Epilogue
? Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
CLIO
“We finally have the night to ourselves. What will we do with our time?” Noah’s voice carries out of the walk-in closet as I stand poised and waiting for him to notice me at the foot of our bed in nothing but a silk robe.
When he finally comes out in his low-slung sweatpants and his cropped tee, still towel-drying his hair from his shower, he stops short. “What are you doing, princess?”
“Something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.” My pulse picks up as I pull on the tie and let the silky fabric drop to the floor.
His heated gaze roams over every inch of my naked body from the tips of my painted toes to the freckles he loves to count, and my skin prickles.
I give him a teasing smirk as our eyes lock. “I want you to paint me like one of your French girls.”
A low chuckle reverberates through him, and that smile I’ve come to love so much makes my stomach flutter. I hope it’s always like this. I never want to lose that flutter.
“Mm. Tempting, but I don’t have the heart of the ocean on hand.”
“That’s a shame. Maybe I’ll find someone else.”
He prowls toward me, his large palms bracketing my hips. “Nobody gets to see you like this. Only me.”
Before I have time to register what’s happening, he’s tossing me onto the middle of the bed, all of my wiggly bits bouncing with the movement. I’m surprised my nipple doesn’t take an eye out.
“Hey! Warn a girl next time. These things could be registered as deadly weapons.” I cradle my boobs, pushing them up with my forearm, and Noah tracks the movement.
“Fucking hell. Who needs the heart of the ocean when you have those pretty jewels in your perfect tits.”
Ever since Gwen mentioned piercing my nipples, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. It took some convincing, but Noah and Gwen each took a side, and it was over quickly. They’re finally healed, and there’s something so empowering about them.
“I changed them just for you. They match your eyes.”
“Fuck, baby. If you want me to do this, you’re going to have to stop saying romantic shit like that.”
“It’s our anniversary. There’s no better time for romance.”
It’s been two years since we signed the contract, and the healed version of me that exists today couldn’t have ever imagined this would be the outcome, but I wouldn’t change our journey. Well… maybe one or two stops along the way.
I lie on my side with one arm draped above my head and my hand resting near my cheek, just like the movie.
Noah’s gaze stays fixed on me as he drags a chair closer to the side of the bed and settles in it with a sketchpad and pencil. “I can think of a hundred other things we could be doing right now. All of them are a lot more fun than this.”
I squirm at the gruff edge to his voice, but I won’t be deterred. “Be a good boy, and maybe I’ll reward you when it’s done.”
He shifts in his seat, groaning like he’s in pain.
After a beat of heavy silence, the sound of the pencil dragging across the paper fills the space between us.
Fifteen minutes in, my left arm goes numb, and I start to regret my choice. Ten minutes later, I have to take a pee break. At the forty-five-minute mark, my patience is wearing thin. “This is a lot less sexy in real life.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m enjoying the view.”
“You would be. Maybe you should take off your clothes and give me something to look at.”
“My face isn’t enough for you?”
“I prefer it between my thighs.”
“Mm. I bet you do.” He smirks. “Almost done. You can put your arm down and relax.”
“Oh, thank god,” the words come out on a ragged sigh as I flop onto my back.
After a cat-like stretch, I sit on the edge of the bed and pull on my robe, securing it with a knot at the waist while Noah finishes.
Silence stretches, but we don’t need to fill it. Existing in this space together is enough.
“It’s done. Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”
Without hesitation, I do as I’m told.
The floorboards creak as he draws closer, placing what feels like the sketchbook in my hands. “Ok. You can look.”
He captured me perfectly in vivid monochromatic detail: every curve of my body outlined to perfection, every roll and stretch mark highlighted and shadowed—not a single thing left out.
I have an almost serene expression on my face, and I know if I count the freckles, they’ll all be there. Every last one.
My eyes catch on my left hand resting delicately near my face, the angle changed slightly from the position I held for over an hour, and something shiny glimmering on my fourth finger. A quiet gasp escapes. “Noah… what is that?”
He doesn’t answer, and when I let my gaze wander from the sketchbook to the man I love, he’s down on his knee with an identical ring held between his thumb and forefinger, only this one is a pear-shaped pink sapphire with smaller diamond-like stones inset into a gold band.
“Clio Marsden—”
Tears well in my eyes and I sink to my knees in front of him. “Yes.”
“I haven’t even asked the question yet,” he says through a laugh. “I planned a whole speech about canoodling and whimsy.”
“Did you write up a contract, too?” I rasp.
“No. The next time I sign my name next to yours, it’ll be on our marriage certificate.”
“I like the sound of that.”
He cradles my cheek, his blue eyes shimmering in the lamplight. “Marry me, princess.”
“Yes.”
One Year Later
? Vienna - Billy Joel
I scan the brick facade of Lexi’s brand new apartment in New York City, paid for by an inheritance from her biological father.
He died last year in a horrible accident.
When we got the call that Lexi was named in his will, I was shocked.
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to accept the impressive sum of money until she realized it could finance acting school and an apartment in NYC.
My girl is going to see all of her dreams come true.
I wrap her in another hug, lingering on the stoop. “Are you sure you have everything you need?”
“I’m fine, Mom. You can go.” Her voice is muffled by my shirt, but her annoyance is clear.
When I let her go, she instantly reaches for Noah. He hugs her and presses a kiss to the top of her head. “If you need anything—”
“I know. Thanks, Dad.”
It takes him a moment to register what she just said, his eyes widening over her shoulder when the sentiment sinks in. He blinks a few times and lets her go, sliding his hands into his pockets like she didn’t just turn his world upside down.
He clears his throat. “Love you, kid.”
“Love you, too.” She picks up the last box off the steps and strides through the door, pausing on the threshold to look back one last time. “Will you check on Hayden for me? I just… need to know he’s going to be ok.”
I nod and sign “I love you,” too choked up to get the words out.
She returns the gesture and heads inside her apartment, the door closing on another chapter of our life, mine ending while hers begins.
A new town, a new state, and a clean slate.
I hope her heart mends someday, but only time and distance can do that.
I slide my hand into Noah’s and head toward the spot where we parked the truck.
A glint of copper catches in my periphery.
I smile, envisioning Aunt Penny looking down on us as I leave my baby girl behind at her first apartment, but I don’t pick it up this time.
Someone else might need it more than I do.