Epilogue
TOMMY
August, Four Months Later
“I promise. You’re going to love it.” Walking backwards, I pull Grace by the wrist toward the door to the driveway.
She groans, exasperated because the last time I told her that, she said it was ‘way too much’.
“Tommy, I swear to god if there’s a helicopter or a fancy car in the driveway again, I’m donating it to charity.”
The helicopter was my compromise on not using the jet all the time.
I thought it was a huge win because it could be used for heli-skiing, but she didn’t seem to find the humor in my very serious idea.
That doesn’t mean I don’t still have it stowed away at the Jackson airport until she comes around to the idea.
“I promise it’s not a helicopter or a fancy car. And to be fair, that SUV was solely out of love, because it was five star crash rated and the safest on the market.”
She sighs and her posture softens. “Fine. Let’s go see it.”
She told me she didn’t need or want a wedding gift from me.
With every day that I’ve spent with her over the last few months, I’ve felt more and more like myself.
I’ve found that passion again, the one the that drove me to write music, the one that pushed me to help my friends when they need it.
I think it was always there, but being around her has brought that joy for life back to the surface and I can never thank her enough for that.
I have a feeling this gift will be perfect though.
When we walk outside, I spot Josie standing in the driveway leaning against a van, arms crossed with a smug look on her face.
Grace rushes to her friend, wrapping her arms around her in a bear hug I now associate with the whole Chapman family. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Colorado.”
“I was. Got a little hiking in. Just had to stop here before heading on to California next week.”
I watch Grace with her best friend, glad to see the joy those two bring each other. I will forever be grateful to Josie for being there to help save her that day in the mountains. I will find a way to repay her one day.
“So what’s up? Why’d you go out of your way? You know we’ll see you next week at the music festival anyway.”
Two months ago, Grace, or more accurately, Veronica, Lizzy, and Josie all convinced me to go to the Southern California Music Festival. It's next week, but I spent the last two months working on making sure Grace and I and all of our friends would have the best time possible.
“I know, but I’m not here for you. I needed to come pick up my van and drop this one off.”
Grace gives her friend a confused look before looking at the van that’s right in front of her. “Wait. Yeah. Where is yours? Did you get a new one?”
“I left it at Collin and Walker’s. They’re picking me up in it in a few.”
“Then whose is this?” Grace asks.
She looks between us for a second and then I see the moment it clicks that it’s not Josie’s van.
Grace walks around the large, blacked out adventure van.
She drags her fingertips along every inch of it, checking out the lifted vehicle with off road tires, storage racks on the back for skis, and a roof rack for solar panels.
She finally turns back to me with Josie standing at my side now.
“Go ahead, check it out,” I say, tossing the keys to her.
She snatches them out of the air, giving me one more surprised look before opening the sliding door. She climbs up, disappearing inside the van.
I pop my head in the door, watching her explore the custom camper van. I ordered it the day after the pizza party, after she took me out camping for a night in hers.
Watching her, I can feel her giddy excitement. She pops open each little cubby and cabinet, inspects the fridge, and slides open the shower door, combing every inch of the new van.
“I got the high roof one so I don’t have to hunch over in yours. I also had them put two heaters in just in case one of them acts up.” She looks at me over her shoulder, still clearly shocked. I already feel like this was the perfect gift.
“And no, I didn’t get rid of Millie. This one is for the two of us. It’s ours.”
She finally comes back to the door of the van, standing in front of me. I grab her by the waist and she hops down.
“Thank you. This is amazing. It has everything in it I’ve ever dreamed of.”
I kiss her forehead, smiling back at her. “The only thing I care about is that we’re in it together.”
We both turn to see Josie standing at the van, watching us.
She smirks. “The guys at the van shop were curious about this little special request.” Josie points up at the roof rack, just above the tall rear doors. There’s a little bracket with two folding arms.
“Close your eyes. I’ll show you both.”
Grace and Josie close their eyes and I climb the ladder on the back door and swing out the two arms. After climbing back down, I open the back door, pull out two ropes and a wooden plank.
I quickly assemble everything, pleased with my handiwork and my idea.
Josie was right. The guys at the van shop were a bit confused by my idea, but they didn’t object after I paid them quite well for the whole custom build.
I just said I wanted to be able to a hang a swing or a hammock from the back and enjoy scenic views with my wife. Technically, that was true.
“Alright. Open your eyes now.”
They both open their eyes and look at the wooden and rope swing in front of them.
“Hell yeah. You put a swing on the van? That’s sweet. You could totally park this thing on the end of a trail and watch the sunset from there.”
I look over at Grace and catch the slightest flush spreading over her cheeks. The look she gives me is worth every freaking penny. I know from the way her teeth dig into her bottom lip, she’s replaying that night in Seattle, just like I am.
When we got back from Tahoe, the first thing I did was put a set of the same swings in the living room here in Jackson.
They’re right in front of the fireplace, just like the ones at the penthouse in Seattle.
So far, not a single person has given them a second thought except for Josie and Sutton.
Everyone thinks they’re cool and way more fun than just hanging on a lounge chair in front of the fire.
I didn’t miss the look on Josie’s face. Her grin told me exactly what she was thinking and I’m guessing my wife told her something about that night.
The sound of Josie clearing her throat catches both of our attention.
“Well, you two making googly eyes at each other is my cue to leave.” She tilts her head toward the driveway. “Also Collin is here with my van, so I’ll see you guys in California.”
She hugs us both and we say our goodbyes for now. Then we watch her pull away.
Grace turns to me, shaking her head.
“Please tell me you don’t hate it.”
She steps to me, putting her hands in the back pockets of my jeans and pulling our bodies together.
“I love it. Thank you, but why?”
I tuck a loose strand of orange and purple hair behind her ear, taking in her smile. I still haven't counted all of her freckles yet, but I’m getting closer.
“It’s been nice having our friends over or traveling to see them. I know how much it means to you to see them and spend time with them. I want to do more of that with you.”
I cup the nape of her neck and pull her toward me, bringing our lips together for one soft kiss that I wish would last forever.
“I meant it when I said I’ll go wherever you want. I’ll always want to share that with you and make our own memories together. I figured what better way than to start with something of our own. Something that we can build together, just like our future.”