Epilogue
Jade - The Following Halloween
S taring at myself in the mirror a huge sense of Deja vu hits me, as I’m once again looking at a version of myself I don’t recognize. Except this time, I’m not staring at a green dress with glitter in random places. I’m staring at skin tight black leather trousers and off the shoulder black top. My hair is styled in tight curls, I have bright red lipstick on and my red Prada heeled pumps complete this year's Halloween outfit.
But it’s not just the outfit that is different this year, it’s my whole life. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, with the people I’m meant to be sharing it with. Our little group has grown, adding not only Hunter but also, Ria, Leo, and sometimes even Deacon and his daughter Olive join us. And I wouldn’t change a single thing.
Mum is in remission, working through her treatment plan, completely focused on beating her illness. Henry has already asked for my permission to ask for her hand. We both broke down and cried like fools for a full five minutes before we got to work on planning the perfect proposal.
In the office, Ria and I work seamlessly together, and considering we both have a reason to hate Peak Investments our drive to crush them is currently making us the top firm in London. And to top that all off, we both have been nominated for the Most Influential Women under thirty in Business awards this winter.
My life is perfect.
“You ready, Tink?” Hunter comes into our bedroom dressed in his tight jeans, black t-shirt, and black leather jacket. His hair is slicked back and curls with a slight quiff. Yep, we’re Danny and Sandy tonight. Considering this man hates dressing up, he was all for this get up. “Fuck me.” He closes the door and stalks over to me. “I’m one lucky son of a bitch. Tink…” His hands skim my hips as he kisses my neck. “I think this outfit might have been a bad idea. I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you.”
“I’m not understanding your problem?”
“Tink, don’t test me,” he mumbles into my shoulder.
“Jade.” Lily storms into the room. “Oh, shit, sorry.”
“No, you’re not.” I giggle as I untangle myself from Hunter, taking in my best friend's outfit. This year she has gone for Wilma Flintstone, and she looks insane.
“No, you’re right, I’m not. We’re leaving in five, so you don't have time to ride this one’s dick.” She spins. “Move it, lady.”
“I both love and despise that woman.” Hunter kisses my cheek, before he takes my hand leading into the living space.
After I moved in with Hunter, it has been nothing other than perfect. We have the guys over constantly and they treat our place like a second home. I’ve never been as happy as I am right now.
As I take in my friends all together in their costumes I can’t help the ridiculous grin that spreads across my face. Ria joined Lily with the Flintstone reference as she is Betty and Leo is Barney Rubble. But this year Beck is a little more subdued dressed as Thomas Shelby from the Peaky Blinders.
Trixie is missing this evening and it’s definitely felt throughout the group. As her and Ezra get more and more serious, she seems to be pulling away. But we won’t let her. The same way she wouldn’t allow me to pull away when I was with Dave, we’ll hold onto Trixie, making sure she knows exactly where we are if and when she needs us.
This year Hunter has arranged for a staff Halloween party to be held at the club where we first met. Apparently, it’s now his favorite holiday. He hired out the whole place and between him, Ria, and Leo, they have transformed the space into the perfect spooky venue.
Cobwebs drop from the chandeliers, the staff members are dressed as characters from the Rocky Horror Show , and cauldrons of punch are behind the bar, with dry ice, making them seem like they’re smoking.
“Hunter, this is incredible,” I shout above the thumping music, gripping his arm as we walk through the club. He leads me up the steps to the VIP area and just like that night, I get butterflies as we go to the booth where we shared our first kiss. A margarita and a glass of Macallan sit, waiting for us. I slide in just as the music lowers and I turn towards Hunter to question him, when I see him on one knee beside me. My heart skips a beat, and my hands start to shake.
“My Tink.” He takes hold of my hand. “A year ago today I walked into this club not expecting to find my other half. But that is exactly what I did.” As he speaks I notice movement behind him and our friends start to gather.
Ted and Dexter appear from the shadows, dressed as very fashionable dark angels. Mum and Henry appear next as Cat woman and Batman, then Ada and Thomas as Zorro and Elena from the mask of Zorro, and then my eyes bug out as I spot Trixie, who is dressed as Lara Croft give me a small wave from the bar. And I feel a rush of emotions that she is here, here for me. Ria, Leo, Beck, and Lily have also gathered around the dimly lit bar. And happiness coils in my stomach as it dawns on me that all the people who mean the most to me are here, and I return my gaze to Hunter, whose eyes are shining with so much love but also a hint of mischief making my heart sing.
“From the very first moment I knew you were special, I knew before I knew your name how incredible you were.” He brushes his thumbs tenderly over my knuckles. “We lost our way, but I never stopped looking for you. You make me strive to be better, to be more humble and kind. You’re so strong and love so hard.” I blink away tears at his words, and he wipes them away with his thumbs holding my face in his strong hands. “I promised you that night that I would show you how special and beautiful you were and I will continue to show you until I take my last breath.” He pulls out a black velvet box from his jeans and opens the lid. I gasp and look from him to the ring nestled in the satin cushion. It’s stunning. A green square cut diamond is clasped to a platinum band. The green is so vibrant, catching the light of the club. “Tink.” I pull my eyes away from the gorgeous ring to the man who has changed my world beyond belief, his eyes a little glassy as he says, “Will you be my wife?”
I throw myself at him so hard I nearly knock him off balance as I kiss him deeply.
“Is that a yes Tink?” he murmurs against my lips.
“Is this Max asking or Hunter?” I giggle and he joins in. “Yes, of course I’ll be your wife.”
THE END