Epilogue #2
I grin at Effa, knowing she’s chosen every word spoken today with careful precision, with her charm and character. It has her flair, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The officiant grabs a box from the table beside her and looks at Alana with a smile. “Vespa and Kaden are choosing to symbolize their love and commitment in a handfasting ceremony. Vespa and Kaden, please join your hands.”
We’re already holding hands, but we let go and take hold in the way we’re supposed to, as if each hand is shaking the other, but holding at the wrist, almost as if we’re in a knot with all of our four hands.
“For the ceremony today, Vespa and Kaden have chosen a specific colored ribbon representing each quality they will bring into their marriage, depicting their important values based on the color symbology of the chakras. Vespa’s step-sister, Alana, will place the ribbons over Vespa and Kaden’s joined hands as I share the blessings. ”
Red for strength, orange for open hearts, green for compassion, yellow for equality, light blue for honesty, and purple for wisdom—each color a thread weaving us together.
The officiant looks at me with a slight nod, and I take a deep breath, preparing to say my vows to Effa.
Tightening my grip on her wrists, I smile.
“I promise to encourage your passion because that’s what makes you unique and wonderful.
I promise to nurture your dreams because through them, your soul shines brightly.
I promise to help shoulder our challenges, for there is nothing we can’t face if we stand together.
I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you but working with you as a part of the whole.
I promise to encourage your ideals, your gifts, and talents because even though you’re a little eccentric, it’s what I love the most about you. ”
Everyone chuckles as she grins, tilting her head in agreement.
“I want to acknowledge that because of you, the light within my sister continues to shine brightly, and I’m eternally grateful. And lastly, I promise you perfect love and perfect trust, for one lifetime with you could never be enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things.”
Effa smiles wide and grips her hands tighter on my wrists as her eyes twinkle, but she does well to hold her tears in.
“I promise to enrich your days with love and laughter because that’s nothing less than you deserve.
I promise to complement your dreams because, through them, your talent is endless.
I promise to help carry your burdens, for the weight of them is mine to shoulder, too.
I promise to be your partner, your confidant, your rock, and your solitude, always.
I promise to love and cherish your family because their light shines so bright inside you.
I promise to love you so fiercely, with so much passion that you will always know how deep my love runs for you, even if we are miles apart.
Lastly, I promise you perfect love and perfect trust, for one lifetime with you could never be enough.
This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things. ”
My body quivers with the surge of love flowing through me. She always knows exactly what to say, and I couldn’t love her anymore if I tried.
“Zach, the rings,” the officiant asks, and for a second, I furrow my brows, wondering who the hell she’s talking about, before Tank steps forward, places his hand in his pocket, and pulls out the rings.
I grin, finally knowing his real name. He shakes his head as if to tell me to ‘shut the hell up,’ and I chuckle while he hands the officiant the rings.
Effa and I let our hands go, and Effa takes my ring from her as she looks me in the eyes with the brightest of smiles before we exchange our rings.
When I slide the ring onto her finger, something in me settles permanently.
She is mine.
Officially.
Completely.
And when the officiant says I may kiss her, I don’t wait.
My hand slides into her hair. My other grips her waist, and I pull her in and kiss her like I’ve been starving.
The crowd erupts.
But I don’t hear them.
Because this, this right here… is everything.
When we finally pull apart, she’s laughing, radiant, glowing.
And I know.
We survived.
We endured.
We chose each other anyway.
She is my light.
My life.
My home.
We won’t always have it easy, no one does.
But we will fight.
Together.
And nothing—not fear, not illness, not fate—is going to tear us apart.
Nothing at all.
EFFA
Bliss.
Utter, complete, undeniable bliss.
That’s the state I’m in right now.
I’m married.
The word still feels surreal when I turn it over in my mind.
Married. I have a husband. I have a home in Ligonier.
My bandmates and half the crew also have homes in the town we’ve claimed as our respite from the chaos that defines the rest of our lives.
Ligonier has taken us in with open arms and loving hearts, like we’ve always belonged here.
They love having us.
And so far, the tabloids still have no idea we’ve taken up residence here. It’s our quiet victory, our safe haven. It reminds me of Nimbin back home in Australia. A place where people nod when they pass you and actually mean it. Where community isn’t a buzzword, it’s a lived experience.
It’s bliss.
Since moving here, the Safe Stage Initiative has been born.
Something steady built from something shattering.
Everyone has their part to play.
I was overwhelmed when the band, the crew, security, and even venue owners stepped up and said ‘yes.’ Safe Stage Initiative isn’t just a name now.
Its policies are in place. Its bar staff is trained to recognize the signs before it’s too late.
It’s the security teams who know what to look for.
It’s designated safe rooms in venues where no one has to explain why they’re scared.
We’ve partnered with counselors who stay on call during shows. We’ve rewritten venue protocols. We’ve had hard conversations about drink spiking, about predatory behavior, about accountability in spaces that used to shrug and look away.
