Epilogue
FOUR MONTHS LATER
“Who would have ever thought we’d all be flying to Paris to watch you get married to my brother in front of the Eiffel Tower?
” Madeleine asks as our driver maneuvers through the bustling city streets.
“Not in a million years did I think Mauro would do something like this, but here we are in the most romantic city in the world.” She pours us each a glass of champagne and then hands a bottle of sparkling water to Scarlett.
Scarlett sticks out her bottom lip in a mock pout. “Being pregnant really kills the whole party vibe.”
We laugh, clinking our glasses.
After Mauro proposed, we decided that a big wedding with all of our friends and family in attendance was something we really wanted. And with my dad’s condition, I didn’t want to wait too long to ensure he had a chance to see me walk down the aisle.
Mauro asked me if I would like to get married in Paris, at which point I told him he was crazy and that I didn’t want him to spend that kind of money on me.
Proving to me that he is, in fact, crazy, he arranged everything for this wedding from the flights to the hotel, even booking out the entire area surrounding the Eiffel Tower so we could have it all to ourselves…again.
“I still think it’s too much,” I tell them, looking out the window. Everything is in full bloom, the vibrant colors bringing the city to life. “I mean, doesn’t it seem kind of crazy to spend this kind of money on a wedding?”
Madeleine scoffs. “Alina, the man is absolutely wholeheartedly in love with you and would buy you the damn city if you asked him to.” She pauses. “Actually, he probably would, so you might not want to give him any ideas.”
Scarlett laughs. “He just wants to make you happy. And he knows how much this city means to you, so it was a no-brainer.” She takes a sip of her water and then looks down at her phone.
“Leo just texted to let me know they’ve all arrived.
Oh, look at little Clara.” She flips her phone so we can see a picture of Clara sitting on Leo’s lap, looking like the perfect little angel in her soft purple dress.
“He can’t wait for our daughter to get here.
He’s already been going crazy, adding additional security features around the house.
” She sighs dreamily. “He’s going to be the best dad. ”
“If you think he’s overprotective now, just wait,” Madeleine adds as she brings her glass to her lips. “Can’t wait until he’s dealing with them as a teenager.”
“Can you please not age my child so fast?” Scarlett rubs her belly, frowning.
Madeleine laughs and looks at me. “Is Clara walking down the aisle today?”
I shake my head. “No, the poor girl didn’t seem to like the idea of walking down an aisle all by herself with every eye on her. Can’t say I blame her. I’m not really looking forward to it myself.” I shake the thought away. “Besides, she’ll be sitting with—”
“We’re here,” Scarlett says, a smile stretching across her face as the car crawls to a stop. “Are you ready?”
Photographers are positioned nearby, blocked by guard rails and security detail. A white tent with bulletproof glass around it is set up directly beside the car, so no one can see us as we get dropped off and make the short walk to the main event.
I take a deep breath, gripping my bouquet of purple flowers a little tighter. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”
One of the security guards comes around the vehicle and opens the door.
Scarlett and Madeleine slide out first, smoothing out their deep purple satin gowns, and wait for me.
I hear the shutter of cameras and people shouting, asking for pictures, but the guards block anyone’s view of me as we step through the entrance.
Immediately, the door is shut behind us, leaving all of the chaos outside.
I follow the two of them as we make our way through the long tunnel, not stopping until we reach the exit leading to the ceremony.
“You look so beautiful.” Madeleine sniffles as she tucks a loose tendril of hair back into place.
She motions for one of the guards, who steps forward and hands her a small gift bag.
She reaches inside and pulls out a perfectly wrapped box with a card.
“Here.” She holds it out for me, her lips curving up. “Mauro asked me to give this to you.”
I arch a brow and hesitantly take it from her. “I don’t know what else this man could possibly get me that he hasn’t already.”
The music starts, and Scarlett grips my wrist, offering me an encouraging look. “We’ll see you up there.”
I nod, swallowing down the ball of nerves currently lodged in my throat as they both exit, leaving me alone.
The front of the card displays my name in fancy gold lettering. I slide my finger over it, then flip it over, finding a handwritten note.
Alina,
I want to make every one of your dreams come true.
Let’s start with this one.
I love you forever.
-Mauro
Tears well in my eyes, my heart beating at an unacceptable rate. How did I get lucky enough to call this big-hearted man my husband? Carefully, I slide a finger beneath the lip of the wrapping paper and tug it apart. Once I have it pulled back, revealing the contents, a gasp escapes my lips.
“One Night Between Us,” I whisper in disbelief, suddenly remembering him disappearing at the auction when an anonymous buyer purchased this book.
He bought me my mother’s favorite book so that I could read it.
I gently slide my shaking palm across the cover.
It feels like a part of her is here with me today.
Closing my eyes, I inhale, trying to steady my racing heart.
A throat clears behind me, and I open my eyes to see the guard holding the bag open for me. My brows crinkle together, my hands wrapping protectively around the book.
The man smiles. “I’ll take good care of it. I promise. Mauro will show me no mercy if it’s not in perfect condition when returned to you.”
I restrain a grin. “I believe it.” I gently place the book and card in the bag and then spin around to face forward, waiting for my cue. But just as a guard is about to open the door for me, he drops his hand and dips his chin to someone behind me.
