Epilogue
Ethan
EIGHT MONTHS LATER…
Leni’s smile is blinding as she walks across the stage to receive her diploma. I bring my fingers to my lips, letting out an ear-splitting whistle, not caring about the looks I get as I cheer for my girl. I’m so fucking proud.
Andy shakes his head, grinning as he claps politely from his seat next to me.
I’m so grateful to him for standing by my side when Leni and I went to the university to disclose our relationship, and through all the subsequent meetings we had to sit through with the head of the History Department, Human Resources, and the Ethics Committee.
He’s been a good mate, and thanks to him, I’ve met the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.
The small black box is burning a hole in my pocket, and I attempt to tamp down my excitement over the surprise waiting for her back at Andy’s place.
I know Leni’s disappointed that neither of her parents is here to celebrate her achievements today.
She didn’t reach out to her father, and her mother hasn’t spoken to her since finding out about our relationship.
She still talks to her sisters, but her mother has forbidden them from seeing her in person.
It only makes me more determined to show her what a real family is.
We’ve set up a good life in Sydney. I’m the assistant manager at an A-League club.
Leni is loving her classes at NIMTA, and she still writes.
She’s so fucking smart and talented, and while the sex is still mind-blowing, I love the quiet moments with her the most—chilling on the couch discussing our favourite books, historical events, current affairs, even the god-awful reality TV shows she makes me watch.
Which reminds me, we have a couple of episodes of Welcome to the Jungle to catch up on later.
We’ve both been seeing a therapist, and so has Dylan.
He even came to visit us a few weeks ago.
It was awkward, but it feels like a small step forward.
I sat him down and told him how I felt about Leni, and my plan to propose.
He said it will take him a bit of time to come to terms with it, but ultimately, he wants me to be happy, and I think he can see she does that for me.
Vanessa put off going to Brazil with Henrique for a few months, but surprisingly, it was Dylan who told her to go, and she flew out three months ago. He’s going there for a visit next week.
I return my attention to the graduation ceremony, leg bouncing and constantly checking my watch until Andy elbows me in the ribs.
“Chill, mate,” he murmurs. “You’re making me nervous. It’s all going to go according to plan.”
I fucking hope so.
When the official ceremony ends, we trail out to the foyer with the rest of the crowd, and I scan the faces, looking for the one that makes my heart race.
Andy waves to someone, and I follow his eyeline to my little devil in her cap and gown. She’s gone back to her natural blonde, but I couldn’t care less what colour her hair is. She’s beautiful inside and out.
I stalk across the room, sweeping her into my arms and capturing her lips in an indecent kiss. The sound of her laughter as she pulls away has me soaring. I’m so in love with her.
“Proud of you, baby,” I say, placing her back on her feet and flicking the tassel on her graduation cap.
A cheeky smile graces her lips, and she leans up on her tiptoes to murmur, “Want me to wear this with nothing else later on, sir?”
Fuck.
My cock hardens, and I groan, squeezing my eyes shut and trying to think of anything other than her naked under that gown riding me. She knows exactly what she’s doing to me. She’s so damn beautiful.
“Promises, promises, little devil.” I squeeze her waist.
We make small talk with some of her classmates and professors before heading back to Andy’s. She didn’t want a huge fanfare, and we’re heading back to Sydney tomorrow night, so we’re keeping the celebration small. Little does she know, we have a guest coming to stay with us for a week.
Ever the gentlemen, Andy and I let Leni into the house before us.
She hits the lights for the living room, startling when she sees her cousin, Jeremy, and his ‘friend’, Diego, but then she lets out a surprised squeal when her eyes land on Willow, who flew in from the UK this morning.
Middlesborough is deep in the hunt for promotion into the Premier League, needing to win to maintain their top two finish, so Luca couldn’t get away.
Leni squeezes my hand before running into her best friend’s arms, laughing and crying as they hug and jump up and down, with Jeremy and Diego looking on fondly. I wanted them here tonight because Jeremy’s club is responsible for me finding Leni.
Andy pats me on the back, and I grin at him before dropping to one knee. Willow squeezes Leni’s hand, nodding at me with a beaming smile.
Leni turns slowly, then lets out a gasp when her navy eyes meet mine. “Ethan, what—”
“I’m so proud of you, little devil. You’re brave and smart and strong and beautiful.
” My throat clogs with emotion, and I work to clear it.
“I may have failed at this the first time around, and I know it’s quick, but there’s no doubt in my mind that everything in our lives was leading us to this moment.
We bring out the best in each other, and I’m always learning things from you.
I want this. I want us. Forever. Elena Grace Hart, will you do me the honour of being my wife? ”
I open the box, revealing the custom-made ring with a heart-shaped ruby nestled in a halo of shimmering white diamonds.
Leni doesn’t move, her jaw slack as she stares at me in shock.
Licking my lips, I let out a nervous chuckle. “This is where you’re supposed to say some—”
“Yes!” she blurts, releasing her friend and rushing over to throw her arms around my neck. “Yes, yes, yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Relief overwhelms me, and I extricate myself from her only long enough to slide the ring onto her finger and pull her in for a deep kiss.
“You’re my forever,” she whispers against my lips as she pulls away.
“You’re mine.” I cup her cheek, loving the way she melts into my touch.
Andy pops a bottle of champagne and pours us each a glass.
“To finding true love,” he toasts.
“True love,” I murmur, keeping my eyes locked on Leni as I raise my glass to my lips.
Her cheeks flush, and her eyes sparkle as she accepts a hug from her cousin while holding her hand out for Willow to inspect the ring.
I can’t wipe the grin off my lips.
She’s going to be mine forever.