Epilogue Serena
Six Months Later
The cabin doesn't look anything like it did the first time Blaze brought me here. Back then, it was bare bones and rustic with creaky floors. The only heating was a wood-burning stove that gave off more smoke than fire. But now, it's home.
Our home.
It’s amazing the way this man and this cabin have pulled me out of survival mode.
We spent the last six months turning this tiny space into something that feels like us.
Blaze asked me what I wanted. It was a simple question, but one I’ve never heard before.
I took my time thinking through every nook and cranny of this place.
Once I figured it out, he handled the heavy lifting.
We’ve got a new deck, expanded kitchen, and a master bathroom with a soaking tub that I'm slightly obsessed with. Blaze thought it’d be big enough for two and we’ve definitely tested the theory more than once.
I handled the details like soft lighting, cozy furniture, and enough throw blankets to survive a nuclear winter.
But today, the cabin looks even more stunning than normal. Fairy lights are strung across the deck and white chairs line the yard facing the mountains. There's an arch covered in wildflowers where we’ll say our vows in less than an hour.
Our ceremony is going to be small and intimate. There are only a handful of people from The Rusty Spur, Vivi’s coming back of course, and some of Blaze’s squad members who are more like family at this point. It’s exactly what I hoped it would be.
I stare at my reflection in the bedroom mirror and barely recognize myself.
My wedding dress is a simple ivory silk that skims my curves and pools at my feet. My hair is down in loose waves. Blaze likes it like this, and I do too. I’ve never felt more beautiful. There's a flutter in my chest that won't quit, but it's not anxiety. It's joy.
My anxiety doesn’t stand a fighting chance with Blaze in my world.
He’s like a human security blanket and my nervous system has settled in a way I’ve never experienced.
I’m happier than I’ve been and for the first time in my life, I’m getting to know myself.
I’m meeting the me I would have been without all the stress and trauma.
She’s pretty amazing, but her husband… He’s the magic.
"You look incredible."
I turn to find Vivi standing in the doorway. She's in a dusty rose bridesmaid dress that makes her look like she belongs on a red carpet. Her eyes are already glassy.
"Don't you dare cry." I point at her. "If you cry, I'll cry, and then my makeup is ruined before I even walk down the aisle."
"Too late." She crosses the room and pulls me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you, Serena. You deserve this. You deserve him."
My throat tightens. “I’m so happy you’re here… And I want an update.”
“Negative, today is about you.”
We make our way to the back door, and I catch a glimpse of the yard through the window. The chairs are filled now. Jackson is standing at the front, looking uncharacteristically serious in his suit.
And then there’s Blaze…
He’s at the altar, and the sight of him knocks the air out of my lungs.
He's in a charcoal suit that fits him like it was sewn onto his body. His dark hair is swept back. His jaw is clean-shaven and even from here I can see his hands fidgeting at his sides. The big, tough SERE instructor is nervous and it’s adorable.
I love him so much it hurts.
"Ready?" Vivi squeezes my hand.
"More than I've ever been for anything."
The music starts. The sound is a soft acoustic version of a song we danced to at The Rusty Spur the night we met. I step onto the deck, and every head turns toward me. But all I can see is him.
Blaze's eyes find mine, and his whole face transforms. The nervousness in his eyes melts away. It’s replaced by something so tender it makes my knees weak. His lips part. His chest rises.
Then he smiles a real, genuine grin that makes it impossible not to fall in love with him again and again. I forget how to breathe. I walk toward him on legs that feel like jelly. Each step brings me closer to the rest of my life and I’m ready.
When I finally reach him, he takes my hands in his.
"Hi," he whispers.
"Hi."
"You're so beautiful it's making me dizzy."
I laugh, and the sound breaks the spell just enough for me to remember we're not alone. The officiant clears his throat.
"Shall we begin?"
The ceremony is a blur of vows, rings, and promises that feel like they've been living in my chest for months. It’s punctuated by whoops of joy from Jackson and whimpers of happy tears from Vivi.
When the officiant finally says, "You may kiss the bride," Blaze doesn't hesitate.
