EPILOGUE
Gabriela
Mamma and Papà tied the knot again on a gorgeous, snowy December day.
It was an intimate affair with close friends and family.
Nonna, me, and Anna’s mother—one of Mamma’s best friends—acted as the bridesmaids, Vance Remington was Papà’s best man, Luna was the flower girl, and Anna’s little brother the ring bearer.
We made sure to keep an empty seat in the front row to honour Layla’s late mother, who’d also been one of Mamma’s best friends.
Hunter was here with his family, looking dapper as ever in a black suit.
Though he wasn’t officially part of the groomsmen party—since Papà didn’t want one, he still insisted Hunter wear a matching pink tie.
Another olive branch. He wanted my boyfriend to feel like he was every bit a part of the Bellafiore family.
Hunter caught my eye when I stood at the front, next to the other bridesmaids.
“You look incredible,” he mouthed.
Filled with giddiness, I mouthed back, “You too.”
The ceremony passed by fast, yet not without the usual theatrics associated with our family. Mamma’s vows were long and heartfelt, making Papà tear up. And his had Mamma full-on crying and swooning. Nonna appeared like she was over them and ready for a few glasses of wine.
When the officiator declared them husband and wife again, the place erupted in cheers as Papà and Mamma kissed.
“Finally!” Nonna grumbled jokingly next to me, but the grin on her face mirrored mine.
We were so happy for them.
The reception hall was decorated as per Mamma’s instructions. Pink hydrangea centerpieces, a flurry of tealights, ornamental white trees, and rhinestone garlands to give the illusion of falling snow. It was a stunning winter wonderland.
Taking a small reprieve from my bridesmaid duties, I joined my friends at their designated table while Hunter went to his friends. The minute I sat down, I took a breath of relief. My feet were killing me. I was just about ready to remove my heels.
“They look so beautiful.” Darla gazed at my parents as they now shared their first dance. “Like a fairy tale come to life.”
Ella elbowed her playfully. “Your blond-haired, blue-eyed Prince Charming is right around the corner. Just you wait.”
Dacia sipped her champagne. “I don’t think Prince Charming is Darla’s type.”
Hera smiled cheekily. “So what is your type, Dar?”
“Well, since you asked…” Darla started listing her requirements on her fingers.
At that moment, Anna and Layla nudged me. “Look! Your mom’s getting ready to throw the bouquet. Let’s go!”
We all scrambled over to the dance floor. Dacia with less enthusiasm. She once said that she had no desire to get married. But she tagged along regardless.
Across the dance floor, I caught Hunter’s attention.
The mischievous glint in his eyes said you better catch that bouquet.
I threw him an air-kiss.
“Ready, ladies?” Mamma called from the front, pushing aside her veil to glance at us over her shoulders.
“Ready!” we called back.
And when she threw it, I caught it.
Choruses of cheers and disappointed sighs rang in the air.
My friends congratulated me, but I had eyes solely for my Hunter.
I lifted the bouquet in his direction to let him know we were next.
He winked at me.
A few months later...
Hunter
“Where are you taking me, pretty boy?”
A smile touched my lips as I drove down the long, empty road, struck with nostalgia. Everything was coming full circle.
“Someplace you’ll like, Gabriela,” I returned and my blindfolded girlfriend—soon-to-be fiancée—grinned, the tiny gem on her canine winking in the nightlight.
My sunroof was open, the summer breeze drifting in and fanning her curled hair. She looked mouth-wateringly gorgeous in a silky red number with a high-slit, nails and toes painted black like her soul, and diamond jewelry.
Seven hundred and thirty days later, she still took my breath away.
She always would.
The last few months were nothing short of a roller coaster, endless memories filled with the most blissful time of my life because she was by my side. And I looked forward to doing life with her until the very end of time.
Over the last few weeks, Gabriela dropped hints that she was ready to take our relationship to the next level: marriage.
It was always our end goal and though we were young, I didn’t see any sense in delaying the inevitable.
I’d found my person, my soulmate, my best friend, my other half. I wanted to be with her forever.
Not to mention, our families meshed so well together.
Mom and Heidi loved Gabriela to pieces. Lucia and Nonna had dropped the son-in-law title on me more times than I could count on two hands.
And Enzo practically treated me like the son he never had and didn’t realize he wanted until I came along.
Sometimes he teased Gabriela that I was his favourite, which always ruffled my girlfriend’s feathers.
Point being, I was ready to take our relationship to the next level as well…and I had an emerald ring sitting in my pocket to prove it.
Tonight, I was proposing to Gabriela.
As far as I could tell, she had no idea and thought we were on our way to a fancy dinner date. I did my best to keep it a secret—a difficult feat, since I never lied to Gabriela—and pretended like I had no idea of the numerous engagement rings she’d tabbed on her laptop.
A month ago, I went to the jewellers and picked out her ring. Last week, I went to Enzo and Lucia’s home to ask for their blessings. They were ecstatic. So were Heidi and Mom. Anna and Layla were also in on the surprise, since I asked for their help with tonight’s setup.
I pulled into a parking spot in my staycation home. The same place where Gabriela and I had our first unofficial date. It seemed like a fitting location for me to propose to her. And on the same day that I first laid eyes on her two years ago.
“Can I at least know where we are now?” Gabriela asked with impatience and excitement.
“Not yet.” I turned off the car and unbuckled our seatbelts. “But in a minute.”
She remained quiet as I rounded the car to come to her side, opened her door, and swung her into my arms. She laughed girlishly and clung to me as I ferried us to our destination.
The backyard was lit up with hundreds of fairy lights hanging around the trees and candles lining a path towards an awaiting picnic blanket, ice bucket with champagne, red roses bouquet, and all of Gabriela’s favourite foods scattered on top.
And behind it all sat an archway made of red roses with marquee letters that spelled MARRY ME on the ground.
I gingerly placed Gabriela on the picnic blanket, facing away from me. “Open your eyes, Gabby.”
Right as she removed the blindfold and turned around, I got down on one knee before her and opened the velvet box housing her ring.
She gasped, awestruck.
I grabbed one of her hands and placed it on top of my thumping heart.
“Gabriela Regina Bellafiore, I’ll never forget the first time I saw you.
In a room full of people, you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You left me speechless with this yearning to get to know you.
And when I finally gathered the courage to seek you?
You changed my life for the better. You were like the breath of fresh air I’d been needing for years.
You helped me out of my comfort zone, held my hand, and embraced me as I am.
You saw the real me when no one ever bothered to see past the surface…
and along the way, I fell deeply in love with you.
” She was crying silent tears now. My throat closed up at the sight and all the affection I felt for this one goddess of a woman.
“You’re my best friend, my other half, my soulmate.
I want to spend every waking moment with you and make memories that we’ll cherish until we’re grey and old.
” I kissed her knuckles, my vision blurring.
“Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me, doll?”
She nodded frantically, wiping her tears. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you, Hunter!”
I slid the ring on her finger and stood up to kiss her, a row of fireworks going off behind us.
“I love you,” she whispered in between kisses. “I.” Kiss. “Love.” Kiss. “You.” Kiss. “So.” Kiss. “Much.”
“I love you too, Gabriela,” I whispered and laid my forehead to hers, gazing into the eyes of my beloved.
And just like that, our happy ever after had begun.
The End