Epilogue
Alex
I haven’t seen Mom smile this much since before her MS diagnosis.
Earlier this afternoon, during the graduation ceremony, she even stood and cheered when I walked on stage to receive my diploma.
She stood between Alonzo and Isabella, both of whom joined her cheering.
Every weekend, Alonzo flies in the best doctors in the nation to look after Mom. She also gets daily physical therapy, and visits from nutritionists who monitor her dietary needs.
Her health has improved steadily, and it’s all thanks to Alonzo. He personally checks in with the doctors to make sure they’re providing the best care money can buy.
Walking on stage marked the end of a bittersweet chapter of my life. Classes had been enjoyable enough, but I knew I would always associate my time in college with terrible memories of The Den and Jacob. That is the bitter part.
The sweet part is that this is where I met and fell in love with Alonzo, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I would gladly go through all of this again—even the bad parts—if I knew I would come out the other side with this incredible man.
This thought returns to me now as we sit in the fanciest restaurant in town. Alonzo reserved the entire place for our small group of family and friends, although reserved is probably the wrong word since he owns the restaurant.
A large, sparkling chandelier floats above our dining table, which is decorated with an ivory tablecloth lined with a golden design. The chairs are dark blue, matching the blue accents on the white walls. Even though we are only using one table in the restaurant, all the other tables are equally decorated with immaculate care.
I sit at the end of the table, with Mom to my left and Alonzo to my right. To Alonzo’s right sits Santiago, who still pops into town occasionally. He says he has chores around town, but I suspect he just wants to see Isabella, who sits opposite him next to Mom.
Alonzo promised to keep Santiago away from Isabella, but I told him it was okay. She is an adult and can look after herself.
“Just be glad it’s Santiago who is lurking around her and not my other brother, Gustavo,” Alonzo leans in and whispers. I guess he saw me glancing at Isabella and Santiago.
“You have another brother?” I ask.
His eyes go to my mom, and then he leans in closer.
“He was promoted when I retired. He essentially filled my spot at Nuestra Casa . It’s long, grueling work that keeps him busy most of the time, but you’ll meet him one day,” he pauses, then continues. “I also have a sister. She’s much younger than us three brothers, so we keep tabs on her. She’s around your age, actually. Currently studying abroad in Europe.”
“Wow,” I say. “You’re full of surprises.”
“Good ones, I hope,” he says. “I’ll make sure you meet the entire family one day.”
“I would love that,” I say. Growing up as an only child, I always dreamed of having a large family someday. And now I finally have one.
Beyond Isabella and Santiago, Abby and Gianna giggle at something on Abby’s phone. I had spent less time with them during the spring semester, but inviting them to this dinner felt right.
Surprisingly, Gianna is managing her drinks tonight. She’s been laughing at Santiago’s jokes all night, even though Isabella is the one he’s trying to amuse. Still, we are all having a good time, eating tiny fancy burgers and colorful cocktail drinks.
“This is nice,” I say.
Alonzo reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “There will be many more days like these. I promise.”
**
After dinner, Alonzo and I are the only ones left at the restaurant. Gianna and Abby left in an Uber, and Santiago volunteered to drive Mom and Isabella home.
“I have a surprise for you. I didn’t want to put you in the spot earlier,” Alonzo says as he leads me to one of the glass doors and opens it. The restaurant overlooks a narrow sliver of the river that cuts through San Marquez. The river dips into a small but steep slope, creating a ten-foot waterfall.
“What do you mean? Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” he smiles.
We step onto a wooden deck built on the side of the restaurant. The deck bridges over the river to a beautiful garden with large, lush plants and trees.
“This part of the restaurant is reserved for special occasions,” Alonzo says. He holds my hand as we cross the bridge and set foot in the beautiful garden. String lights wrap around the large trees overhead.
It feels magical.
In the center of the garden is a small white gazebo. Inside is a small table with a bottle of wine on ice and two empty wine glasses.
“You really want to get me drunk, huh?” I ask. He motions toward the gazebo, but I reach upward and wrap my arms around him instead, kissing him. “What are you planning, Professor ? You don’t need to get me all boozed up to take advantage of me.”
He laughs. “I know that. But that’s not what I had in mind. I mean, I always do, but there’s something else I want to do at this very moment.”
He leads me into the gazebo and pours us wine. He takes a sip of his drink and clears his throat.
“A few years ago, I lost who I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. I was devastated and poisoned by rage and feelings of revenge. I never thought I could love anybody else again,” he pauses and stares at his glass of wine before looking up at me with a smile, “But then I met you. You made me question so many things about myself and the very notion that I could be happy again. Because I am happy, Alex. I’ve been drunk on happiness since I met you, and I would love nothing more than to spend the rest of my days attempting to make you as happy as you make me.”
He reaches into his pocket and lowers to one knee.
What is going on? Alonzo, what are you—
“Alex,” he says, extending the biggest and shiniest diamond ring to me. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
My hands go up to my lips. “What? Are you serious?”
I can’t believe it. I must have fallen asleep or passed out during dinner. Surely something this magical can’t happen to somebody like me.
Tears swell under my eyes. I wipe them away with nervous, trembling hands.
“I’m dead serious,” he says. “Will you marry me?”
“Of course I will marry you!” I yell, still unsure if I’m dreaming or not.
As soon as the ring is on my finger, I hop on him and kiss him all over his handsome face. He catches me with both arms and spins me around, kissing me. I can feel his lips curl into a smile against mine.
His warm hands around my body convince me I’m not dreaming.
This is as real as my love for him.