Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
JACE
“Can I open my eyes yet?” I ask, attempting to peek through my squeezed lids.
“No!” Lennox covers his palm over the top half of my face, ensuring I can’t see anything even though we’re still inside a private jet with windows the size of gherkins and I wouldn’t be able to see anything even if I blew my eyes wide open.
“Did you know you have the patience of a toddler?” he adds.
“I do not,” I say, offended but he’s not wrong.
It’s been a full year since going public with our relationship, that dreadful night of the Silver Screen awards when I put everything out there in the most public way possible.
Nervous doesn’t even begin to describe the sensations rolling through me as I threw my heart out there for him to potentially stomp on after how I treated him.
Instead, he stepped on that stage with me solidifying our relationship, my sexuality and all the rumors that floated around us for the months when we filmed together. We’ve been inseparable ever since and I couldn’t be happier.
He even worked his schedule around mine so he could visit me on location as much as possible.
A few things I’ve discovered about Lennox. His loyalty is unmatched and he’s a hopeless romantic. Something I’ve had to adjust to since I’ve never known what unconditional love feels like.
His hopeless romantics have led us here on the second leg of our anniversary trip.
I have no idea where we are now but we just flew from Northern California after visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
He said he planned to take me ever since I confessed that I would be a Marine Biologist, if I couldn’t act.
He reminded me of our conversation and how peaceful I said fish are. Then he proceeded to take me to the Deep Ocean exhibit with giant isopods and bioluminescent jellyfish that looked more like baby aliens from outer space rather than from the deep waters of our planet.
Then, of course, saving the anglerfish for last.
“Good thing you’re a top notch actor because that,” pointing at the crescent shaped jaws with massive needles for teeth, “is not something any sane human would want to work with,” he said.
I told him I think they’re fascinating because they are, but he just responded with a full body shiver before leading me to the Open Ocean exhibit where he paid for a private party of just the two of us.
He also hired a private chef who served us a five course meal where we sat for hours, talking about the past year, the trials we went through to get here and everything he has planned for the future.
I swear if I wasn’t already in love with this man.
The Lennox I knew from before Iron Horizon is nothing like the softy he is in person, although he’s still a tad wild and crazy and I wouldn’t change a thing about any part of him.
Except maybe his love of surprises as I sit here impatiently waiting for my surprise.
Metal clangs and a loud thud comes from the front of the plane indicating the opening of the jet plane door and airstairs being put in place.
“Okay, you can open your eyes now.” Lennox says as he removes his palm.
I blink a few times, allowing my irises to adjust to the blinding light that shouldn’t be nearly this bright with how small the windows are.
“Where are we?” I ask, cautiously, squinting as I try to focus on any sort of landmark outside.
A man—or giant, more accurately—rounds the corner from the entrance and stands in the walkway at the front of the plane. He’s wearing a red and black flannel button up with rugged stonewashed jeans, and his beard might as well be a lion's mane, matching his colossal form.
My eyes widen as I slowly side-eye a glance at Lennox looking far too excited for his own good.
“Hey guys, I’m Tank. I’ll be your expedition tour guide for the next three days.
I’m originally from Australia but moved here because I like my wildlife big and burly, like myself.
” The Australian lumberjack tips the lid of his baseball cap at us with what looks like a smile.
I’m uncertain and skeptical. “Welcome to Alaska.”
LENNOX
We’ve gone back to Pierre’s cabin twice since our first time there and Jace has actually come to enjoy nature—in his own way. It consists of routine days with us hiking, swimming and sitting by the fire pit enjoying the crisp, clean air and quiet ambiance. The last time he even suggested going.
So, as a surprise I bought us one in the same area so we didn’t have to keep borrowing Pierres. Plus, we could use a little bit of extra room and, you know, a king size bed.
I was planning on giving him the keys after our Alaskan expedition but by the horrified look on his face, I wonder if he’ll change his mind after living in the wild for the next three days.
“Come on,” I stand, following behind Tank—an actual tank, mind you—and wave Jace over. “This is going to be so much fun,” I add.
Okay, so I might have overestimated my own ability to handle the great outdoors.
I mean, it’s brilliant. The trees, the sky, the glaciers.
It’s stunning and I’ve never experienced anything like it before.
