Epilogue
The sun was setting over the water, painting the sky in deep oranges and purples.
I stood at the makeshift altar in a black shirt and slacks, no tie, no suit.
The tie would have felt too much like the old life.
Bael stood to my right, arms crossed, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else but still showed up.
Moses and a couple of his guys lingered near the back, trying and failing to look respectful.
My hands were sweating. I hadn't been this nervous since the night I killed Vito Bellamy's son.
Then the music started — something that Jamie picked out, soft, acoustic, nothing traditional.
She stepped into view. She wore a simple white dress that hugged her curves and flowed around her thick thighs. No veil. Just her shaved head glowing under the golden light and that dangerous, beautiful smirk on her face.
She looked like the kind of peace men start wars trying to keep.
When she reached me, she took my hands without hesitation. Her palms were warm. Steady.
The officiant started speaking, but I barely heard a word. All I could see was her.
We said our vows.
I went first.
"I spent years thinking love died for me. Then you crashed into my life like a storm I couldn't outrun. You saw every broken part of me and didn't recoil. You stayed when you should've run. You saved me when I didn't deserve it. So today I'm promising you this.
"No matter where life takes us, you'll never have to wonder if you're facing it alone.
I'll stand beside you when things are easy and when they're hard.
I'll love you when you're loud, stubborn, impossible.
I promise to choose you every day. Not because I have to.
Not because a piece of paper says I should.
Because you're my favorite part of waking up in the morning and the only person I want beside me when I go to sleep at night. "
Jamie's eyes shimmered, but she didn't cry. She never cried easy.
I lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles.
"I never believed in forever," Jamie whispered, her voice cracking slightly as she looked down at our joined fingers.
"Not until you. I had never been jealous of any woman.
Not until you. I learned to grieve through you, Vinny.
I learned to trust unequivocally because of you.
That day you barged into Momma Graham's house, I planned a thousand ways in my head to kill you.
I kept the most brutal ones in mind until the minute you came back bloody and bleeding to set me free.
Do you know what that does to a woman who never believed in fairy tales? "
She swallowed hard, her chest heaving against mine.
"It ruins her," she whispered against his lips. "It completely ruins every defense she ever built. And I'm okay with that."
She nodded, ending her vows.
The officiant smiled. "You may kiss the bride."
I didn't need telling twice. I pulled her in and kissed her like the world wasn't watching. Like it was just us.
When we finally broke apart, Jamie didn't let go of my hand. She turned toward the small group, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I have a surprise," she said softly.
Bael smirked like he already knew.
Two figures stepped out from behind the trees near the water's edge.
My mother. My father.
They looked older. Tired. But alive.
My knees almost gave out.
Mom's hand flew to her mouth. Dad's eyes filled instantly.
I couldn't move.
Jamie squeezed my hand. "They've been waiting a long time to see you again."
I walked toward them like I was in a dream. My mother reached me first, pulling me into a hug so tight it hurt my still-healing side. I didn't care. I hugged her back like a drowning man.
"Vincente," she whispered, voice breaking. "My baby."
Dad wrapped his arms around both of us. For the first time in years, I let myself cry.
When we finally pulled apart, I looked back at Jamie.
She was standing there watching us, arms wrapped around herself, tears sliding silently down her cheeks. Bael stood beside her, one big hand on her shoulder like he was holding her up.
I crossed the distance in seconds and pulled her against me.
"You did this?" I whispered into her hair.
She nodded against my chest. "You deserved to have them back. You deserved to stop carrying everything alone."
I cupped her face, thumbs brushing away her tears.
"I love you," I said, voice rough. "More than I know how to say."
She smiled — that real one, the one that still knocks the air out of me.
"I know. I love you too, papi."
I kissed her again, slow and deep, while my parents watched and Bael muttered something about "sentimental motherfuckers."
The sun finished setting behind us.
No more ghosts.
No more running.
Just us.
And for the first time in forever, the future didn't feel like something I had to survive.
It felt like something I finally got to live for.