Epilogue
epilogue
ASTRID
“Slow down, Karolina!!” Alexandra called to my youngest niece, who careened into the house like a wayward elephant.
I snickered. She was so full of energy—much more than her older sister. Linny was quiet and reserved. Kari was anything but. They reminded me of myself and Alex. Alexandra grumbled, adjusting the baby on her hip, annoyed. Little Christophe was a behemoth compared to his sisters at the same age. He was ten months old and full of smiles.
“It’s fine, Lex,” I said.
“I just want everything to be calm,” Alexandra protested. “You deserve that much.”
“Yes, Dr Deschamps,” Parker said. “But I suspect it will be fine either way.”
I’d passed my defence that morning, officially finishing my journey to the moniker of “Dr Deschamps.”
I leaned over and kissed him before kicking off my shoes in the mud room off the back door.
I was riding high, and my entire family was here to see me tick an important box. It felt heady to have us all in one place. At twenty-six, I felt like a big, grown human with my own life. The last four years I’d spent here in Scotland with Parker hadn’t always been perfect, but they’d been rewarding. My family rarely got to visit, so their presence was extra special.
I stepped into our kitchen, not expecting to see what I had done. The entire place was chock full of balloons, and a big cake sat on our marble island.
“Oh my God, what is this?” I giggled.
“The girls were keen to celebrate you,” Parker said. “And they asked for balloons.”
“I said they were tacky, but we delegated all of that to a five-year-old,” Ingrid sighed.
“They are lovely ,” I gave Kari and Linny hugs. “I love the display and you.”
“And the cake!” Linny said excitedly.
“Of course,” I laughed. “The cake, too.”
I stepped forward to see the design on the cake, surprised by what I read.
Astrid Deschamps, PhD will you marry me?
“What?” I looked at Parker.
He smiled nervously.
I pointed at the cake.
“What does it say?” Kari whispered in French.
“He asked her to marry him, stupid!” Linny answered.
“Linnea, be good to your sister,” Rick sighed.
“Yes,” I laughed, rushing to Parker to give him a big kiss, beyond excited. “But you were so confident?”
“There was no way you wouldn’t pass,” Parker said. “I only worried you would say no!”
“Never,” I answered. “Never. I love you too much.”
“Where is the damn ring. Can anyone have a normal proposal in this family?” Ingrid demanded.
“Shit! Yes! Ring!”
Parker pulled a box out from a kitchen cabinet. It was endearing that this was his solution. It was Parker—practical, resourceful, no fuss. I smiled as he opened the box to unveil a large emerald.
“I love it.”
“I know you adore emeralds.”
“I said I love it,” I laughed. “You needn’t sell me.”
I slid the ring on my finger and kissed him—slowly and with a few tears. It wasn’t that I’d been thirsting for a ring or rushing to run down the aisle, but it was good to know the man who waited for me still thought I was worth it. We’d been so happy and remained that way—always. This was a testament to the fact that two rivals and unlikely friends could forge something spectacular when they finally set their differences aside.
“I’m making a toast!” Alexandra declared.
We turned to see Alexandra beaming. “To Astrid, I love you and am so, so proud of you today. You are a doctor ! It’s wild and wonderful.”
“I always knew she’d do it,” Rick said. “But it’s great to say I was in the room where it happened.”
I smiled, “Thanks for the confidence, Rick.”
“Anytime, kid. Anytime.”
The baby fussed, reaching for my sister’s glass. Rick took him out of Alexandra’s arms before he grabbed it, and we had broken glass all over the floor.
“Christophe, you’re going to be the death of us,” Rick groaned.
“No, that’s our second child.” Alexandra shook her head. “And to Parker, who came into our lives and hasn’t always fit in. You love Astrid so perfectly and are wonderful to our family. We are so lucky to have you and can’t wait to celebrate this happy occasion.”
“Now, can we please eat cake?” Ingrid groaned.
“There will be time!” Odette said. “We are appreciating everything!”
“Go, eat cake,” I waved them on.
Parker wrapped his arms around me, resting his head on my shoulder. I spun, ignoring the chaos.
“Why didn’t you propose at the department? Briggs?— ”
“Your accomplishments are your own, Asti. I wasn’t about to mess up your big day with a proposal, but I felt it was time. I promised you I’d say nothing of it until this day.”
“And you couldn’t wait a minute longer?”
“Not a bit, no.” He kissed my forehead. “Let’s just be happy forever.”
“Sounds good,” I said.
“Oh my God, Odie, stop!” Ingrid giggled, laughing as Odie belted out a song—inspired by something she said.
This was a common occurrence.
Parker and I laughed.
“She’s up next, right?” Parker asked. “Now that she’s graduated?”
I shrugged. “I dunno. It’s been a rough year for her.”
“Good to see Odette happy,” Parker said.
“Yeah. Odette, are you going to be in the wedding? Ingrid?”
“I will! I will!” Linny and Kari brimmed.
“Of course. Was there any doubt?” Ingrid asked.
“And I will help you plan all of it! Just like I did Alex’s wedding,” Odette said.
“Thank God because I have no idea what the fuck I am doing,” I laughed. “You plan a mean wedding. I must hand it to you.”
“I will plan the hell out of this one,” Odette laughed. “I promise.”
“Do you want to have a big wedding? Small?” I wrapped my arms around Parker.
I buried my face in his shirt, listening to the comforting blub-blub of his heart. I could have stayed like this for an eternity. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my head.
“I would marry you in the middle of the horse pasture surrounded by muck, Astrid. It doesn’t matter to me,” Parker sighed. “Whatever makes you happy will thrill me, too. As long as you’re mine, I’m good.”