“We were hoping we made it in time,” Vin says as he walks up beside my father, who sits in a motorized chair. My father stares at me with a handsome grin and tears in his eyes.
“You look so beautiful, sweetheart.”
My lips part as my eyes trail over the chair. “What is this?”
“Mauro knew how important it meant for you to have your father walk down the aisle with you, but he also knew that might not be possible,” Vin offers. “So, with help from Alex, who will be controlling this bad boy…” Vin taps the back of the chair. “Gregory will be beside you the whole way down.”
I roll in my bottom lip, fighting back tears. “He really thought of everything, didn’t he?”
Vin grins. “He loves you.” He squeezes my dad’s shoulder. “I should head out there and let them know you two are ready.” He takes a step toward me and leans down to kiss my cheek. “You make a beautiful bride, Alina. This is my official ‘welcome to the family.’”
I smile. “Thank you, Vin. That means a lot coming from you.”
One side of his lips lift as he bypasses me, exiting the tent.
I glance down at my dad. “I’m so glad you’re here for this part.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He takes my hand in both of his and pats the top of it.
“Every time you read one of your books, you always have this dreamy expression on your face because you’re so happy for the two main characters.
And now…” He swallows. “You have that same look on your face because now it’s your turn for your happily ever after. ”
“Oh, Dad…” I wipe my thumb under my eyes, trying hard not to ruin my makeup.
“Well, what do you say? Are you ready to go get that happily ever after?”
I nod. “I’m ready.”
With a tilt of his head, my dad signals for the guard, who opens the door for us. I hold my dad’s hand as we walk side by side, and the moment we’re in view of the crowd waiting on us, everyone rises.
My heart thunders as I take it all in.
The gathering of familiar faces.
The white and purple flowers displayed everywhere, creating a whimsical illusion.
The Eiffel Tower standing tall as the background to the ceremony.
Scarlett and Madeleine positioned on one side of the officiant, with Leo, Alex, Vin, and Eli on the other.
And then…
My breath falters as I catch Mauro’s eyes.
He’s wearing a fitted black suit that molds to his muscular body. His hair is pulled back, his beard neatly trimmed. And his eyes… His deep brown eyes glisten with unshed tears as he watches me approach, never taking his gaze off me.
Stopping before him, the officiant asks, “Who gives this woman to be married?”
“I do,” my father says, lightly squeezing my hand in assurance before placing it in Mauro’s.
His strong fingers intertwine with mine as he dips his head toward my father in acknowledgment. My father takes his place at the beginning of the front row, right beside Cecilia, who dabs her eyes with a tissue.
“Friends, family, and loved ones,” the officiant begins in a French accent, “welcome to the most romantic city in the world where we gather here today to celebrate the marriage of Mauro Alarie and Alina Fowler.” As he begins to tell a story about love, I look at Mauro, who is staring at me with so much longing in his eyes.
He removes his hand from mine to sign, Is this okay? I shake my head, and he frowns. Did I forget something?
I find his hand and lean in closer. “This is more than anything I could have ever dreamed of.” He grins with relief, pressing a kiss to my temple. I glance up at him. “I can’t wait to start forever with you, Mauro.”
He takes my hand and presses it to the center of his chest, tapping his index finger twice, and I can’t help the smile that spreads on my face.
“And now, let us get to the good part.” My eyes shift to the officiant, looking between the two of us, his attention eventually landing on Mauro.
“Do you, Mauro, take Alina to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live?”
Mauro clears his throat and takes a deep breath. Locking eyes with me, he says, “I…do.”
The officiant then turns to me. “And do you, Alina, take Mauro to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” I say confidently, as Mauro takes my hand, kissing the back of it.
“Who has the rings?”
Vin takes a step around Mauro and hands the rings to him, and then pats Mauro on the shoulder.
“With these rings, Alina and Mauro will declare their love and commitment to each other before you all.” He nods toward Mauro to go first and hands him my ring. He addresses the crowd by saying, “I will be translating for those of you who do not know ASL.”
Mauro signs, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. May it always remind you of the commitment we make today to create a life… He grins. Just like one in your favorite books.
The audience lets out a collective “aww.”
Mauro takes my hand in his and slides my ring on, the one he gave me months ago when we thought this was only going to be temporary.
The officiant then hands me Mauro’s ring, and I take his hand in mine and say, “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. May it always remind you of the commitment we make today to create a life… A life filled with many nights together in front of the fire with a good book in our hands.”
“That’s so beautiful,” Scarlett says through a soft sob behind me.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Mauro peers down at me with the biggest grin on his face, and I take a second to engrave this moment into my memory.
“You may kiss the bride.”
He doesn’t hesitate to slide his hand over my cheek while his other one snakes around my waist, tugging me against his chest as he lowers his head.
“You heard the man,” I whisper, brushing my nose against his. “Kiss me, husband.”
As our family and friends cheer in the background, his lips capture mine in a kiss that blurs the world around us into a beautiful haze.
Pulling apart, he signs, Is this the ending you always hoped for?
I shake my head, smiling. “No, because this is only the beginning of our story.”
The end.