Epilogue
ETHAN CLOSED HIS eyes as moonlight peeked through the folly pillars and spilled across the floor to where he swayed cheek to cheek with Annie.
Finally alone and wrapped in each other’s arms, in the spot where they’d said their wedding vows only hours earlier.
It was a fitting end to a magical day, and it wasn’t over yet.
Their low-key ceremony, on a perfect summer’s day, had been followed by a reception in a marquee on the WillowGlen grounds.
Loved ones, including colleagues from Annie’s newly founded production company—G false sightings in Italy, Greece and Spain.
Essential to keep their nuptials private.
Since turning up to Annie’s premiere six months ago, more than fashionably late and hand in hand, the media frenzy hadn’t let up.
It had been the night she’d announced Ivy Flame was officially retired and revealed Annie Carson, lover of yellow and Ethan Suerte.
Neither of them had been able to wipe the smiles from their faces ever since, which hadn’t helped.
With WillowGlen opening as a retreat in the following week and multiple people coming and going, the setting up of a marquee hadn’t triggered any unusual interest. As a precaution, a discreet security team patrolled the grounds to ward off any unwelcome visitors, but fortunately none had been detected.
Annie’s nails lightly scraped the back of his neck, and his low rumble of pleasure was cut short when he pressed his lips to hers, intent on showing her without words just how much he loved her and always would.
The kiss deepened as they sank into each other, until reality seeped in and he eased back.
‘To be continued,’ he whispered raggedly.
Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him with a dazed smile. Likely similar to the one on his own face, because even after all these months together, the strength of their connection still swept him away, every single time.
‘Definitely,’ she whispered back with a wink.
He lowered his forehead to hers and inhaled her unique scent, savouring the moment, in a day full of he’d never forget.
Stepping back, he picked up a lantern, watching in wonder as its glow captured his bride, and just like the first time he’d seen her today, when she’d walked up the steps of the folly towards him, his breath caught and his eyes misted.
Crystals shimmered on her delicate ivory dress, her mother’s earrings and Ruby’s necklace twinkled, and a yellow flower clip provided a flash of her favourite colour against ebony waves.
The whole outfit was dazzling, ethereal, yet nothing compared to the glow of happiness radiating from within her.
‘You’re staring,’ she said softly and brushed at her fringe, her yellow diamond engagement ring catching the light and filling him with pride.
Two months ago, he’d thought his heart would explode from love and gratitude when she’d cried, thrown her arms around his neck and wasted no time accepting his proposal.
He’d felt the same today as they’d said their vows and gently threaded matching gold wedding bands onto each other’s fingers.
‘Always, so you better get used to it,’ he said, his words shaking with emotion that this magnificent woman loved him, wanted to join her life with his, forever.
Her grin was pure delight as she did a twirl before taking the lantern from him.
He laughed and reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out the surprise letter from Ruby, given to them by Les Peachey earlier in the day.
He’d told them it was to be read on the first of Ruby’s birthdays after her passing.
Which as it happened, was the same day they’d chosen to marry to honour her, as well as their first meeting and first kiss.
Unfolding the blue sheet of paper to reveal Ruby’s familiar handwriting, his throat thickened and he entwined his free hand with Annie’s outstretched one.
‘My Darling Ethan and Annie,’ Ethan read out loud.
‘It’s my birthday, so happy birthday to me! And it will be happy, because I’ll be with My Don and we won’t ever be parted again. Oh, Ruby,’ he couldn’t help pausing to mouth, and squeezed Annie’s hand.
‘I don’t know how she did it.’ Annie sighed. ‘All those years without him.’
Ethan shook his head, speechless at the thought of his life without Annie in it, and the remarkable resilience of Ruby, who, despite the cruel hand life had dealt her, had continued to live her life full of love. It was only now that he truly understood how she must have suffered.
‘My fervent birthday wish is that you’re both reading this together, and I do mean together, together.’
Annie gasped, and Ethan raised his brows in surprise.
‘I hope you’ll forgive my interfering, but I’ve known all along you were meant for each other, and it broke my heart that you didn’t see it, and were hurting as a result.
What I saw at my eightieth birthday party, before all hell broke loose, was a glimpse of a great love—a once in a lifetime love that echoed what I had with My Don—and, my two darlings, I wanted that for you both.
So badly that I put in place a series of events that would force you together.
Naughty, I know, but with the very best of intentions. ’
He closed his eyes.
‘Ethan?’
He opened them to look straight into Annie’s. ‘Just silently thanking Ruby, again.’
Annie leant forward, her hair caressing his cheek and whispered against his ear, ‘Ditto. She always was one step ahead of us.’
‘Thank goodness.’
Annie murmured an agreement.
‘Whatever you’ve decided to do with my beloved WillowGlen, I know you would have put your hearts and souls into the decision, and I thank you.
And I have complete faith it will repay you in ways beyond my imagination.
This is the last letter you’ll receive from me, my dears, but before I go, my birthday wish for both of you is this…
a long and happy, love-filled life together, where you both always reach for your dreams and stay true to your beautiful hearts, full of forgiveness for yourself and others. All My Love, Ruby/Little Big Boss.’
He gulped, light-headed at the priceless gift Ruby had bestowed, with her endless love and trust in him. In them.
‘She really did it, planned it this way,’ Annie marvelled.
They’d often debated whether Ruby would have been surprised by what had unfolded. Now they knew the answer; she’d planned it all along.
Icy fingers gripped his chest as he contemplated the unthinkable alternative—his life without Annie.
‘I don’t know how I can ever repay her,’ he husked.
‘Me neither, other than living our life full of love, just like she did.’
He stroked her cheek with a gentle finger.
‘You’ve turned my life from a foundation of straw into granite, my darling Annie.
You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever known.
You’ve shown me how to love, and it’s made me braver, stronger and happier than I ever thought possible.
I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you. ’
A tear ran down her cheek, and he wiped it away, unable to bear seeing her cry, even from happiness.
‘And you, my dearest husband, have turned my life from grey to technicolour. You’ve taught me about forgiveness and how to love and be loved. I never thought I’d experience this.’ She threw her arms out. ‘Or believed I’d deserve all this. Now I know differently, thanks to you.’
Their lips met again with the gentlest of caresses. Then he carefully folded the letter and put it back in his pocket. They’d read it again, but not tonight. Tonight, they had other plans.
He held out his hand to his beautiful bride, eager to start.
‘Ready?’ He grinned.
‘For you?’ She squeezed his fingers. ‘Always.’
They turned, and each carrying a lantern to light their way, strolled back to the Manor and their future as it always would be from now on. Side by side, together.
* * * * *
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