EPILOGUE
Serenity’s bookstore was set to open at the end of the week. We all worked together as a family to make her dream come alive. Luna became like a sister to her, and Linda became the mom she needed after distancing herself from her own.
The week leading up to the bookstore opening of Serene Shelf was one of the busiest weeks of my existence. We finished the final touches, organized stock, and sent invites for the opening party.
Once opening day was upon us, Serenity and I had a moment alone in the backroom, drinking cider.
“Are you ready?” I asked, lifting my glass in a toast.
She bumped her glass into mine. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.
” We took one last drink together and walked out to the store to officially open the doors for our pre-opening party.
I could see Serenity’s shocked expression as we reached the door and saw a line down the block of awaiting customers.
I turned her toward me so I could look into her eyes. “No matter what happens, you did a great thing. You put in the work and made it happen for yourself. You never gave up, and I can’t express in words how proud I am. I’ll have to show you later,” I said with a wink.
We opened the double doors together. “Serene Shelf is officially open,” she said aloud to the crowd.
Everyone she loved was there: Luna, Emma, Gio, her great aunt Benita, her friends Zac and Jacob, and even Mikey and Carmen from her old store. I hugged each of them as they entered the store. I was shocked to see Darla walking toward us, giving a knowing expression.
“I knew you two were good for each other. Congratulations!” She patted me on the shoulder and then hugged Serenity, whispering something in her ear that made her eyes water.
Once Darla walked away, we looked at each other and burst out laughing. We thought we were being so inconspicuous about each other in our separate sessions.
The rest of the patrons were those who heard about the opening on social media.
Serenity went around greeting customers and talking to her friends. Her smile never faltered as she took in all her hard work. I knew she’d end up sobbing by the end of the night with how overwhelming the support had been.
I was so mesmerized by her that I almost missed her mom and Andrés walking through the open front door. Not fucking today. I headed toward them, blocking the entrance before they could step inside.
“Hey, man,” Andrés said. “We came to show our support.”
I glared at him. “You both need to leave right the fuck now.” They took a step back, bewildered. I used the opportunity to step further outside the door, closing it behind me.
“Whoa, what’s this all about?” Andrés dared to ask. I shoved him back.
“I’m only going to say this once. You will never come near Serenity ever again. You will never look her way for as long as you have left on this earth because karma is coming for you, I can guarantee that.”
“Whatever she told you was a lie—” I cut him off with a punch to the jaw. Serenity’s mom gasped but otherwise remained silent.
Linda walked outside, noticing the commotion. “What’s going on?”
“This is Serenity’s mom and her lousy excuse of a husband,” I told her.
She balled her hands into fists, scrunching her face in anger.
“I thought I was a bad mother until I heard about you. Since you wouldn’t protect your daughter, I will.
” She inched close enough to Serenity’s mom that they were almost nose to nose.
“You and your pedophile husband are going to get back in your car and never come back to this store. You’re not going to contact her until you can face the truth and be accountable for not keeping her safe.
She will never fully heal from what you did to her, and I hope that keeps you up at night.
And maybe it would if you gave a shit about her.
Now leave,” she said through gritted teeth.
Serenity’s mom simply scoffed as they walked away.
Linda and I stood next to each other, calming down our anger. I still hadn’t warmed up to the idea of calling her mom. “Thanks for that.”
“I love Serenity as my own, and she deserves to have only love and support on her special day. They weren’t about to mess that up. Not on my watch.” She smiled at me. “We should head in. Isn’t there something you need to talk to her about?” She winked before walking back inside.
I followed suit and headed to the checkout counter. I put my hand in my pocket before grabbing the mic from behind the counter.
“Is everything okay?” Serenity asked, joining me. “I saw some commotion outside, but I got distracted.”
“Everything’s perfect. I’m going to address our guests, okay?”
She nodded and smiled.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?
” I said through the microphone. “I want to thank everyone who came today and showed support for the beautiful and talented Serenity. No one deserves this amount of support and success as much as my girl. So, thank you.” I paused.
Serenity reached for the mic to thank the crowd as well.
I kept the microphone and gazed down at her with so much love. “I’ve loved seeing you make your dream come true, my love. My dream came true the second your eyes met mine in that waiting room, and now that your dream has come true, I’d like to ask you a question.”
She glared at me suspiciously.
I brought out a small ring-sized box from my pocket. She gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth. I kneeled on one knee. “Serenity Gloria Serrano, will you make my dreams come true and marry me?”
Tears instantly fell down her face in waves. She exchanged glances with Emma and Luna, who also had tears in their eyes. They both nodded their approval enthusiastically.
“I thought you’d never ask. Yes, absolutely yes.” I stood up and she jumped into my arms, almost tackling me over. Applause and congratulations happened around us, but all I could see was her. The woman who became the light in my dark, but also the perfect storm cloud when I needed a rainy day.
I set her down, and she stared lovingly at me through misty eyes. “Thank you for helping me believe I was never too much, for validating my journey toward healing and my mental health struggles, for making me feel safe, and for believing me.”
We kissed affectionately. “As long as we’re together, we’ll turn our trauma into triumphs.”