Epilogue
Just ask the question already!
GREYSON
~ One Month Later / End of July ~
“Bunny?” I climb onto the bed beside my girl, brushing her hair out of her face as I slowly wake her up. It’s just past noon, and I have plans for us today. “I need you to get in the shower and get ready.”
She blinks a few times before her eyes focus on me. “Why?” she says in a quiet, raspy voice.
“There’s somewhere I want to take you, it’s a surprise.” I kiss her forehead.
“I’m not really in the mood, Grey…” she says, turning her face into the pillow.
“I know, baby. But can you try for me? Just today, okay? We won’t be gone for long. I promise.”
She takes a deep breath, then nods. Slowly, she stands from the bed, wrapping her robe tighter around her body and walking into the en suite without saying another word, shutting the door behind her. I sigh heavily and drop my head into my hands.
This last month has been a roller coaster of emotions. It started off great. After winning the Stanley Cup, there were a lot of celebrations and parties. I also got my request for a no-trade clause and re-signed for another five years.
Then we had our vacation trip with the whole gang to Fiji, where we rented out the whole island to ourselves and the staff. It was fantastic and probably the best vacation I’ve ever had. But things took a drastic turn the day we got back.
Maddison ended up passing away the day we arrived home.
Throughout our getaway, Emma stayed in touch with her and Bryan, video calling daily to talk with her.
She was rapidly deteriorating, but Em kept a smile on her face the whole time.
Acting like everything was fine and paying no attention to the disease slowly killing the little angel.
But the minute Bunny would hang up the phone, she’d break down in my arms. It was the most painful thing to watch.
The second we stepped off the plane, we rushed to the hospital to see her, and an hour later, our Little Lotus passed away in her arms. Bryan and I are convinced Maddie only held on so long to say a proper goodbye to Emma.
Watching Em cry while holding that tiny lifeless body in her arms ripped my heart open.
Since that day, Emma’s been going through a depression. She sleeps most of the day and refuses to get out of bed, crying every hour from morning to nightfall. I try to give her the time she needs, but it’s hard. I miss my girl, and our daughter misses her mommy.
The launch party for their organization is this weekend, and she’s an important part of it.
But I’m afraid if she doesn’t start to get better soon, she won’t be in any state to be there.
Which is why I’m dragging her out of the house today with a little surprise I’m hoping will bring her back to me.
At least long enough for the launch party.
Although I know we’ll hit another bump when the funeral takes place in two weeks.
I stand from the bed and head downstairs, walking over to the living room where Lance and Amanda play with Gracie.
I asked them to babysit today while I take Emma out.
And depending on how today plays out, they might keep her for the night in their new home just a street over.
Normally I would have asked Sam to come in, but he’s already been here all week helping out. I thought he deserved a day off.
“How is she doing?” Amanda asks when I join them on the couch.
I shake my head and watch my girl walk over to her toys. It’s something she started doing perfectly on her own the week after our big win. “Not great, she doesn’t leave the room much, but I convinced her to come out today. I’m hoping things will be a little better after what I have planned.”
“Emma’s always been like that. She feels so deeply for others.
It’s one of her best qualities. Yet in cases like this, it’s also her worst. Don’t beat yourself up over it, son.
She just needs time to grieve, but she’ll pull through.
Today might work in your favor, knowing my daughter, but don’t be surprised if next week she’s back in bed,” Lance tells me with a sympathetic smile.
“I know.”
I hear steps making their way slowly to us. Before I even get the chance to turn, Gracie stands from the floor, arms stretched wide as she runs over to Emma. “MAMA!”
Em smiles affectionately at our daughter as she picks her up. “Oh, my Little Tulip. How are you, baby?” She kisses her cheek repeatedly. “I’m sorry Mommy hasn’t been feeling well. But I promise I’m going to try harder, okay?”
Gracie places both her hands against Emma’s cheeks, looking at her with wonder as she says, “Mama,” again in a dreamlike voice.
They rub their noses together and giggle before Em brings her over and puts her down near her toys.
Lance stands from the couch and takes his daughter in his arms. “Oh, Daddy. Please… I don’t want to cry again.
Because if I do, I won’t make it out that door.
