Heat builds in my eyes as I nod.
“Living a full life.”
“Together,” I murmur against his lips.
“Together.”
EPILOGUE 2
2 Years Later
I’ve never been so nervous in my entire life.
It’s our first year hosting Christmas witheveryone. We’ve had some work done over the past couple of months to the cabin, but it still isn’t enough space foras many people that are here.
Britt is basically in Taylor’s lap—which I think is on purpose anyway. Dom and the guy that set up our security, Ken, are sitting on the stairs. Cal and Ronan, with Charlotte Jayde and Ezra, then Alysa and her boyfriend, are sitting at the dining room table playing with Sofia.
Ronan has made an incredible father, and if I do say so myself, Ayden and I are great uncles. Though, he’d still rather call us Wildhart or stepbrothers. And still shit talks Ayden’s baking. Which really irks me. After everything we’ve been through?
I internally groan.
Over the past several years, it wasn’t just our challenges we faced, but the one’s we called family around us. From the incidentwith Jayde and Ezra, to the one that tested all of our willpower, Evelyn and Levi.
Ayden is hovering over Kali, who’s chatting with Cal’s best friend, who’s overjoyed by the news she’s a few weeks pregnant.
Today is a day to celebrate, and as I look around the room at these people, I truly couldn’t have asked for a better group to call family.
Christmas has always been an incredibly painful time of year for us. It reminds us of those that aren’t with us, and times where we could’ve done something more for one another.
It reminds me of the time without Ayden.
For him, it brings back memories of Michael.
This year is different than all the rest. We now have new people to celebrate with us, and make memories with.
I’m not usually the sappy type, but something about this season just gets me feeling… more emotional than normal. Britt tells me I need to not hold it back, and I’m doing my best to not bottle it up.
It feels good, honestly. Ayden likes it when I talk it out, and whatever he wants, he gets.
Suppose that’s why I’m so nervous today.
A knock sounds at the front door, and I know it’s our last guests. The door opens, and sheepishly, Evelyn steps inside, Levi trailing just behind her. His gaze finds mine immediately, and he grins, which lifts his scarred eye.
I give him a nod, just as he returns one to me.
“Yay, we are all here!” Alysa chants. “With the help of my twin, we’ve made quite the feast. Jayde has done us the honors of baking a few desserts, since that isn’t my brother’s strong suit.”
“Alright, come on. Not you, too! Don’t I get enough of that from Ronan?”
Snickers and laughter erupt around us. I shake my head and make my way over to him. He’s already beginning to stand, meeting me right in front of the Christmas tree the three of us set up a few days ago,together.
“I can’t get the measurements right…” he murmurs.
“Still waiting for that pineapple upside down cake,” Levi croons as he wraps his arm around Evelyn’s shoulder. Her hand appearingaround his waist.
I’m not sure why, butthatmakes me happier than I already was. They deserve the ending they got, because I know it wasn’t easy.
“Seriously?” Ronan groans. “Even now?”
