Epilogue
One Year and Four Months Later
Drew
“E mmett?” I say from the bathroom, putting on my earrings. “We’re going to be late!” I check the time on my phone seeing that we have only ten minutes until we’re supposed to be on our way to our double-date with Lacey and Tyler. We’ve been seeing them every other Friday since the end of last February.
“I’m ready!” Emmett calls from the kitchen, putting his Vans on.
This past week, I finished up my third year of teaching sixth grade at Northshore Middle School, and we are using tonight band the weekend to celebrate my year with drinks at our favorite place, Lenny’s.
Over a year ago, Emmett and I had just gotten back together after a month of finding myself and realizing I didn’t have to choose between Emmett’s support and my own strength; I can have both.
After a long need of making up for lost time, we woke up the next morning sore in all the right places. We got ourselves ready for the day, barely being able to peel ourselves away from each other before my brother, Cal got home. He and Emmett had a re-introduction, and my heart exploded seeing two people who are so important to me meet.
It made me even more excited for Emmett to meet Lacey.
Cal and I spent the day together, and we met Emmett at Lenny’s for a drink before dinner. Eddie gave Emmett a hard time for coming in on his weekend off, but he quickly forgave him when he heard the two of us made up.
“Move in with me.” After three vodka clubs, my inhibitions escaped me. I was staring at my off-duty bartender who refused to let Eddie or Annie make my drink, and I realized I wanted to experience everything life had to offer with him by my side but knowing that we should start small.
“Yes,” He said leaning over the bar to kiss me.
A few days later, he ended his lease early and moved his stuff upstairs to the eighth floor, and I have loved every second of it. Some may think it was rushed, but Emmett and I both have learned that life is short, and there’s no need to waste time that could be spent with the person you love.
When I first met Emmett, I never thought we would end up where we are now. Just about two years since we met for the very first time, I now feel like every day is part of a highlight reel.
“You’re the one who is making us late.” He teases as I join him to slip on my own Vans. “Um,” he says, “you need to change.”
I look down at my usual attire, black jeans, black tank top, and Vans, and I notice the Vans on his feet opposite me, just like mine but twice the size.
“You don’t want to match with me?”
He rolls his eyes, grinning with his teeth. “Fine, but come on.” He hands me my purse. “We have to go.”
Before he can turn to open the door, I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling his lips down to meet me. Seeing him in his summer attire of a black and white checkered button up and black shorts showing off some of the new tattoos on his calves. The sleeves of his shirt are short-sleeved, so his tattoos on his arms and hands are on display too. The few top buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing just a peak of his new chest piece.
My cheeks warm at the thought of that day, and it takes everything in me not to rip open the rest of the buttons and bring him back to our bed. but I know that will make us even more late.
I can’t help the flush in my cheeks at the thought.
His chest piece is a Cloudless Sulphur butterfly in the middle with symmetrical branches of leaves on either side. The meaning behind the yellow butterfly beinga positive sign of hope and happiness for your life while also embodying the symbolic and spiritual meanings associated with all butterflies such as change, transformation, and hope. But this one has the special additional symbolization of true happiness and a bright light for the future.
Because the piece was going to take a few hours, I wanted to see if another artist was available to do a piece for me. I choose the same butterfly as well as a snake to symbolize healing and chrysanthemums to symbolize the loss and grief that doesn’t dictate my life but is a part of it. The tattoo artist took my three ideas and molded them into a beautiful piece that wraps around my forearm.
Also, in our past year together, we finished watching all the Marvel movies in chronological order which prompted our favorite date-night tradition of seeing any new Marvel movie that comes out in theaters. I find it much easier to stay awake in the movie theater now, mostly because of the handsome man seated next to me who turns into a horny teenager anytime the lights in the theater dim.
Emmett’s hands find the back pocket of my jeans, initiating more than just the butterflies in my stomach as he lips meet mine. He gives me the whole damn rainforest.
Our kiss deepens before he slightly pulls away, apparently not wanting to be late for what I assume is to see his new best friend.
Lacey and I were so happy that Emmett and Tyler hit it off, bonding over their tattoos and shared experiences of being the partners of two best friends that are constantly either talking to each other or about one another. Their newfound friendship was just one more reason to stay so connected with my best friend who was there for me when I needed her most.
