Epilogue
Calypso
One week later…
Setting down a cooled-off batch of gingerbread pieces in front of the kids, I throw Juanita a thankful glance over my shoulder.
When Grady’s girls, Stella and Daisy, wanted to have a gingerbread-making night, she immediately jumped in and took control.
Of course that meant that Blake’s three kids, plus Lucas’s two boys, were bound to make an appearance.
The group quickly grew to include Liam’s six nieces and nephews, since his entire family is in Amada Beach for Christmas.
I was worried it would be a lot more overwhelming after everything with Stefan, plus Liam and I are only just getting settled into our “real” relationship. That hasn’t been the case at all, thankfully.
Having Paul, Jo, and Liam’s extended family on my side made the entire interaction much easier but it was still weird—and the complete opposite of meeting Stefan’s small, nuclear family for the first time.
Liam’s mom, Emma, is quiet but affectionate and welcoming.
She immediately pulled me into a fierce hug and thanked me for making her son’s past few months easier.
I didn’t tell her that it was quite the opposite, since I am trying to stay on her good side.
Liam is the one who has done everything to get us to the point we are at.
One day, I’ll gain the courage to thank her for raising the man I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
His other three sisters—Amara, Ava, and Piper—were an easy sell, too.
They took me out to dinner last night and interrogated me for about two hours.
Unlike with my brothers, Liam warned me that his sisters have their own form of initiation.
It was not nearly as horrible as he talked it up to be, though.
I threw them a bone and admitted our relationship was fake in the beginning. Jo was as shocked as my own siblings when I told them last week. Everyone had hundreds of questions, and I indulged in most of them.
Talking about Stefan is still something I struggle with, so I was more vague in that regard. As women, I think they understood and didn’t push too much.
Vivi and Hudson suggested I try going to therapy.
I hate the idea. Not because I’m against the practice itself; I’ve seen the benefits through the people around me.
Most people are surprised to learn Hudson is the most emotionally intelligent of us all.
It makes my skin feel tight and prickly to be so vulnerable with someone. A stranger, no less.
I’m considering it, though.
We’re still waiting to hear back from the judge, but Mia and Lucas have admitted that it’s a messy situation.
There is clear footage that Stefan kissed me first, leading to me slapping him and him returning the gesture.
But it also shows that Liam may have used more force than necessary to break up the situation, and it had been completely de-escalated when Hudson went back in for round two.
Most people would call those things acceptable, given the circumstances, but that’s not necessarily how the law sees it.
Walking back to the bakery counter, I try not to disrupt Liam’s conversation with Paul and Chuck. His attention immediately pulls to me as I set the empty tray down, and he comes to stand closer.
“Hey, honey,” he murmurs and brushes back a lock of hair that slipped out of my braid. Even though Juanita planned the evening for the kids, I’ve been helping her prep all afternoon, so we haven’t gotten a lot of time together. Everyone should be okay for a few minutes, now.
Leaning against the glass, I press my shoulder into his side. “Hey, babe. Your family need anything?”
“No,” he reassures. “I need you to relax for a minute, though.”
Rolling my eyes, I take a sip from my water bottle. “If tonight goes well, you know Nita will want to host this again next year.”
He chuckles. “That’s true.”
I smirk at him but the door opens, despite the closed sign, and pulls our attention to the front.
The entire room goes silent as Ruby walks forward.
Her bright red hair is styled in two fishtail braids and she nervously twists the hem of her sweater dress.
Her bright green eyes flit across the room, and she lets out a small breath when she finds me.
Quickly, I step forward, not wanting her to run. I haven’t spoken to Ruby since the recital, but Mia has—and she suggested I give Ruby space. I hoped she’d eventually come around, but I wasn’t expecting her to tonight.
“Hey,” I say, stopping in front of her
She isn’t jumping at a hug, and I’m not one to initiate that.
She gives me a small smile. “Hi. I’m sorry to barge in—”
I shake my head. “No, no. It’s a full house. We’re happy to have you.”
Ruby nods. “Mia invited me.”
