23. Epilogue
Epilogue
Gemma
Three Months Later
“ T hank you all so much for being here with us to celebrate. Aubine wouldn’t be where it is today without each and every one of you, and I know damn well we’re going to absolutely crush it in California. And added bonus, no one will have to listen to Jean lament about the Boston winters for the entire month of February.” The crowd laughs and Natalie raises her glass. “Cheers.”
I take a sip of champagne with Eoghan standing next to me and Alessia and Finn on my other side.
“Jesus Christ, lady, you’re going to poke my eye out with that rock if you’re not careful,” Alessia says as she sets her glass down on one of the tall cocktail tables Natalie had brought into the conference room at Aubine.
It’s Friday night, and on Monday, Natalie and Jean are headed to Beverly Hills to set up the new offices for Aubine Couture. When I told her I couldn’t leave Boston, and I understood if she and Jean needed to find someone else who was willing to relocate, she laughed in my face and told me there was no one who would ever bring to the table what I’m capable of bringing. Instead, they decided to move the couture side of the business to California, and I’d stay here and head the ready-to-wear side from Boston. She also mentioned this little thing called air travel and said if Jean’s needed here for appointments, he can always fly back, but the couture clients were damn well rich enough to fly themselves to the West Coast for fittings.
I look down at the diamond on my left hand and thank my lucky fucking stars again that Natalie is the amazing boss that she is. I didn’t want to choose between love and my career, not that it wasn’t decided the night Viktor took his last breath.
Two months after that night, Eoghan got down on one knee in the middle of The Celtic Cross while the band was on break and proposed. Alessia and Finn were there with us, and my best friend broke down in the happiest tears I’ve ever seen. Underneath that tough exterior, the woman is a romantic softy. Or it could have been the hormones.
“Wait, you better not be drinking champagne with my little niece or nephew in there,” I scold, pointing to her flat stomach.
“Relax. Finn brought a very fine vintage of sparkling grape juice.”
“Only the best for my wife,” he says from the other side of her.
“Peanut is safe and sound tucked in there,” Alessia says, rubbing her stomach.
She was scared as hell when she told me she was pregnant. It’s been a sore subject for years. But that was a different time with a completely different man, one who had no chance in hell of ever hurting her again. Finn saw to that. Then she started crying, saying she was going to be as big as a whale when Eoghan and I walked down the aisle. I assured her we were in no rush, and since I didn’t know anyone with kids, I’d wait for hers to be the flower girl or ring bearer. Eoghan grumbled about not wanting to wait years to make me a Monaghan, but I shot him a look, and he shut right the hell up. I love that man to hell and back, but I’ll be damned if anyone makes my best friend cry.
I turn to Eoghan, and he’s wearing a smile on his face as he looks between Alessia and me. It’s one I’ve seen a few times since she told us that she was pregnant.
“Wipe the grin off your face, Eoghan. You aren’t knocking me up anytime soon.”
“Who said anything about getting you pregnant?” he asks innocently.
“Your mother would have an absolute conniption if we weren’t married before I got pregnant, and since that’s still a ways off, you can get those thoughts right out of your head.” Marriage is one thing. Kids are a whole other ballgame that I am far from ready for.
“So, you’re saying if I knock you up, you’ll have to marry me sooner?”
“Are you saying you’d trap me into marriage?” I arch my brow, throwing him a look that says he had better be real fucking careful how he answers.
“I would never take away your choice or consent in the matter. I’m simply considering our options if it were to happen.”
“You’re fucking ridiculous.”
“And you love me.”
“Yeah, got me there.” I smile and lean in to give him a soft kiss on the mouth.
When I pull away, I see Finn look down at his phone. “It’s Cillian. I’ll be right back.”
He walks away, and I turn to Alessia. “Cillian hasn’t been around much.”
“He’s been doing some work with Liam. I think he’s in New Orleans right now.”
I shrug, not wanting to ask any questions. Eoghan tells me what he thinks I need to know, but I don’t need the ins and outs of anything. My life isn’t wrapped up in their business. I have my hands full as the new VP of marketing for Aubine ready-to-wear.
Finn returns and kisses Alessia on the cheek.
“Everything okay?”
He nods and looks at Eoghan. “Seems he’s on his way home with a stowaway.”
Eoghan’s brows draw down in question. “Who?”
“Didn’t say. Just that she needed a ride to Shine. Apparently there’s some connection with her and the Black Roses, and he did not sound happy about it.”
Sounds like someone finally got under the man’s tough as hell armor.
Eoghan shrugs, then turns to me before grabbing me by the waist and lowering his mouth to my ear. “How long do we have to stay? I haven’t been inside of you since last night.”
I laugh and try to push him away, but he doesn’t budge. “You’re a brute.”
“Why? Because I want to spread your legs and lick you until you come on my face?”
“Shh. Jesus .” I look around but no one is paying us any mind. Well, except for my best friend, who’s standing next to me with a smirk on her face.
“Come on, blondie. We christened my office. It’s only fair we christen yours.”
“You think that’s going to work on me?” I ask when he gives me that damn smirk. Goddamnit, he’s right, and it is.
I turn to Alessia. “We’ll be right back.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Just make sure your blouse is on right side out this time.”
“I’ll never live that down, will I?”
“Nope.”
I shrug, and Eoghan starts to pull me in the direction of my office.
Yeah, I can live with that.
The End