The landscape is vast and untouched in a way you can’t find in—what they like to call—the Lower 48.
Jace appreciates it too, even though I think he wanted to kill me as we exited the plane two days ago and discovered a cold he’d never experienced before, because it’s bloody baltic out here.
Yesterday we spent the day on a catamaran, exploring Kenai Fjords National Park and stopping by some of the villages that surround the area.
Absolutely breathtaking. Once in a lifetime experience. But, Alaska is also experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime cold wave in the late fall this year that makes the wind chill factor well below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Something us Californians are not used to… At. All.
Fortunately, we stayed in a hotel near the coast after the day-long boat ride then warmed up by the fireplace in more ways than one. Now we’re here hiking somewhere north of Anchorage before heading even further upstate to make camp at some mountain peak in Fairbanks.
Tank doesn’t seem to be bothered by Alaska’s harsh nature or frigid temperatures. In fact, I think it fuels him. Like a gust of wind is just another shot of gasoline for Tank’s literal tank.
“We’re just outside the backcountry and we’ll be stopping for shelter for the night within the hour,” Tank glances at his watch then turns looking at the horizon. “We want to get to the hut before the sun sets completely. It gets wicked dark out here and we’ll want to be in a secure place.”
Jace pans his neck slowly in my direction. “What’s he talking about, Len?” he whispers.
A nervous smile graces my lips because as much as I thought this would be a really fun idea when I booked it, I realize now I completely overcommitted our desire to experience true wilderness.
“For our last night, I thought it would be fun to stay overnight… out here.” I hold out my arms, faking excitement even though I’m probably just as nervous as he is.
The vast space is wildly intimidating. Knowing no one is around and there are a multitude of things that could go wrong would make anyone feel uneasy.
“Aren’t there animals? Like wild crazy ones?” Jace asks.
“Tons of ‘em. But don’t bother them and they won’t bother you.” Tank waves off like it’s not a big deal.
Jace lets out an annoyed huff with a pissed off expression and he glares at me.
I give him a wide, charming smile, trying to ease the tension but it doesn’t do anything to make either one of us feel any better as we hike further into what feels like our impending death.
“Ah, here we are,” Tank says as he rounds behind a row of massive evergreen trees. “The hut,” he says proudly, holding his arm in said direction.
The hut is a miniature monopoly house with plywood for walls that are painted red with a green roof. It’s underwhelming in the backdrop of the Alaskan snow-tipped mountains.
It’s maybe twenty by twenty feet, total.
“And we thought Pierre’s cabin was small.” I whisper through the side of my mouth.
Jace glances around and he takes in our surroundings with a wide-eyed worried expression, and I know he’s probably thinking of every single thing that could possibly go wrong.
“I’ve seen this horror movie before.” He cracks a joke but doesn’t look at me.
“It’s kind of… cute?” I reply, but he just pins me with a glare.
“Come along fellas,” Tank leads the way as he explains more about this part of Alaska and the area we’re in.
He gives us a tour—if it can actually be called a tour—of the hut. We’re standing outside the front door as he points at everything inside because there is no possible way the three of us are squeezing in it.
“The lights are solar powered, but if you’re not using it, turn it off to save energy. There is a wood stove for heat, you’re free to use as much firewood as you need. The bed has new sheets and there are extra blankets in the drawers by the nightstand.”
“Brilliant, mate.” I say with a questioning tone because with how uncomfortable Jace looks I’m questioning my decision on this.
“There are two chairs and a fire pit around the back. Get comfortable, you’ve got the best view in the entire state of Alaska.” He pats my shoulder then makes his way in the opposite direction we came from.
“Where are you sleeping?” Jace yells out, concerned.
He taps his backpack and yells without looking back at us, “I’ve got a tent. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I turn to Jace, “See this is okay. We could be in a tent.”
Two hours later, we’re set up in the chairs behind the hut, the fire is whipping around in the pit between us creating just enough heat to keep us warm under our blankets.
“Alright, it’s not so bad. I mean, it’s pitch fucking black out here. But the stars are gorgeous and the view is incredible.” Jace admits as he leans further back in his chair, finally feeling comfortable.
I peer down at my Casio, surprised this old thing is still working under such harsh conditions, and hum to myself.
Shouldn’t be much longer now.