Epilogue
"Wait, hold still," Tori calls out, trying to wrangle four dogs and two cats. Unfortunately, the cats have now vanished into the deep recesses of her yard, or more likely one of her neighbor's yards.
She blows her breath out in frustration and looks over at Liam, her handsome new husband. "I was hoping the cats would cooperate."
He's setting up the tripod for the camera. It's almost December, and she's finally getting her cozy sweater Christmas card.
"I don't know," he says, playing with the camera adjustments. "Something tells me those cats will never stay still for a photo."
"I figure I'd hold Joan and you could hold Lita."
He chuckles. "I suppose it's worth a try."
Her eyes roam over him with pleasure. They've only been married a month, and it's been the best month of her life. He proposed to her on a warm September day. It was on the beach at the cabin by Treasure Lake. She loves telling the story of how he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage.
It was old-fashioned and sweet. Just like Liam.
Of course, afterward they went skinny-dipping in the lake.
They got married at a small mansion up in Truth Harbor and kept it simple, inviting only close family and friends.
And yes, they served chocolate milkshakes at the reception. Both dairy and vegan ones. Liam was happy everyone got the joke.
They went to Hawaii for their honeymoon. Her husband's skin turned a beautiful nut brown under the sun while hers turned ever so slightly darker—you could see it under certain light. Her hair turned pale gold. He seemed pleased with it, judging by how much time they spent alone in their hotel room. Before the honeymoon, Tori also had her IUD removed. The two of them decided to let things happen as they may.
Liam put his spooky house on the market before the wedding, and it sold quickly. He says he doesn't miss it.
Tori’s developed Happy Pet Nanny treats for cats and has been working with Fiona on broadening her business.
Her mom, Lori, got out of rehab and is still maintaining her sobriety. One day at a time. She's on probation and is grateful to be getting a second chance. Tori's proud of her and how far she's come.
Blair and Road found out they're having a baby girl. Everything looks perfect with the pregnancy. The whole family is excited and can’t wait for the new addition.
Lindsay and Giovanni named their adopted daughter Isabella. They're thrilled to be parents and have said they plan to adopt more children. Lindsay's also made a splash in the world of poker. She won a bracelet at the World Series Ladies No-Limit Hold 'em event and has done well playing in more tournaments since then.
Dr. Adrian married René. Tori and Liam went to their wedding. Liam had fun discussing multivariable calculus with Dr. Adrian and his sister during the reception. A conversation Tori was happy to sit out.
To everyone's surprise, Fiona and Sachi announced their engagement recently. Fiona's already planning the "event of the century." Sachi has been good-humored about it so far.
Fiona also got her way in the end with Liam. He posed for the cover of her client's photography book. It turns out the pictures were done in a way so stylized that he isn't recognizable. The project was fun and has inspired him to do more with his own photography hobby.
His friends Nelson and Shelby are still dating each other. No wedding bells, but they seem happy together.
Everyone at Brody’s garage is still gloating about the softball game and how Liam hit those home runs. They’re ecstatic to have that gold trophy back, and Liam's already agreed to play in next year's tournament.
After careful thought, Tori decided to contact her father, Daniel Church. She found him on Facebook and sent him a message. It turns out he remarried years ago and has three other children. It's a slow process, but Tori is thinking she might like to meet him and his family someday.
Her aunt Lisa told her more about what happened in the past, how Uncle Lance and her dad were good friends before the arrest.
"It's why your mom took it so hard," Aunt Lisa explained. "She divorced your daddy and then kept you and Road from him as punishment. I never agreed with her, but she's my sister and Lance was my brother, so what could I do?"
Tori wanted to know why Lance was so good to them.
"He loved you both, and your sister too," Aunt Lisa said. "But I think he felt guilty about you and Road. The way Lori cut Danny out of your lives. He blamed himself and always looked out for you."
Lori isn't pleased with any of this. Despite her sobriety, she maintains that Danny betrayed her and her brother, and still believes she made the right decision keeping him away.
Tori and Road disagree with her. However, Road still wants nothing to do with their dad. In fact, he was against Tori contacting him.
The situation remains complicated in the way that things with families often are.
"Are you almost ready?" Liam asks, making some final adjustments to his camera's tripod. "I figure we'd take the photo from a few different angles."
Tori's wearing the cozy white sweater she got in Truth Harbor. She finishes wrangling her dogs into the ones she knitted. They each get a different color. Eddie's is forest green, Duff's is gold, and Tommy Lee's is bright red. And for Miss Fancy Pants, she did something extra special—she knit her a blue sweater that says "FBI" in yellow letters.
"Almost," she says, smoothing each dog's ears and telling them how cute they look. "Do you think you could find Joan and Lita?"
"I'll try," Liam says. He's wearing the cozy brown sweater that matches hers.
She hums "Jingle Bells" and grooms each dog some more using a soft brush.
Eventually he reappears carrying two cats, a blonde tabby who's clinging to him and a black one who looks like she's ready to escape.
Tori reaches for Joan.
Liam pauses and sets the timer for the photo.
"Everyone, sit ," Tori says to the dogs.
Her husband comes over, still holding Lita, and kneels beside her.
They grin at the camera as it captures the moment. Both of them happily surrounded by four dogs, two cats, and the tiny baby boy growing inside Tori's womb who she isn't even aware of yet.
***
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