Epilogue
I T’S THE DAY BEFORE our one-year wedding anniversary, and I’m all stressed out.
I’m not anxious about what’s going to happen tomorrow. The past year has been the absolute best of my life, and I’m one-hundred-percent certain that Dan feels the same. He’s going to want to renew our wedding vows tomorrow exactly as we agreed last year. And he’s been kind of secretive lately—he’s not good at keeping things from me—so I’m sure he’s planning something big.
But I decided months ago that I want to beat him to the punch. He’s probably got some big romantic gesture set up for tomorrow evening, so I’m going to do my thing first thing in the morning.
For the entirety of my morning walk with Oscar, I mentally review every step of my plan. He’ll wake up at six and go to the bathroom to shave and take a shower, so I’ll have no more than fifteen minutes to set up the table, fancy breakfast, and decorations I’ve prepared. When he comes out of the bedroom, I’ll start the music and do my “proposal”—offering him a gift in lieu of a ring.
The gift was the hardest piece to figure out. It seems appropriate to give him some sort of engagement ring, but Dan doesn’t wear jewelry. Nothing at all except his wedding ring and the very nice watch his parents bought him for his college graduation. He’d wear anything I give him without hesitation, but I want this gift to feel like him .
He dresses nicely but doesn’t wear ties or French cuff shirts, so tie clips and cuff links won’t be much use. And there’s no way I’ll replace or upgrade our wedding rings. So, after much thought and research, I finally landed on a money clip that’s skillfully crafted in the shape of two gold rings that look like wedding bands.
It’s discreet and not gaudy, but it looks special. He already uses an old money clip to carry his cash, ID, and credit card so this gift will fit smoothly into his regular routine.
And he’ll use and see it every day.
It’s the best I could come up with, and it definitely wasn’t cheap—although it’s not so expensive he’ll be worried about my spending too much of the savings I need for grad school.
A few months ago, I was admitted into the Master’s program in wildlife conservation at UNC. It’s a great program, and I’m thrilled and proud to get in. It’s a couple of hours away from Green Valley, but Dan and I have already made plans for how to handle the distance. That way Dan can keep his job, and we don’t have to move out of Green Valley.
At least not yet.
I’m incredibly nervous about starting such a big, new thing, but that’s a worry for another day.
Right now, my main concern is making sure everything goes smoothly tomorrow morning.
Oscar is in as exuberant a mood as ever, and the edge of his excitement has only slightly worn off as we head back through downtown toward his owner’s place.
When he gives a little hop and spins twice before pulling toward the right, I have no idea why until I see Dan down the block. Oscar saw him before I did and is every bit as excited by his appearance as I am.
Dan is dressed in khakis and an argyle sweater vest that makes him look an adorable blend of preppy and geeky. He waves and grins when I see him, and I have to hold Oscar back from jumping up to give him a full-body hug.
At least the dog isn’t muddy today.
Dan is carrying his computer bag and clearly headed for the coffee shop. He still likes to go most mornings since I have to leave so early to walk Oscar.
He doesn’t know that I’ve taken tomorrow morning off to go through with my romantic plan.
“How are you, buddy?” he greets Oscar in a warm voice. “Did you have a good walk today?”
Oscar makes a series of twitches and jerks as he attempts to be a good boy and hold himself back from more extensive gestures of joyful enthusiasm. But he pants and grins up at Dan, squirming with glee as he receives appropriate pets.
“Good boy,” I tell him, scratching behind his ears as he preens with pride at his excellent behavior. “You’re such a good boy.”
“Thank you,” Dan says, his eyes slowly sliding up to my face and his smile transforming to something deeper and warmer. “I do my best.”
I step over and stand on tiptoe so I can kiss him lightly. Then I pat his head approvingly in a way that makes him laugh.
“You’re the best boy,” I tell him, wondering if the day will ever come when I don’t want to melt with affection when unexpectedly encountering this man.
Oscar butts his head in between us, clearly concerned about the attention straying from it’s most appropriate target. Namely him.
After we both give the dog some extra love, Dan smiles at me and nods toward the coffee shop. “Your extra jobs are this afternoon, right?” he asks, although we already discussed my schedule earlier.
“Yeah. I’m going to squeeze them in after lunch, so I’ll be home at the regular time.”
I used to have no problem taking on extra evening jobs for more money, but now that means giving up my time with Dan, and I hate having to do that.
“Okay.” He gives me another quick kiss. “See you later. Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Oscar and I watch for a minute as he strides the rest of the way down the sidewalk to the door of the coffee shop. Both the dog and I have sappy smiles on our faces.
When Dan is out of sight, I continue on to drop Oscar off at home and move forward with my day.
I can’t wait until tomorrow. Dan will be so surprised.
***
T HE DAY DRAGS ON SLOWER than normal, and I’m relieved when I return the last of the doggie daycare attendees back at Lock-N-Leash after their walk and clock off for the day just a few minutes later than normal.
It’s been hot and muggy all afternoon so I step into the shower immediately on getting home. Dan isn’t back yet, but he texted ten minutes ago saying he was on his way and was taking care of dinner.
He’ll probably pick up some takeout. We can have a nice, relaxing evening on the couch with dinner and a streaming show.
I’m longer in the shower than normal since the water feels so good after the humid day. When I finally get out and dry off, I discover that the comfortable lounge clothes I brought in with me are gone.
They’re gone.
Frowning, I wrap the towel around me and call out, “Dan? Did you do something with my clothes?”
For just a moment, my heartbeat picks up. After all, what if the disappearing clothes are the fault of someone other than Dan. But I don’t have time to work up even a brief flare of panic because Dan is standing in the bedroom as I emerge.
Something is up. I know it immediately, and not just because he took my clothes while I was in the shower.
