Epilogue
I Do
February, Two Months Later…
The midwinter sun broke through the clouds as Zuri and Kyree sailed through the doors of Greenwich City Hall and stepped out into a shower of ivory rose petals that complemented the deep crimson roses of her bouquet.
Kyree’s arm tightened around her waist as they paused on the top step and kissed before the small, cheering group of family and friends who had gathered to celebrate their union.
Zuri looked at her husband, her white pantsuit fluttering in the mild breeze, and the look that passed between them said everything––love, wonder, dedication, and the certainty of having found the true meaning of home in another person. And for a moment, the noise around them faded.
At first, Thao and Soleil had been shocked by the quick engagement, but they had seen their friend spring back to life, blossoming in ways with Kyree that she had never done before.
And, Avery, who’d stood by her initial “feeling” when she’d seen them together at L’Antra, had simply teared up with joy, whispering, “I knew it.”
When they’d broken the news of their engagement to their respective families on Christmas morning, the apprehension had been instant and palpable.
Simone had gone very still, and Dwayne had asked if they were sure—really sure.
But between a number of video calls and a long weekend in Connecticut where both families met for the first time, something had shifted.
Their families had seen what words couldn’t quite express––the way Kyree instinctively reached for Zuri’s hand, and Zuri’s spontaneous, bubbling laughter that even her brother, Devin, admitted he hadn’t heard in years.
Their love and devotion was a pure, natural, undeniable force that spoke for itself.
They had decided that New York would be home. Kyree was already sending out resumes, and, Devin, a realtor with their mom’s agency, was keeping an eye out for the perfect first home for them. Until then, they would make it work—long weekends in Boston or Brooklyn.
It was during one of those long weekends that they’d first discussed having a traditional wedding, but halfway through a conversation about venues, they’d looked at each other and known that a big, white wedding just wasn’t for them.
It had taken them two weeks to organize this intimate ceremony.
Zuri had traded the classic gown for a white pantsuit, paired with a floor-length, tulle veil, and her freshly pressed hair, pulled into a sleek, low bun.
A clean French manicure, natural make-up, and her favorite red, Louboutins completed the effortless look.
With a fresh cut, Kyree had opted for a timeless navy-blue suit, rocking it with a white rose boutonnière, and his favorite pair of Jordans. Together, and with the support of their friends and family, they had chosen simplicity, allowing their love to take center stage.
Kyree and Zuri made their way down the steps and slowly along the receiving line, hugs, congratulations, and joy pressing in from all sides while Carmen, Soleil’s cousin, and a photographer from Puerto Rico, captured every precious moment as they unfolded.
Everyone was dressed impeccably, thanks to Soleil who had offered her styling expertise to all of their guests––coordinating colors and cuts with an artist’s eye.
And thanks to Thao––who had organized and hosted a surprise, combined bachelor and bachelorette party at one of her family’s restaurants two nights ago––there was no awkwardness among them …
they all already knew and loved each other.
Soleil, Thao, and Avery embraced the bride in a group hug, Zuri’s three best friends meaning more to her now than they ever had. After all, their love and support had led her to the love of her life.
Kyree’s family gathered around him, hugging him tightly, his mother straightening his bow tie, her eyes shining with warmth and love while his grandmother dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
His childhood best friend, Quinton, clapped him on the shoulder, muttering something about the king finally finding his queen.
Zuri’s parents pulled her close and kissed her cheeks, and her father whispered something in her ear that made her eyes well up.
Devin picked Steve Urkel up and waved his little paw at the bride as she beamed, walking hand-in-hand with her husband, and Michelle and Erik held each other close, lost in the memory of their own rushed wedding.
At the end of the paved walkway, a white Rolls Royce idled, ready to take them to Bevilacqua, Connecticut’s premiere Italian restaurant for their wedding lunch, where Avery’s boyfriend, Alessandro, worked as a grill chef.
As they approached the car, Kyree stopped. He turned Zuri toward him, cupped her face in both hands, and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her lips—soft, reverent, unhurried—each touch lingering like a promise. To all watching, it was simply a tender pause. But inside it, worlds were shaping.
For Kyree, this moment felt like an exhale after a lifetime of holding his breath, and he inhaled gratitude for every choice––right or wrong, that had led him to this breathtaking moment, and to this confident, elegant, complex woman who stood before him.
And Zuri––Zuri felt anchored in the way she’d always hoped to be, partnered with a man who saw her, who paid attention to her, who had vowed to spend the rest of his life showing her how much he loved, adored, and cherished her.
Forehead to forehead, face to face, they smiled into each other’s eyes, knowing in their hearts and souls that whatever came next, they would meet it side by side, hand in hand, fully and fiercely in love.
Thank you for reading A Hot Cocoa Christmas. It was a pleasure to spend the holiday season in Granite Falls, and with the LaCrosses.