Epilogue
Loch
“Twelve years, serving seven before you’re eligible for parole.
For the guilty charge of solicitation of murder, fifteen years with no option of parole.
The sentences will be consecutive. At the time of parole or the end of your served time, you will be extradited to stand trial in France for premeditated, attempted murder. The court is adjourned.”
When the gavel lands, I stand with Tuesday, wrapping my arm around her lower back. “Are you okay?”
I can see her gaze set on Carter as he’s led from the courtroom. Even if it doesn’t feel like in the moment, knowing he could get out, this is a win with the sentencing. I wouldn’t be upset if that fucker rots in his cell either.
His accomplice received a lighter sentence since he didn’t follow through with Carter’s order.
However, her stolen handbag was valued at nine thousand, so he took a plea bargain and gave all the details of the murder for hire plot to lessen the felony charge.
He’ll serve three years before he’s eligible for parole.
“I’m good.” She looks into my eyes. “Don’t worry. I really am.”
I hug her to my side. I see no lie in her eyes.
She looks relieved. I am too. All of us are.
“It helps when they plea down the charges to speed up the process.” We walk out of the courtroom and down the courthouse steps with our parents behind us.
I can’t help but think how these steps are the ones that led me to her a year ago to the day.
The group stops on the sidewalk, circled together. Tuesday says, “Now we can put this behind us and move forward with our lives. I’m starving. How about lunch before we leave for France?”
No one would blame her for breaking down. She’s had a traumatic year that sounds like it was already bad prior to the attack. Her inner strength is one of thousands of reasons I find her so attractive. That’s my soon-to-be wife.
The bravest woman I know.
“How do you feel?” Noah asks, messing with his tie in the mirror.
“I’m good.”
He turns back. “Damn, dude, do you ever get nervous? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you nervous. That’s not normal.”
“I get nervous the night before a big trial and before a verdict is read. Marrying Tuesday . . . There’s nothing for me to be nervous about.” I get up from the couch, the leather screeching under the lifted weight, and look out the window where the ceremony is about to take place.
My youngest brother fucking with his tie for ten minutes has me wondering what’s going on with him. “Why are you so nervous?”
“Weddings, if I’m being truthful. A lot of expectations are involved, especially with single women when they’re in attendance. Everyone’s looking for love at these things. Add in the commitment stuff—bouquet and garter tosses, dances . . . yeah, weddings just aren’t my thing.”
The door to the library opens, and Harbor joins us. “Lark’s better now. I think she’s tired, and she’s definitely hungry. If we’re going to be delayed,” he says, “she says she’s picking olives off the trees and eating them.”
Taking one last look in the mirror, I adjust my tie this time. “We should be on time.”
“Okay,” he says, heading back to the door while scratching the back of his neck. “I’ll be quick, but I think I’ll find something to tide her over anyway.”
When he opens the door, Allison peeks in. “You guys ready?” Harbor slips by her.
“Perfect timing.” I walk with her down the hall with Noah in tow. “You look nice,” I say, making small talk with her, and because she does. Allison’s become more than Tuesday’s best friend. She’s hangs out at our place a lot, and as I’ve gotten to know her, she’s become like a little sister to me.
Wonder where my actual little sister is.
Allison replies, “Not too shabby yourself, Westcott.”
When we reach the back doors, I turn to her because I’ve wanted to say a few things for a while and just haven’t had the opportunity. Now feels a good time. “You know, I never did thank you.”
“For what?” She moves the bouquet to the other hand and then picks lint off her dress.
“From the day we met, you accepted without question.”
“C loves you. That’s all I needed to know.” Turning away from me, she looks outside the French doors and raises her chin. “Let’s not do any more sentimental stuff. Crying will mess up my makeup.”
I nod because it’s been said now anyway. “Deal.” The string quartet begins playing, but I add, “I lied.”
Her eyes go wide, wider than usual. “About?”
“Not getting sentimental. You’re a good friend, Allison. Not only to her but to me. Thank you.”
She waves me off as she turns to swipe at her eyes. “Yeah, no problem,” she replies through a series of sniffles. “Now cut it out. C deserves the perfect wedding, not a crowd of blubbering guests.”
“Good point.” I chuckle. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s . . .” Her gaze lengthens as if recalling a wonderful memory.
When she looks at me again, a smile reaches her mouth.
“She’s the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen, but it’s not just the dress and makeup.
It’s the glow that shines from inside. She’s excited to marry you and called you her Prince Charming. ”
“I’ve waited all my life for her.” Fuck. The sentimentality is strong today.
