Epilogue
EPILOGUE
GILBERT
Seven Years Later
It all feels so surreal, being here in the grand theater of the historic Palais Garnier. The grandeur of the historic opera house is breathtaking, with its gilded moldings, marble columns, and the magnificent chandelier hanging high above the audience. The air buzzes with anticipation, the murmurs of the crowd blending with the faint rustle of programs.
The stage is set for the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet , and my heart swells with pride and anticipation. Tonight is special, not just because of the venue, but because Ashlynn, now the principal dancer for the Paris Opera Ballet — one of the most prestigious ballet companies in Europe — is the star of the show tonight. She’s come so far, and I’m endlessly amazed by her grace, talent, and dedication. She’s not just my partner; she’s a force of nature, a true artist.
Sitting in the best seats in the house, I glance around, taking in the splendor. The plush red seats, the intricate detailing on the balconies, and the sheer size of the auditorium — it’s a place steeped in history and artistry.
Next to me are Bonnie and her new wife, Whitley, their excitement palpable. We chat quietly, discussing the beautiful theater and the anticipation for the evening’s performance. Bonnie is beaming with pride, eager to watch her niece’s performance. Whitley smiles warmly at me, sharing in the excitement. I nod, sharing her sentiments, though words feel inadequate to express the depth of my feelings.
The house lights dim, and a hush falls over the audience. The magnificent Chagall ceiling above us seems to come alive under the soft glow of the chandeliers. The overture begins, and the curtains slowly rise, revealing a stunning set that transports us to Verona. My heart races with a mix of nerves and excitement. As the performers take their places, my focus narrows to one person.
My Juliet: Ashlynn Crane.
She steps onto the stage with a grace and poise that takes my breath away. The audience falls silent, captivated by her presence. Her movements are fluid, her expressions genuine; embodying Juliet with every fiber of her being. I watch her, utterly mesmerized. Her beauty, her expressions, her movements, her dedication, the way she commands the stage — it’s all breathtaking.
As she dances, I can’t help but reminisce about our journey. The late-night rehearsals, the grueling auditions, the quiet moments of doubt and the exhilarating moments of success. We’ve faced our fair share of obstacles too, from misunderstandings and secrets that threatened to pull us apart, to long periods of separation due to her demanding career. But through it all, we’ve only grown stronger, finding strength and unity in each other. We’ve built a life together, one filled with love, respect, and anchored by a deep understanding and mutual respect for one another.
Seeing her now, in her element, achieving her dreams, fills me with an overwhelming sense of pride and love. She’s worked so hard to get here, and I’ve been privileged to witness her growth and transformation, to have been there for every triumph and every tear. She’s not just my soulmate and the woman I love; she’s an artist who moves hearts and minds, bringing stories to life with her every step.
The play progresses, each act more breathtaking than the last. The chemistry between Ashlynn and her partner is electric, their portrayal of the tragic lovers compelling and heart-wrenching. The audience is captivated, holding their breath during the intense moments and sighing collectively during the tender ones. But for me, all I see is her — her strength, her vulnerability, her unparalleled talent.
Tonight, as I watch her, I think about our future. We’ve talked about the places we want to explore together, and about the life we want to build. We’ve even talked about the possibility of starting a family someday, a topic that fills me with both excitement and a touch of nervousness. But I know, whatever the future holds, we’ll face it together, just as we’ve faced every challenge that’s come our way.
As the final act unfolds, the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet reaches its heartbreaking climax. Ashlynn’s performance is exquisite, her portrayal of Juliet’s despair and love utterly convincing. The air is thick with emotion, the audience holding its collective breath. And even though I’ve seen this performance many times, I find myself gripping the armrests, caught up in the intensity of the moment. I watch her final moments on stage, my heart aching with the bittersweet beauty of it all.
The curtain falls, and the theater erupts in applause. The standing ovation is thunderous, and there is not a single dry eye in the audience. The lights come up, and I rise to my feet, clapping until my hands sting, my heart swelling with pride and love. But my applause is for more than just a performance — it’s for the incredible woman on that stage, the one who has captured my heart and continues to inspire me every day. As the cast takes their bows, Ashlynn steps forward, her face glows with joy and relief. Our eyes meet across the distance, and she smiles — a smile that says so much without words.
