Epilogue
TWO MONTHS LATER
“You ready for this? Seems like a big step,” Elias says.
I shake my head at him. “What step? We’re already married, idiot.”
“Yeah, but a wedding, saying I do in front of everyone. She might get cold feet.” He smirks around his glass tumbler filled with clear liquor.
“Sure, let’s pretend for a second that she does. I’d fucking chase her ass down and drag her across the aisle myself,” I tell him.
All three of my brothers laugh. We’re sitting in a room, waiting to be told it’s time. If it were up to me, I would have started this shit hours ago. I’ve been dreaming about this day for so fucking long.
“You know, I’m really fucking happy for you. You got the girl. I love seeing you finally happy,” Elias says.
“Thank you.”
“To Emilio’s happily ever after. It’s been years in the making, but we got here.” Ezekiel holds up his glass. All four of us clink our tumblers together.
“Boys.” Frankie’s dad dips his head in greeting as he steps into the room. “Emilio, got a minute?”
“Sure.” I follow him out. Louie stops in the hall. I dropped the uncle title two months ago when I married his daughter. It felt a little odd calling my father-in-law Uncle Louie.
“I know I haven’t been… easy on this relationship between you and my daughter,” he starts.
“Understandable,” I tell him. I would find it really fucking hard to let my daughter date anyone if I had one. Fuck, I don’t even want my sister dating.
“I want you to know that I know you love her. I know you’ll do everything to protect her from the dangers our world brings. I’ve seen how you treat her. I’ve seen how you two are together, and I’m fucking glad she has someone like you in her corner.”
“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her,” I admit.
“I know,” Louie says. “Don’t go breaking my little girl’s heart, Emilio. If you do, I won’t hesitate to rip yours from your chest and deliver it to your father.”
I nod my head. “I’m never going to break her heart,” I tell him, because I’m not a fucking idiot. I know what I have and that’s not something I’m ever going to let go.
“Good.” Louie turns and walks away, passing my father in the hall.
“You good?” Dad asks.
“Yep, I’m marrying the best woman in the world—well, remarrying her.” I smile.
“You deserve this. All the happiness. Don’t take a single day for granted.”
“I won’t.”
“What did Louie want?”
“I think he just gave me his blessing.” I frown, unsure if that’s actually what happened.
My dad looks past me, out the window, his eyes flicking up towards the sky.
“What are you doing?” I ask him.
“Seeing if there’s flying pigs out there.” He chuckles. “You should buy a lottery ticket. Must be your lucky day.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll stick to using all my luck on keeping my wife,” I tell him.
“It’s time. Where are your brothers?”
“In there, probably toasting to their continued single lives.” I roll my eyes. All of my brothers are determined to stay single for as long as possible. Although I suspect Esterio is hiding something or someone. He’s been cagey as fuck.
“Let’s get them and get you married.” Dad slaps my shoulder as he walks past me to open the door. “Get the fuck out here now,” he grunts at my brothers. “And fix your faces. Don’t fuck this up for Emilio.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Papa,” Ezekiel says. “Someone has to give Mama what she wants. I’m just glad it’s not me.”