Epilogue - Dax
Three years later
At the top of Pine Mountain, you can see for miles.
Peppermint Lodge is down the mountain pass to the left, with Snowflake Falls laid out at the bottom like a cute little toy town twinkling in the distance. There’s a fresh breeze all the way up here, which is a relief after the intense heat and humidity we’ve had so far this summer.
Lincoln’s been obsessed with trying to make it rain, since he feels sorry for the plants in our yard. Every morning, he and Alex go out while it’s still cool and make sure none of them get thirsty. As a consequence, our garden is thriving.
I never expected my life would take this direction. But isn’t that what life does when you least expect it? Throws a curveball in there, out of the blue, and sees if you can handle it.
In my case I thought I knew what I wanted and it was all based around achievement. Work and everything related to it was my one focus. I liked my life but I didn’t know what - who - I was missing out on. And she was right next door and a part of my life the whole time.
One of my favorite memories, one that I go back to time and time again, is standing at the end of the aisle in the beautiful church in the center of Snowflake Falls.
The scent of jasmine and lilies is in the air from all the flowers, my Mom’s eyes are filled with tears and Zac’s trying not to cry as he stands beside me.
We watch Lincoln walk proudly down the aisle in front of Alex, who’s on her Dad’s arm.
Her Dad’s mobility is not so good but he’s insisted on escorting her and although their progress is slow, it’s touching to see how proud he is of his daughter.
There’s the sound of people blowing their noses, especially from the Bells family corner, as Lincoln reaches me and with a big smile gives me a fist bump. He leans up and whispers in my ear “Wedding, affirmative,” which makes me laugh.
Another thing I didn’t expect was to have a totally unique, challenging and adorable son in my life.
When Lincoln’s foster family couldn’t take care of him, Alexis and I applied to adopt him.
We’d been together for a year and we both knew that this was forever for us and we wanted to give Lincoln a proper home.
We’ve offered him some love and stability, and he’s rewarded us with his quirky, clever personality and by letting down some of the defenses he built up during his hard little life.
Alex is in a silky white dress which highlights her stunning curvy figure.
Bette’s clearly gone to town doing Alex’s hair, which is a mix of braids and waves topped with a floral headdress.
She looks unbelievably gorgeous and I take a deep intake of breath as Zac claps me on the back.
As she joins me I give her hand a squeeze and lean in for a kiss.
I know I should wait but I have to touch her, now.
She kisses me back and there is an audible sigh from the congregation.
“This is highly romantic,” Lincoln says loudly in his robot voice and the whole church erupts into laughter.
I’ve been zoned out standing up here remembering our wedding day but I become aware of Magnus waving at me from the site entrance.
I walk down the path from the mountain peak to the paved area where we’ve just finished his latest project, Pine Lodge.
It’s designed to use the natural stone from this mountain and local wood to construct a space which works in harmony with the environment.
During the summer, it’s used by artists, schools and companies as a space to hold conferences, courses and meetings.
In the winter it’s a ski school with a run that heads directly down to Peppermint Lodge.
“Hello Dax. Surveying our handiwork?” Magnus smiles at me.
I know him well now and he’s a wonderful influence on Lincoln, who is interested in buildings and architecture.
I came clean about the fake fiancée plan at Christmas after a few too many schnapps.
Luckily he thought it was hilarious that the scheme to impress him caused Alexis and I to actually get together.
“Looking great from up there. Are we done for today?” I smile back.
“Yes, I think so. Let’s discuss the next project on Monday. Can I give you a ride back to Snowflake?”
“Thanks. And you’ll get me there faster than anyone else!” I pat him on the back.
Magnus expertly drives his car down the winding mountain road, slowing down as we go past Peppermint Lodge. There are people outside setting up for the Fourth of July celebrations tomorrow.
Once we reach my house back in Snowflake, I open the car door and thank Magnus. “See you tomorrow, Lincoln is looking forward to those Swedish meatballs!”
Magnus laughs. “Tell him: Meatballs, affirmative.”
Magnus is like part of the family now since he got together with my Mom last year. He jokes there must be something in the air here in Snowflake since everyone who comes here ends up in love. No one will ever take my Dad’s place but as a potential father-in-law, he’s the best I could imagine.
Alex opens the door as I walk up the path. We’re only a five minute walk away from my Mom’s and the Bells’ houses, so our families are in and out of each other’s places most days. Her eyes light up when they meet mine.
“Hot enough for you?” She fans herself. She’s six months pregnant and has still been coaching summer school, although she’s going to have to take a break soon.
“Hot as a hot dog at a hog roast in hell town.” That’s a saying Lincoln picked up from somewhere and now we all use it. I give her a kiss and she smiles up at me.
“Linc is over at my Mom’s house helping her with some technical thing. I’ve had the oven on making that special jerk chicken Taylor got the recipe for and the kitchen smells amazing. But it’s like a furnace inside, so you might want to sit on the porch for a while. I’ll bring some iced tea out.”
I sit on the porch swing listening to the sounds of Snowflake Falls going into evening; people coming back from work, kids playing outside, the buzz of the insects going about their business.
The sun is lower in the sky and there’s a soft breeze starting to blow as I rock myself back and forth on the swing.
Alex comes out with two glasses of iced tea and sits next to me on the swing. I put my arm around her and she leans her head on my shoulder.
The day before the Fourth of July, a holiday that holds a special place in both our hearts.
The day I realized my best friend was the perfect person for me.
The beginning of everything.
I love my life.