Epilogue
“So what did you think?”
Jace’s blue eyes sparkled down at me as I swayed in his arms, the air illuminated with fairy lights.
Everything seemed ethereal, the perfect romantic background for Damien and Brianna to exchange their vows for the second time.
They’d rented out a small venue on the edge of the city, the skyline in the background of the grounds.
Although they’d exchanged vows last year, they decided to have a small party for their closest family and friends.
Almost the entire Hawks team was on the dance floor, a lone few laughing and chatting around the few tables scattered around the room.
Rose petals clung to the floor, a stark contrast to the warm wooden dance floor and the acoustic guitar played on stage, strumming to the steady rhythm of a popular love song.
I hummed in Jace’s arms, turning to face him. “It’s pretty spectacular. I can’t believe they pulled this off in less than a year.”
“Making you rethink the long engagement?”
I toyed with the ring on my finger, unable to keep the smile from my face.
Jace had gifted it to me almost six months ago, in the same area of the Skyline Lounge where we had met years earlier.
We were supposed to be going out to celebrate my acceptance into law school, but Jace had other plans, ready to propose no matter what happened.
“Not quite,” I grinned. “One step at a time, right?”
Jace leaned in and kissed me. “One step at a time. First, you destroy everyone else in law school, show them why you’re the best, and then, we get married.”
“And you’re sure you’re okay with waiting?”
“More than sure.” He stole another kiss. “Marriage won’t change anything with us, Kins. And as long as I have you and Anna, I have everything I need.”
“Same here,” I said as I leaned my head against his chest. Jace’s fingers traced my spine as the music turned, the rest of the band now joining the guitarist on stage.
Brianna and Damien broke into wide grins in the center of the room, and the groom pulled his wife into his arms, swinging her as the music sped up.
Brianna had opted for a less formal dress, having already done the white wedding with her first husband.
Instead, she wore a maroon-hued A-line dress that ended at her knees, the skirt fluttering around her as Damien led her through the dance.
My friend’s smile had never been wider, and Damien’s eyes never left her, not when they exchanged the vows, and not hours later as they swayed together.
“There you are!” Hadley squealed as she sauntered up to us. She looked like sunshine incarnate, her yellow dress hugging her tiny baby bump. “Cam’s trying to get me to take a break, but I told him it’s unnecessary. Can you please remind him that pregnant women are not made of glass?”
“Trying to help here, menace,” her husband grumbled, trying to hide the smirk on his face.
Hadley just rolled her eyes. “See why I call him sarge? I swear, he’s gotten even worse since I got pregnant.”
“Or…” Cam drawled, pulling her back against his chest, his hand cradling her bump. “I’m just trying to make sure you have enough energy for later.”
Hadley’s mouth dropped as Jace shook his head, muttering something about his friends needing boundaries.
I smacked his chest, and he smiled, leaning in to press a kiss to my cheek.
Then, I turned to Cam, “Don’t worry about her, Cam.
The second trimester comes with a lot of extra energy. You’ve got time.”
Hadley arched a brow at her husband. “See?”
As they made their way back to the center of the crowd, Jace’s hand found my hip, pulling me to his side. “Extra energy, huh?”
“Maybe not that much, but after being sick for months, it felt like I could run a marathon.”
His hand tightened, old guilt most likely lingering in his mind.
We’d talked about it plenty of times, but no matter how many times I tried to reassure him, Jace held on to a small kernel of pain that he’d missed out on my pregnancy and Anna’s life.
“Next time, I’m going to hold you to that.
Or find other ways to help you tire out. ”
My hand found his, squeezing tight. “You better.”
Hours later, when the reception cleared out, some hung back, helping Brianna and Damien clear out the last of their things from the rented room.
As we loaded the last of the boxes into the car, Damien nodded to the bonfire still burning strong behind us.
“C’mon, let’s have one more drink before we head out. ”
The group of us settled around the pit, Brianna sitting in Damien’s lap, Cam and Hadley next to each other, their hands intertwined.
Even Victoria and her husband joined in, telling tales of his latest movie he’d just finished filming.
It could have been minutes; it could have been hours.
No one kept track when we were all together.
Parker sauntered out at some point, Ollie at his heels.
“We were wondering where you guys went.”
“Join us,” Brianna said, her hand against her husband’s chest. “We were talking to Adam about his movie.”
“And the lack of spandex?” Ollie groaned as she slipped into a spare chair. “Talented as you are, Rice, you sure are forgetting about your best feature.”
“Are you ever going to stop ogling my husband?” Victoria chuckled.
“Nope,” Ollie winked. Then, she pointed at Parker. “It makes this one all red, and that brings me way too much joy.”
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Play nice, Oleander.”
She pouted as he took the seat next to her. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Jace’s hand found mine, intertwining our fingers to play with my engagement ring.
I couldn’t wait until he had a matching band so the world would know he was mine.
Our relationship had gotten a little press coverage over the years, but they’d grown bored quickly, realizing there were other players with more salacious personal lives.
Worked for me. I liked our quiet bubble, where we could just be ourselves.
As my friends started chatting again around the fire, I turned toward Jace, taking in the strong lines of his jaw.
This was what we’d fought for, what I’d battled so hard against my fears to protect.
Not only our family we’d created, but the one we’d found, and that was worth every risk in the world.
To sit here with people who loved us more than anything, who would always care for and protect us, that was the legacy this team created, and I’d never stop being grateful I’d become part of it.
Jace frowned as he stared at me. “Everything okay, mama?”
“Yeah,” I answered. I twisted to face the rest of the group, a soft smile filling my face. “Thank you for bringing these people into my life.”
“Anything for you.” Jace brought our joined hands to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “Love you.”
“Love you so much more than I could ever put into words.”