Epilogue – Violet
Marriage didn’t change us overnight, but it shifted everything that mattered.
The promises we made in front of friends and family bled into everyday moments – the way Lee laced his shoes beside mine before dawn runs, the way he kept pace when I wanted to quit, how he teased me into believing I could finish what I started.
Training together had become its own kind of vow, each mile a reminder that partnership wasn’t only about romance.
It was about grit, endurance, and showing up when things got hard.
“You’ve got this, Cupcake. I’m right here with you.”
Lee jogged easily beside me. He wasn’t sweating buckets.
He was barely winded. As much as I wanted to hate him, just a little bit, for the easy way he conquered our half-marathon, love wouldn’t let that spike of envy take hold.
My darling husband had convinced me to run with him, training with me for months.
And he’d been sweet enough to run alongside me for all thirteen-plus miles.
My legs hurt. My feet ached. I didn’t even want to think about the chafing, but I loved the way he supported me.
Heaving and puffing, I turned the last corner. The finish line beckoned, the Orca Running Club banner spread across the Jackson Beach park entrance. Finally.
A familiar pink head caught my eye. She was clad in a hot pink tracksuit, Gran’s idea of blending in.
“Go, Violet!” she cheered, shaking her sign in the air.
It took me a moment to register the words, all my remaining oxygen going toward making my legs move.
I KNOW WHAT YOU TWO DID LAST NIGHT—NO WONDER YOU’RE STRUGGLING!
My choked laughter sounded more like a rough gasp. Fair, since I was out of gas. Trust Gran to bring her inappropriate side to her cheering. I loved her. And no one truly believed she had an appropriate side.
“Almost there, Cupcake. There’s a massage tonight with your name on it.”
I pushed with the last bit of energy I had, feet heavy as I managed the last few meters across the finish.
Sweaty and gasping—it wasn’t pretty—I didn’t care. Lee wrapped me in a hug, swinging me around in big circles. The world spun, making my stomach pitch.
“Put me down, Murphy, you goof. You’re lucky I’m dehydrated, or I might hurl.”
“Ope. Sorry, honey.”
I slid to the ground, knees wobbly.
“Let’s walk it out together. I’m so proud of you.”
I was proud of me too. Zach had always been the runner in our family. But when Lee suggested training together for this race, I went for it.
Lee walked beside me, his strides matching mine. We wound through the park, pace slowing.
“Hey, Vi. Congrats on finishing,” my brother called, holding up his fist to bump mine.
“You too,” I said, still breathing hard.
Slowly, my huffing and puffing turned to more normal breath patterns. My legs felt like jelly, but my heart was soaring.
Lee turned to me with a grin. “How about a celebratory beer at the brewery?”
“I love you, Lee Murphy.” I launched myself into his arms, grinning like a loon when he caught me easily.
Sweaty and stinky, I couldn’t bring myself to care about any of that. Not when I was in my husband’s arms.
“I love you too, Violet Murphy.”
We kissed, the soft brush like a benediction, warmth suffusing me, easing my tired muscles.
“Watch it, Murphy,” Gran piped up from behind me.
“She’ll always be a Fenwick to me.” She sniffed dramatically.
“I get not changing your pen name, but I honestly don’t understand why you couldn’t have changed your government name to Fenwick when you married our Vi.
We dragons hoard our riches; we don’t loan them out on some paperwork technicality. ”
Gran’s comment made me chuckle, but I didn’t move from Lee’s arms. He grinned down at me, holding my gaze. “Yeah, yeah, Gran. Fenwick or Murphy, she’s still my wife.” He squeezed me tighter as I turned in his arms to face her. “And trust me, nothing about her is a loaner.”
Gran gave him a wicked smirk. “Well, at least you’ve got some sense. Just remember, Murphy, if you ever stop appreciating her, we Fenwicks do believe in repossession… and revenge.”
Lee chuckled, shaking his head. “Not a chance, Gran. I may not have been born a dragon, but I know a once-in-a-lifetime treasure when I see one. And I plan on hoarding her right back.”
Gran huffed, but I caught the soft gleam in her eye before she waved a dismissive hand. “Fine, fine. Just don’t go getting lazy with your sentimental nonsense.” Then, with a pointed look at me, she added, “And if he ever does, Vi, you let me know. I’ll bring the fire.”
Lee dropped a kiss on top of my head, hugging me tighter and dropping his voice so only I could hear. “Good thing I plan on keeping the flames burning myself.”
Cheeks warm with a combination of love and triumph, we walked hand in hand to drive home.