Epilpgue
Melanie
One year later.
Ayear had passed, taking away the grief and replacing it with a sense of serenity. Anders, Elena, and Aaliyah had relocated to Italy. Their absence left a void in New York, yet knowing they were happier elsewhere brought us solace. Shane, Anders, and Sergio allied stronger and more resilient than ever before. Meanwhile, I reconnected with my old friends Teresa and Scarlett. It warmed my heart to see them both blooming in their lives. Scarlett had found love in a new relationship, and Teresa surprised me by introducing her girlfriend of a year to me. They told me Theo married Audrey, but their marriage had only lasted months.
Finally, as the day of my dreams arrived, I walked down the aisle towards the man of my dreams.
Long overdue.
The soft music filled the air, and I couldn’t stop smiling as I drew closer to Shane, my heart racing in anticipation. His stormy blue eyes, the very same one I had fallen in love with the same night I first laid my gaze on, met mine. I clutched the bouquet of beautiful white roses. A symbol of loyalty and love. Of better, brighter times to come. The white veil trailed behind me, and my hair cascaded in loose waves, some strands left loose framing my face. The fabric of my wedding gown flowed down my arms and waist like that of a princess. Finally, I reached Shane’s side, and my heart skipped a bit. Standing before him, I knew that this was where I belonged, in his arms, bound by the promise of forever. And as we exchanged tender glances, lost in the depths of each other’s eyes, I knew that our love would win any storm that came our way.
Shane and I had to face many obstacles throughout our love story. It wasn’t always easy. It wasn’t rosy from the very beginning. But none of that mattered. Despite the fraud between our families, even though this love, our love was never supposed to exist, everything had led us to this point. Every obstacle we faced, ultimately led us back to each other. To be together. To be forever. We were bound by a forbidden yet so irresistible attraction. I still feel the taste of his lips on mine when he kissed me for the very first time when he still saw me as a task when revenge still brewed in his veins. Even then, I felt the genuine affection between us. It was as if our paths were inexorably intertwined by an unbreakable bond.
In the end, I am certain of one thing. I was meant to be his. He was meant to be mine.
“I, Shane, take you, Melanie Rose, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Until death do us part.”
Shane slid a wedding band on my finger and planted a soft kiss on it. His eyes cast upward as he did so, causing my heart to flutter. This man would never stop having this intoxicating effect on me. His eyes beamed as he smiled, revealing his gorgeous teeth. God, I adored the way he smiled, with a hint of wickedness in his gaze.
“I, Melanie Rose, take you, Shane, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Until death do us part.”
At last, we were pronounced husband and wife.
“You may now kiss the bride!” Hope jumped and clapped her hands in joy, and everyone burst out in laughter.
I looked into Shane’s eyes, sinking in his arms as we shared our first kiss as husband and wife, sealing our love. Confetti landed on us, our family and friends cheering loudly as we started writing this new chapter of our life together.
The ocean breeze swept over the sandy shore, and melodic tunes filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the guests.
I swayed in the arms of my now husband on the dance floor arranged at the beach, our movements synchronized, our gazes locked in love.
I looked at the reception fleetingly. It was alive with laughter and joy. Elena twirled gracefully with Anders; her eyes sparkling as she danced with effortless grace. Aaliyah was wrapped in the arms of her first boyfriend, their laughter mingling with the music as they swayed together. Scarlett and Theresa spun around the floor with their plus ones, their smiles radiant and contagious. Sergio and Emily moved together as if in perfect synchrony, giggling radiantly. But it was the sight of Hope dancing with Chris, Sergio’s and Emily’s son, that truly melted my heart. Chris had that look of protest on his face as if the dance were a punishment while Hope obliviously twirled around him with delirious joy.
“You are finally my wife, Mrs. Vergoossen,” Shane whispered, his eyes beaming.
My lips curled up in a broad smile. “I’ve never been happier, husband.” y heart fluttered with joy.
“Mr. and Mrs. Vergoossen, congratulations!” I turned to face Anders, standing a few steps away from us among the dancing guests, his eyes fixed on mine. “May I have this dance, sister-in-law?”
I glanced at Shane, who gave me his approval with a smile. “Well, you may, brother-in-law,” I said teasingly.
I let my hands on Anders’s, and he pulled me closer, our bodies swirling to the rhythm of the music. “I’m so happy for you two. Genuinely happy.” He didn’t sound convincing.
“Are you?” My eyes flickered between his.
“Well,” he said as he inhaled, “wasn’t easy to watch the woman I love marry my brother.”
“Anders—”
“But I am happy for you, Melanie,” he cut in. “I truly am.”
I didn’t know what to say. I felt awkward, uneasy, and confused. All at once. My eyes darted between his in silence as he swirled me around before I fell back into his arms.
He whispered into my ear, his voice husky and low. “I hope these four thousand miles that part Italy from New York will be enough for me to stay away from you.”
I swallowed hard, hesitantly leaning back to look into his dark eyes.
“Perhaps, one day, I will forget that the woman I want now officially belongs to my brother.”
“Anders…” My brows knitted.
“Don’t say anything, Mel. I promised you that if you choose him, I will respect that and back out, and I’ll keep my promise.” He sucked on his cheek before he continued, “But I am just a man, and I must keep my distance. I have to lose you from my sight.”
