“GO LIZZY!” a frail, elderly voice that I know all too well shouts.
A strong, feminine voice breaks through the cheers. “KICK UP YOUR FEET, LIZZY, AND BEAT HIS ASS!”
That one makes me laugh, but I don’t obey. We started this together years ago, and now, we’re finishing side by side.
“RUN, BASH, RUN,” another voice yells.
As we approach the end, our loved ones continue cheering us on. I had no idea they’d be here, but it means so much to me. When we cross, I turn off my timer on my watch and allowthe volunteer to place a medal around my neck. By the time I turn to face my partner, tears brim in my eyes.
“Sweet angel, we did it,” Bash murmurs as he cups my cheeks. Then he leans down and presses a deep kiss against my lips. I wrap myself around him, not minding our dampness. A loud wolf whistle has us separating, and we turn to see our group gathered by the barricades.
I pull Bash towards them, staring in awe at Tom and Betty, Mrs. Evelyn and Mr. Damien, and Dom and Katerina. I’m surprised the latter two stayed after their race for us but appreciate it.
“I wasn’t expecting you guys to be here!” I exclaim, still euphoric from my runner’s high. They beam at us, and that’s when I notice the signs the two older couples are holding. Seeing them together is surreal. Having our families meet. What’s even weirder is that they seem to have made introductions before we arrived.
“Of course we’re here! Our girl is running her first marathon.” Betty’s words fill me with warmth as she hands her sign to her husband and pulls me in for a hug, not even caring about the state I’m in.
As soon as Betty is out of the way, Evelyn’s embracing me. She pulls me in close, and I notice the tears in her eyes. “I’m just so proud of you. Both of you.”
“You two looked great out there,” Katerina says, earning Bash a glare from Dom.
Tom and Damien both chime in with their congratulations. The feeling of accomplishment that courses through me at finishing the race is amplified by having a family who cares so much. It’s surreal.
“Here’s some electrolytes.” Katerina offers me a bottled sports drink. It’s not the flavor I prefer, but I still reach for it.
However, Bash gets it first, his muscles bulging as he unscrews the lid. I watch, mesmerized, as his throat bobs when he swallows it. Then, he’s handing me the bottle.
“Drink up,” Bash murmurs huskily in my ear when I accept the drink. I don’t turn to look at him, but his hand on my shoulder slides to the back of my neck in a promise of something sinful.
I take a few gulps, forcing myself to swallow despite the lust thundering through me. When I focus back on the group, Katerina is smirking in my direction and winks at me, clearly having noticed our interaction. I’m already impossibly red, sparing me from further embarrassment by blushing.
Bash leads us to the post-race festivities. We wait in line for vegan chili, which Dom and Tom refuse to eat. They leave us to grab burgers from another vendor, returning with several extra. I end up snagging one, famished from the twenty-six miles I ran.
As we eat our picnic in the field, conversation flows. Evelyn and Damien converse with Betty and Tom as though they’ve known each other for a lifetime. They even make plans for later in the week. When Bash suggests combining family dinners next week, Betty and Evelyn are ecstatic.
I never had family like this. I’ve never experienced this sort of love and comfort. Betty and Tom took me in years ago as though I were their own, but the Montclairs have accepted me just as much. Even Dom and Katerina signed up for this race because they knew we were running. And if Margot, Matthias, Roman, and Cecilia weren’t busy with their kids, I know they also would be here. Because of Bash, I have not only grandparents, but parents and siblings. Even nieces and a nephew as well. I couldn’t be more grateful.
“How do you feel?” Bash whispers the question in my ear softly, so only I can hear.
I lean my head against his shoulder and breathe in the fresh air. Watching the ones who love us and came out to support us laugh together brings a smile to my lips. And having this man, my protector, next to me every step of the way is unimaginable. A life I never expected. Never could have conceived.
“Happier than I ever knew possible.”
Epilogue I
Sebastian
“Do you have a moment?” My voice is stronger, more confident than I feel. There are few things that make me nervous, but talking to Tom about Lizzy is one of them. While he’s warmed up to me the past year, I know he has his hang-ups.
Tom narrows his eyes at me, then sighs. “Come on, boy. I knew this was coming.”
He leads us to their backyard. This weekend we’re attending family dinner at both houses since Betty has a bingo night tomorrow that she can’t miss. My parents were understanding even though they enjoy the Coleman’s presence at our dinners.
“Let’s hear it,” Tom says flatly while somehow looking down upon me while being shorter than I am.
Inhaling slowly, I let out a long, controlled breath and call up the speech I’ve memorized. “After being in love with Lizzy for so long, after finally having her, nothing could pull me away. She’s my reason for waking each morning. Watching her wake, pulling her into me, having her in my arms when I wake… erm,” I hesitate and redirect when Tom’s eyes narrow atme. Talking about waking with Lizzy and touching her to her paternal figure is probably not the best idea.
“Every day, Lizzy makes me a better man. She makes me want to be everything she could ever need, a friend, lov…erm, protector, and hopefully, husband. More than anything, I want to wed her. Together, we’ll start a family, something I know Lizzy wants.”
