Epilogue
Dax
From across the room, I can feel my wife’s apprehension. I thought I knew everything about her, but I’m wrong. She’s nervous; her hand trembles as she unfolds a piece of paper that looks like it’s seen better days.
“You got this, cousin!” For once, Selene’s voice doesn’t annoy me. She and Eden have been with Cori every step of the way in getting the shop ready for opening, providing free labor, encouragement, and whatever was needed.
“Come on, Cori.” Eden’s tone, as always, is calm and steady.
Cori straightens and clears her throat. “Public speaking is not my favorite, so please bear with me.” Everyone quiets.
“As most of you probably know, fashion has been my dream since I was a little girl. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do, and when I got older, I decided to focus on bridal couture.
” She exhales. “The road here has not been easy. It’s been full of disappointments and delays, but I’m here. ”
“You got here right on time, baby!” Cori smiles and nods at Hazel’s words.
“I suppose I did,” my wife agrees. “Because I’m here now, and I’m going to take the world by storm.
” Applause breaks out, and I whistle loudly.
“I want to thank everyone who stood by me on this wild, crazy ride. Thank you to Selene and Eden, the best friends a girl could ask for. When it seemed all was lost, they encouraged me without being overbearing. They’ve been here every day since I got this shop, working hard and refusing to take a penny.
The same goes for the best mother- and sister-in-law in the world.
They haven’t been on the journey as long, but their support is just as strong.
To all the residents of Shadow Cove who are here tonight, I appreciate you.
And last, but definitely not least, thank you to my amazing husband Dax, who not only encouraged me, but—” She stops, locks eyes with me, and winks.
“Encouraged isn’t the right word. He didn’t just tell me I was good enough—he has this deep faith in me that goes far beyond this shop.
He sees me, down to my core. If he tells me I can do something, I believe him.
He gets me. That sounds simple, but it’s not.
There’s a depth there only I can understand. ”
Goosebumps spread through me. This feels better than the first time she said she loved me.
“His belief was so strong, he agreed to help make this dream a reality long before he’d heard my ideas or seen my business plan.
He urged me to go to fashion school and helped me through the entire process.
And yesterday I received my admission letter. ”
The room erupts again; as planned, confetti falls from the ceiling.
Once people quiet down, Cori continues. “He saw things in me I never saw in myself. He believed I was better than I thought I was. He made us a family.” She points at Ruby, being held by Leander.
“And how could I forget that little munchkin?”
“Mama!” Ruby bounces in Leander’s arms. Cori gestures; he brings Ruby to her.
She kisses the child’s cheek before positioning her on her hip.
“Thank you, Ruby, for teaching me patience and for always being my little model.” Leander walks away with tears in his eyes.
Cori breathes deep and bounces our daughter.
“I can’t believe Corine’s Creations opens in just three days.
Having you all here has already made it a success.
” Her eyes shine with unshed tears while everyone in the shop claps.
With Ruby still in her arms, she walks to me.
“Don’t ever make me give a speech again.”
“It was beautiful. You did great.”
“I know this will sound bad, but I wish my parents hadn’t come. I feel bad because I didn’t thank them.” She exhales.
“It’s your night, baby. Don’t worry about anyone.” I kiss her temple.
The party celebrates all the hard work Cori poured into Corine Creations. The shop looks like an upscale bridal salon, and despite her nerves, I know it will succeed. She’s booked solid for the first week, though she’s still anxious.
Leander returns and takes Ruby.
“Congrats, Cori. The place is wonderful.” He can barely look his daughter in the eyes.
“Thank you,” is all Cori says. He walks away with a babbling Ruby.
We’ve had Ruby since her father said he couldn’t care for her; despite Cori’s reservations, she slipped into caregiver mode.
She designed Ruby’s room, chose the furniture, reads to her, bathes her, spends time with her, and loves her.
It was like a switch flipped—when Ruby became ours, Cori allowed herself to love the little girl.
After hearing Cori’s terms, I was anxious about the meeting with Devin.
There was no way I was going to lie to my wife, and I feared even a hint of hesitation would lead to us not taking Ruby.
My fear was unnecessary. Devin was so relieved when Leander told him we were willing to adopt Ruby that he offered no argument and promised not to be a problem.
The adoption isn’t finalized yet—we go before the judge in a month—but for now, Cori’s parents see Ruby often.
I facilitate visits; I drop her off and pick her up.
Cori keeps her parents at arm’s length. She hasn’t cut them off, but she doesn’t go out of her way to see them.
“Oh my God, Cori.” Selene hugs her cousin again. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Me, too.” Eden dabs her eyes.
“Don’t cry again,” Cori warns. “You’ll make me cry.” Selene points to the big TV. “Who had the great idea to do that?”
“You did.” Selene beams at my words. “You did good, cousin.” I squeeze her shoulder, and she smiles. Selene suggested a slideshow of dresses Cori made, worn by friends and family, along with vignettes from Eden and Rip’s wedding.
“And look at how pretty my Fincherella looks.” I roll my eyes at the nickname. A snapshot of my dog in a flowing white skirt appears on screen. “She made the prettiest doggy bridesmaid.”
“Enough.” I wave a hand. “You’ve turned my dog into a diva when she’s supposed to be tough.” Finch seems to sense we’re talking about her; she pulls away from my mother and pads to Cori, sniffing, then puts her front paws on Cori’s belly. Cori startles, then rubs behind Finch’s ear.
“Cori, come meet my colleague. She just got engaged and is looking for dress ideas.” Eden steers Cori away; Finch follows.