Looking back, Mia makes her way closer. “Happy to see you.” She affectionately squeezes Ruby’s arm.
“Thanks,” Ruby says. The room starts to talk again, giving us privacy. She shifts on her feet before steeling her shoulders. “If you still have a job open, I’d love to apply.”
Relief rushes through me. “No application necessary. It was always yours.”
Ruby tries to smile again but it’s watery. “I’ve never baked before.”
“That’s fine.” I wave my hand in the air then cross my arms. “Some of us have degrees, and some of us are self-taught. If you hate it, Lexi always needs help in the bookstore. We’ll figure it out.”
My mom walks up and gently takes Ruby by the arm. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”
Ruby must recognize her—either from the recital or our resemblance—but she eases in her hold and follows her. I watch her move around the room, meeting everyone who has helped me get to this point. Maybe the people who could help her get somewhere similar.
Bumping my hip with hers, Mia winks. “Told you to give her space, and she’d come around.”
I roll my eyes. “Five years ago, did you ever think this would be my life?”
“No,” she answers immediately and seriously. “But I am really fucking proud to see it happen.”
With a soft smile, I step away from Mia, not wanting to get too emotional in the middle of the evening. But she’s right. I never expected so much out of life after my divorce, when it felt like I’d lost so much to Stefan.
When Liam’s arms wrap around my waist, and he pull me against his chest as he talks with my brothers, I have to admit… I feel pretty proud of myself, too.
Liam
A year and two months later…
Sitting in the driver’s seat of the Spider, I glance over at Calypso who is giving me a very suspicious side-eye.
Yes, I get to drive her car on a regular basis now. Only when she is present, but it's still a win.
Tonight, she has no idea where we’re going. It’s Valentine’s Day, which isn’t a holiday she put much thought into last year. I’m not trying to change her mind about the day, but it lined up perfectly to bring her now.
It’s killing her to not know what our plans are for the night. She’s opened her mouth a hundred times in the last ten minutes, only to immediately close it and glare at me.
The last year with Calypso has been close to perfect, to say the least.
Unfortunately, as Mia and Lucas suspected, pressing charges wasn’t as simple as they make it seem in movies. Ultimately, nothing other than a protective order happened. I was angry for a long time, partly because I finally understood why Calypso was hesitant to do anything from the beginning.
It’s been enough to offer her and Ruby freedom from his obsession, though.
Well, in Ruby’s case, it sounds like she experienced his indifference more than anything, but it still came with the idea that she was his property.
The fact that people even think like that anymore has been one of the hardest things to wrap my mind around.
But as far as Calypso and I go? Goddamn perfect.
Rosie and I still live with her. We figured we’d enjoyed living together up to that point, there was no reason to rock the boat now.
Later, Calypso admitted she felt more unsettled at the thought of living alone than she ever had before.
I hate that Stefan took some of that independence, and solitude, away from her.
Until things were finalized, I didn’t want her alone either.
Now, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right by Calypso’s side. Our life has formed so naturally around us that it’s hard to remember how different it was only a year ago.
Our evenings look much the same, split between ordering in and eating on the couch, meeting up with family for dinner, or cooking at home together.
Calypso has ironed out her morning routine, finding time to work out and enjoy the quietness before her day starts.
Even though my job requires waking early as well, I actually like my nights more.
I’ll usually stay downstairs longer, finishing a puzzle or sketching something when I can’t sleep.
Our time together felt limited before, and neither of us wanted to waste even a second of it when the future was so uncertain. That’s not a problem anymore.
As I pull into a driveway, Calypso turns in her seat and finally asks a question. “Where are we?”
With a boyish grin, I get out of the car and quickly round the hood. Opening the door and taking her hand, I bring her to the front porch of a mid-century modern bungalow. “I want to show you something.”
Silently, Calypso takes a step inside of the open living room.
The three-bedroom house is similar to her townhouse with the natural wood finishes and industrial-style accents. But it’s brighter and more spacious with large windows and open floor plans.
The house went on the market a week ago, and I immediately made an offer. Since I’m not such a pariah around town anymore, I’ve made a few connections of my own. Like with some of the local real estate agents—one who gave me until Monday to make a final decision.