“Is that why you moved to Italy?”
“Wasn’t it obvious?” His eyes flickered between mine as we swayed to the music I no longer heard. It blurred in the background, drowned out by Anders’ regretful voice. “You’ll always be my unrequited desire.”
I cleared my throat, feeling the unease washing through me. “Does Shane know?”
Anders scoffed. “He always knows. Everything.”
Suddenly, every moment, every glance, every touch I shared with Anders played out in my mind like a movie tape. I was wondering when this happened. When did I let Anders believe we have a chance? When did he fall in love with me? Perhaps it was the carefree days we spent together with Hope, playing and dining together as a family would. Perhaps it was the tiny moments that seemed so insignificant that in fact, played the most crucial part. Perhaps, focused on my love for his brother, I didn’t see the things, he did. Perhaps. And now, it was too late, my husband’s brother was in love with me. What a disaster.
“Mommy!” Hope’s delighted voice snapped me back from my thoughts.
I let go of Anders’ embrace, inhaled heavily, and turned to my daughter. “Come to me, my beautiful princess!” I reached my hands to her, and as I lifted her, my gaze met Shane’s, approaching with a smile.
“The two most beautiful ladies of this evening,” he remarked, smiling in a way that would melt the biggest iceberg.
“Only this evening?” I teased.
Shane shook his head with a grin, wrapping his hands around my waist. “Of the entire Universe.”
I fleetingly glanced at the spot where Anders had been before, and he was no longer there.
“And the queens of my heart,” Shane whispered in my ear. His husky voice and warm breath sweeping across my neck caused goosebumps to rise in their wake on my skin.
“What a beautiful family,” Elena exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she approached us. “I wish Karl could’ve witnessed that.”
My smile softened at the thought of our loved ones who were no longer with us. “They’re watching us from a better place, I’m sure,” I said.
“Grandma, will you dance with me?” We chuckled as Hope extended her arms toward Elena.
Her eyes glimmered with warmth. “But of course, my love,” she replied tenderly, taking Hope away from me and leading her further to the dancefloor.
“I’m glad Elena is with us,” Shane said softly, watching them dance. “If it weren’t for her, Hope wouldn’t have grandparents who would spoil her like she does.”
I nodded, leaning my head on Shane’s arm. “I agree.”
“It saddens me, though, that neither of our parents will see our child growing.”
“Children,” I stated, and Shane turned to face me, his eyes narrowing.
“Children, huh?” His smirk curled up his lips, and he bit in the sexiest manner I’d ever seen. “Do you want to have more children yet?”
“Well, that’s not up for discussion yet,” I said with a hint of sarcasm.
Shane’s brows raised. “Are you trying to tell me—”
I nodded, my smile widening. “Yes, Shane.” I giggled. “We’re going to have another baby. I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, my God, are you serious?” he asked through a chuckle of disbelief.
“Yes, Shane, we’re going to have another baby.” I couldn’t stop giggling.
Shane shook his head, his face beaming. He ran his hand through his hair, looking around before he exclaimed, “I’m going to be a father again.”
Everyone started cheering and clapping. Shane lifted me with pure happiness in his eyes and spun me around and around. We were both chuckling like a pair of school kids who had just shared their first kiss. Endlessly. Carefree. It was one of the most beautiful, happiest moments of my life. If only it weren’t for the shattering look in Anders’ eyes.
“I love you so much, Melanie.”
I felt Shane’s lip curving in a smile against mine before he kissed me.
“And I love you,” I said, gazing into his eyes, full of love, my fingertips caressed his rough stubble.
“Here’s breakfast for my beautiful wife,” Shane murmured into my ear, his lips stealing a tender kiss as he handed me a tray with food. It took me a bit of effort to adjust myself in bed. My eighth-month-pregnant belly didn’t make it any easier. Hope played beside me, filling the room with laughter.
“I still feel like it’s a dream,” I admitted softly, locking my eyes with my husband’s. I adored the word. I loved to call him my husband. It screamed he was mine.
Shane gently placed a hand on my round belly, and at that very moment, our baby kicked.
“Hey there, little one,” Shane cooed, kissing my belly. “You’re reminding Mommy and Daddy that you’re here, too, huh?”
“Yeah, our boy wants the attention,” I teased.
“I told you I feel like we’re going to have another girl.” Shane cocked his head, supporting himself on his elbows on the bed beside me.
We didn’t want to know the baby’s gender. We wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was for our baby to be strong and healthy. Though we had fun placing bets, and we couldn’t wait to see which one of us was right.
“I couldn’t be happier, babe.” Shane looked deeply into my eyes, his hand now caressing my cheek. “Having a family with you is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I could say the same, Shane,” I said. “You’ve changed me in so many ways and shown me what real love feels like. You’re everything to me. My friend, my lover... my safe place.”
Shane leaned closer, his husky, low, dreamy voice filling my ears as he muttered against my lips, his hand sliding at the back of my neck, his eyes that I fell for so damn hard, flickering between mine, “Melanie Rose Vergoossen, I love you.”
At last, I got my happy ending. I got my Big Bad Wolf, my Prince Charming. My walking contradiction. Him, Shane Vergoossen. The only man I ever wanted.
Sometimes red is a good choice.