EPILOGUE
“ I am not wearing a kilt. Absolutely not.” Matt is standing in the middle of the bedroom, looking devastatingly handsome in his black-tie suit. “It’s too fucking cold outside. I think it’s going to snow tonight.”
“Please?” I hold out the kilt, waggling the hanger. “You’d look so good. Get your legs out. Take your boxers off.”
He shakes his head, lips tightly closed, but his eyes are laughing. “No. Plus Nico wouldn’t be happy if I showed up to his engagement drinks wearing that. I’d upstage him. This is their night, not ours.”
“Fine. Maybe we can use it for dress up, later,” I say, throwing it down onto Matt’s huge bed; the big bed where I now sleep every night, snuggled up next to him after we’ve come so hard and so frequently we’ve exhausted ourselves.
Matt eyes the kilt sceptically. “That doesn’t even look like it would fit. Where did you get it?”
“A charity shop on Earl’s Court Road.”
He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. “You’ve got to get rid of it. It probably has moths. It’ll destroy my suits. My cashmere.”
I begin to laugh.
“I’m serious.” He grabs it from the bed and I laugh harder, wiping tears from my eyes. “Not on the fucking sheets,” he adds, marching the undesirable item into the bathroom where I hear him throw it in the bin.
He comes out slapping his hands, looking delighted with himself.
“You know I’m getting that out later,” I say. “I’ll wash it. But there is no way I’m not getting you into a kilt one day.”
“I’m not Scottish.”
“So?”
He shakes his head at me, his gorgeous mouth splitting to reveal perfect teeth. The motion slows as he appraises me, his gaze scooping upwards from my feet, lingering at my hips, my breasts, my lips, until finally he meets my gaze. I’m tingling everywhere. It’s amazing that even after all these months, he still has this effect without laying a finger on me.
I brush a hand down my green silk evening dress, the fingers of my other hand tangling in my hair, which is all blow-dried and perfect. I’m probably messing up the effect—it’s different… good, even. I’m normally in jeans and a t-shirt, my hair tucked up in a messy bun, so this evening’s attire is a huge change, and from the look on Matt’s face I can tell he appreciates the effort.
He paces towards me, sliding his hands to my hips. “God, you’re beautiful.”
“You too.”
He rolls his eyes. “What every man wants to hear.”
“Shut up.”
He kisses me, slowly, like he wants to experience every second of it fully. I melt in his arms, my body liquefying beneath his touch.
“Do we have time—”
“No.” He cuts me off, and we stare at one another for a few heated seconds. “Fuck,” he groans, shaking his head as though not taking me here and now, in all my evening finery, is a very difficult choice to make. “I don’t want to ruin your hair.”
I laugh, lightly tapping his arm as I move towards the door so we can head out, but he grabs my hand and spins me back into his embrace. “I love you,” he says, his voice deep and sincere. “So, so much.”
Every time he says it, I feel like a field of blossoming flowers as new parts of me open up. “I love you too.”
“Daddy? Ariel?” Lucie’s excited voice comes from outside the bedroom.
We share a glance, knowing that if we let her in, the chance of any fooling around slides to zero. Matt sighs, and I grant him a conciliatory smile as I ease out of his arms to open the door.
Lucie’s mouth falls open as she takes me in. “You look like a real mermaid.” She turns to Matt. “Oh, Daddy. She’s the most beautiful lady in all the whole world.”
I crouch down and give her a hug. “Not as beautiful as you,” I whisper, and she giggles.
“I love you,” she mumbles softly in my ear. “I’m so glad we got to keep you.”
I get a little choked up, and raise my gaze to Matt’s over Lucie’s head as I say, “Me too, honey, me too.”
By the time we arrive at the engagement party, I’m feeling buoyant with happiness. I never imagined I could feel like this—whole, complete, and fully supported by a man I cannot get enough of—and I know that Mum, if she’s out there somewhere, must be delighted too.
The party is glamorous, the room teaming with well-dressed guests. And tonight, all made up and elegant, I fit in, but there are so many people here that I doubt anyone is looking at me. Except Matt, of course. His gaze always lingers on me, his eyes seeking me out, latching on, even when we’re talking to other people.
We’re standing in a little group, congratulating Nico and Kate on the impressive party.
“I never thought he’d step up,” Seb says to Kate whilst nodding at Nico. “Thought he’d string you along forever.”
Kate glares at Seb, then smiles. “Liar.” She’s so pretty, the sparkling overhead lights making her skin look dewy and her jewellery glitter. The diamond ring on her finger looks like the iceberg that sank the Titanic.
Seb laughs and that little dimple appears to the side of his mouth. “Fine. I admit it. I’m surprised it took him this long. He was that desperate to put a ring on it.”
“You’re a prick,” Nico says, averting his gaze as he drains the rest of his champagne.
Even in the face of his brother’s cussing, Seb’s smile doesn’t dim. He gestures to Matt. “What about this one? Finally got his act together. We should drink to that.” He casts a wide smile in my direction, which I mirror without hesitation.
Seb raises his glass, and Nico summons a server over to top him up before joining in the toast.
“To true love,” Seb says.
Nico splutters, only just managing to hold his champagne in his mouth before he swallows. “Hearing you toast to true love is just wrong. Sorry.”
“Oh, fuck off,” Seb jibes, and they begin to bicker, while Kate laughs.
I drown them out as Matt’s arm tightens around me and he dips his head to whisper in my ear.
“You sure you’re keen to stick with me when we have to spend time with this lot?”
“I like your family.”
He pulls back to raise a sceptical brow.
