“You’re being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and your first thought is of Carl. That’s sad, but this is so amazing. You are such an incredible human.” I am beyond proud of my brilliant husband.
“It’s funny, I uh… don’t feel like I deserve it. I’ve done really crappy things.” His expression falls. “I’m actually not an incredible human.”
“Have you killed anyone?” I’d wondered, but now I just want to face the truth, so I can support him with honesty.
“Never,” he whispers. “I’ve just healed murderers and I’m an asshole.”
“You’ve saved lives without discrimination. You also survived an abusive childhood the best way you could, that would make anyone an asshole. You are a loving husband,” I start to tear up at that. “And a beautiful father. You are a good man, Beckett, the very best, and now you’ve created something that will heal the world. Acknowledge who you are.”
Beckett takes my face in his hands, tears welling in his eyes as he kisses my lips.
“Your husband, that’s who I am.”
Epilogue
Beckett
Scarlett and I are married on our yacht in the middle of the ocean surrounded by blue skies and bluer water. Mia is her maid of honor and the Quattro are my groomsmen. I don’t have a best man because I don’t want to choose between them. London helps baby Rayne down the aisle because she’d just started walking. Scarlett’s pregnancy is starting to show so her dress beautifully reveals her baby bump. We’d told Mia about our baby, but we hadn't wanted to publicize the information so that we could keep that part of our lives private as long as possible.
My life is so entrenched in public intrigue that Scarlett has become a poster child of the perfect wife because of her exquisite beauty and undying support. In public, we are the epitome of what couples should be. In private we are kinky, crazy, and fun. She is still snarky and caustic at times, which I adore. Rayne has started to become independent and doesn't like when people help her with things. I see her mother’s spirit reflected in the determination that flashes across our daughter's eyes.
“We are gathered here today to join in official matrimony, Beckett Alexander Hayden Myers and Scarlett Rose Myers…”
We chose the wording so that we were making a conscious commitment to each other, by choosing to remain legally married. This was our chance to tell the world that we were investing in a lifelong commitment to each other. It was at our wedding that our friends learned we were having another child.
At Scarlett's five-month scan, we find out that we are having another girl and I am relieved. I eventually would love to have a son, but I'd have to figure out how to defy CSS to protect him. We are still in the middle of a crisis because I am very publicly being lauded for my contributions to the medical world, but still on Carl's radar. Having another daughter means that I can keep my family safe and hidden from CSS. In the future I plan to take a lesser role in the society,perhaps being there only as an advisor. I’ll refuse to allow my future son to have anything to do with CSS unless they become a more reputable organization.
All of my future concerns are wiped from my mind as I stand in front of the woman I love more than any other on earth. Scarlett is my goddess and my muse and I thank God every day for her. The wedding is lovely and our honeymoon is lovelier. Spending time with Rayne playing in the sand and splashing in the warm water beside her beautiful mother is a picture of perfection.
“Do you know what I love about being married to you?” Scarlett asks one night while we are sitting out on the bungalow deck overlooking the water.
She has our sleeping toddler in her arms and her baby bump is more prominent, blooming over the loose silky pants she wears. She still has on her bathing suit top and I consider buying the resort so we could have infinite nights like this one.
“I can’t imagine there’s much,” I laugh, still considering myself the lesser partner. Scarlett has proved to be such a loving, patient, and forgiving spouse, I can’t imagine ever being the same for her.
She laughs a little. “There’s so much I love about being married to you, but what I love most is that you appreciate every little thing. You don’t complain, nor do you push me or belittle my opinions. You allowed me to grow and come into my own. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you, but I’m so glad that you chose me as your wife, despite not ever wanting one.” She looks at me with glistening tears in her eyes and my heart explodes with love.
“I did want one, it turns out. And I’m glad I waited for her because I might have missed you.” She takes my hand and we watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. “But I didn’t marry ‘a wife,’ Scarlett. I became a husband and committed to forever be yours.”
Scarlett
“Go go go! You got this! Score! Oh my God!” I am screaming my brains out. “She did it. Oh my God, Beck, she did it.” I am jumping up and down acting like a crazy fool.
Skye, our three-year-old, must think Mommy has lost her mind. I am holding Skye on my very pregnant belly as Rayne, our extremely athletic, slightly competitive kindergartner scores the winning goal.
“Okay. Okay, she’s going to be the next woman’s soccer star! We need to get her a private coach,” Beckett says with an equal amount of enthusiasm. “And we can turn the upper yard at the lake house into a soccer field.”
“Oh God, Beck, it’s the Little Kickers league, give her a sec to just grow up, you overachieving freak,” Mia scolds and I am silently giving her a high five.
“Right, right, yeah.” Beckett backs down a little.
It is so hard for him not to see the girls achieving the very height of all they strive for.
“I love your optimism,” I say softly to my slightly wounded husband.
“Thanks, tiny dancer, I appreciate you humoring me. Maybehe’lllet me buy a soccer field,” Beckett says, stroking my belly and speaking to our unborn son.
“At least you won’t be outnumbered anymore,” I say, setting Skye down so she can run to her big sister who has just made the final goal of the game.