There’s something about this property that feels right for us.
It has more rooms, which would give us an office space and a guest bedroom.
There’s a small backyard that would be perfect for Rosie and a small seating area.
Plus, we’re only a few blocks away from Asher, and have our own private beach area too.
Calypso walks to the middle of the room before turning to look at me with a curious smile. “What is this?”
Slowly, I close the distance between us until our chests are almost flush with each other.
“This is my proposal to you.”
Her face immediately drains of color, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Not a marriage proposal.” She lets out a sigh but shakes her head, still not understanding. “I want to spend my life with you, Calypso Rainn Davies.”
“I want that, too,” she murmurs and fists my t-shirt.
“Good, because I made an offer on this house.” Her eyes fly open but I continue on. “We have until Monday morning to make a decision and get the ball rolling, if you want to.”
She’s quiet but nods for me to keep going.
“I think we could be happy here, honey. I think we could make a home for ourselves.” I try to infuse as much affection into my words as I can.
“Not one with babies—at least not ours—or a wedding or any expectations other than this: I want to spend my entire life loving you, and I hope you’ll let me. ”
A breathtaking smile pulls at her lips as she beams at me. Calypso may not ever see herself the way I do, but she lights up my entire life. She’s my sun, and I was out of orbit my entire life until I found her.
“I don’t need to see you wearing my ring when all I want is to know I’m coming home to you every night.”
She leans up and places a soft kiss on my lips. “Show me the rest.”
It’s not an answer, but it feels like one.
With a hopeful pep in my step, I take her on a tour of the empty house.
There’s a large island that would be perfect for cooking dinner together, a laundry room separate from the kitchen, a master bedroom with a closet twice the size of our current one, and all the potential for us to build a home here.
“But this is the best part,” I say and open the back gate.
Taking my hand, she’s excited to see our small beach area. I’ve already decorated the spot with two cloth-beach chairs, some ciders, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
“Liam, this is… Wow.” She twirls in the sand until her eyes meet mine again, giving me the most endearing look I’ve seen from her yet.
Dropping into one of the chairs, I hold a hand out for her, “Sit with me for a bit.”
She comes to my lap, choosing me over the chair next to mine. “I love this house. Not as much as I love you, but it’s close,” she teases.
I kiss her, still addicted to hearing her say those words. It never gets old; if anything, it gets better every damn day.
“So, what do you say?” Holding the nape of her neck, I stare into those honey-brown eyes I dream about every night. “Are we buying this house? You get the final call.”
She chuckles. “On one condition.”
Tilting my head, I nod for her to go on. “Anything you want.”
Pulling out her phone, Calypso scrolls through a website. “I have an appointment tomorrow.”
Now I’m concerned. “For what?”
“Calm down, babe. It’s for both of us.” She gives me a wry look. “I know you’ve wanted another dog, so we’re going to the shelter tomorrow.”
I perk up, pulling her further into my body. “You want to get another dog? And a house? You weren’t kidding a year ago.”
She rolls her eyes and snickers. “Wait until you see which dog I want, first.”
Turning her screen to me, I take in the…
“That’s the ugliest dog I’ve ever seen.” Looking at him again, I add, “He looks like the dog from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”
Calypso practically kicks her feet with glee and laughs. “I know! Even his name is Andy. Isn’t that perfect? Come on, Liam.” She scrolls through the photos. “He’s six years old, and he’s been at the shelter for three years. I didn’t think you’d be such a snob about your animals.”
Pinching her side, I nip at her shoulder. “I’m not, but I kind of expected you would be.”
Offended, she presses her elbow into my ribs. “If I’m going to have more pets, I’d rather do good by adopting ones in need. I feel very strongly about that.”
That doesn’t surprise me.
“Well,” I muse and take a look at our new dog. “I think Rosie will love him.”
Calypso nods and wraps her arm around my shoulder, using her free hand to tilt my mouth up to hers. “I think I really love this life with you.”
Her lips are on mine before I can tell her how much I agree.