Epilogue #3
The night slipped into a warm blur of faces and laughter and music, everything soft and golden, everything full.
People drifted in and out of conversations, plates of hors d’oeuvres circulating, champagne glasses catching light like crystals.
Avery could hardly take five steps without being pulled into a hug.
But the best part was watching her parents.
James and Doris were talking animatedly with Braeden, all three laughing like old friends. Every now and then, Avery saw her mom glance over at her and Quinn with this expression—tender, relieved, proud.
Gabby started crying again the moment she caught sight of Avery looking at them.
Avery shook her head fondly, wiping under her eyes for the tenth time.
Then she felt a tap on her elbow.
“Aves,” Ally said gently. “Walk with me?”
Avery nodded. They slipped toward the edge of the rooftop, out near the railing where the skyline shone like a sea of stars.
For a moment, they just stood there together, the wind brushing their hair, the city steady below.
“You seem… good,” Ally said softly. “Like, really good.”
Avery exhaled, a long, warm breath. “I am.”
Ally nudged her shoulder. “Tell me.”
Avery looked down at her hands, manicured, perfect, trembling a little from the day’s emotions. “I think she’s it for me,” she said quietly. “I think Quinn is… my forever.”
Ally’s lips curved into the softest smile. “Yeah. I knew that.”
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew.” Ally looped their arms together. “You’re lighter with her. Calmer. Like you finally exhaled after… years.”
Avery swallowed, feeling her chest warm. “It’s scary sometimes.”
“Good scary?” Ally asked.
“The best kind.”
Ally nodded. “That’s how it’s supposed to be.” She paused. “And Daisy says hi, by the way.”
Avery laughed. “You two are still good?”
“Really good,” Ally admitted, cheeks pink. “They’re…great.”
Avery pulled her into a hug. “I love that for you.”
They stayed like that for a moment, just two sisters, wrapped in a moment that felt like a new beginning for both of them.
When they walked back over to join the rest of the guests, Avery’s heart felt even fuller.
Gabby clinked her champagne glass against a fork. “Everyone! A toast!”
The room quietened. Avery’s parents stood beside Quinn as she walked over to join them and felt Quinn’s hand rest on the small of her back. She turned to her girlfriend, who gave Avery a little smile, soft, warm, something she felt in her bones.
Gabby grinned. “To Avery Rossetti—brilliant, stubborn, too-hot-for-her-own-good CEO, and the best friend I could’ve asked for. We love you. We’re proud of you. And I hope you know that everything in this room tonight is because you truly deserve the world.”
Avery laughed through tears. “Gabby…”
“And” Gabby added, turning toward Quinn, “to the very patient woman who planned half of this and pretended she didn’t. Happy birthday, Av. Please don’t cry any more, I’m running out of mascara.”
The room erupted in laughter and applause.
Avery leaned into Quinn, whispering, “You’re evil.”
Quinn murmured back, “You love it.”
She did. God, she did.
Later, when the music picked up, Quinn tugged her onto the dance floor. Avery melted into her easily, arms winding around Quinn’s neck, Quinn’s hands settling at her waist like they belonged there.
“You okay?” Quinn asked softly.
Avery nodded. “Better than okay.”
They danced slow, despite the upbeat music, forehead to forehead, Quinn kissing her gently every so often like she couldn’t help herself.
At some point, Avery’s dad cut in, insisting he get at least one dance with the birthday girl. He spun her clumsily, stepping on her foot once, and she laughed until her sides hurt.
Her mom took the next song, swaying with her, whispering, “We love her, sweetheart. She’s good for you.”
Avery blinked quickly, pressing a kiss to her mother’s cheek.
Hours passed in a warm, golden swirl.
Eventually, Quinn’s hand slid into hers, fingers squeezing gently.
“Come with me,” she whispered.
Quinn led her down a quiet corridor off the rooftop, a small terrace overlooking the city from high above, the skyline glowing like a field of stars. The muffled hum of the party drifted behind them, warm and distant. Out here, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them.
Avery turned toward her with a soft smile. “Sneaking me away from my own birthday party?”
“Yes,” Quinn murmured. “I needed you for a minute.”
There was something in her voice—steady, nervous, almost shy. Avery’s heart thudded once, hard.
Quinn reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
Avery’s breath caught. “Quinn…”
“It’s not what you think,” Quinn said quickly, though her smile was warm, tender. “Not that. Not yet.”
Avery exhaled a shaky laugh.
Quinn opened the box. A delicate gold bracelet rested inside thin and elegant, with a tiny crescent moon charm that shimmered under the terrace lights.