He’s all dressed up. Not wearing what he wore to work but rather in a snazzy light gray suit and tie.
I freeze, my eyes running up and down his familiar figure in the unexpected outfit. When I return to his face, he’s smiling at me with his heart nakedly reflected in his expression.
My throat tightens. “Dan?”
“You need to put on something else, if that’s okay,” he tells me. “That’s why I took your clothes.”
“What’s happening here?” My fingers clench in my damp towel, which is still wound around my torso.
“What do you think?” He nods toward the bed, on which is laid out a lovely white sundress.
I gasp. Then gasp again. Then turn back toward Dan. “You big cheater!”
He bursts into laughter.
“It’s tomorrow! It’s supposed to be tomorrow! I was going to do my thing in the morning to beat you! Tomorrow !”
“I know it’s supposed to be tomorrow. That’s why I planned my thing for tonight.”
I kind of collapse on him, half laughing and half crying and playfully swatting at his chest. “I worked so hard to plan my thing so I could get it in before you.”
“You can still do it,” he says, wrapping his arms around me tightly. “I want to have everything you planned. Exactly as you planned it. Nothing that happens tonight should take away from that. But I’ve always been kind of ahead of you in this relationship, and I wanted to do this first.”
It takes me a couple of minutes to recover from my surprise and emotional response, but I’m finally able to pull away from him and wipe my eyes as I give him a teasing look. “I still say this is cheating.”
“Guilty.”
“So what have you planned? I’m supposed to wear that dress.”
“Yes. We didn’t get a real wedding last year, and I thought you might want one now.”
I gasp. “So it’s... it’s...”
“It’s a whole vow renewal ceremony. With guests and everything.” He slants me a quick look. “That’s okay, isn’t it?”
“Yes! It’s a beautiful idea. Thank you so much. I can’t believe it. I hope you didn’t go overboard.”
He clears his throat. His silver-gray eyes are both smiling and deep. “I might have gone a little overboard.”
“Dan!”
“You’ll see.” He takes a step back and pulls something out of his pocket. “But first I wanted to do something, since you missed out on this too.”
I stare as he lowers himself onto one knee and holds out a small jeweler’s box. My eyes burn again as I realize what his position means. “That’s not a new ring, is it?” I give a quick look at my left hand on which is still my pretty engagement ring and the moonstone wedding band that matches the one on his hand. We’ve both worn them for the past year.
“No, it’s not a new ring. I’m kind of fond of our original ones.”
“Good. Me too.” I rub my face and tuck my towel more securely before I nod. “Okay. I’m ready. Go to it.”
His shoulders shake slightly with repressed amusement at my instruction, but then his face clears as he says. “Vicky Emerson. I’ve been crazy about you from the first time I saw you, and I’ve loved you for almost as long. I know we got together for practical reasons, but my heart was in it long before I was brave enough to admit it. I love you. I’m always going to love you. And I never want to spend another day on this earth when I’m not your husband and you’re not my wife.”
I have to raise my hand to cover my mouth. I make a little whimpering sound as emotion catches up to me fast.
“So will you be my wife for the rest of our lives?”
I nod, momentarily unable to speak. Then keep nodding until I’m finally able to squeak out, “Yes.” I give a little sob as I reach out toward him as he raises himself to his feet. “Yes!”
He’s smiling as I hug him. His arms crush me for a moment before he relaxes his urgent grip.
It’s a minute before we’re able to let go of each other enough for him to present me with the box.
He obviously went through the same thought process I did when deciding on the gift. The rings can’t be replaced, but something else needs to reflect a ring in a proposal.
He chose a diamond pendant shaped as a sculpted gold loop, looking vaguely like an engagement ring and hanging on a chain. It’s so beautiful I stare down at it for a long time before I can finally touch the lovely object.
He helps me put it on. Then he kisses me, dressed in his nice suit while I’m wearing nothing but a towel.
Nothing could have been more perfect to me.
***
E VENTUALLY, I’M ABLE to do my hair and makeup fairly quickly before putting on the pretty sundress which fits me just right. When I’m ready, we drive over to his parents’ house, since our wedding renewal ceremony is going to take place in their large backyard.
He did indeed go overboard. He went all out with food, flowers, decorations, and the arch under which we’ll say our vows. Also the guest list.
His family is there, as are Jim, Esther, Savannah, and Lance. So are all our friends from Green Valley—his friends first and now both of ours.
But that’s not all. In attendance is the entire staff of Lock-N-Leash and every one of my doggie clients, dozens of thrilled and exuberant dogs, plus their owners.
As we make our way into the yard, greeting so many people we know and love, I almost choke when I see a couple of familiar faces.
Sage and Aspen from the wolf convention last year.
“Oh my God!” I say in a strangled voice as I recognize them. Then notice that nearby are more of the wolf aficionados. In fact, every single person who attended our wedding last year is here again today.
I have no idea how Dan managed it.
“My folks helped with the plane tickets,” Dan murmurs in my ear. “So we could pay for them to fly out to be here today.”
I’m almost sobbing now. I’ve never been a particularly sappy person, but I’m not sure anyone could keep it together in the face of such a gift.
All of this—all these people—are here for us. To celebrate our love. Me and Dan.
It was just over a year ago that I believed I was entirely alone in the world.
But I’m not, and I never will be again.
We eventually make it over to the flowered arch, and Dan moves the end of the aisle near the pastor.
Esther gives me a bouquet to carry, and I start walking when the music begins.
Sasha, my beloved, loud-mouthed Husky client, starts howling in fervent accompaniment to the familiar bridal strains. A few of the other doggie guests chime in with barks or yowls of their own.
And it’s perfect. It’s all perfect.
Plus, tomorrow morning I get to give Dan a proposal of my own.
***