Epilogue
Charli
I roll over in bed, hung over from the parade and calypso show last night. Fresh morning light from St. Croix fills the cabin, making my eyes wince.
It’s Christmas time in the islands. We took the gentleman’s route here from Miami, making a few stops in the Bahamas, then the Turks and Caicos Islands, before heading to the Dominican Republic and onto Puerto Rico.
Once we arrived here, we visited with Gage’s Uncle Bill and his girlfriend Velma.
We’ve chartered as needed, but mostly we want to use the time to explore together.
Gage is going to buy his uncle out of the boat and it’ll be his in the near future. I can’t believe how happy I am, and how much my life has changed in the last six months. I could not have dreamt up what I’m doing or the man who’s bringing me on this journey.
We delayed our departure by almost a week, and that was cutting it close.
He had to get the ripped sail repaired after my accident.
The rudder was shot too, from fighting the current in the storm when they had to rescue me.
Plus, it was a challenge to pack when Gage and I were together because usually when we were alone, we ended up naked in a short amount of time.
Besides that, I needed extra time to collect everything I would need.
I also squeezed in an appointment to get my lowlights done before I left town and Gage went too and cut off all his hair.
It’s short in the back and on the sides and a bit longer on top.
I was sad at first, but the man looks good no matter what and it has grown back quickly.
He said he usually cuts it off at the end of the summer and lets it grow again all year long.
Footsteps from the main cabin rouse me.
“Too much guavaberry rum punch for you, baby?”
“Oh my God, yes. Is that the aftertaste I have in my mouth?”
He rubs my back lazily.
“How did you get me back to the boat?”
He sighs.
“Was it that bad?”
“Ezra called us a cab from the hotel bar and Gabby convinced you to go home. Even though you wanted to join the dancers.”
I groan with embarrassment.
“Hey, it’s not a Christmas celebration without one drunken experience.”
“Your Uncle Bill and Velma have just met me.”
He snorts a laugh.
“Velma was cheering you on. She and my mom said you had good dance moves.”
I roll to bury my face in pillows.
He pats my ass as he gets out of bed. “I’ll get you some more water and pain reliever. After a shower and some breakfast, you’ll be good as new.”
“I’m never drinking again.”
“That’s what you said last time too,” he shouts from the galley.
Tilting up onto my elbows, I rub my eyes and brush my hair out of my face. The mattress sinks at my side as Gage sits beside me, a cool glass of water in his hand.
“First we’re supposed to meet everybody for the tramp and the Cruzan-Rican breakfast.”
I stifle a yawn as the breeze blows through the window.
“We can skip it though and just go to Velma’s later for the Three Kings Day celebration. Maybe you’ll be the one to find the baby Jesus in the King’s Cake.”
I sit to take the pills with a big gulp of water. “Is that good luck?”
“Not really, it just means we’ll host the Candlemas Day party in February.”
I blink at him and grin. “Have I told you how much I love being here with you.”
He leans over for a hug and I pull him down to me.
“You can show me too, you know.”
“I need to freshen up first.”
“I’ll wait for you here, we can be late for the breakfast.”
Fresh water on my face and a thorough teeth brushing do wonders for me. Besides, I can’t resist my man when he looks at me the way he does, like I’m the only thing that matters. He’s a true partner to me.
We arrive at the tail end of the parade, following the noise of the band as they play Christmas carols.
Behind them march the three virgins, representing the three islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.
After the ladies are the Three Kings who are wearing crowns and robes as they carry flags.
Bill and Velma spot us as we weave our way past a family with young children.
“You made it!” Bill calls to us. He’s tall and broad, with graying hair and a mustache. He’s wearing a blue Wanderlust ball cap and shades with Velma by his side. Gage’s mom, Ann Marie, has a wide brimmed hat over her blonde hair and a flowy floral dress on her trim frame.
“Barely,” I answer weakly as Gage wraps his arm around my waist.
“You were just celebrating the season, love,” Velma says as she stands to hug me, her sweet perfume teasing my nose. Her dark hair is tied in a bun and her dark skin shines in a bright blue wrap dress.
“Where’s Gabby?” Gage asks the group.
Bill lifts his chin to the clump of trees where Gabby is talking to Ezra. Tall and broad, with dark hair and a serious five o’clock shadow on his face, he’s got his hand at Gabby’s elbow while they seem to be in deep conversation.
Gage and Bill exchange a subtle look as Ann Marie gives Gage a poke in the ribs.
Ezra manages the restaurant bar at the Holiday Hotel and Resort during the winter here in the USVI and in the summer he’s at the Rooftop Bar in Seascape.
His extended family owns both resorts. In Seascape he’s known to be a player.
I didn’t know he and Gabby were friends.
But, she’s a grown woman and can make her own decisions.
“Kids, let’s get you some food.” Velma nudges Bill and eyes me. “This one needs to eat.”
Just then my stomach rumbles loudly and I walk behind his uncle and Velma as Gage steadies me with his hands on my waist. Ann Marie drifts beside us.
“That punch is pretty deadly. I should have warned you,” she says into my ear.
“I’ll survive. I feel better already,” I answer, slightly embarrassed.
The air is filled with the smell of a wide variety of food. Revelers have all brought dishes with them to serve to anyone who joins the parade celebration. There’s everything from roasted turkey and ham, peas and rice, green fig banana, whole roasted pigs, and seafood soup.
I squeeze Gage’s hand as we join the line of people waiting for food. After stuffing ourselves, we head back to Velma’s house to enjoy our own King’s Cake.