My dad comes around to shake my hand. “You look good, son. You ready?”
Bringing it in for a hug, there’s solid back patting. “So ready.”
My mom, who’s been quietly waiting her turn, already has tears in her eyes. “It’s a happy occasion,” I say. “Don’t cry, okay?”
She comes closer. “You were such a little mama’s boy and always had to be with me when you were little.” Harbor’s back and I can hear him and Noah cackling behind us. Giving them a look, she shushes them. “You two were no different.”
When she turns back to me, I feel the gravity of her words.
Although I’m a grown man and I’ve been on my own for years, this is a different stage of life.
A new adventure that leads me to start my own family.
She says, “You were my little buddy. My firstborn. You taught me how to be a mom, Lochlan.”
My brothers’ laughter has died down by the time a tear slips from her eye. I hug her, holding her, her head barely reaching my shoulder. “It’s okay, Mom. I’ll always be your son.”
“I couldn’t have found a better match for you,” she says, leaning back. Holding my face in her hands, she smiles. “Tuesday is wonderful.”
She is, but it feels good to hear they love her as well. Marina and Lark come from down the hall. Lark leans on Harbor with the back of her hand resting on her mouth. “I appreciate the bread, but at this stage, I need to get going down this aisle, or I’m going to be sick again.”
Harbor pulls a flask from the inside pocket of his tuxedo and hands it to her. When our mouths drop open, he’s quick to say, “Ginger ale.”
Ah. I chuckle.
Marina drags Noah up to the front with her, eyeing Allison.
“I think you two should be together. I’m fine being alone.
” Opening the doors, she starts down the short aisle with ripened olives hanging from the tree branches as a backdrop.
The setting sun casts a golden hue over our nuptials.
She couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful time of day, the golden hour as she calls it, or location.
Allison and Noah have met many times before, but they’re stumbling around each other like it’s a first date or something. So my mom shoos them out the door to keep it moving before Lark and Harbor join them.
I walk my mom down the aisle, passing Nurse Belinda seated on the third row next to Brady and right behind my family.
Flying Belinda in to attend felt like the right thing to do.
She played such a big role in our lives that neither Tuesday nor myself could imagine a ceremony without her being there. I then take my position at the altar.
Since it’s only family and very few friends in attendance, we have the wedding party seated so they can enjoy the ceremony as well.
Intimate.
Magical.
And us.
I couldn’t ask for more than this stunning scenery.
The music changes, and Tuesday appears at the end of the aisle. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. She always has been.
Wearing a dress that complements her so well, fitting at the top and then flowing over her hips, the softer hue is stunning against her skin, the style befitting the chateau and surrounding groves.
She’s gorgeous with her hair up in the back while strands fall gracefully around her face.
Flanked by her parents, she meets my eyes, and in that exchange, I see a life full of laughter and light, kids and love.
I see a future that I never envisioned having before. All because of her.
I’m the luckiest fucking bastard ever.
Our eyes don’t leave each other’s as she walks to me, handing off her bouquet, and taking my hands. I like that her makeup looks natural, and she looks like herself. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, a blush creeping across her chest and higher to her cheeks.
We opt to say a few words beyond the traditional vows we’ve exchanged.
Looking into her eyes, I say, “There are no accidents in life, and I have no doubt that destiny had a hand in bringing us together. From the moment we met, you left your mark on every part of my life and opened my eyes to what happiness is. I changed who I am. Not for you but because of you. You taught me what love is and how to love life again. I love you so much, and I promise to be a partner deserving of you.” Running the pad of my thumb over her knuckles, I continue, “Céline Vivienne means heavenly life. That’s what you’ve given me.
That’s what we’ll share moving forward as one forever.
It’s your name and who you are, but you’ll always be my Tuesday. ”
Allison hands her a tissue and then waits as she dabs the corners of each eye before handing it back to her. I never want to see my girl cry, but these tears are filled with joy, marking the beginning of the happiest years of our lives.
She takes a breath and looks me in the eyes.
“You once told me that you never saw me coming. I never saw you coming either, Loch Westcott, and then you were my whole life—my savior, my friend, a support, my hero, and now my husband. I don’t know in what lifetime I did something so right that I get to spend this one with you, but I’ll be grateful every day for this chance.
I vow to love you through your worst days and cherish the good ones we share. I love you so much.”
All the love in the universe is captured in her eyes, along with the sun, moon, and stars above, as she stares into mine, and then says, “I will never regret that complex coffee order because it gave me the opportunity to meet you. And babe, you did not disappoint.”