“You ready?” He says against my lips. He smiles, showing his teeth, my favorite Emmett smile.
I reciprocate with a smile of my own. “With you, always.”
We walk hand-in-hand to the elevator that played a part in us meeting two years ago knowing it will always be a special detail of our story. Emmett pushes the button and sneaks a glance my way as we wait. He quickly looks away and smiles, as if I caught him in the act.
“What?” I ask. He’s giving me a weird vibe as he shifts from his heels to his toes as we wait. “You’re that worried about being late?” But before he can respond, the elevator bell rings and the doors open, revealing a sight I never thought I’d see.
The back wall of the elevator is filled with pictures we’ve taken over our time together, selfies in bed, posed pictures at concerts, self-timer photos with Lacey and Tyler, Cal and Emma, and Annie and Luke who are still “just friends”… Or so they say. Even Eddie and his new friend, Mia, are in a few. Eddie started bringing Mia around the bar and out with us over the last few weeks. He calls her his bandmate’s little sister, but he isn’t fooling Emmett and me.
My eyes instantly begin to water as they roam the photo collage that documents our entire relationship that bloomed from trauma so unspeakable, it’s amazing to see how we flourished.
Emmett leads me into the elevator, and I see the floor of it is covered in rose petals, reminding me of the roses on his hands.
“Drew,” he says, grabbing my other hand, so I’m facing him. “The first time I saw you, I thought you were too good to be true. I thought you were the universe showing me everything I wanted but couldn’t have. But, when you looked at me with those eyes, I was done for.
“You have showed me what true love, passion, kindness, and strength are, and you are living proof of them every single day. Whether it’s at your job, or at home, in my arms, or in our bed, you are the person I want to spend my life with, supporting each other no matter what comes our way.” He drops down to one knee, pulling out a black velvet box I didn’t even notice was in his back pocket. He lets go of my hands to open the ring box, and my hands go to my mouth at the sight of a black onyx stone surrounded with tiny diamonds on a rose gold band. “Drew,” he pulls the ring from the box, and I give him my left hand. “Will you marry me?”
A sob escapes me, and I nod my head. Tears are rolling down my face, and I feel so thankful that this year has been one filled with happy tears instead of sad ones.
As Emmett slips the ring on my ring finger, I ask myself how did I get here?
I have never felt like I could take on the world, but I know I can with Emmett by my side.
Emmett wraps his arms around my waist picking my feet off the floor and kisses me into tomorrow.
Into our future.
He sets me down, and I can’t believe this is happening. I take a second to look at the pictures and wonder how he pulled such a surprise off.
“I never expected this.” I wipe the stray tears in my eyes and feel my heart beat grow unsteady but in the best way possible. “Did you think of this yourself?”
“Of course,” he says as he wraps his arms around me, his chest flush against my back as we look at all the photos he collected. He lets out a chuckle. “I had help though. Lacey is waiting downstairs. She is making sure no one uses the elevator until we come down.”
I laugh along with him, not surprised at all.
“And I hope you don’t mind, a few more will be joining us tonight.” I turn to face him wrapping me arms around his neck, and I smile so big it hurts. “Tyler, Cal, Emma, Eddie, Mia, Annie, and Luke are all waiting for us at Lenny’s. Everyone is so excited to not have to keep this a secret anymore.
I feel overwhelmed with love at the thought all the most important people in my life, and the people most important to them, are going to share this night with me, but I find myself feeling selfish to make this moment between just Emmett and I last.
I kiss him deep, hoping he catches on that I want my fiancé all to myself for just a little bit longer.
“You’re going to make us even more late,” he says against my lips.
“They’ll understand. Please?” I take his bottom lip between my teeth. He lets out a groan, one I know means trouble, and he takes my hand. We run like teenagers on the verge of getting caught back to our apartment.
When we get to the door, he pushes me against it, kissing me hard. He slowly moves from my lips to my cheek and down my neck, finding the spot only he knows how to find. I feel his breath in my ear as he grabs my left hand and brings it between us. I watch as he gives each of my knuckles a kiss, giving my ring finger an extra. Then, he meets my gaze, and I melt into those chocolate eyes I get to spend the rest of my life melting into.
“How could I ever say no to my future wife?”