Second Epilogue
John
A couple of weeks later
“Hubby, I’m hooome,” Chad calls out just before slamming the front door.
I snort a laugh as I remember all the times he greeted me the same way when he first showed up here and how dismissive I was of both the title and the idea of us living together. Now both of those things bring me more joy than I ever could have imagined.
“Welcome home, Princess.” I greet him with a kiss on his cheek as I take the bags of ice he’s carrying to fill the coolers we have set up on the back deck. I would have gone out to get them myself, but someone needed to cook for this party we’re hosting, and that wasn’t going to be Chad.
A part of me still can’t really wrap my head around the fact that we’re hosting a party at the house we share, but seeing the way Chad’s face has lit up every time he’s talked about it since I suggested the idea, makes it easy to ignore any hesitancy on my part.
It’s just my family, Blake, Liam, and Wyatt coming, so it should be pretty relaxed.
Chad has been stopping by his old house with dinner to hang out with my brothers when we wrap up for the day, so we’ve all been spending more time together, which I’ll admit has been nice.
I’ve tried to explain to Chad that he doesn’t need to feed anyone, that my brothers enjoy his company and they would hang out without bribes, but he insists it makes him happy, so I won’t fight him on it.
They all really do love spending time with him.
Even James is never in any hurry to get home to his wife.
Chad offered to send extra food home for her, but James was dismissive, and I don’t feel like we’re quite close enough yet for me to pry about his marriage.
I think we’re making a lot of progress though.
I told them about Luke, and they were very supportive.
They gave me shit about not telling them sooner, but overall, it was a positive experience.
I figure if they have anything they want to share with me, it’ll happen in time.
I quickly fill the coolers with ice and move drinks from the fridge out in the garage before I go back to the kitchen to set out snacks on our newly installed quartz countertop that Chad picked out. It really does look better than the tile one and is so much easier to clean.
He’s setting up his “perfect party playlist” on a speaker when the doorbell rings, and he immediately jogs to the entryway. “I’ll get it!”
“The party can start! I’m heeeere,” Blake announces as he makes his way into the house with Liam and Wyatt. Blake and Liam both helped us officially move Chad in, and we celebrated that night with beer and pizza I picked up from the sports bar, but it’s nice to have them here today too.
“Need help with anything?” Liam offers in greeting.
I shrug. “I promise I’m not dismissing your offer. Maybe later when it’s time to grill, but I think everything is set for now. Drinks are on the back porch.”
Liam and Wyatt head outside while Blake and Chad immediately go into the living room to say hello to Jack and Jenny where they’re sitting on the furniture like they own the damn place.
They might as well. Chad would gladly replace anything they damage, and he refuses to entertain the idea that they’re not meant to behave as house dogs.
I drew the line at letting them sleep in our bed, which Chad agreed to quickly when I reminded him of the Shibari incident with their involvement, but he did set up the second bedroom as their room with special low-to-the-ground beds for them to sleep on.
I quickly agreed to that when he reminded me having them in that room would be a great excuse to never have guests stay with us if we don’t have a spare room.
I love how much he gets me even though we’re so fucking different.
My brothers show up next, Mark and Drew first, followed by James who makes an excuse about his wife not feeling well. They join Chad and Blake with the donkeys.
Mark pauses by the fireplace and a huge grin splits his face before he turns to me. “So do you sleep in the shirt that matches this picture? Or have I just not seen you wearing it yet?”
My jaw falls open, and I glare at him as Chad whips his head in Mark’s direction. “How do you know about the shirts?”
“What shirts?” Blake asks, but Chad ignores him, staring wide-eyed at Mark.
My other brothers burst out laughing, and Drew adds, “Can I use the mug, or is that reserved for special occasions?”
“How do you know about the mug?” Chad presses.
Finally, James pulls himself together enough to explain. “We found the box in Chad’s closet that first week we were working on his house.”
“You knew we were married this whole time?” I verify.
They’re all nodding, still trying to suppress their laughter as James answers. “We figured you would tell us when you were ready.”