He cups my face in his hands and kisses me like we're the only two people in the world. The crowd cheers. All I can feel is Blaze's mouth on mine and his heart pounding against my palm.
“My wife,” Blaze growls into my ear. “Mine. Forever.”
The reception is casual and warm, exactly what we wanted. Tables are scattered across the deck. Every inch is covered in candles and wildflowers. There's barbecue and a three-tier cake that I definitely didn't stress over for two weeks.
I finish my first dance with my husband. I’m still floating on air when the song ends, and Jackson appears at the edge of the dance floor with a champagne glass in hand. He taps a fork against it until the crowd quiets down.
"Alright, alright. Settle in, people. Best man speech time."
Blaze groans. "Here we go."
I squeeze his hand and try not to laugh.
Jackson clears his throat dramatically. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Jackson, Blaze’s more handsome best friend.
I've known Blaze since basic training, which means I've seen him do some truly stupid shit.
I'm talking spectacularly dumb. The kind of dumb that makes you wonder how he survived long enough to find a woman willing to marry him. "
Laughter ripples through the crowd. Blaze shakes his head, but he's smiling.
"But here's the thing about Blaze Reynolds." Jackson's voice shifts, growing serious. "He's the most loyal, stubborn, ride-or-die son of a bitch I've ever met. When he decides something matters, he goes all in. No hesitation. No half-measures. Just pure, relentless commitment."
My chest tightens.
"I knew something was different the day he met Serena.
This guy who I've watched charm his way through half the bars on the West Coast without breaking a sweat was a complete disaster.
He couldn't focus. Couldn't shoot straight.
I'm pretty sure he almost fell off a cliff because he was too busy thinking about her. "
“Alright, alright, move it along.” Blaze calls out and I don’t miss the way his ears redden adorably.
"But that's the thing about love, right?
It makes idiots out of the best of us." Jackson raises his glass.
"Serena, I don't know how you did it, but you turned my best friend into a better man.
He's softer now. Calmer. He smiles like he means it.
And every time he talks about you, which is constantly by the way…
For real, it's actually annoying, but I can see it in his eyes. You're his whole world."
Tears prick at my eyes. Blaze's grip on my hand tightens.
"Thank you for making him so happy. I hope you know, he comes as a packaged deal. It isn’t just him…
you’ve got all of us in your corner from here on out.
Here's to you, Serena, and to my man Blaze.
" Jackson's grin returns. "May your love be as strong as Blaze's ego and as patient as Serena's tolerance for his bullshit. To Blaze and Serena!"
The crowd echoes the toast and glasses clink. Blaze pulls me into his arms and presses a kiss to my temple.
"I love you," he murmurs against my hair. "More than anything."
"I love you too." I tilt my face up to meet his eyes.
The rest of the night passes in a haze of dancing, laughter, and stolen kisses. By the time the last guest leaves and Vivi heads to her hotel with a promise to call me before she flies back to South Carolina, I'm exhausted in the best possible way.
Blaze and I stand on the deck, looking out at the mountains under a sky full of stars. His arm is around my waist, holding me close.
"Mrs. Reynolds." He says my new name like he's tasting it. "I like the sound of that."
"Mmm." I lean into him. "It does have a nice ring to it."
"You know what else has a nice ring to it?"
"What?"
He turns me in his arms, his hands sliding to my hips. The look in his eyes makes heat pool low in my belly. "The sound you make when I—"
"Blaze." I slap his chest, laughing. "We're still outside."
"So?" He backs me toward the door, his grin turning wicked. "It's our house. Our land. I can make you scream anywhere I want."
My breath catches. "Is that a promise?"
"Sweetheart." He leans down, his lips brushing my ear. "That's a guarantee."
He scoops me up before I can respond, carrying me over the threshold and kicking the door shut behind us. I'm laughing and breathless as he carries me down the hall toward our bedroom.
"I had plans for tonight," I protest weakly. "Champagne. Candles. A very expensive piece of lingerie that I—"
"Later." He lays me down on the bed and covers my body with his. "Right now, I just need you."
"You have me," I whisper. "You've always had me."