Epilogue
Shep
It was the morning of the wedding, and there were people everywhere. I tried to offer my help, but Linnea had everything covered.
The kitchen was done and exactly how I imagined it would be: a large open space with every luxury imaginable. The bathrooms upstairs were finished, and Linnea had outfitted them with fresh flowers and towels monogrammed with K's for Kingston.
The girls were in one of the bedrooms upstairs getting ready for the wedding, and the only space I could think to offer for the guys was my private attic room.
My brothers and Axel joined us.
When I led the way through my bedroom, Cooper joked, "Where are you taking us?"
"To the roof to throw you off," I groused.
Cooper touched his chest. "On the day of our brother's wedding?"
"You'd better behave," I mumbled as I opened the door to the attic and led the way upstairs.
"You're taking us to the attic?" Hudson asked when he reached the top of the stairs.
I stepped to the side. "My man cave. The downstairs is for everyone, but this is my personal space. This is the only time you'll be allowed in it."
"I didn't even know you'd done anything with the attic," Hudson said, moving farther inside.
"There's a media room, the living-room area, and the rooftop deck."
The guys fanned out, checking out the media room and the deck. We found ourselves on the deck, leaning on the railing where we could see everyone arriving.
"You've done a good job with this place," Hudson said to me.
I nodded. "That was the plan."
"Thank you for doing this so I can marry my girl," Hudson said, his voice sounding tight.
I felt the bloom of pride in my chest that I'd created this space for him. I was making Elena and Hudson's dreams come true. "Who said I did it for you?"
He looked over at me. "What are you talking about?"
"Maybe I did it so I could marry my girl here too."
His eyes widened. "Are you trying to tell us something?"
"I haven't asked her to marry me yet, but I want to." I'd never felt this confident about anything. Maya and Kinsley belonged here with me, and I wanted to make it official. Watching Hudson and Elena the last few months only made me more determined to make her mine in every way possible.
Besides, Maya had been not-too subtly asking for another sibling, and I wanted to grant her wish. I wanted to give her everything.
"You gotta lock that down before Kinsley realizes she's slumming it with you," Coop teased, and I punched him in the arm.
This time, he didn't move out of the way, and I felt the satisfaction of my fist contacting his tricep. "You're probably right though. I need to move quick before she realizes that she's too good for me."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about," Brady said.
Everyone could see how happy I was living with Maya and Kinsley. I'd relaxed at work and put less pressure on myself, which made everything easier. I wasn't on edge all the time, assuming everyone thought the worst of me, because I had someone at home who lifted me up.
"I have a feeling this is the start of more Kingston weddings," Marshall said.
"We're going to be busy the next few years expanding the business and our families," Hudson added.
We fell silent for a few seconds, content to watch the men in suits and the women in dresses filter outside.
"Who's that?" Dalton asked, pointing at a group of men in suits.
Hudson followed his gaze. "Dad wanted me to invite them. They're the Archers, their family owns a development firm looking to buy up some property on the island. Dad wants them to choose us for all their projects and thought this would be the perfect welcome."
Cooper whistled. "Not everyone is happy about them being here. The locals don't want outsiders buying everything up and changing the feel of the island."
Marshall straightened his tie. "You have to admit that partnering with them will be a boon for business. We'll be busy for years to come."
The door opened, and Linnea stepped out. "Are you guys almost ready? I need to get you into position before the bridal party comes out."
That led to a round of congratulations. Then we threw on our jackets. We helped each other straighten ties and brush lint off the jackets. Then we jogged down the steps and through the house.
I couldn't help but think that we'd do this all over again one day soon for me, and it would be just as special.
We walked down the aisle and lined up on the makeshift altar on the beach. I stood in the middle next to Cooper and folded my hands in front of me.
The chairs on the beach were almost filled, and my body was buzzing with anticipation.
Maya was a flower girl, along with Lilliana, and the ring bearer, Henry. She was so excited to be part of this wedding. My family had welcomed her as one of them.
The little ones came out first, Lilliana in a white dress with purple trim, holding a basket of white rose petals, and Henry held the pillow slightly askew. It was a good thing the ring was tied onto the pillow with ribbon. I'd hate to have to hunt for it in the sand.
A few feet behind them, Maya walked with more confidence throwing flower petals on the aisle runner as she walked.
Henry went to Cooper and Lilliana to Dalton. There were plans for them to sit with the grandparents in the front row, but we had a few seconds to be with them.
Maya paused in front of me, lifting her arms, "Shep."
I lifted her into my arms, her dress swirling around me. I couldn't help but think that our time would come very soon.
Maya patted my cheek. "When are you going to marry my mommy?"
"Very soon," I promised her with conviction in my voice.
She hugged me tight, and I relished the feel of her arms around my neck.
When the music started, we set the kids down and ushered them toward the front row where they sat with Mom and Dad.
The girls started walking up the aisle, one at a time with a bouquet of flowers in their hands. When they reached the altar, they walked to the left, lining up one after the other. But my eyes were on Kinsley.
She was gorgeous in the lavender dress that Elena had chosen for her bridesmaids, but I was imagining her in white. She looked up at me, her cheeks pink. I wondered if she was thinking about being alone on the rooftop deck tonight.
I couldn't wait for all these people to go home so that the house would be ours again.
