Epilogue — Olivia
JUNE
The moment I see Isaac, I can’t help myself, leaving my luggage behind me as I sprint the last few feet to him.
He meets me halfway with the same eagerness, and my heart is about to burst out of my chest. His beard has grown out a bit, almost how he had it in college, and of course he’s wearing his glasses that make me weak in the knees. It’s truly unfair how handsome he is.
“Livy,” he breathes, pulling me to him in a warm embrace. I haven’t felt this complete since the last time I saw him. It’s only been a month, but it feels like years. “I missed you.”
After the conference ended, it took about a month for him to settle everything before he could join me in California.
Longest month of my life. The deal we made was that he’d live with me for a month before we got married, and he did, but then had to leave for New York to become acclimated to his new position at UNICEF.
Now, another month later, I’m a woman of my word, and we’re in Vegas for the weekend, since someone couldn’t wait.
It was me. Never been a fan of waiting.
In an instant, his lips are on mine, and I swear I’ll never get enough of this man.
Even after all this time, we’re still consistently pulled to one another.
The scratch of his stubble, the urgency, how he doesn’t care who sees him claim me—all of it makes my entire body ache for him to take things further.
It’s a shame we’re in an airport, or I’d let him.
A loud throat clearing behind me has us breaking apart. “Good evening, Ms. Raine,” Isaac snickers, not taking his eyes off me. “What? No hug hello?”
“I think she’s past the crying at everything and has moved on to fatigue and mood swings,” I sigh. She shouldn’t have traveled with me, but insisted she be here to marry me off.
“She’s right,” Aubrey huffs. “I’m tired, bloated, my boobs hurt, and I’m stuck training my replacement who—by the way—is entirely too good-looking for this job. It’s a distraction in the office, you know. I want to climb that man like a tree. Fuck, did I say that out loud?”
While James was the most qualified candidate, I should’ve suspected it would be an issue. Turns out, he’s bilingual, so paired with his tattoos and facial hair, he’s essentially Aubrey’s kryptonite.
I stifle a laugh, but it slips out anyway. “Bree! I don’t think Isaac wants to hear about your tits.”
“Correct,” Isaac agrees.
“You try growing a baby inside you,” she grumbles. “Then come talk to me about what’s acceptable to discuss in public.”
Isaac isn’t actually bothered by it and leads me by the small of my back to the luggage I dropped.
I’m genuinely surprised someone from TSA didn’t yell at me about my discarded bags, and I’m just glad he didn’t pop off with a comment about wanting to have our own kids.
I’m not ready. Maybe in a few years, but we have a lot of work to do while I’m in office.
He understands, but it doesn’t stop him from hinting at how beautiful he thinks I’ll be pregnant with his child.
He’ll have to wait to satisfy his little breeding kink, bringing a whole new meaning to Daddy.
We make our way out to a black SUV. Wes arrived before us with his wife, Fiona, and insisted on picking all of us up personally.
There’s no way I’ll make my pregnant friend climb between the captain’s seats, so I get in first and make my way to the third row.
Isaac does the same, and I should’ve expected he wouldn’t want to be an inch away from me.
It’s significantly warmer here than back home. While we have hot summers, the dry heat hits differently. Even with the car air conditioning and utilizing valet for parking, the short walk into the hotel has me sweating. I’ll be needing time at the pool at some point.
Once we’re checked in, Isaac meets up with his mom and sister to get ready, while I remain in the suite to change.
I’ve never looked good in white, so I’m surprising Isaac by wearing my favorite blue dress that, admittedly, makes him a little feral.
None of our relationship has been traditional, so why start now?
After a long elevator ride to the rooftop, I’m grateful the weather has cooled off some.
Fiona greets Aubrey and me there and hands me a bouquet of blue lilies, cooing, “You look amazing. I’m so glad you decided to go with blue.
” I shouldn’t be, but I’m a little nervous, and her praise helps ground me.
“Thanks, Fiona. Is everything ready?”
“Yes, and as soon as the ceremony is over, I’m going to rush downstairs to check in with the Mexican restaurant while you take photos. Aubrey has my phone number, so if you need anything while I’m down there, let me know.” She gives me a half-hug, then takes her seat next to Wes.
Isaac and I decided to not have bridesmaids or groomsmen, only having friends and family here.
My parents are in the front row, and Aubrey makes her way over to sit beside them.
Isaac’s mother and sister are seated across the aisle from them, and there are two men seated behind his family, but I can’t tell who they are from the back.
We didn’t invite anyone else except James, who wasn’t able to attend—he’s meeting with his biological father for the first time and needed a few days off.
Neither of the men in question have visible neck tattoos, so it isn’t a surprise appearance from James.
Who else did he invite?
I brush away the thought as the music begins, and Isaac’s expression is a mix of pure joy with a dash of lust. The dress choice is probably my best idea to date.
As I walk down the aisle, his grin widens, and I can’t help mirroring it.
We’ve spent the majority of our lives apart, but after all this time, I finally have the one man I’ve always loved.
And oh how I love how he looks at me like this.
I pass the two men seated behind Isaac’s family and have to do a double take.
The first is none other than Ned. I try my best not to laugh.
Of all people, why would Isaac invite him?
Then again, perhaps it was a forced invite from the Taylor administration I wasn’t aware of.
The man beside him looks familiar, and it takes me a moment to place him—Isaac’s friend from college, Lance.
Isaac mentioned they talk from time to time, but I’m still surprised to see him.
As I nearly reach Isaac, I pass my bouquet to Aubrey, then stand with Isaac, He takes both of my hands, bringing them to his lips and kissing my knuckles. Tears prick behind my eyes; it took entirely too long for us to get here, but I will love him until my last breath.
Leaning forward, he whispers beside my ear, “No tears. After today, the whole world will know I’m yours, always—just as you’ve always been mine.”
As he pulls back, I keep him close. “Since you first kissed me.”
“No.” My favorite dimple pierces his cheek. “Since the day you stole my drink.”
I chuckle at the ridiculous comment, but my giggles are cut short as Isaac kisses the side of my neck.
It’s chaste, but not caring that it’s the wrong part of the ceremony, he trails his lips up to mine in a searing kiss I feel all the way to my toes.
He’s right—after all this time, I’ll truly be his, and he’ll mine.
“I love you, babygirl,” he mutters against my lips. I don’t dare call him Daddy in front of everyone, but with how his eyes darken, he definitely knows I want to.
The officiant clears her throat, but we don’t break apart. Isaac’s often said that he takes care of what’s his, and I know in my soul that he’s a man of his word. But in case he needs a reminder, I echo my favorite words from him, “I’m yours, always.”