Epilogue #2
“Oh wow.” Because what else could I say? Elliot Fox, still robbing me of speech since the fateful day in Have a Java.
“Well, after insisting I do the proposal on this day, Bex told me that she’d always worried you were so driven that you were missing out on life.”
I thought back to that awful argument at Sergio’s. “True.”
Elliot took my hand. “Well, I love your drive, Lucie. I love it because it brought you all the way across an ocean to me. I love watching you work, watching you grow. And if Nana Kath were here—” I let out a soft sob.
Oh God. Nan. I half wanted to raise my head, in the vain hope she was in the crowd, sharing this moment, even though there was no possible way she could be.
Elliot squeezed my hand tight. “If Nana Kath were here, there is no way on earth she would not be proud of you, the woman that you are. So please, let me stay by your side forever, let me continue watching you, loving you.” I could barely see him through the tears of sheer happiness, but I was smiling so hard my face hurt.
“Lucie Annabel Clifton.” Elliot opened the box to reveal what I presumed was a ring – all my blurred eyes could make out was something sparking like blue fire. “Will you marry me?”
I let out a tear-soaked laugh. “Of course I will!”
The crowd erupted into applause as Elliot leaped to his feet and grabbed my waist, swinging me around and around.
Dizzy, he lowered me, but I couldn’t feel the ground, not when he slid the ring onto my finger, not when he planted a deep kiss on my lips to the delight of the other wedding guests. I was flying.
“How did I do?” He murmured in my ear.
I pulled back, finally able to focus on the ring. I gaped in delight; it was a simple, neat emerald-cut diamond. Perfect. I pretended to consider his question. “Well, as usual you used a thousand words when a simple ‘will you marry me’ would have done the same job.”
“Efficient as ever,” he said with a rueful chuckle.
“You nailed it though,” I said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so surprised.”
“Is that a fact?” Elliot turned his head, and I followed his gaze. To my immense shock, from the crowd rushed Riley, Michelle and Sol, barging Elliot aside to sweep me up into a massive group hug.
“Oh my— What are you—” I hugged my American girlfriends so tightly I could barely breathe.
“Didn’t seem right to not have the gang here,” Elliot called over their heads.
“Sol flew us over on her jet!” Michelle laughed. “We got papped at Heathrow!”
“Congratulations, Lucie!” Riley added. “I told you he was one of the good ones.”
“Thank you,” I said breathlessly, “and Sol, the jet, you didn’t have t—”
“Lucita,” she interrupted sternly. “I absolutely did.”
“Room for me?” Bex sidled over.
“You!” I yelped, dragging her into the group embrace.
“How did you keep this from me? How did all of you – you know what, I don’t care.
You’re all here.” My heart was full. Elliot, Bex and my New York crew were together, a scene I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams just a couple of years ago.
“Worth it,” Bex said. “I’m just happy I got to witness it. Your face!”
“Did I look shocked?”
“Oh, stick your finger in a plug socket shocked,” Bex confirmed.
“And I have it on video for all eternity.” She pointed at Elliot – my fiancé!
“In all seriousness, Elliot, you have no idea how hard I bless this union. I thought my best friend was going to end up a loveless cat lady watching Independence Day on repeat in a care home.”
“I can think of worse ways to live out my final days,” I muttered mutinously.
“Welcome to the world of marital bliss!” Bex yelled.
“You might not be so thrilled when I make you organize a transatlantic wedding,” I said. “Maid of honor.”
“Me?” Bex gaped. “Yes, a thousand times, yes!”
Elliot poked me. “Hey, why didn’t I get that level of reaction to my proposal?”
“Mate, she literally sobbed all over you,” Bex snorted, pointing to the tearstains on his suit.
“You’ll get a full and very frank thank you later,” I promised Elliot, reaching for his hand. I could feel his appreciative growl rumble right down to my bones.
“Gross.” Bex said with a giggle. “On that note, I think it’s time to dance. And our first song is one I think you’ll like.” She turned to Dan. “Okay, hit it!”
Familiar synth chords echoed across the dance floor, and I laughed. “Who told you about Bette Davis Eyes?”
Bex affected innocence. “Take that up with the future Mr. Clifton.” She darted over to Dan and dragged him to the dance floor, soon joined by Riley, Michelle and Sol.
“The future Mr. Clifton,” I mused. “I like that.”
“It’s got a ring to it.” Elliot pulled me close, and we swayed, oblivious to the enthusiastic crowd dancing around us. The whole world fell away, as it often did when he was around.
“I can’t believe you organized this,” I said. “We’ve been so busy, and you hid it so well.”
“Get this,” he said. “I made a checklist.”
“You didn’t.” I affected shock.
“I even considered … a whiteboard.” His eyes narrowed.
“Mr. Fox, you really need to stop.” I pretended to swoon.
“Like I told you that night at the premiere, I’m all in,” he said. “If that means constant spreadsheets and checklists, if it means an Independence Day-themed wedding, so be it.”
“Just when I thought this couldn’t get more romantic,” I murmured.
“I think all that’s needed now is a big musical number,” said Elliot, gesturing at Dan and Bex crooning along to the song into the DJ’s microphone. “Isn’t that an important part of a happy ending?”
I began to drag him towards my friends. “The ending?” I said. “Pfft. I thought you were a writer.”
Elliot laughed, allowing me to pull him along. “So where are we, Lucie?”
I looked back at him, the man I loved, surrounded by some of the best people I knew. “This is just the beginning.”