It’s not flashy work.
It doesn’t trend.
It doesn’t sell tickets.
But it protects people.
Safe Stage is growing, city by city, tour by tour. Some venues resist—promoters who don’t want the optics. But there are more who are stepping forward.
There’s still a long way to go. There always will be.
But now, when the lights come up and the music starts, I know the space is safer than it was before.
And that feels like power.
And today?
Today has been the highlight of my life.
I’m married.
We spent the day surrounded by family and friends in the most magical place, and now the town square is lit up like something out of a storybook.
Tables line the street, covered in white cloth and wildflowers.
String lights hang overhead, globes glowing warmly against the night sky, little flowers threaded through them in a boho-chic kind of way.
It’s a town celebration.
Not just a wedding reception.
Ligonier has shown up for us in a way that makes my chest ache, but in the best possible way. As I sit at the bridal table looking up at the lights glittering above us, I feel humbled beyond measure.
Kaden glances at me and smiles softly. “You look happy.”
I lean my head on his shoulder and sigh contentedly. “Undeniably, unbelievably happy, Kaden. This is the best day of my life.”
His hand slides to my leg and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I’m so happy Kiera made it to our wedding.”
I lift my head and meet his eyes. “It made the day even more special having her here with us. Exactly how she wanted it.”
I glance across the square and spot her beneath a large oak tree, a soft blanket draped over her legs. Raoul is beside her, close but careful, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her lips, and my smile widens. There’s something steady about the way he looks at her.
I glance back at Mercs, expecting some flash of brotherly irritation.
There isn’t any.
If anything, he looks relieved, like he has finally exhaled.
And that alone makes me melt into him a little more.
Gran is dancing with Dad not far from them, laughing like she hasn’t carried the weight of the world for the past six months. I shake my head in disbelief. It’s late, I’m exhausted, and yet she’s still going strong.
She’s extraordinary.
“So,” Kaden murmurs, brushing his thumb lazily over my thigh. “What’s next for the band?”
I shrug thoughtfully. “We need to talk to Luke. He’s still trying to figure out where he stands with all of us moving here. He’s been splitting his time between Australia and the States, and it’s not easy. He has kids, so it’s complicated.”
Kaden nods. “I know how much you girls don’t want to lose him.”
“We don’t,” I say firmly. “We’ll do whatever we need to. Whatever he needs. He’s family.”
Mercs leans closer, his voice dropping low.
“Well, for tonight, we’re not thinking about that.
Tonight, we think about us. And about how in half an hour, I don’t care what anyone says, I’m taking you home and getting you out of that fucking gorgeous dress.
I love it on you. But fuck if it wouldn’t look better in a pile on my floor. ”
A shiver runs down my spine at the way he says it, and my body reacts instantly, heat pooling low in my belly.
“Well, Mr. Mercury,” I murmur. “Why wait? Let me say my goodbyes, and you can take me home.”
His grin is wicked. “Yes, ma’am.” He kisses me quickly before I slip away toward Kristy, Andi, and Casey, who are mid-laugh with the rest of the crew.
“Hey guys, I’m going to head off soon. It’s been a big day and—”
“Oh yeah, heading for some wedding night bliss more like it,” Tank calls out loudly, drawing everyone’s attention.
I laugh as Kristy stands and loops her arm through mine. “Shut up, Tank. She’s a married woman now. It’s all legal, and she’s allowed to be completely slutty with her man.”
“Exactly my thoughts,” I grin.
Laughter ripples around us.
I squeeze Kristy’s hand. “Thank you for today. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
She rolls her eyes dramatically. “What are best friends for?”
I glance around. “Have you seen Alana? I want to thank her too.”
Kristy nods toward Kammie’s diner across the street. “Pretty sure she ducked in there. Bathroom break. Let’s go. I gotta pee anyway.”
We cross the street, arms linked, slipping into the diner where a few stragglers linger over coffee.
Not spotting Alana immediately, we head down the dim hallway toward the bathrooms. As we turn the corner, I catch sight of a couple pressed against the wall at the end of the hall.
He’s leaning into her. She’s gripping his shirt, and they’re kissing like they’ve forgotten the rest of the world exists.
I giggle.
Kristy raises a brow.
Then I notice the yellow dress.
My gasp escapes before I can stop it, and they pull apart.
He turns, and my jaw drops before breaking into the widest grin I’ve worn all day.
Alana.
And Luke.
Luke’s eyes widen in shock.
Alana chews her bottom lip… then shrugs slightly and smiles.
I look between them, my heart soaring for reasons that have nothing to do with me.
“This…” I declare, my hands flying to my chest, “… is the best wedding present ever.”
And somehow, in the middle of everything we’ve survived, in the town that’s become our sanctuary, with my husband waiting to take me home…
It feels like the perfect ending.
Or maybe…
The perfect beginning.
THE END