26. Epilogue
26
Epilogue
Lily
It’s been eight months since Orson’s thirty-fifth birthday dinner. The same dinner where he inherited the family business, and the same dinner where he discovered that his grandfather had known for quite some time that we were, indeed, not married.
It came as a surprise to both of us, which, after the initial shock, we were able to laugh about.
“So you’re telling me he knew we were not married when I danced with him at the gala?” I balked as Orson drove us home afterward.
My still-pretend husband was grinning from ear to ear. I think it was disbelief that everything we had done was all for naught.
“That’s what he said. He told me he knew weeks before that.”
“I can’t believe it,” I said. “So the gala was a test?”
“Well, I knew that before we went. I just didn’t tell you. You were already nervous enough. That being said, I didn’t know it was that kind of test. He was rather impressed with your defense of me, though. In fact, I think he’s quite taken with you,” Orson replied with a smirk.
Pops, as I now call him, had been very pleasant for the rest of the dinner, engaging me in conversation and showing real interest in the business. He told me he remembered my father well, and what a hard worker he had been.
“It has clearly been passed down from father to daughter,” he said. “Your father was a fine man. I always had the greatest respect for him.”
Those words coming from Arthur Donovan’s mouth meant a lot to me. I know I had been nervous at the gala, but that evening, I saw a different side to him. He also put me in my place.
“And by the way,” he had said, lowering his voice so no other could hear. “I never agreed to Orson remaining at Willow Creek High. In fact, I was dead against it. I didn’t think it was fair that my grandson had to suffer because of the narrow-minded townsfolk. But I’m afraid I’m not his father, and in the end, it was my son’s decision.”
My eyes widened at that remark, and then I found myself blurting out an apology for the comment I had made when we had danced together.
Arthur dismissed my words with a wave of his hand. “There’s no need for all that, my dear,” he said. “But you should know something else, while we’re on the subject. I didn’t send Orson back to Willow Creek because I thought he was a coward. I believe he has the strongest character of all the Donovan men. I sent him back to heal.”
I frowned then. “How was making him go back to have to face such awful people going to heal him?”
The old man smiled. “I wanted him to see that those people no longer had any power over him. All those years in high school had dented his self-esteem, and yet, their view of him meant nothing at all. He needed to recognize that he was a successful man in his own right. He needed to exorcise his demons.
“And if I’m honest, which is a little bit wicked”—Arthur smirked as he continued—“I wanted them to see how well he had done in spite of them. It is ironic, don’t you think, that the man they spent years torturing was the same man who had to come back and save them all?”
I couldn’t help but smile through my surprise. But I’ll be honest; I never would have imagined Arthur to be so insightful. Then again, I didn’t really know him. I only had Orson’s distorted view of his grandfather’s wishes.
“And does Orson know any of this?” I asked.
Arthur winked and grinned. “Not yet, but I will tell him in good time.”
The next hurdle we had to cross was telling my sisters the truth. I didn’t think Facetiming them was appropriate under the circumstances, so we invited both them and Jasmine to the apartment for dinner. Orson and I had agreed that we would tell only the people who were close to us, those who meant something to us. The rest of the town could think whatever they liked.
Orson had already told Jake, who, no doubt, had told Tara. Now, it was my turn.
We invited them to the apartment under false pretenses of just an ordinary dinner, and the evening went well, with much conversation and laughter. After dessert was finished, we relaxed in the living room and served more drinks. I wanted to wait until after everyone had eaten. In my mind, I wanted Jasmine and my sisters to at least have a bit of alcohol in them. It might soften the blow.
“So,” I said when we were all relaxed and sitting in comfort. “Orson and I have something we need to tell you.”
“Yes, a confession of sorts,” Orson added.
I grinned at him as I sat on the arm of the chair he sat on, his arm wrapped around my hips. “Well, it’s not really ‘of sorts,’ is it? It’s a confession.”
“All right. Yes. A confession,” he conceded.
“Can you just tell us?” Martha demanded playfully.
“Yes, the suspense is killing me,” Ellie added.
“All right,” I began, taking a deep breath. “Well, the fact is, Orson and I are not actually married.”
“What?” Martha, Ellie, and Jasmine all said together.
“You’re not?” Jasmine balked.
“No. We’re not. We do feel guilty for not telling you sooner,” I continued.
“For lying to us, is that what you mean?” Jasmine said, her face a picture of disgust.
“Yes, for lying. But it’s a long story.”
“I ain’t going nowhere,” Jasmine piped up again.
Clearly, we were not going to get off lightly, so, between us, Orson and I explained the whole thing.
In the end, my sisters were gawking at me. “You sneaky, deceitful little…” Martha gasped.
“I know. But you know what? It’s all worked out in the end,” I said with a coy smile.
“And what if it hadn’t?” Jasmine cried.
“We understand that you’re probably angry with us,” Orson said calmly. “And we do feel bad. Which is why we’re telling you now.”
For a minute, the three of them didn’t seem to have anything to say. It was a lot to take in, and they obviously needed time to process it. But not long after that, Jasmine eyed me across the room. “So, are you guys actually going to get married?”
I smiled widely at her. “Yes. We are.”
“Like, for real?” She gave me a look and a playful smirk.
I laughed at her. “Yes, Jasmine. For real. We’ve even set the date. We’re getting married on the fifth of May next year.”
“But that’s eight months away,” Ellie cried.
“We’ve decided we want to get to know each other before we get married,” Orson added. “Besides, we want you to be there, too.”
“Oh, so you’re not going to just disappear this time?” Martha said sarcastically.
“Listen, if you don’t want to come…” I began.
“No, we do. We do,” Ellie cut in excitedly.
“Good. Then put it in your diary.”
Which brings us back to today. The day I’m standing on the lawn of Arlington House in my stunningly beautiful wedding dress with both of our families behind us. And they’re all who are present.
Of course, I would have loved it if Mom could be here, but it would just be too distressing for her. Instead, I have Ellie, Martha, Gerry, and Jasmine and her children. Orson has Arthur, his Mom and Dad, and Jake and Tara.
His mom was a little upset that we didn’t want a huge celebration, but Orson told her that for this occasion, he was going to make his own choices. From what I hear, she didn’t like that too much, either, but she’s here, so I suppose that’s a blessing.
Orson compromised a little by allowing a photographer to take a few pictures. They’ll end up in Business Insider or some other big business magazine, and his mom can have the limelight she’s looking for.
As I stand here now, with the pastor reciting the end of our wedding ceremony, I look up at Orson with a huge smile on my face. He’s looking back at me with so much love in his eyes.
Now, I know the man standing beside me. We’ve spent eight more months getting to know who we are as individuals and as a couple, and I couldn’t be more delighted with the person I have chosen to spend the rest of my life with. I didn’t think a happily ever after would happen for me, but Willow Creek is slowly picking itself up, my business is thriving again, and I have the man of my dreams by my side.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the pastor says.
“This is the part I’ve been waiting for,” Orson murmurs, bending his head towards me.
His lips meet mine, and behind us, I hear whooping and clapping, but the sound slowly fades as I melt into his arms. There’s nothing and no one but us. We are bound forever, and as a serene bliss—mixed with the excitement his kiss elicits—swirls around my entire body, I cannot imagine I will ever feel happier than this moment.
I know I will; I just can’t imagine it.