Anticipation lingers in the air as we file out of the theater, heightened by the grandeur of the evening. The night air is crisp and cool, the grand fa?ade of the Palais Garnier illuminated, casting a magical glow over the square. Bonnie and Whitley walk alongside me as we head towards the stage door, the buzz of post-performance excitement palpable. A small crowd has gathered, a mix of devoted fans and curious onlookers, all eager to congratulate the dancers who brought the story of Romeo and Juliet to life.
When Ashlynn finally emerges, still in her stage makeup and a light wrap around her shoulders, she’s met with even more cheers and applause. She smiles, waves, and graciously begins signing autographs, taking the time to acknowledge each fan with genuine warmth.
We stand a little way off, giving her space to enjoy the adulation. Bonnie and Whitley exchange excited glances, clearly bursting with something they want to share. I watch Ashlynn, my heart swelling with pride. Even in this chaotic moment, she exudes grace and kindness, making each person feel special. She catches my eye occasionally, a subtle, reassuring smile that says, “I see you. I’m here.”
Finally, the crowd begins to thin, and she wraps up her final autograph. She turns to us, her face radiant with the afterglow of a successful performance. As she approaches, I pull her into a tender embrace, relishing the warmth of her body against mine.
“You were extraordinary,” I murmur into her ear, my voice low and thick with emotion.
She pulls back slightly, her lips stretching into a smile that lights up the night. “Thank you,” she whispers, a soft smile on her lips. “Mr. Crane.”
Oh, how I love hearing my name fall so effortlessly off her lips. And if we didn’t have an audience…
“Alright, quit making googly eyes at each other!” Bonnie chastises, her expression one of barely contained excitement. She pulls Ashlynn from my arms and wraps her arms around her favorite niece. Or rather, her only niece.
Whitley rolls her eyes at her. “No one says googly eyes anymore.”
“You haven’t been around these two long enough, dear. Give it time.” Her eyes are playful, though.
“I’ve gotten stage make-up all over you,” Ashlynn says, wiping at the smudges on Bonnie’s shoulder. “That’s not coming off anytime soon.”
Bonnie beams. “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll have worse on me in eight months.” Her gaze darts to Whitley’s stomach. “Maybe less.”
Ashlynn and I exchange curious glances. “Does that mean…”
“Yep.” Whitley grins widely. “The last transfer we did finally took,” she announces, her voice bubbling with joy. “We’re expecting.”
Ashlynn’s eyes widen in surprise and delight. “Congratulations, you two!” she exclaims, rushing to hug them both. “I finally get to be a big sister, and it only took twenty-eight years!”
I join in, congratulating them both. I know they’d been trying to get pregnant for years, even long before they got married. The news is a joyous surprise, and it adds a perfect note of celebration to an already magical evening.
Ashlynn pulls back, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. “I’m so happy for you both,” she says, her voice brimming with joy. “This really is incredible news.”
Bonnie smiles, wiping a tear from her eye. “Thank you. We couldn’t be happier.” She turns to me, her expression softening. “So, Mr. Crane?—”
“Nope,” Ashlynn objects hotly. “Uh uh. Don’t ruin this moment with your maiming speech. I’m too busy taking Europe by storm, one stage at a time. Besides, our dinner reservation is in forty-five minutes and I still need to wash the sweat and make-up off of me.” She takes my hand in hers and tugs us in the direction of her dressing room. “I need help with my zipper, Mr. Crane.”
Bonnie’s and Whitley’s boisterous laughter follows us. We all know I won’t be helping her with just her zipper. My wife has never been subtle about the fact that she gets really frisky after every performance, and I live to satisfy her every need. Even if we are on a very tight time constraint.
Thirty minutes later, as the four of us through the vibrant streets of Paris, Ashlynn’s hand in mine, the city lights reflecting off the cobblestones, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and contentment. We’ve faced our share of challenges, but tonight, in this beautiful historic city and under the Parisian sky, surrounded by love and celebration, I know that we’re exactly where we’re meant to be. The future stretches out before us, filled with endless possibilities. I know that whatever comes, we’ll face it together, with love and courage, just as we always have.
For now, though, I’m content to simply walk beside her, basking in the glow of a perfect night and the incredible woman I’m lucky enough to call my partner.
Mr. Crane does have a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?