They’re stopped by guests on the way. I watch Cori’s mother hang her head, but she’s not down long.
With her cane, Annette, her husband, and Ruby walk toward me.
Ruby reaches for me, and I lift her from Leander.
“Dada!” She gives me a wet kiss. “Theese.” She points at the buffet, but Leander puts a napkin in front of Ruby. She takes and shoves a piece of cheese into her mouth.
“It’s a nice event,” Annette says. “Even though I haven’t really been a part of it.”
“You got an invitation.” I don’t mean to sound dismissive, but I’m not in the mood to pity Annette or her husband. Leander reaches into his jacket. “There’s a letter from Devin to Cori.”
“Cori won’t want this.” I fold it and slip it into my pocket.
“Devin’s finishing advanced training. He’ll be home for a week before reporting to the base in Virginia.” Leander clears his throat. “He wants to see Ruby.” Annette takes my arm. “We were thinking of having a family dinner.”
“We have no problem with him seeing her.” They don’t know it, but Cori and I have discussed it; we want Ruby to know her biological parents and the truth about her adoption. “But Cori won’t come. Have your dinner, and I’ll bring Ruby.”
They fall silent; Annette nods reluctantly.
“It’s not fair, Daxton.” Annette’s lower lip trembles. “We love our daughter, but she’s so cold toward us. What about when the new baby is born? Will she let us see him?”
“You have to give her the space she needs,” I say.
“We miss her.” She dabs at her eyes. “We didn’t ask for this. Do you think I wanted to get in an accident and need my daughter? Maybe we didn’t handle it perfectly, but we aren’t bad people. We raised Cori right. If the accident never happened—” Her words stall and turn into a whimper.
“It’s okay, Annette.” Leander avoids accountability as usual.
“I got an invitation to her baby shower next month.” She sighs. “I should be happy, but I feel like a stranger to my own child. I should have been the one planning it. Your mother has come in and taken my place.” I roll my eyes—my mother never would have done what they did.
“Tread lightly about my mother,” I warn. “She hasn’t done anything other than love my wife.”
“No one can take your place, Annette.” Leander kisses his wife’s temple, and she calms. “And Eden and Selene planned the shower, not Haddie.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Your mother is a wonderful woman.
We’re happy Cori has her, but I miss my daughter.
” Annette leans on her husband, and we stay in uncomfortable silence.
I don’t know what to say; it’s not my job to fix their feelings.
At least they didn’t drone on about Devin.
Like he can read my mind, Leander side-eyes me.
“You created this, and you get to walk off into the sunset with my daughter and granddaughter, and we’re left in the dust.” That’s his constant refrain. He blames me and only me for the situation with Cori.
“Well, Leander, you still chose your son over your daughter.” I step closer.
“If it weren’t for me, you and your wife would be left with Ruby because you raised a selfish, entitled screwup who abandoned his child.
You’d be cleaning up this mess like you’ve done all the others, because I guarantee Cori wouldn’t have.
She’d likely have walked away from you for good, but at least this way, you still have a relationship.
Look in the mirror if you’re looking for someone to blame.
You created this before I ever laid eyes on your daughter.
For the record, good parents don’t stop their kids from pursuing an education for their own selfish needs.
” His nostrils flare; color creeps up Annette’s neck. I wait for a retort. He offers none.
“Theese!” Ruby claps and points at the buffet, breaking the tension. Leander walks away with her, leaving me alone with Annette. She grips my arm; I help her to a chair.
“I’m glad my daughter has you, Dax.” She smiles sadly and pats the seat beside her. I sit, and she rests her hand on mine. “I’m sorry for what my husband said. I’ll have to wait on my daughter.”
“I—” My words catch when my sister rushes over. Cori waddles behind her, holding a drink. To my surprise, she offers her mother the champagne flute. Annette almost cries when Cori hands it to her.
“Thank you, baby,” Annette says. “Sit by me. You need to rest.” I help Cori sit. “Pregnancy looks good on you. You’re glowing. I was a mess both times. My ankles were swollen and my nose spread, but you’re just beautiful.” Annette puts her hand on Cori’s belly.
“Thanks, Mom.” My wife sits there, looking uncomfortable until my sister speaks up.
“I can’t wait to get married.” Josie shoves herself between Cori and her mother. “I’m going to have four different dresses.”
“Yeah, okay.” I chuckle at my sister. “I would kill this man. You’re going to be a bride of Christ. Deal with it.”
“Whatever,” Josie waves me off, and Annette giggles at us. “Come see my favorite dress.” My sister helps Annette up, wraps her arm through hers and helps her walk to the back of the shop.
I sit next to my wife and kiss her cheek. She sighs and rests her head on my shoulder.
“What if someone blackmails Josie into marriage like you did to me?” I caress Cori’s round belly. Her body has never looked more perfect.
“First, it was a bribe, not blackmail. Second, that person would never be heard from again.”
“And in twenty-five years, someone does it to Ruby or this baby we’re carrying?”
“Same consequence. Only this one’s a boy—he’ll be just like his father, so I’m not worried.” She rolls her eyes.
“This baby is a girl. You’re doomed to a life with nothing but women around you, even your dog. Deal with it.” She runs a hand over her belly. “I’m going to name her Daxtonella.”
“We’ll name him Daxton Lemar Hunt, just like his daddy. Enough with that nonsense.” I pull her to me and cover one of her plump ass cheeks with my hand. “I can’t wait to get you home so I can hunt my prey.”
THE END