We bounce along the road in the truck we’re using this winter as Gage navigates the holiday traffic.
“I’m going to close my eyes for a bit,” I say on a yawn.
He smirks at me, one hand gripping the wheel, the other on my thigh. “Sure thing.”
It’s been fun seeing Gabby and Ann Marie here for the holidays. I know that Gage misses his family. My brother, Ian has made plans to travel down right after the New Year, with his girlfriend Carley. Andi is only training Koda, so she’s on a temporary holiday break.
Sam moved into my apartment for the winter while she works in Port City on her renovation project.
She’s got something something serious going on with her new coworker though.
He’s a few years older than me, but I know he’s a dad and has been single since he moved back to Seascape a few years ago.
I’m glad that she’s there in Seascape for Mimi and Pop too. I know they’re happy to have her too.
My mom completed inpatient treatment for alcohol addiction and has a sponsor now.
She’s following her program and in a good place.
She did get that job in Brighton and she’s in the process of moving there.
The job will require travel, which is kind of a relief for me. But, I’m glad she’s working on herself.
My dad, Daphne and the boys also stopped down for another visit in Seascape before we left as well.
The kids had fun looking at all the stuff we had packed in the cabin for our trip.
I promised to keep in touch over the winter and let them know when we will be back in the spring.
Daphne and I have actually gotten pretty close.
She’s been helping us with our social media for the boat and we have plans to work together for the trip.
She’s thinking of starting a social media management business on the side now that the boys are older and more self-sufficient.
Our accounts are getting more popular and we’re even making money every month.
As for The Sweet Spot, I want to go back to meet with Oliver, but he thinks that he’ll be good.
The new person that we hired is interested in being a manager and Sonja might want to take on management duties when she graduates.
That would be great for us in the future with the Sweet Spot Two.
Apparently, she and Harvey had a situationship this summer that no one knew about.
He’s off being a crew member on another boat getting hours for his captain’s license after Gage ditched him for me.
But he plans to return to Seascape in the spring.
I must drift off for the ride as we pull into Velma’s driveway. I give a stretch as Gage parks and we get out to rejoin his family. He catches my hand as I gather my bag.
Pulling me close, his voice is low. “You know, this is the best Christmas I’ve had in a long time.”
I snuggle into him. “Me too. I love you.”
His lips find mine as he leans me against the side of the truck. I wind my arms around his neck letting him take what he wants from me. We lose ourselves in the moment, tongues tangled, and bodies pressed together.
A thwack from the porch door interrupts us. Gage pulls away and rests his forehead on mine.
“We’re in the back,” Gabby calls to us. “If you want to socialize with us.”
A light breeze blows past us as Gabby, Gage, their mom, and I sit in the warm afternoon sun on Velma’s patio, a row of palm trees flanking either side of her garden, as we look out onto the bright blue bay. Voices carry as Bill and Velma work in the kitchen.
“How was the rest of your time last night?” Gage asks Gabby with a goading tone.
She coughs and concentrates on the lemonade pitcher in front of her that’s dripping onto the placemat. “It was fine. I didn't stay long after you left.” She gives me a pleading smile.
“Can I have some lemonade, Gab?” I ask, shifting in my seat.
“Of course,” she replies.
“That hotel is nice,” Gage continues.
“Very comfortable,” Gabby comments.
“You can share my room here at Velma’s with me,” Ann Marie says.
“Gab.” He taps his fingers on the tabletop impatiently.
“Gage.” His sister cuts him a look, her cheeks heating.
“Leave her alone.” I give his knee a squeeze.
“Thank you, Charli,” Gabby says on a huff.
“He’s a player,” Gage says persistently.
“I’m an adult, don’t worry about me.” Gabby stands and takes her lemonade to look out at the view.
“Be careful,” he says to her back.
She waves a hand at him, ignoring his comment.
“She has to figure things out for herself.” Ann Marie pours herself a glass. “We all had plenty of heart to hearts with you when you first met Charli.”
I lean forward. “What?”
“Mom,” he says, with an eye roll.
“Meaning, you had a lot of feelings to sort out, Gage. And you needed time to make sense of it all.” Ann Marie gives me a soft smile. “Everything worked out for you two.”
“I had no idea,” I mumble, on a quiet laugh.
“He had it so bad for you,” Gabby calls over her shoulder.
“It’s sweet.” I drape my arm across his lap as he takes my hand in his.
“You’re worth it,” Gage says as he turns to me.
The patio door slides open as Velma and Bill return to the backyard.
She places the bright pink platter with the wreath-shaped King’s Cake with candied fruits atop it on the table as she laughs playfully.
Bill follows her with small plates and a handful of forks for us, setting them on the table noisily.
“Here we go everyone,” Velma announces cheerily.
“It looks wonderful, Velma,” Ann Marie says.
Velma slices the cake and Bill helps her to plate up the servings.
After the holidays are over, I’ll be in charge of planning our island destinations.
We have a lifetime ahead in the future to return to places we like and to discover new destinations.
Someday we do want to have children when we're both ready, but we’ll plan it for sure.
In the new year, Gage is beginning his business classes and in the spring we’ll return to Seascape for another summer.
It’ll be our home base. We haven’t decided if we’ll travel for the whole winter every year, but whatever we do, it’ll be together.
I watch them all, as we eat our cake, enraptured with the new changes that are happening in my life, all because I dropped my keys outside of work and took a chance on a man who was only here for the summer.
The End