Epilogue
Esteban
One year later
The ocean glitters under the midday sun, waves crashing in the perfect kind of rhythm that matches the thundering beat of my heart.
I stand barefoot in the sand, the warm grains sinking between my toes, wearing a crisp white shirt and tan linen pants.
My hands are slightly clammy, my chest is tight, and I can’t stop smiling.
This is it.
I glance around the beach, taking in the scene I’ll never forget.
We’re in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, the place we talked about back when all of this was just a game, when Eva and I were pretending to be engaged.
Back then, it was just a cover story. Now, it’s the most real thing I’ve ever known.
That dream destination wedding we joked about?
We made it happen. And it’s more perfect than I could’ve imagined.
The sky is cloudless, the breeze just enough to keep everyone comfortable.
The chairs are filled with all the people we love, our family, our friends, people who’ve seen us at our best and our absolute worst. My mom and dad sit front row beside Eva’s parents, all of them already dabbing at their eyes even though the ceremony hasn’t even started.
Noah gives me a nod from the side, Austin beside him with Ethan sitting on his lap, and Violet next to them. Josy flashes me a thumbs up, and Payton and Ashton are sipping something strong and pretending they’re not emotional.
This is my life. These are my people. And today, everything feels surreal.
The past year has been nonstop chaos in the best way. The McNeal project took off, and Noah and I have poured every spare minute into making it something we’re damn proud of. All the late nights and long meetings were worth it, especially since we get to work with people who feel like family.
And Eva… God, Eva has been a force of nature. Watching her build her skincare line from scratch—every formula, every bottle, every late-night brainstorm on our living room floor—I’ve never been prouder of anyone. She’s launching in a few months, and I already know she’s going to crush it.
And today, I get to marry her.
The music changes, and the entire world stops spinning.
I turn my head toward the aisle, and there she is. Walking toward me like the ocean parts just for her.
Her dress clings to her curves at the top and flows effortlessly at the bottom, dancing with the breeze. Her hair is half up in soft, beachy waves, topped with a delicate crown of tiny white flowers. She looks like a dream, like every prayer I didn’t even know I whispered finally came true.
Tears sting my eyes, and I don’t even care. I’m not blinking. I don’t want to miss a second.
When she reaches me, I can’t help myself. I lean in and kiss her fast, because if I don’t, I’ll combust.
“You’re not supposed to do that yet,” she whispers against my lips.
“Couldn’t wait,” I whisper back.
The pastor starts speaking, but I don’t hear a damn word. All I can see is her. All I can feel is this uncontainable happiness in my chest, like my heart’s grown too big for my body.
I slip the ring onto her finger. She slides mine on with a grin that makes me want to kiss her all over again.
And, finally, I get to pull her into my arms and kiss her the way I’ve been dreaming of for months.
Mrs. Báez.
My wife.
My whole life.
The music pulses through the room like a second heartbeat, and my shirt is stuck to my back from dancing.
Eva’s just as sweaty and barefoot, her hair sticking to her skin, her cheeks flushed from joy, laughter, and whatever insane amount of cardio we’ve just done.
And God, she’s never looked more beautiful.
We’ve been dancing for hours, literally hours.
Every step she’s taken tonight has been filled with the moves we’ve practiced over the last year.
And she nailed it. My girl. Even McNeal got on the dance floor for a bit, and I swear Austin nearly pulled something trying to keep up with Violet.
Everyone we love is here, and for a small wedding, this reception feels huge, like something out of a movie.
The hotel ballroom is glowing, soft amber lights hanging over every table, fresh flowers blooming like they were picked this morning. The ocean just outside gives the air a touch of salt. It’s perfect. Every piece of it. Just like her.
Eva tugs my hand and laughs, breathless. “Drink. I need something to drink.”
“I got you, mi amor.” I kiss her forehead and jog over to the bar.
A minute later, I’m back with two glasses of champagne, dripping sweat and grinning like a fool. I slide onto the seat beside her and lean in close, brushing my lips against the shell of her ear so she can hear me over the bass-heavy music.
“Here you go, mi amor.”
She takes the glass, smiling like she’s keeping a secret, and places it back down on the table.
“I have a wedding surprise for you,” she says, eyes dancing.
I raise my eyebrows and waggle them like a cartoon villain. “You want it now? I can find a quiet place to ravage you.”
She snorts and smacks my arm. “No, perv. Something better.”
I gasp, mock offended. “Mi amor, there is nothing better than you and me making love.”
She bites her lip, then shakes her head. “Yes. Better than that.”
“Okay…” I sit up straighter, intrigued. “Give me this surprise.”
She leans toward her little purse on the table and pulls something out, a small folded paper. Then she grabs my hand, places it in my palm, and curls my fingers over it.
I stare at her, confused but smiling. She leans back and watches me closely, practically glowing.
I open my hand slowly.
My breath catches.
It’s a sonogram.
A tiny, blurry, beautiful image.
My world stills.
I blink and look at her. Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears, her smile wide and full of something sacred.
“You’re going to be a daddy in seven months,” she says.
I can’t breathe. Then I can. And I can’t stop smiling. My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest. I grab her face and kiss her hard, wrapping my arms around her, and pressing her against me like she might disappear.
“For real?” I ask, just to hear her say it again.
She nods. “For real.”
I stand up so fast my chair scrapes across the floor. I rush toward the DJ and tap his shoulder.
“Hey, I need the mic. Trust me.”
The music cuts out, and everyone quiets.
I lift the mic to my lips, still catching my breath.
“Hey, everybody. I just want to thank you for coming to our wedding. It means everything to us that you’re here to celebrate with us today.”
I pause, looking at Eva, glowing from the inside out.
“But I have some big news. Life-changing kind of news.”
People shift forward, curious.
“My wife, my amazing, brilliant, beautiful wife, just told me that we’re having a baby. I’m gonna be a dad in seven months!”
The crowd erupts. Applause, cheers, someone whistles loud enough to wake the dead.
I toss the mic to the DJ, stride back to Eva, and scoop her into my arms, spinning her around as everyone claps and whoops around us.
Then I dip her, deep and dramatic, and kiss her like it’s the only thing I know how to do.
And in that moment, this perfect moment, I know one thing for sure.
This is just beginning.
And with her by my side, I can do anything.
THE END