epilogue
Josh
One year later
I wrap my arm around Kate’s shoulders as we step out into the yard, taking a quiet moment to admire what we’ve pulled off together. Our backyard, once just a dilapidated porch and overgrown weeds, is now something straight out of a magazine spread.
The gray stone stretches out beneath our feet, dotted with round tables draped in alternating black and white linens. At the center of each one, a crystal vase holds a tight bouquet of black and white roses—elegant, dramatic, and somehow still romantic.
The place settings are neat and pristine, black charger plates anchoring crisp white dinnerware. In the far corner, the bar is framed by a cozy lounge setup, low black and white couches with matching throw pillows and a few blankets to help combat the chill when the sun goes down.
Overhead, strands of white café lights crisscross in a gentle canopy, casting a soft, golden glow across the space. It’s warm and inviting and a little bit magical.
Kate leans into my side, and I kiss the top of her head as we turn in a slow circle and take it all in. Proud doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel.
Restoring this old farmhouse over the last ten months has been exhausting and downright stressful at times, but it’s also been one of the best things I’ve ever done.
We stressed about cabinet hardware, celebrated when we found original hardwood under the hideous worn-out laminate, and survived a plumbing disaster that flooded the downstairs bathroom at two a.m. It hasn’t always been smooth—but it’s been ours.
There’s something oddly therapeutic about sanding floors with someone you love. Something satisfying in picking out paint colors, and joking about whether a light fixture is “industrial chic” or just plain ugly.
We’ve built more than just a house here.
We’ve built a home.
Laid the foundation for a future.
And in just a few hours, everyone we love will be here to celebrate the fruits of our labor.
“Well, it’s shower time,” Kate says, placing a soft kiss on my cheek before walking toward the house.
I watch her walk across the patio, still unable to believe that she’s mine. There was a time in my life that I believed I wasn’t the kind of person who got to have this. A home. A person who feels like home. Peace that doesn’t come with a price tag or a ticking clock.
But then she walked into my life with her color-coded spreadsheets, quiet determination, soft voice, and quick wit. She was everything I didn’t know I needed. Everything I didn’t believe I could have. And now she’s here, choosing me and my chaos every day.
It knocks the breath out of me sometimes. How much I love her. How lucky I am to wake up next to her. To build a life with her. To be better, for her and because of her.
“That was an invitation, by the way,” she calls over her shoulder as she steps into the house, and I grin before breaking into a run to catch up. A chance to have Kate naked in the shower? You don’t have to tell me twice.
“If I could have everyone take their seats,” I say into the microphone the DJ handed me, right after turning down the music that made me feel like we were in the middle of an episode of Bridgerton (yeah, she’s got me watching that now).
“I wanted to say a few words while we wait for Kate to return from the restroom.” Conversations begin to die down as those who were standing around the space start to make their way back to their tables. I pull at the black tie around my neck, suddenly feeling like it’s a little too tight.
“First, I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight. Restoring this place has been a true labor of love, and Kate and I are so happy that you were all able to come and see the house and celebrate this moment with us.”
Kate’s dad raises his glass in a toast, and a few others follow suit.
“While we’re on the topic of celebrations, I suppose it’s time I let you all in on a little secret.
Kate is not actually in the restroom. She’s, uh,” I pause to clear my throat and center myself before the emotion I’ve been holding in check breaks free.
“Kate is inside the house changing into her dress.”
There’s a beat of silence, followed by a few gasps as a ripple of realization starts moving through the crowd. I blink hard, clearing the blur from my eyes.
“You see, six weeks ago, I asked Kate to marry me, and she made me the happiest man alive when she said yes. So, I would like to formerly welcome you all to our wedding.”
Cheers erupt and shock gives way to laughter, applause, a few teary smiles, and one I’m going to kill you glare from Dani.
We knew some people would be upset that we kept this all under wraps, but the truth is, it was the only way to protect it. To protect her. The only way to make sure the world didn’t find out was to make sure no one did.
Kate hasn’t even worn her ring yet. I slid it onto her finger and before we went to bed that night, she put it back in the box and tucked it into the drawer of her nightstand.
Because once that ring was on her finger, once the world saw it, this wouldn’t just be ours anymore.
It would be headlines. Speculation. Paparazzi following our every move and monitoring court records to find out when we applied for a marriage license.
Offering money to people we know for information about when and where the wedding would take place.
Rumors about whether she was pregnant or if this was just some phase I was going through.
So, we waited. We kept it secret. Kept it safe. And now that I’m standing here about to marry her in our back yard, surrounded by only the people we love and not a single camera in sight, I know we made the right call.
Because while some things are meant for the public, the important things deserve to be protected.
“I would like to ask the only other person who knew this was happening to come forward,” I say.
People start looking around and the bastard stays seated at his table, playing dumb as he cranes his neck, adding to the drama of it all by delaying his reveal as long as possible.
I keep my eyes on Tyler, whose blue eyes go wide, and mouth falls open in disbelief as Eric slowly rises from where he’s seated beside her.
“WHAT?” she shouts, and everyone laughs.
“Sorry, sunshine,” he says, leaning down for a quick kiss before he makes his way through the crowd to stand beside me.
“Roy,” I say, turning to Kate’s father. “Thank you. For helping us fix up this creaky old house like that shit was easy. For treating me like family even before I’d earned it.”
His eyes turn glassy, and I have to pause for a second before I continue.
“And, most importantly, for giving me your blessing. Your daughter is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I promise to spend the rest of my life trying to deserve her.” I gesture toward the house and smile.
“She’s waiting inside, and I know she would love it if you were the one to walk her out. ”
He rises from his seat and buttons his jacket, but instead of heading into the house, he walks over to me. I can’t tell if he’s happy or pissed off, and for a split second, I’m worried he might punch me.
“I’m not sure how in the hell you pulled this off, but I’m glad you did.”
My throat tightens as he wraps me in a hug.
“I gave you my blessing because I know you’ll love her right,” he says, low enough that only I can hear, then he pulls away and claps a hand on my shoulder. “Now if you’ll excuse me,” he says with a smile. “I’m going to go get your girl.”
He turns and walks toward the house, and I’m left standing there with my heart pounding and grinning like a complete idiot.
I hand the microphone to Eric who leans in close and mutters, “You know she’s too good for you, right?”
“Fuck off,” I say with a laugh and a playful shove to his shoulder. “But yes, I’m fully aware.”
I keep my back to the house so I don’t see her before I’m supposed to, and my heart leaps into my throat when Eric grins at whatever is going on behind me.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he says. “Please rise.”
I take another half a second to center myself with a deep breath, and when I turn around, Kate steps out onto the patio and the world goes quiet. I forget about the music, the people, and the fact that I’m supposed to be breathing.
All I see is her.
Her hair is styled in loose waves like it was in Cleveland. I flash back to the night everything changed between us and smile at the memory.
And then there’s the dress.
Jesus Christ, the dress.
It hugs her body like it was sewn on. The sheer off-the-shoulder sleeves cling to her arms, and there’s a slit cutting up the right side to her thigh. It’s not just a distraction. It’s a declaration. Something bold and fearless, just like my girl.
My wife.
Her eyes are on me as she walks like she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. Like every step is another nail in the coffin of my composure. And she’s not wrong. I’m already picturing every single thing I’m going to do to her when I get her out of that dress.
In this moment, I’m not a musician or a celebrity. I’m just Josh, watching the love of my life walk toward me looking like a miracle in white silk.
She’s breathtaking.
And I can't look away.