not understanding what I’m suggesting.
“Move in with me, with us. The house is sold.”
“What? When?”
“Last month. The deal closed a few days ago. I have till the end of the month to move out and into our new home. I know you couldn’t go back to that house after everything that’s happened.
I packed all of Victoria’s stuff and sent the important stuff to her family; the rest went to a local charity.
There are still a few pictures for Angelo but everything else including the house, is gone.
No more ghosts, no more bad memories. We start fresh, clean slate, you, me and our children. ”
“Yes.”
Her answer was a mere whisper. I barely caught it.
“Yes?”
“Yes, I’ll move in with you.”
If anyone had asked me what happiness truly felt like, this moment would be it. My love is finally coming home. After one whole year, she’s coming home and she’s bringing our daughter Aria with her. I’ll finally have my family back and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.