Epilogue Frankincense
“Ican’t believe that we just did this.” Misty smiles up at me as we dance under the stars on a makeshift stage with snow piled all around it. There’s a little trail that’s been cleared but all of that snow wasn’t going to be moved.
“Did what?” I twirl her under my arm and smile at her as she giggles back at me.
“Got married. At Christmas!”
“I told you that I’d get it all planned.”
She glances down at her gown and runs her palm lightly over the pale pink silk gown with embroidered flowers on it in bright, pretty jewel purples and pinks and corals. It dusts the floor and has a sweetheart neckline which is covered with a white faux fur so that she doesn’t catch a cold.
She looks like a princess and I swallow roughly. “I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as you are tonight, Mrs. Monroe.”
She smiles and it lights up her pretty blue eyes, brightens her lovely face as she flushes delicately. “You’re just saying that cause you married me.”
I huff and spin her out and pull her back in so that she’s resting on my chest. “I’m saying it because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“You need glasses.”
“And you need a mirror. Luckily you’ve got me as your mirror and I can tell you that nobody is more perfect than you are.”
I stumble when something butts me from behind. Spinning I catch sight of Val in the middle of the floor and she paws at the stage.
“Oh no, you don’t. I know exactly how to fix you.” And before the little goat can say boo, I whistle and another little goat, this time a male, comes running. He immediately head butts her and she bleats at him, glaring at me.
“That’s right,” I laugh. “I’ve got you your own man. Er, goat.”
She prances around and ignores him but he just keeps on trying to impress her, darting in front of her.
Misty leans her head on my chest and smiles up at me. “Always trying to fix things, huh?”
“It’s what I am.”
She giggles and we watch as Velvet chases after both little goats, her little white tights already ripped and dirty.
“She’s gonna be a handful. I hope you know what you signed up for.”
I lean down and kiss her gently. “I’ve never been more sure. You two are my home. Together…we’re gonna run this town.”
She grins back at me and rolls out in a spin, her eyes glowing in the dancing lights. “Promises, promises, Mr. Monroe.”
Whispering in her ear, I feel her shiver and smirk. “I always keep my promises. Exhibit A.”
The yard has half the town in it and there’s drinking and dancing and laughing. All to celebrate our new lives together.
She nods her head and rests it on my chest again and I love feeling her in my arms.
“You are definitely a man of your word. I never doubted you for a minute.”
I snort. “Yeah, you did. But I’ll forgive you. Because I love you and you love me and I’m happier than I ever thought I’d be.”
She smiles up at me and the shine in her pale blue eyes is like crystals on water. Glorious.
“Me too, Frank. Me too.”
This is the start of what I never thought I’d find and I can’t wait to experience all of it with my wife and my new daughter beside me.
She leans her head on my chest again and sighs and my whole body settles.
Because she’s with me. Where she belongs. And she will never get away from me.
After all, I’ve got goats on my side.