Epilogue - Two Years Later - Trish
“What do you think?”
“It’s missing the final touch,” I say before grabbing a bucket of paint and a brush. We chose green. Despite my initial proposal for neon green, let’s just say it didn’t pass the vote.
I thought it was cute, symbolic even! This husband of mine argued he didn’t want to blind himself every day when going through the front door.
Which is an exaggeration, of course but we came to an agreement. A deep olive green that matches the surrounding trees which also pops against the wood walls of the cabin.
Archer grabs another brush and helps me paint the frame surrounding the front door. I think many people would give us grievance for painting such beautiful wood, but I don’t care.
“It’s hard to believe it’s finally finished. Finally! I’m too old for this shit.”
“There you are again, making yourself old just to get a kiss of pity.”
I give him a small peck.
“It works,” he shrugs. “Honestly, I’m proud of the final result, it looks good, better than I ever could imagine.”
“You’ve been working so hard on this, I’m proud of you too.”
“We’ve been working hard on it.”
“Well, I mostly motivate you with my body.”
“That’s good honest work,” he deadpans.
I laugh so loud it echoes all over. I’ve never been happier in my life.
Again and again, I’m reminded how great a decision I made back then.
And as a bonus, I get to have Lana close by.
Speaking of Lana, it’s funny because I remember being so annoyed with her and Cole always eating each other’s faces off, and now I’m exactly like them, always missing Archer when he isn’t around.
Having kids wasn’t something we wanted, so we’ve been enjoying our time as a couple without thinking of biological deadlines.
After my career crisis, I decided to take a step back and apply for jobs that would allow me more flexibility to choose my own clients, it’s been absolutely wonderful, and I love fashion and marketing again.
With all the work done around the house, there were a lot of tools hanging everywhere, so with the help of Archer, I’ve been learning a bit of woodworking, just enough to restore pieces I find left out by the curb whenever I go into town.
It feels like an extension of my love for fashion, making furniture look good, not just people.
“I love you, you know that?” he asks with a tenderness that always makes me feel all warm inside.
I turn to look at him. “I love you too.”
I get back to my work, Archer is mostly watching me. I like to feel him this focused on me, it never stops making me feel special.
“It’s done!” I say, right after painting the last bottom corner.
I wrap my arms around his neck, brush still in my hand.
He uses his brush to dab paint onto my nose.
I feign offense.
“What? If you’re painting my hair, you can have a bit of paint on your nose too.”
I glance up, sure enough, I put some of the paint on his hair.
“Now that we’re done, why don’t we go skinny-dipping at the lake to celebrate?” I’ll wash your hair, you wash off my nose."
His teeth on my throat, playful, “Princess, I’d rather wash off other things.”
“Race me there?”
I pull back and head to the lake, Archer quickly catching up, heading to the place where it all began.
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