Epilogue
The Next Summer
Caden’s eyes scanned the backyard. He felt like an old man watching everyone enjoy themselves while he sipped his beer. The pool was open for the first time of the season, and Dru insisted on inviting everyone over for a little party. As always, whatever she wanted, Caden gave.
Now that Dreya had settled into a life of normality, she was able to live like a normal teenager.
She and Marilyn were like two peas in a pod, and when Dru wasn’t painting pieces for the gallery or traveling with her man, they were the three musketeers.
Dru had decided to return to school and get her degree in Fine Arts like she always wanted to, and Caden couldn’t be prouder.
As much as he wanted to start their family, he knew it was important that she have some time to truly live for herself first.
“Ah!” Dru yelled as Niko picked her up and tossed her into the pool. “Boy! I told you I wasn’t ready!”
“Stay ready and you won’t have to get ready!” Niko replied, trying to dunk her under the water. Unfortunately, he didn’t see Dreya coming up from behind. Before he could prepare, she was on his back, pulling him under the water. That only lasted for a few seconds before he was flipping her over.
Caden laughed as he set his beer down and prepared to join them in the pool.
“Aight na. You go against them sisters, you gon’ lose every time,” Nikolai warned as he flipped a burger patty.
“Yeah, ’cause these niggas ain’t helping me,” Niko complained, just as Caden slapped the pool.
“Here I come, nigga, damn. Didn’t nobody tell you to start with their overly energetic asses anyway,” Lorenzo complained before jumping into the pool just as hard and dramatically as Caden did.
Because one thing people from Memphis or Rose Valley Hills did was swim hard and long and go crazy in a damn pool.
“Chile, them kids act like they ten years old,” Marilyn said to Candace through her laugh. “They ain’t gon’ ever wanna get out that pool.”
“Don’t I know it? That’s alright. More wine and food for us,” Candace replied.
The elders laughed and slapped palms as if they’d shared a secret that was just between them.
Their roughhousing lasted for just a few minutes longer before Caden gave up and realized when it came to swimming and pool games, Dru was too skilled to be beat. He took her into his arms, and they floated around the pool as Lorenzo tossed Dreya in on the other side.
“Why you can’t stop smiling?” Caden teased as Dru stared into his eyes while hers were full of love.
“Because I’m happy and I love you.”
Caden chuckled before giving her a quick kiss. “I’m happy, and I love you too.”
“I wanna marry you and give you babies. I want us to spend our summers in this pool or on different beaches, making memories with your family. They’re mine now. All of y’all are. I’m never letting any of you go.”
“Good, because you were going to be stuck with us anyway. I see you sitting by your garden under your peach and orange trees, reading or painting while Dreya chases our kids around this backyard. Your granny and my mama will be in the kitchen talking up a storm while Pops mans the grill.”
“You think Zo and Niko will settle down and give me more sisters?”
Caden laughed. “Don’t wait for that. For now, just be glad you got Dre and Stevie.”
Dru’s head flung back, eyes closed, as she laughed, and that had to be what heaven looked like. Of that, Caden was convinced.
That Fall
It had become a tradition to go to Chicago during the fall.
What started as a three-day trip turned into a seven-day trip because there was so much to do, see, and experience, and Caden and Dru were having so much fun.
On the last night of their trip, Caden had set up what he knew would be the perfect proposal.
They’d been staying in the presidential suite at the St. Regis hotel.
As they made their way up to the rooftop for what Dru thought was a night of star gazing, Caden tried to keep calm.
Regardless of how much he knew she was going to say yes, he still found himself slightly nervous.
This moment was big. It was the foundation of their future.
“We have to stop and get another Italian beef before we go home. I don’t care if I have to eat it for break—” Dru’s mouth snapped shut. Her steps slowed down.
It was clear she was taken by surprise. They’d just had dinner at Miru, and it tickled Caden to know she had no idea what he was up to.
As the photographer took off guard photos of them, Caden led Dru over to the rose arch and golden balloons.
Behind them was the most perfect view of the Ferris Wheel and Navy Pier.
Her tears had already started to drop as Caden positioned her under the arch.
A shaky breath escaped him as he got on one knee. Pulling the pear-shaped diamond ring out of his pocket, Caden took Dru’s left hand into his.
“You’ve been mine since the moment I laid eyes on you, but we have to make it official, right?
” He smiled as she wiped her face with her free hand, still sniffling.
“I said it wasn’t love at first sight, but I think it was.
We’ve been in each other’s lives for a little over a year now, and though that might not seem like a long time, it was enough time for me to realize I want you forever.
So will you give me the honor and pleasure of being your husband for the rest of my life?
Will you let me love, cherish, protect, and spoil you for the rest of my days? Will you marry me, Dru?”
Her smile cracked her mouth open before her eyes released more tears. “You really didn’t have to even ask, but yes. Yes! I will marry you.”
A low hum escaped Caden as he slipped the ring onto her finger. Once it was secured, he picked her up and took her into his arms. He always found himself saying because of her, life couldn’t get any more perfect, but now, it had just gotten a bit more perfect all over again.