Then the music changed, and everyone rose for Elena. She walked down the aisle toward Hudson. I was positive every eye was on her, but I couldn't look away from Kinsley.
I needed to ask her to be my wife. The ring was burning a hole in my pocket. I'd carried it with me every day, waiting for the right moment to ask her.
Elena reached Hudson, and he took her hands. The pastor called everyone's attention to the couple. But my mind was on the perfect proposal. I just needed Maya's help.
After the ceremony, Linnea directed pictures, and then there was the dinner reception and dancing. I sat with my arm around the back of Kinsley's chair with Maya on her other side. When the music started, Maya jumped up, "Can we dance?"
"Absolutely," I said, standing.
I lifted her into my arms so that I could hold Kinsley's hand. We went to the dance floor where I danced with Maya and Kinsley.
They eventually broke off and danced with the girls, and I stood with Hudson, watching them. "You feel any different now that you're married?"
"I feel more protective of Elena, which I didn't think was possible. She's mine now, ya know? I want her to know that I'll always love and protect her and her family. It's a big responsibility."
My throat felt tight, and I loosened my tie. "I'm ready for that."
Hudson's attention swung to me. "Yeah?"
"I want that and more," I said with confidence. There was no doubt in my mind that this was the right step.
"Have you decided how you're going to ask?"
I grinned. "I need Maya's help."
"I like that you're involving Maya. She'll love that."
"She's a part of our family."
"Good luck to you. I have every confidence that you'll get the answer you want," Hudson touched my shoulder. "Now, I'm going to dance with my wife."
The music turned to a slower tune, and I moved across the dance floor toward Kinsley. "Would you dance with me?"
She dipped into a curtsy. "You're the best dancer in the room."
I raised a brow as I held up my hands for her. "And the most handsome?"
Kinsley inclined her head. "Naturally."
"Let's meet on the rooftop tonight before Maya goes to bed," I said, my voice wavered slightly, and I hope she didn't notice. I wasn't my usual confident self.
"That sounds like the perfect end to the day."
"The perfect end to every day," I said as I expertly maneuvered her around the dance floor.
"I have to agree with you."
We danced, ate cake, and sipped our champagne. When Maya had to go to the bathroom, I volunteered to take her so that I could have a few minutes alone with her.
I waited for her on her bed. When she came out, she said, "What's up?"
"I have something I want to ask you."
She climbed onto the bed, kneeling next to me. "Is it a surprise?"
"The best kind. What do you think about me asking your mom to marry me?"
Her eyes lit up. "You'll be my bonus dad? That's what Ellie at school calls her stepdad."
My eyes stung. "Yeah, I'll be your bonus dad."
She bounced on the bed. "When are you going to ask her?"
"I want to ask her tonight, but only if you're okay with it."
"Yes!"
"I need your help. Do you know where the duck in a tux is?" I asked her. This was a game we'd been playing for a while, and the recent joke was that he was missing.
"Maybe," Maya said.
I tipped my head to the side. "Do you know where his bride has been hiding?"
She erupted into giggles, covering her mouth with her hand.
"I'm going to take that as a yes. Do you think you could bring the ducks to the rooftop deck tonight?"
She nodded eagerly. "Uh-huh."
"Perfect." Then I lifted her off the bed and carried her downstairs to the party. Maya ran over to the girls and danced with them.
I watched Kinsley and Maya hold hands and dance to the music, my heart full even as my nerves kicked up a notch. Would she say yes? Hudson had seemed confident, but what if she wasn't ready yet?
When it was time for Maya to go to bed, we headed inside and went upstairs to the deck.
On the way, Maya broke away from us, "I have to grab something from my room."
Kinsley gave me a look. "Do you know what that's about?"
"Nope," I said as we headed upstairs first.
The lights twinkled as we stepped outside.
Kinsley leaned against the railing. "I'll never get enough of this view."
I moved behind her, caging her in. "I won't either." But I was talking about her on my deck.
The door opened, and I moved away from Kinsley.
"What did you need to get?" Kinsley asked.
"You'll see," Maya said with her hands behind her back.
"Why don't you have a seat?" I asked Kinsley and Maya. They sat side by side, and I said, "I think Maya found something that's been missing for a while."
Maya pulled the duck with a tux from behind her back, and Kinsley said, "You found him!"
I dropped to my knee in front of her as Maya slipped me the duck in a dress, and I held it up. "This is what's been missing from my life for longer than I would have liked."
Kinsley gasped, finally catching on to what we were doing.
"I've been missing the woman who'd be mine, and she finally came into my life." I held Maya's hand on her lap and reached for Kinsley's. "I've already asked Maya if she's okay with us getting married, but now I have to ask you."
Tears shown in her eyes.
I was feeling a little emotional myself. "Kins, will you marry me? Will you build a life with us here in this house, making us a family?"
"Yes."
"This is yours." I handed her the duck in a dress, and she turned it to find the ring taped to the back. "I can't believe you two planned this."
"On the day of my brother's wedding no less," I teased, pulling off the tape and slipping the ring onto her finger.
She slid from the couch onto my lap, cupping my cheeks and kissing me.
When she pulled back, she gestured for Maya to join us.
We hugged, squeezing each other tight. This home was ours now.
It would no longer be empty or filled with just memories of my grandmother.
We'd fill it with our own. I couldn't think of anything better.