“Then there was the Princess comment,” Drew adds.
Mark smirks. “And you told us to leave so you could get him naked after the fireplace, so we knew you were actually together and it wasn’t just some drunk thing in Vegas.”
“Oh, it was absolutely a drunk thing in Vegas,” Chad clarifies. “But I knew we were meant to be together. I just needed a bit more time to convince John.”
A laugh escapes my throat as I finally let go of the tension I was holding in my shoulders in response to their admission, and I join Chad on the couch, placing a kiss on the top of his head as I do. “I’m glad you didn’t give up on us, Princess.”
“Bluh.” Mark makes a gagging sound. “Who knew John would end up being the sappy brother.”
I smirk at him.
“Ugh, I want to be sappy, too,” Drew mutters, surprising me. He doesn’t normally draw attention to the fact that he’s single.
The doorbell rings before I can question him about it though, and I get up again to let my parents in.
My mom hands me a three-tiered cake in greeting.
“I know you have no interest in celebrating your wedding with a big party, so I like to pretend the festival Blake and Liam threw was actually a reception for you. But I didn’t get to prepare anything that day, so I decided to make you a wedding cake today. ”
“Oh,” is all I can get out as I take in the cake. I’m actually really impressed she made it. “I didn’t know you could bake.”
“Well, I’ve gotten pretty good in my retirement. Maybe Chad will convince you to come around more and you’ll see for yourself,” she teases.
“Your mother makes the best lemon squares,” my dad adds.
“What about you?” I ask him. “Any hidden hobbies I should know about?”
“Yes. I’ve taken up rock collecting,” he deadpans.
“Wait, seriously?”
“I guess you’ll have to come around to the house like your mother said to find out.” He winks, and for the life of me, I have no idea if he’s fucking with me or not.
Chad must have wondered what was taking us so long because he joins us all by the front door. “Oh my God! That cake is amazing! Where did you get it?”
“My mom made it for us since we didn’t have a wedding cake,” I explain weakly, still shocked by the gesture.
“Holy shit!” He directs his wide-eyed attention at my mom. “Sorry for swearing, Mrs. Sullivan, but damn! I had no idea you were such a talented baker! Will you teach me?”
She lights up at his praise and looks even more thrilled by his question. “Of course, sweetie! Come over any time, and I’d be happy to bake with you.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time or I’ll be over there every day,” he teases.
I realize I still haven’t thanked my mom for the cake so I hurry to put it down safely in the kitchen while Chad and my dad join the mini donkeys before I go back to hug her properly. “Thank you, Mom.”
She squeezes me tightly. “I’m just so happy you found him. You were so sad for so long after you lost Luke.”
“I’m glad I found him too,” I agree, my throat tight with emotion.
“Thanks for eventually telling us about your relationship this time,” she adds in a less serious tone as we finally pull apart, confirming for the first time that she knew Luke and I were together. I stare at her with wide eyes. “What? I’m your mother. I know everything.”
“Apparently.” I laugh; I can’t help it. I thought I did such a great job at keeping everyone at arm’s length, but I guess my family has just been waiting for me to realize they were there, ready to support me all along.
“I know Chad is really good for you,” she continues. “I also see how happy you make him, too. I think Luke would be happy for you guys.”
I smile, fighting back the emotions welling behind my eyes. “Yeah, he would be.”
I look around my house, the one Luke grew up in, the one I assumed I would die alone in but is now a real home again thanks to Chad, and I know it’s true.
And I think at the heart of it, that's all love really is—wanting the other person to be the happiest version of themselves and doing what you can to make that happen.
I think everyone in this house might actually want that for me.
When I lost Luke, I thought I’d never know love again. But Chad has helped me realize that loving him doesn’t erase what Luke and I had. Chad has shown me not only that he loves me and I could find love again but that I had it all along.
When we woke up in Vegas the day after our wedding, I was so convinced we’d made a horrible mistake, but it really was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Doesn’t mean I’ll ever wear that shirt though.
Probably.
THE END