Epilogue
It was a fairy tale of a ceremony, taking place at dusk on the Fairegrounds, under a large, open air pavilion that had been decorated with over a thousand twinkling fairy lights. The string quartet played classical arrangements of songs by Nightwish, Kamelot, and other bands that Barric had introduced to Lily, that she knew Col enjoyed.
Lily kept blinking, wanting to pinch herself that this wasn’t a dream. But the gorgeous man that stood in front of her, who had just pledged in front of all of their friends and family-by-choice in attendance, to love, honor and cherish her forever, was all too real, and the look on his face was one that she would be waking up to every day from now on.
“I love you,” he said again, in that voice that reverberated through her and made her curl her toes. He was so breathtakingly handsome, in the dark suit and tie that he had worn on the night that was supposed to be their first date. Instead, it was now the first night of their lives together. Forever.
One of Rika’s new assistant hires had taken on Lily and Col’s hand fasting ceremony as his very first event planning project for the Faire, working in tandem with a team hand-picked by Puma. And he outdid himself, proving not only why he was a good hire, but how Rika would soon be able to step up to her promotion. She, along with Puma, would be formally in charge of running the Faire day to day, and continuing to adjust to the rapid growth in attendance and Faire offerings. But Rika still insisted in handling certain things personally.
She was the one who went with Lily to shop for her dress for the ceremony, and the lingerie underneath.
Undercover Frills had a new owner, the previous one deciding to move back to the “safer” environs of New York City, where her next venture would be in the same building that housed a security specialist firm. Lily finally had her shopping spree, all part of Simon’s continuing generosity.
Rika had also taken care of disposing of Lily’s broken-down car, as Simon gifted her with the red car that he had lent her. He had wanted to buy her a much fancier car, but she had politely refused, with a caveat that she be allowed to take the Lamborghini out for an occasional spin.
And Lily would be working for Rika, as the new Director of Children’s Programming. She would finally be able to implement many ideas that she had and continued to envision, but for all kids that came to the Faire, in addition to the ones in the Staff Childcare Center. And she would always build in time to work with kids directly. After all, the twins racing about the pavilion in their flower girl and ring-bearer clothes had much to do with her finding new purpose here at the Faire.
Rosa, fully recovered, came up to her. The twins’ mother looked lovely in her turquoise dress, another thing that Rika had handled personally. Rosa and the twins had found fully stocked closets with new clothes in the housing that Rika had arranged for them on the Fairegrounds.
“I have to thank you again, Ka-Lily.” Rosa stumbled over the name, as did most people once they had heard, but that would take time. Besides, hearing her mother’s name made it feel like she was there with them in celebration. Her mother would have loved Col, and in fact, “Katie Cooper” had brought her to him.
“I’m the one that needs to thank you, Rosa. For trusting me with Brady and Clover. I know for a fact that they are really missed at the house.”
The twins’ peals of laughter reached them over the music, and both women turned to see that Barric had hoisted Brady onto his shoulders, and Merek had Clover on his. Tybalt was to the side as some sort of referee, except he was surrounded by those drawn to his movie-star looks. The kids were swiping at one another with foam swords that more often than not, seemed to narrowly miss hitting the boys’ faces. Or maybe that was intentional on Merek and Barric’s parts.
“I hope they realize that the twins had several helpings of the wedding cake and ice cream,” Rosa laughed. Lily joined in, imagining the boys’ reactions if the twins threw up on them.
Rosa turned back to Lily. “I actually have a new thing to thank you for.”
Lily’s brows lifted, and the woman with Clover’s features continued. “I went to thank Mr. Simon for everything —the new apartment, the new furniture and clothing — and he offered me a new job.”
Was Rosa taking over Lily’s job of coaching the boys? It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but Rosa explained.
“Five days a week, preparing lunch and dinner at Mr. Simon’s house for all of you. A lot of the times it’ll just be coordinating food from the Staff Caff with Karen and bringing it over. I’ll only work from 11 - 7 and I’ll still be considered a full-time Faire employee. And Mr. Simon said I can have Brady and Clover there from time to time. In fact, he said something about how he hoped I would.”
Lily threw her arms around Rosa in a congratulatory hug. “That is wonderful! I am so excited! You’ll get to spend more time with Brady and Clover.”
They had rebounded with their natural resilience from their adventure with the “mean people.”
“Meeting you has really changed our lives for the better,” Rosa said. She squeezed Lily’s hand. “You have a wonderful man there. You deserve to be happy.”
Lily’s eyes were shining as Rosa left, making a beeline for her kids before an imminent disaster took place.
A familiar voice caught Lily’s attention. Lucie pounced on her from the side. “You are totally forgiven for not having me as a Maid of Honor, girl! Wow. So. Much. Hotness.”
“Let me guess — you met Aylwyn?”
“That blond hunkamunka? How’d you guess? I can’t believe you were hiding out here, like Snow White and the 7 Hunks!”
Lily laughed at her best friend’s exuberance. She had missed it, and maybe, just maybe, she could introduce Lucie to Rika with all the new jobs opening up at the Faire. It would be wonderful to have her best friend here, but even if she didn’t move, she could now plan on frequent visits.
Especially when the cubs arrived. She wasn’t sure yet, but there was a tiny stirring within her. That feeling that just when she thought she couldn’t be happier, her body was in fact making room for an even greater joy.
And she wondered if they would have auburn fur when they changed.
“Hello, Earth to blushing bride!” Lucie was laughing. “I’ve been talking non-stop for the last five minutes. Of course—” Col was headed their way, “being married to that hunk o’ handsome would probably take up all of my attention too.”
Lily smiled as her mate — herhusband— joined them. He had welcomed Lucie, thanking her for her role in escaping from Rey, after having heard all the details. He was similarly warm to TraceyAnn, and Luna, and Puma, and Gabe, and Karen, and everyone else from the Faire who had been invited to witness their vows.