” She looks up to the ceiling and blinks rapidly, her voice trembling as she speaks.
“I know, Sunflower. I just wanted a hug, that’s all.” He kisses her temple, then sits back down as I stand and watch her walk over to me.
She’s wearing cute white sandals that wrap around her ankles and has a simple white sundress with spaghetti straps.
Her damp hair is in its natural waves from being just washed, and she wears no makeup.
You can tell from her attire that she wasn’t up for getting dressed, but still, she’s never looked more beautiful.
Emma is and will always be a vision to me.
I wanted to dress nicely for the occasion but felt it would make things too obvious. So instead, I went with a simple white linen shirt and khaki shorts paired with white running shoes.
She comes to my side, placing one arm against my back and the other landing on my chest while resting her head on my shoulder. “You look beautiful, Bunny,” I say, kissing her temple.
“Thank you,” she whispers back.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask. She nods against my shoulder before lifting her head and taking my hand. We say goodbye, then head out the door and into my truck.
“Where are we going?” she asks once she’s strapped in.
“You’ll see. It’s a surprise.” I take her hand and kiss it as I back out of the driveway.
“Are we going somewhere fancy? You seem dressed for something fancy.”
“I do?” I raise a brow. I didn’t think my outfit was that nice. She nods in response. “Well, no. We aren’t going anywhere fancy.”
She lets out a breath. “Okay, good. Because I look like shit. This is really not my best look.”
“Stop it. You could wear a garbage bag and still be the sexiest woman in the room.” I wink at her.
“Yeah, that’s probably because I’m the only woman in the room,” she mumbles to herself. “Really, Greyson? A garbage bag? Are you that easily turned on? That can’t be normal.” She scrunches up her nose in disgust. There’s my girl.
I let go of her hand and grab her neck by the nape, bringing her closer to me so that I can kiss her temple without taking my eyes off the road. “God, I love you. And no, I’m only turned on by you. No matter what you wear.”
I drop my hand as she rests her head against the seat, watching me. “I love you, too. And I’m sorry I’ve been a bad girlfriend and mom lately. I’ll do better.”
“No, baby. You have nothing to apologize for. I understand what you’re going through and that you need time to grieve. So take all the time you need. Just promise to come back to me in the end.”
Her hand takes mine this time, fingers interlocking together. “I’ll always come back to you, Wolf.”
It takes us a little over an hour to make it to our destination before I park my truck up the dirt road near a farmhouse. Emma looks around quizzically with a furrowed brow. “What are we doing here, Greyson?”
From the angle I’m parked, she can’t see past the house, which only makes the surprise even better. “Come on. It’s behind there,” I tell her as I turn off the engine.
“What is?” She narrows her eyes.
I smirk. “Go see and you’ll find out.”
She studies me for a second before opening the door and jumping out quickly, scurrying toward where I pointed.
I hurry while her back is turned to reach into the glove compartment, grabbing the little black velvet box that has been hiding there for a little while.
I know leaving an engagement ring inside your car probably isn’t the smartest thing.
But once I hinted that I would propose soon, Em searched the house like a crazy woman.
My truck was the only place I could think of that I knew she wouldn’t think of looking.
I push it into my pocket beside my wallet, trying to make it look less obvious. I’ll have to keep my hand over it or make sure her gaze never falls to there. I get out and lock up, walking leisurely over to Emma.
I know the exact moment she spots what her surprise is by the look on her face. Well, one of them. “OH MY GOD!” she squeals with excitement, running back to me and bouncing in place as she tugs on my arm, trying to make me move faster. “Greyson! Did you see them?! There are so many!”
I laugh at her enthusiasm and the way her eyes go wide. My girl really loves sunflowers. It’s why I brought her here to a sunflower farm. I thought it was the perfect setting to propose to my dream girl who loves flowers.
I grab her hand and walk us toward the field filled with tall yellow and brown flowers.
Emma is giddy the whole time, touching every petal, smelling them, and begging me to take pictures of her with them.
She skips down the rows, her red hair flying all over and shining with the sunlight hitting it, her dress swaying from side to side against her hips.
Like I said, a vision. She’s so beautiful.