“It reminded me of you,” Quinn said quietly. “Soft, steady, and always pulling me closer to you.”
Avery swallowed, her chest tightening. “It’s beautiful.”
“There’s something else,” Quinn added.
Avery lifted her gaze. “What?”
Quinn’s eyes softened, vulnerable and sure.
“I’m moving here,” she said. “To New York. Full-time.”
Avery froze.
Quinn stepped closer, taking her hands. “I’ve already talked to my board. Halo can operate bi-coastally, but I don’t want to anymore. I don’t want to split my life between places when the person I love is here.”
Avery’s breath trembled. “Quinn…”
“I want a home base with you. I want mornings with you, not planes and FaceTime and counting down days. I love you, Avery. And I’m done being far away from you.”
Avery’s eyes stung instantly. “Are you serious?”
“Completely,” Quinn whispered, brushing her thumbs along Avery’s hands. “If you want that too.”
Avery launched herself into Quinn’s arms, kissing her, laughing and crying against her mouth. Quinn kissed her back like she’d been waiting months for this exact moment.
When they finally broke, Avery rested her forehead against hers. “Of course I want that. God, Quinn… yes. Yes.”
Quinn smiled, wide, relieved, so full of love it made Avery dizzy.
She lifted the bracelet again. “May I?”
Avery nodded, hands trembling as Quinn clasped it around her wrist. The charm glowed softly in the terrace light.
“A reminder,” Quinn murmured, voice warm, “that I’m not going anywhere.”
Avery kissed her again, full of everything she couldn’t put into words. The city hummed around them, the skyline glittering, and for the first time in her life, Avery felt completely settled. Completely chosen.
“Happy birthday, baby,” Quinn whispered against her lips.
Avery smiled, brushing tears away. “Best one I’ve ever had.”
* * *
By the time they slipped out of the rooftop hotel and into a car, the city was quiet in that late-summer way, warm air humming, streetlights glowing gold instead of harsh white.
Quinn held Avery’s hand the entire ride, her thumb brushing slow, steady circles against her skin, like she couldn’t stop touching her. Avery didn’t want her to.
Back at the apartment, Quinn barely had the door closed before Avery leaned in and kissed her. Quinn cupped her jaw and pulled her closer.
They stumbled a step inside, breathless, smiling against each other’s mouths and then a very loud, very offended meow broke through the moment.
Henrietta strutted across the living room like she owned the lease, tail high, eyes narrowed in judgment.
Avery laughed into Quinn’s shoulder. “Someone’s upset we were gone all night.”
Henrietta meowed louder, clearly demanding reparations. Quinn bent down with a sigh of mock defeat. “She knows it’s your birthday. She thinks she should get presents too.”
Avery grabbed the treat jar and shook it once. Henrietta chirped and trotted over instantly, sitting with perfect princess posture.
Quinn raised an eyebrow. “She’s manipulating you.”
“She learned it from you,” Avery shot back.
Quinn smirked and kissed her cheek. “True.”
They poured too many treats and the cat dove in, crunching happily as if she hadn’t eaten in weeks. Avery knelt beside her for a second, stroking her head, feeling Quinn’s hand settle warm on her lower back.
Home.
That’s what it felt like. Simple. Calm. The kind of night she’d dreamed of having one day but never believed she’d actually get.
Avery straightened slowly, turning to Quinn with a soft, tired smile. Quinn brushed a strand of hair from her face, her touch gentle in a way that always made Avery’s chest ache.
“Ready for bed?” Quinn murmured.
Avery stepped closer, hands sliding up Quinn’s waist. “Yeah. But I’m not tired yet.”
Quinn’s eyes darkened, hungry and loving. “Good.”
They kissed again, deeper this time, Quinn walking her backward toward the hallway, lips never breaking from Avery’s. The party, the city, the noise—it all fell away.
Henrietta meowed once at their backs, as if wishing them goodnight, or complaining—but neither of them looked back.
They reached the bedroom door, and Quinn lifted Avery’s chin tenderly before kissing her again.
Slow. Certain. The kind of kiss that said we’re here now. For good.
Avery tangled her fingers in Quinn’s shirt and whispered against her mouth, “Come to bed.”
Quinn nodded, voice low and sure. “I love you.”
Avery smiled, pulling her in. “I love you, too.”
They slipped into the darkened bedroom together, the door falling shut behind them, nothing but soft breaths, warm hands, and the quiet, unshakable truth of what they’d built.
Love.
Home.
Always.