“Okay, fine. They’re growing on me. But I like you enough to put up with anything.” Right at that moment, Seb bursts out laughing, spraying champagne across the floor, narrowly missing the silk of my dress. He swears, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, cursing Nico for something he said and apologising profusely to me.
I glance at the ceiling. “Almost anything,” I add.
Charlie appears beside us, a glass of champagne in hand. He’s so different now that he’s living permanently with us. The strain on his face has vanished, and he looks much more the carefree kid he always ought to have been.
“Only one glass,” Matt instructs, indicating Charlie’s drink.
“Yes, Dad.”
God knows how Matt worked it all out with Charlie and Gemma. I think part of him wanted to charge the twins with attempted murder for putting that strawberry in the champagne. As it is, Gemma agreed to only see Charlie when the twins aren’t around. It’s a peculiar arrangement, and I can’t even begin to understand it. But, most importantly, everyone I care about seems happier.
Alec is babysitting Lucie tonight, so we could all be here to celebrate with Nico and Kate. Alec says it’s a bit weird now that I’m officially with Matt… as if I’ve been promoted above him. I told him not to be ridiculous. I’m still me, and I still go and hang out with him in the staff block. He’s trialling at the Hawkston Mayfair next week, and he’s so nervous. Nervous, but excited. A whole new chapter.
Up on the stage, a beautiful blonde woman with wild curls begins to sing. I recognise her from Charlie’s birthday party. Elly, I think her name is. Kate’s brother’s girlfriend. Apparently, there was a lot of hoo-hah about her on social media not so long ago, but I’m not into that sort of stuff, so I don’t know. Her voice is beautiful, and for a moment I tune in, and the music makes me feel as though I’m living a dream. Everything is perfect.
The others are so busy chatting that they hardly notice when Matt squeezes my hand and leads me away, pushing through the guests until we reach a door that leads out to a balcony. He opens it and lets me pass through in front of him. I have no idea why he wants to go outside, given how chilly it is, but I’m used to him seeking out quiet places to kiss me. Fuck me. I smile at the idea, anticipating his hands on me.
The door closes, and we’re alone. A full-body shiver rips through me. “Holy crap, it’s freezing.” My breath fogs out into the night. “We’re not having alfresco sex on the balcony, if that’s why we’re out here.”
Matt smiles, amused. “It’s not. Sorry.” He takes my champagne glass from my hand and puts it on a nearby table, next to his own. Then he removes his jacket and wraps it around me. I snuggle into it as he says, “I’m going to make this quick. There’s something I want to ask you.”
My heart races. He sounds serious. “Yes?”
“Do you want this?” He gestures back to the party inside.
“A party?”
“To get engaged. Married. All of it.”
My heart momentarily pauses, then resumes its beat. I know this isn’t something Matt wants. Not again. A little muffled throb of pain makes itself known in my chest because, as soon as I knew I was in love with Matt, this is something I wanted. But he already had it all, and I chose him over that experience. His family. His life. His kids. I love Lucie and Charlie, but I’ve avoided thinking about what being with a man who had his own family might mean for me. For my future.
“I just want to be with you,” I say.
His brow creases, which puzzles me. I thought he’d be relieved, but he doesn’t look it.
“Is something wrong?” I ask.
“No.” He takes both my hands in his. “I want to be with you too, but I don’t want you to have to compromise on anything you might want. Marriage. Kids. Any of it. I’d do it all again if I could do it with you.”
Oh, my heart. “I hadn’t thought—”
“I had. You’re young. You must have thought about having your own family. Kids. Marriage. A wedding.”
Nerves bubble up in my stomach. I can’t speak. Don’t know what to say.
He’s staring at me, the divot between his brows deepening. “Aries?”
“Yes. I wanted those things,” I admit, heart hammering. “But I want you more. I’d give it all up, just to be with you. I love you. I love your kids. Your house feels like home to me now.”
His features soften. “It's as much your home as it is mine. You chose every bit of furniture and every piece of fabric in it.”
I can’t help smiling. He let me change everything . The house is barely recognizable.
And then, right there on the balcony, he drops to one knee.
My hand flies to my mouth. “What are you doing? Matt? Don’t… wait… what are you doing? Get up. Get up .”
He pulls a velvet ring box from the pocket of his trousers and presents it to me. He flips it open, and inside there’s a yellow diamond surrounded by smaller white ones. It’s stunning. It’s perfect. It’s exactly what I would have chosen if I had ever dared to think about a moment like this.
I think I stop breathing for a moment.
“Aries McClennon, will you marry me?”
My knees weaken, and I sink to the ground opposite him, throwing my arms round his neck. “Holy shit, you’re an idiot. You’re an idiot. You’re an idiot,” I chant.
“Well, this isn’t how I imagined it would go,” he says, chuckling against my cheek. He eases me off him so he can look at my face, which is already streaming with tears.
“I don’t want to misinterpret this abuse,” he says. “Is this a yes?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes .”
He takes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger. It sticks on my knuckle. “Fuck, this was going to be so perfect,” he mumbles with a disbelieving snort.
“It is. It is,” I reassure him as he eases the ring the rest of the way.
He stands, helps me up, and gives me my champagne. He raises a toast with his glass, tilting it towards mine.
“To true love,” he says, and my mouth can’t stretch wide enough to contain my smile. It feels like my entire body is grinning. We take a sip, and then he kisses me, his mouth warm and soft, and tasting like champagne.
“Oh, fuck,” comes a voice, and we look up to see Seb standing in the doorway, his expression twisted with mock-distress. “Not you too.”
We all laugh, and I know for sure this is exactly where we’re meant to be.
THE END