Epilogue
Jack
Halloween - One Year Later
Ipat my pocket and make sure I haven’t forgotten the most important part of today’s adventure. Hopefully by the end of the night, our lives will be headed on a new path…together.
Quickly tossing the overnight bags I stashed in the hall closet into the trunk, I jog back into the house and down the hall to our room.
I can’t stop the grin and rueful shake of my head as I glance around the house. I still can’t get over seeing my house decked out for Halloween now that Sallie lives here with me; that “fight” only took two months to win—my strong, stubborn doll.
“Ready for your Halloween surprise, Doll?” I ask, leaning down to kiss her neck as she finishes applying her makeup. Even though I told her I wanted to plan our Halloween, she has no idea what I have planned.
“I’m ready! Can you please give a hint about what we’re doing today?” she asks as she stands and twines her arms around my neck, leaning in for a slow, tantalizing kiss.
“None of that!” I respond with a swat to her pert ass. I back up, grabbing her hand and turning for the door. “You’ll find out soon enough…get your cute ass in the car so we can get on our way!”
Sallie
I have no idea what Jack has planned today, but as we pull up to the private airport, I realize that whatever ideas I came up with since he told me about our Halloween “date” are clearly not even close to whatever he’s got up his sleeve.
“Jack, what did you do?” I say with a squeal, wiggling in my seat, trying so hard to contain my excitement.
Leaning in to caress my cheek and give me a soft kiss, his reply is breathed against my lips. “Just showing my Doll how much I love her. Plus, it is Halloween; can’t have my girl thinking I haven’t stepped up my game.”
With that, he pulls me out of the car and grabs some bags out of the trunk.
I have no clue where those came from or what might be inside, but I decide Jack has given me no reason in all the years I’ve known him to ever doubt him or worry.
We head up the stairs to the plane waiting for us; Jack greets the flight attendant and pilot as we walk aboard into the most luxurious aircraft I’ve ever seen.
“I often forget just how wealthy you are, Jack. You rarely flaunt your wealth and don’t live a luxurious lifestyle,” I say honestly, looking around in awe.
“I only use it when it matters, Sal. And you matter…today matters,” he answers honestly as we settle in and buckle up.
The flight attendant comes over with two cups of coffee, made exactly how we each take it. “Thank you so much,” I say to her, eagerly reaching out for mine.
“I know how you feel about having coffee to start the day, Doll. I made sure the coffeemaker on the plane was up and running,” Jack teases, and we both sip our drinks as the plane begins to taxi down the runway.
Jack
As we pull up outside of Magic Kingdom, I know the cat is out of the bag, at least partially. Sallie’s shriek of excitement puts a huge grin on my face, and I can’t wait to experience Halloween Disney-style with her.
“Come on, Doll. We’ve got a lot to see and do today. But first, we need to stop in our room to change!” I say with a quick kiss to her luscious lips as I pull her from the limo.
We are immediately greeted by a cast member. “Mr. Washington and Ms. Lewis, we are so glad you are joining us this weekend. Please follow me, and I’ll show you to your suite,” he says, grabbing our bags.
I can’t keep my eyes off of Sallie as we get closer to our destination; I also can’t keep the grin off my face. It doesn’t matter the strings I had to pull or the amount of money I had to drop to make this happen; my doll deserves every moment of this and so much more.
“Jack, no way! In the castle?” Salle squeals and jumps as the cast member and I grin at each other.
“Welcome to the Cinderella Castle Suite. We hope you enjoy your stay. Please use the phone here on the desk if you need anything from our concierge staff,” he says with a smile as he leaves us in the room.
Sallie quickly checks out the entire suite, while I unpack our bags and get out our bounding outfits for the day. Yes, I did a lot of research to know what we could and couldn’t wear in the parks, but it felt important to honor our costumes from last year.
“Come on, Doll. Let’s get changed, ride some rides, and do some shopping. I know you’ll find some must-have decorations here. I think there are a few inches of space left to fill in the yard,” I say with a teasing tone.
“Oh, Jack, this is the most amazing day already! And did you really make us Nightmare Before Christmas bounding outfits?!? You really are the best boyfriend!” Sallie enthuses as she sees what I’ve got laid out.
We’ve spent the day having an absolute blast, and now that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is about to start, it’s time for my last surprise for Sallie for today.
I can’t say I’m even nervous; I wouldn’t have planned all of this is I was worried she’d say no.
I’ve known her for so long; sure, the romantic/intimate part of our relationship is newish, but I know my Doll.
We are standing near Cinderella’s Castle as the fireworks begin, and I take advantage of Sallie’s distraction to get the ring out of my pocket, quickly checking that the staff that was booked to film and take photographs are in place. I get down on one knee and look up at my love.
She finally notices I’ve moved, and with a gasp and a smile, she reaches for my face.
“Sallie, you’ve been my best friend since I was a nerdy college kid, and you’ve stuck with me and helped me grow my business into what it is today.
I could never have accomplished all I have without you.
I wouldn’t be half the man I am without you,” I begin.
“The last year has been the most amazing adventure, and I want to keep growing and exploring with you. I want to continue to make sure you are heavily caffeinated before you have to deal with clients and help you expand your Halloween costume and decoration collections, even if that means we need a bigger house. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my partner in life, and please be my wife?”
“Yes, Jack, always with you, Bone Daddy,” Sallie replies with a laugh, launching herself at me with an enthusiastic kiss as I slide the ring on her finger and wrap my arms around her.
We get lost beneath the fireworks, not even hearing the applause around us as we grin and kiss to celebrate the start of our happily ever after.