Epilogue
EPILOGUE
THAT SUMMER
Jocelyn
“Everyone get in!” Melissa hollers, waving at us all to crowd in together for the photo.
The makeshift stage isn’t big enough for us all, but we do the best we can, squeezing in and grinning as she snaps a few photos before Maddox and I use the enormous scissors to cut the gold grand opening ribbon together.
“The Rocky Mountain Community Center is now officially open!” I announce, grinning as all our friends, family, supporters, and members of the local community cheer alongside us.
Our guest list for the day includes the residents of the care home (Elaine has stopped pinching Maddox on the ass, much to his relief), the members and family of my youth dance troupe, and some of the Frostwolves’ team and personnel. Even Maddox’s brother, sister-in-law, nephews and niece made it over from California.
They’d been in town to spend a few weeks with their favorite uncle, but they’d extended their trip so they could be with us for the grand opening, and I have so enjoyed getting to know them and seeing Maddox bond with the kids.
I watch as Maddox ushers everyone into the newly renovated space with Jojo sitting on his shoulders, shrieking with joy as Maddox bounces around.
It’s a beautiful thing, watching Maddox with kids, and I know one day, when the time is right, we’ll look to have children of our own.
In the meantime, though, we’ve got plenty on our plate for now.
Six months ago, this was all just a dream.
But somehow, in record time, it’s become a reality.
All thanks to the big-hearted hockey player who couldn’t help but shake his groove thang at a group of bachelorettes.
We’ve come a long way since then. Both of us falling more and more in love with each other as our whirlwind romance progressed into a true partnership rooted in deep trust.
In one week, we said I love yous.
In one month, we’d made plans for the future.
In three months, I’d packed up all the things in my apartment and moved in with him.
It’s been absolute bliss being with someone who cherishes me, appreciates my value, and does everything he can to support me in my goals. It’s what true love is— and I sometimes still wonder how the heck I got so lucky.
“This is a great space. You’ve got good light, great acoustics. I see why you liked the place and why Maddox was so intent on doing what he could to help your efforts here.” Victoria says, balancing a plate of food in one hand and surveying the shiny hall with its gleaming mirrors and new sound system.
I smile at her. “You still thinking of signing up the team for some lessons?”
“Between you and me, a few of them could definitely do with some rigorous dance training, but I can’t mandate it.”
“It’s fine,” I say. “The great thing about a place like this is the door’s always open. Not literally, I mean, but you get it.”
“Hello? Is this thing on?” Melissa taps against a microphone that booms across the gymnasium. “Before we open the floor for everyone to get jiggy with it, I had a little help arranging a surprise for our founder, Jocelyn. Can you come here, please?”
I go to stand with her, wondering what on earth did she cook up with Maddox and what he has up his sleeve this time.
“As some of you know, I’ve been working alongside my favorite cousin here to get all this going, but since my next adventures are taking me out of state, I wanted to give Jocelyn one last surprise to remember me by.” Then she raises her camera, nods at Victoria who jabs a button on the sound system and music fills the hall.
Then the dance troupe and Maddox burst into motion and move as one.
“A flash mob?!” I scream, laughing as Melissa zooms in on my face and pans over to film them as they dance.
Every motion is crisp and clean. Precise. Practiced. Perfect.
When they finish with a flourish, I rush over to Maddox. He catches me in his arms and I give him a quick kiss before mouthing my thanks to Melissa.
“Did we do good, sweets?”
“Babe, you were perfect. But you know, I can’t let you and Melissa have all the surprises.”
His brows shoot up and he flashes that dimple I adore so much. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I’m saying I have a surprise for you.” Then I step back, heat and nerves twisting in my belly. “Mel, keep recording. I’m going to want to this recorded for posterity.”
Then I drop to one knee in front of him.
A hush settles over the room as Maddox’s eyes flare wide and I slip a small gold band out of my pocket.
“I know I said I wouldn’t do this, but I’ve broken every one of my rules for you. Because I love you, and because you’re right. Sometimes, it is fun to do. And since my whole motto is to just have fun with it, I figure why not? What’s one more rule?”
The smile spreading across Maddox’s face is contagious and I find myself grinning right back. Unable to stem the tide of love overflowing in my heart or the slight tremor in my fingers as I hold up the simple gold band.
“So, Maddox Mad Dong Davies, will you marry me?”
“Hell yes, I’ll marry you.”
I slip the ring over his finger, and he scoops me up for another sweet, searing kiss that I feel in my very soul.
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