Epilogue - Darby
One year later
The auditorium is packed, and the excited energy seems to be shared by everyone in the room.
Families, friends, and faculty fill the seats, and everyone is murmuring in anticipation. The stage is set, and the university banners are draped across the walls. The air smells of fresh programs, ink, and a faint trace of flowers from the bouquets people hold.
I sit in the middle row, my leg bouncing slightly. My brothers, Garrett and Aden, sit on either side of me, their women beside them—Olivia with Garrett, Mimi with Aden. We’re all dressed for the occasion, suits pressed, shoes polished. But I’m the only one who can’t seem to sit still.
“She looks beautiful,” Olivia whispers, watching Selene from across the room.
I follow her gaze.
Selene is standing in the line of graduates. Her black graduation gown draped over her shoulders; the cap perched on her head. She’s scanning the crowd, looking for us, her hands fidgeting in her lap. When her eyes finally meet mine, she smiles.
And just like that, my heart settles. My legs stop shaking, and I manage to smile.
I watch her as she navigates with the other graduates and finds her seat. When she does, she turns back and gives me a smile again. I wave this time, and she faces forward. Her red hair rests on her shoulders. I can’t keep my eyes off her.
Someone comes on stage and makes a speech, but I don’t really register who they are or what they say. People start clapping. The person beside her whispers something to her, and she smiles.
Garrett leans to me. “You haven’t taken your eyes off her once.”
On my other side, Aden chuckles, shaking his head. “I never thought I’d see the day when Darby Stone would be worse than us when it comes to a woman.”
Garrett nods. “I mean, look at him. He’s completely gone.”
I don’t even argue. I don’t even respond. I shift my attention from them and just keep looking at her.
The ceremony starts, and her name is called.
“Selene Harper, Master’s Degree in Journalism.”
We six applaud the loudest.
I watch as she rises gracefully from her seat, walking across the stage with confidence. The way she carries herself, the way she holds her chin high, it’s mesmerizing. How can everyone in the room not be obsessed with her?
When she accepts her certificate, I stand, clapping harder than anyone else in the room. I’m so happy and proud of her.
Garrett and Aden nudge me, laughing.
“Lover boy,” Garrett teases.
Aden nods. “Completely whipped.”
I raise an eyebrow at both of them. “You two do realize you’re both married, right?”
Aden smirks. “Yeah, but at least we maintained some of our dignity.”
I grin, not even denying it. Because I am whipped. Completely. Shamelessly and confidently. Once my brothers heard the announcement I made at the conference meeting, they didn’t object to my decision. They backed me all the way, even when our father started to make a fuss.
Because they both understood what love does to a man.
The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur. Selene keeps looking back and making eye contact with me, and I keep smiling like an idiot anytime she does.
After taking pictures, we head to the dinner celebration I started organizing months ago. The restaurant was recommended by Aden, and it was perfect. I guess love affects all of us in one way or the other. Here I was thinking he knew nothing outside numbers and Mimi.
The waiters serve our food, and as delicious as it smells, nothing looks more delicious than Selene. She’s glowing.
Selene sits beside me, her cheeks still flushed from all the congratulations.
Mimi leans forward, grinning. “I still can’t believe you did this while working full-time. You really are superwoman.”
Selene laughs, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
Garrett smirks. “I don’t know. Managing school, work, and a relationship with my brother? Sounds like a damn miracle to me.”
Olivia chuckles, nudging him. “Be nice.”
Aden raises his glass. “To Selene. You deserve this.”
The whole table lifts their glasses, a chorus of cheers filling the air.
Selene smiles, her fingers lacing with mine under the table. After a while, she starts talking with Mimi and Olivia, laughing easily. Every once in a while, she glances at me, like she’s making sure I’m still there.
I am. I always will be.
Every time she looks at me, the knot in my stomach tightens, and my hands get clammy.
Me—Darby Stone. A man who has stood in front of boardrooms, made million-dollar deals, and faced the media with confidence. And yet, sitting here, watching the love of my life, I feel like I might pass out.
She notices. Of course, she does.
She leans in, lowering her voice so only I can hear. “You’re acting weird.”
I clear my throat. “Am I?”
She narrows her eyes. “Yes.”
I try to play it off, taking a sip of my drink, but my hand is slightly unsteady.
She tilts her head, studying me. “Darby, what’s going on?”
Before I can answer, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I look briefly, but I get the message. It’s from Jake.
We’re outside.
I set my drink down, pushing my chair back. “Come with me.”
Selene looks confused but stands anyway, following me through the restaurant. The moment we step outside, the cool night air greets us. Then Leo runs toward her.
“Mom!”
She laughs, bending down to hug him. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be home with Uncle Jake, on your best behavior. Like you promised.”
Jake stands behind him, hands in his pockets, smiling. “Had to bring my nephew for the big moment.”
Selene frowns. “What big moment?”
Before she can process what’s happening, Leo grins and sneaks behind me. My heart pounds as he reaches into his pocket, his small fingers curling around the velvet box.
He looks up at me, grinning. “Here, Dad.”
Selene freezes.
I get on one knee and open the box, revealing the ring inside—a simple yet stunning diamond, set in a band that reminds me of her. Timeless.
Her hands fly to her mouth. The rest of our family steps outside for the big moment, remaining quiet as they watch. I take a slow breath.
“Selene,” I begin with the steadiest voice I can muster through my nerves. “From the moment I met you, you turned my world upside down. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become, and I want to be the man by your side to love and support you forever. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Her eyes glisten.
I smile, my throat tight. “You gave me something I never knew I wanted. A family. A home. You gave me Leo.” My voice cracks slightly. “And I don’t want another day to go by without you knowing that you are my everything.”
A tear slips down her cheek. Leo bounces on his toes. “Say yes, Mom!”
A laugh bubbles out of her, and she shakes her head in disbelief. I reach for her hand. “Marry me, Selene.”
She doesn’t hesitate. “I can’t wait.”
The moment the words leave her lips, I stand, pulling her into my arms. She throws her arms around my neck, burying her face against me, her body shaking with emotion.
Applause erupts behind us—Jake cheering, Olivia and Mimi clapping, Garrett and Aden shaking their heads and whispering something to each other. Leo tugs on my sleeve. “You didn’t put the ring on her finger,” he whispers.
Selene laughs, pulls back, and lets me slide the ring onto her finger. It fits perfectly. Just like she fits perfectly into my life. She looks up at me, eyes shining. “I love you.”
I cup her face, pressing my forehead to hers. “I love you more.”
***
Leo, Selene, and I all head to the place we now call home. They are still moving things into the house, but now that she has agreed to be my wife, this house is hers as much as mine.
To be honest, it was hers long before that. My house, my heart, my body, and my soul. They all belong to her.
We tuck Leo into bed. Once we’re sure he’s asleep, we head to our room, and she pulls me into her arms. She kisses me passionately, and I can already smell her desire.
“I think we should work on that little brother or sister for Leo.” She says softly.
“Oh, I do love you.” I lean over and kiss her deeply.
She looks at me with a soft, satisfied smile. “I love you too, my sweetheart.”
THE END