epilogue
Jace
Several months later…
“Are you nervous?” Harriet asks. She’s standing in our bathroom, looking at me through the reflection in the mirror.
I’m standing behind her while she finishes putting on her make-up.
“No, not nervous. Excited, but mostly grateful.”
She gives me a teary smile, then dabs at her eyes. “Don’t make me mess up my face.”
“Your face is perfect, just like the rest of you.”
She turns and puts her arms up and around my neck. “I love you and I’m so proud of you.”
I pull her to me, just holding her against me.
So much has changed since Harriet came into my life, besides the obvious of not having a painful erection for all eternity.
She’s brought so much joy, not just into my life, but into our town.
She loves so unconditionally, so thoroughly; she’s made me a better man. Satyr, whatever.
“Do you remember before we met that you thought I was on the spectrum?”
She laughs and leans back to look at me.
“I do. Forgive me if I think that most of the smartest, most creative people in the world are on the spectrum. Steven spoiled me with the way he views the world.” She shakes her head.
“It would have perfectly explained your reclusive nature and being camera shy.”
“True. Instead, I have fucking horns and goat ears.” I wiggle them which sends her into a giggle fit. She loves my stupid ears, what can I say?
“We should go, or we’re going to be late,” she says.
“Is this the one I should wear?” I ask, tugging on my kilt. Yes, I can finally wear clothes again. I’m still sizable enough that going commando is a perfect solution for me.
“Yes, that one is my favorite. I love the colors.”
It’s a black, white and grey plaid with a thin line of hot pink running through it. It’s a reminder to her that I’m hers and she’s mine.
It doesn’t take us too long to get downtown and to Down the Rabbit Hole. It’s my first time playing here in a really long time. The townspeople are getting used to me being out and among them again, but I was saving this return for something special.
When we step into the bar, it’s already crowded. I put a hand on Harriet’s hip and pull her closer to me.
“You’ve got this,” she says.
We walk to the front so I can make my way to the piano, then Harriet shrieks!
“Steven! What are you doing here?” She practically pummels her brother in a bear hug.
“Hey sis,” he says, amusement lighting his tone and features.
We’ve video chatted with him several times and told him about the town and, well, all the monsters. He didn’t even really have many questions; said he couldn’t wait to visit. So, he and I have been making arrangements for this for a few weeks.
I hold my hand out to him. “Nice to finally meet you in person,” I say.
He smiles. “You actually do have goat legs.”
I laugh. “Yes, I really do.”
“Everyone is so different,” Steven says. He glances around the room.
“Is everyone being nice to you?” Harriet asks. “I don’t want to have to kick some monster ass, but I will.”
“Harry, stop,” Steven says.
The owner calls me over to the piano to discuss the basics with me.
I listen idly, then see Vivian and Atticus walk in.
Xander and Galina are sitting off to my left.
Even Chris, the one-fanged cat is there with his girlfriend; she’s some sort of rodent.
I’ve never met her, but I’m told she has whiskers and a long tail and twitches her pointed nose nervously.
Finally, it’s time for me to take my place at the piano and I just start playing.
I have no planned set of songs; I’m just playing what I feel.
I try to focus on more popular tunes rather than classical pieces so that the audience can sing if they want.
I don’t sing, but I can clearly hear Harry’s voice out in the crowd.
I make it through several songs before I speak into the microphone in front of me.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m going to take a short break, but I want to invite Steven Chambers up here to play for you. He has a special song he wants to share.”
Harriet gasps, putting her hand on her heart as her brother walks to the piano. I pat him on the back, then go and sit next to Harry. She leans over and kisses my cheek.
Steven’s voice clears, then he leans towards the microphone. “This is a song I wrote. It’s called Harriet’s Love.” Then his eyes close and his fingers fly over the keys. The piece is intricate and bold.
“Dance with me, beautiful,” I say, coming to my feet.
Harriet takes my hand and allows me to pull her to me, then we sway to the music.
“Happy?” I ask her.
“Deliriously so,” she says. Her cheek rests against my chest as we move together.
“Me too.”
The music slows in intensity and becomes soft and gentle. Steven’s a genius to have been able to capture every aspect of Harriet in one piece of music. It’s a masterpiece just like her.
I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring I’ve been carrying around with me for the last few weeks.
“Harriet?”
She hums against my chest.
“I want to ask you something. Because I think I could be happier, but I need your opinion.”
She leans back from my body. “You’re not happy?”
“Oh, I am. But I think I could be even happier,” I say.
Her brow furrows with a tiny frown.
I hold the ring up to her. “Would you be my wife?”
She squeals and pulls me closer. Then she kisses me. It’s hot and searching and needy.
Finally, she pulls back.
“Is that a yes?” I ask.
“Yes. Definitely a yes.”
I slide the ring on her finger. Seeing that band of metal wrapped around her digit does something to me. It’s a primal thing, I guess, though it seems kind of a silly thing for me to go all ancient cave-goat on her.
My dick hardens so quickly that I nearly get lightheaded. I press Harriet to my body.
“We might have to stay here close together for a little longer.”
She arches a brow at me.
“I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be hard in public.”
***
I hope you loved Jace and Harriet’s story.