Epilogue
RIVER
I can’t believe it’s been a year since Kennedy and I started this whole thing between us. What began as a way to satisfy our needs has morphed into something so much bigger than either of us ever imagined.
That being said, I still look at her every day and realize how fucking lucky I am that we’re here, together, and in many ways happier than I ever gave us credit for. We walk into the restaurant with a view of the water. As the sun sets, the colors in the sky reflect, and it’s hard to look away.
We’re celebrating Ashton and Samara’s one-year anniversary; at least, that’s what Kennedy thinks. But I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve, which I’ve been sweating bullets making sure everything is in order.
I won’t lie; since I started fake proposing to Kennedy months ago, it’s been fun to watch her face morph into excitement only to realize I’m fucking with her. If there’s anything we love to do, it’s taunt one another. So I’ve continued, making sure we’re in public to ensure she really gets thrown off the scent of the actual proposal.
The last time I got down on one knee, it was only to give Lola kisses while we were on a walk. She nearly kneed me in the nose after that one. The way she stormed off only made me want her more, and I fucked the anger out of her that afternoon. She wasn’t complaining after that.
We walk into the restaurant, and I immediately feel my palms sweat. I have to find a way to make sure everything goes well. Everyone knows their part, so let’s just hope things go off without a hitch because I cannot fake this one. I have put way too much effort into this evening.
The moment we walk in, Ash and Sam are at the table we reserved. It’s only got seating for the four of us, but that will soon change. I guide Kennedy with our hands interlaced, praying she doesn’t feel the moisture building as my heart races in my chest.
Ash gives me a hug that nearly pulls all the air from my lungs, whispering, “You look like you’re going to be sick, Riv.” When he pulls away, he has a huge smile on his face, and I respond with, “Thanks for the confidence boost.”
I move to pull Kennedy’s chair out and take a few calming breaths as she scoots in. The moment I’m seated, she pulls herself close to me. “You look a little pale, babe. Need me to get you some juice or something?” She moves her hands to my forehead to check for a fever.
I shake my head, hoping I can pull myself out of this nervous state and enjoy the moment. We start drinking our water while we wait for the server to come take our orders.
The conversation flows as it usually does, this time focusing on the twins and how much they’ve grown. Sam is beaming, talking about the latest milestones they’ve reached, and Ash is scrolling through pictures to show off his kids. The more they talk, the calmer I get.
I’m starting to doubt myself for fucking around with Kennedy for so long and fake proposing. What if she thinks I’m faking it?
No, no, she can’t. There's a ring involved this time. There's not faking it this time around. I have to be romantic. That’s what Clay keeps telling me. He gave me some pointers so I don’t spoil it when I ask. Highlights from his pep talk: don’t say you want to fuck her. My brother, ladies and gentlemen.
The server comes by and takes everyone’s order. I look over the menu and put it down, looking right at Kennedy when I do.
“They don’t have what I want,” I protest, looking angry.
“What do you mean? What did you want?” Kennedy picks up the menu and looks it over again. Her brows come together with a concerned look, and then she looks at me.
“You love steak. Get that,” she says, then looks around to make sure we haven’t gained an audience at my outburst.
“Steak won’t do for me tonight. I think I need something bigger.”
“Bigger than a steak?” I can see she wants to protest further at my childish ways right now.
I get out of my seat, not looking behind me, and bump into the server who was coming by to assist another table.
Everything in his hands comes tumbling down, but luckily, just menus flying through the air and hitting the floor.
Right then, I get on my hands and knees, hoping to veer this embarrassing moment away from me.
All I hear above me is how sorry Kennedy is for my outburst, and from her tone, I can tell she’s incredibly embarrassed. She’s apologizing while I’m gathering things in my hands. I hand the menus to her, and she places them on the table in front of her.
Once she grabs all the menus that fell, she moves her body to face the table once again, and that’s when she stops and looks down at her place setting. She’s focused on the contraption in front of her, confusion on her features. I take this opportunity to move into position and get down on one knee.
“Um, where the hell did this come from?” She keeps looking down at the item she never thought she’d see again.
She keeps her eyes on the crocheted dick that Aunt Kay made for Samara when things start to fall into place. She swings her gaze back toward me and realizes my position. She gasps, bringing her hands up and burying her face in them.
Her eyes are filling with tears, and it’s a good sign because at least she has clued in that this isn’t a joke.
“Kennedy, I think we both remember how things went down when we first met. You and I weren’t on the same page, and we continued to live our lives parallel to one another but never seeing the world together. A year ago, something shifted, and we finally took the leap to explore what it could be like to build a life in the same orbit together.
“It took some of us longer than others to truly appreciate what we had.” She chuckles at that part. “But, no matter what direction I turn my head, all paths lead to you. I love you beyond myself. I’ll always look to you for guidance, for comfort, and for leading me in the right direction. Please be my wife. Will you marry me?”
She’s been nodding her head from the moment I started my speech, but the minute I stop what I’m saying, she’s leaping toward me and screaming a resounding “Yes!”
The entire restaurant starts to clap and yell their congratulations. She pulls my face toward her and kisses me, letting us relish in this moment together.
We disconnect, and it’s only then she realizes Sam and Ashton are recording everything. She starts to laugh, and then the tears start streaming down once again when she looks beyond our best friends to find my brother, mother, her uncle and aunt, our friends, and some of the guys from the firehouse hooting and hollering their congratulations.
She brings her eyes back to meet mine, and she smiles and takes me into another hug.
She brings her lips to my ear and tells me, “You are the dream to pull me out of my nightmares, River. And as much as I love you, we’re burning that purse.”
I laugh and squeeze her tighter, telling her I love her too.
“Before you burn it, maybe look inside at least.” I bring my lips to plant a soft kiss on her lips while confusion consumes her features again.
Before greeting our family and friends who have made their way into the restaurant, she opens the little clasp and pulls out the note along with the ring I left inside:
Unlike the destiny of this purse, I want forever with you…
The End