Epilogue
Amethyst
One Year Later
S kyler’s hand brushes my skin as he slides it under my skirt, resting it on my upper thigh.
“You’ve been at that awhile, are you sure you don’t need a break?
” I glance out the passenger window of Dahlia; my view met with forestry rather than palm trees and sand.
“Shit, I’ve been editing long enough for a change of scenery? ”
Working to untangle the cords of my laptop, phone, and memory reader, I twist and slip them in my backpack behind me. Glancing into the back, I’m more grateful than ever to have purchased a minivan in Delilah’s honor.
Both rows of seats are laid back with a mountain of supplies for my studio atop them. Skyler’s new job came with a company vehicle, but for this trip I insisted we take Dahlia. The extra cargo space allowing me to cross a lot of things off my list for new sets in the studio.
Skyler chuckles. “I know you get caught up in your work. I didn’t want to disturb you.” Pulling my arms above my head in a much-needed stretch, a yawn slips out. “What were you doing all that time? Besides driving, of course. Listening to music?”
His thumb brushes up and down on my thigh, a grin pulling at his lips. “Mostly. Although I spent more time wondering what’s under your skirt.” I raise a brow, dropping my head to peer up at him through my lashes.
“Skyler. You know what’s under my skirt.” His hand stops stroking my thigh, capturing my own hand and pulling it to his lips. “And that makes it a no less riveting trail of thought.” I huff out a laugh, shaking my head.
“Truthfully, I was daydreaming about us. Working alongside you, building your business and our life together.” My heart warms with his sentiments. I find myself envisioning our future often.
I’ve always wanted children; that desire became even deeper after finding Skyler. He will be a great father with his unconditional love. The way he’s always quick to brighten spirits with his quick wit and sense of humor.
He shares that dream. The day I get to see him swaddling a tiny babe will be one of the happiest of my life.
My heart sinks as my mind drifts back to the loss of our first pregnancy.
Sensing the shift in my mood, he laces his fingers with mine.
“Our blessing will come. And some day we will meet the one who watches over us from above.”
A somber silence stretches between us. For many months, I wasn’t ready to try again. But now...
Everything is coming together. We’ll be able to open the studio in a few short weeks, and the summer sun has brightened my spirits.
“I know, Angel. And I’m ready.” He quirks a brow in my direction.
“Ready to try,” I clarify. Skyler studies me with devotion in his eyes.
“I love you, Amethyst.” He squeezes my thigh.
“You are endlessly strong. Our journey has not been without trials, but it is ours. I will always stand by your side. Always fight for you. If you are ready, we will face this new chapter together.”
“I love you, Sky. I am strong because I have your strength to rely on when my own runs low. We can get through anything together. Always.” I offer him a warm smile. As we come to a stop at an intersection, he brushes a kiss to my cheek.
My hands cover my mouth. Excitement courses through my veins as I lay eyes on the studio’s sign for the first time. Angel Light Photography stares back at me in bold black letters. Set against a white oak background. “It is stunning,” I beam.
There is a single white sedan in the freshly paved driveway. The sign was placed while we were out of town, but I didn’t realize any of the crew would still be here. “It is perfect. Just like you,” Skyler affirms. My smile stretches wide enough that my eyes squint.
Skyler pulls the door open for me and hands me the key to the front door. “Go ahead and unlock. I’ll start unloading.” I nod, heading toward the door. I rock back on my heels as the door to the white car opens. Skyler is at my side in a second. A growl simmering in his chest.
A red-bottomed heel meets the pavement as a woman steps out. She is wearing a burgundy dress that hugs her olive skin. She has shoulder-length hair. Half of it is black, the other white as snow. This woman seems eerily familiar. If it wasn’t for the white half of her hair, I’d think she was —
She turns to face us, and I see her familiar face. The one I have missed dearly. The piercing blue… eye. One is now onyx. Deep and vast like a starless night. “Evadne!” I rush to grab her into a hug. She must have dyed her hair since I saw her last. And perhaps is wearing a contact lens?
“You scared the hell out of me!” She scolds against the crook of my neck.
I pull back to look into her eyes. “I don’t know where to begin.
Enzo. He nearly killed me, so I ran. How did you find me?
Your eye?” The words fall out before I can stop them or organize my thoughts at all.
Evadne chuckles. “Everything is as it should be,” she says simply as she rubs a hand up and down my arm.
I look over my shoulder to Skyler who still stands stiffly, ready to attack if need be. “Sky, this is Evadne. My agent from Angel’s Rest.” I turn back to Evadne, pointing a finger to Skyler. “Evadne, this is Skyler, my mate and husband.”
Evadne reaches for Skyler’s hand. He takes it, albeit reluctantly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Skyler.” He smiles, more so for me than Evadne. “Likewise.”
Evadne turns her attention back to me. “I was able to get that terribly invasive photograph taken down. And any account who shared it was banned. After that, I never caught wind of your name again.” She grins warmly.
“Until just last week. Imagine my surprise when Angel Light Photography came across my Hourglass page.
With none other than your beautiful face in the video.
“I came to find you just after that. I was a prisoner of sorts in Angel’s Rest. I got out as soon as I could. I’ve just been… drifting. Until I saw you again, Amethyst. I love the name you’ve chosen for your business.”
I take in everything she says. Some of this still doesn’t add up. I only hope she’ll stick around long enough for me to ask questions. Long enough for us to truly become friends.
“Would you be interested in having a personal assistant?” She asks, and I light up.
Skyler and I are equal partners in the business, but it would be extremely beneficial to have the extra help.
Evadne could schedule appointments and keep our social media up and running, giving me more time for shoots.
“You’re hired!”
Skyler chuckles, turning toward the car.
“I’ll let you two catch up while I unload.
” I pull on his wrist, urging him to turn around.
I raise up on my toes to plant a kiss on his lips.
His hand threads through my hair, and he tilts my head to deepen the kiss.
The other hand rests on the small of my back.
“I love you, Angel.” I whisper against his lips. His thumb brushes across my cheek. “I love you infinitely, Sunlight.”
Skyler starts working to unload Dahlia as I lead Evadne inside. Everything is vastly different from my time living here. The living room is now set for family sessions or portraits. Each of the rooms set for different shoots. Boudoir, gaming, editorial. Hopefully, much more to come.
I spin, spreading my arms out wide. Pride simmers beneath my skin as I gesture around the space. Life has taken me exactly where I’m meant to be.
“Evadne, welcome to Angel Light.”