Epilogue That’s a Wrap

Epilogue

That’s a Wrap

One year later…

Christmas Eve and the air crackled with a mix of excitement and tension.

As any matinee performance would.

But this wasn’t any matinee. This was the matinee.

Rick glanced over to Jayden in their shared backstage dressing room, his boyfriend’s hands trembling as he pulled on a pair of baggy trousers, the silken fabric whispering against his skin. His dark curls caught the light from the overhead mirror and Rick smiled, chest fluttering as he adjusted his own costume. He had first night nerves too, but he also had an air of confidence. Something he’d thought he’d lost.

“Hey,” Rick said, keeping his voice light yet loud enough to float over the surrounding frenzy, their shared dressing room door open to the excitable scurries of chorus children, tech crew and fellow actors whooshing past to get ready for curtain call. “You ready for this?”

Jayden offered a half-smile, a flicker of charm surfacing despite his obvious nerves. “Born ready.” He winked.

Rick grinned. Jayden certainly was born ready. And whereas he might be an old hat when treading boards, the ones he was about to grace were now his boards. Bought and paid for. Refurbished, restored and refined, ready for his grand comeback. And as his attention lingered on Jayden in costume, all that fear and worry quashed at the sight of him and he hummed. Jayden looked fine . More than fine.

Exquisite .

“Do you think it’s a problem that I find you utterly delicious when in costume?”

Jayden glanced over at the full-length mirror. At himself as Aladdin . The very embodiment of the part. Rugged and charming. With his loose, ankle-length sandy-beige trousers secured at the waist by a thick crimson embroidered sash, chest partially covered by the midnight blue sleeveless vest, intricate golden embroidery courtesy of their fantastic seamstress, vest open to tease his toned, sun-kissed skin. Jayden was the symbol of his street-smart lifestyle. Alladin’s that was. Not Jayden’s. Cause Jayden was now living the regal life. In Yorkshire.

With him.

Rick couldn’t quite believe it.

“Nah.” Jayden turned back from the mirror. “Fancy the fuck out of you in costume, too.”

Rick chuckled. A rather big change from a Santa suit, he now adorned a flamboyant blend of colours, fabrics and accessories, radiating the aura of mystery, power and playfulness belonging to his part of the Genie in the Lamp. Billowing, loose trousers, sheer fabric shimmering with hues of deep indigo, red sash around his waist, top half left bare and waxed of the usual dark hair, pasty-white skin painted blue, and the elaborate turban, worn at a jaunty, tilted angle.

Rick gave an elaborate bow as a rap of knuckles knocked on their open door.

“Five-minute courtesy call.” Nita, Jayden’s friend from university, clutching a clipboard and wearing a headset, had fully embraced her new job as assistant stage manager for the Rick Thornton Broadway Theatre . She’d decided on graduation being on the stage wasn’t for her and wanted more of a backstage crew role. Jayden had honoured her with one. Because he liked to cling onto those who’d stuck around for him.

“Cheers, Nits.” Jayden winked.

“Break a leg, you guys!” She blew them both a kiss and scurried off to gather up the chorus of young kids belonging to Jayden’s other role in the theatre—inclusive workshops.

Jayden glanced back at Rick and blew out a quivering breath. He probably thought there was a lot riding on this moment. On him. It’s what their past year had been leading up to. The Broadway’s opening night. So Rick stepped up to him, planted a kiss to his nose, then took his hand and led him through the back corridors to the wing. Because he knew Jayden was destined for this moment.

As the overture swelled, Rick’s heart raced, thumping in sync with the muffled beats echoing through the floorboards. It had been so long. So damn long since he’d stood here, and the collective breath of the audience, waiting and expectant, was an addiction he’d denied himself. Then, with a flourish of movement, the curtains rose, and Rick’s adrenaline rush was euphoric.

The decrepit stage that he and Jayden had spent the past year refurbishing, painting and preparing, was now transformed into Agrabah. And Rick dipped closer to Jayden, slipping his hand onto his hip, stroking his thumb over his smooth, tight skin, and pressed his lips to Jayden’s ear. “Go dazzle them.”

He gently shoved Jayden to take his step forward and he watched in awe from the side as Jayden became Aladdin . He’d had no doubt at all that Jayden’s presence would command the silence, fill the space with the sheer force of his charisma. And with each line delivered, each gesture made, he brought the character to life—Aladdin’s roguish grin, his daring spirit alight in Jayden’s eyes.

Rick lived for it.

For him.

There was something undeniably real in the way Jayden inhabited the role, as if every challenge he’d faced, every obstacle he’d overcome, had been a rehearsal for this very moment. Their moment. And the audience leaned in, captivated, following him through bazaars and palaces, on a journey stitched together by song and dance.

Laughter bubbled up effortlessly, the humour in Jayden’s performance both natural and nuanced. A testament to his talent, the way he could weave levity into the fabric of drama, inviting the spectators into Aladdin’s world. And his talent shone ever more in the children’s chorus accompanying him, the ones belonging to his Plan B, which was now his lived Plan A.

Rick watched from the wings, the cynical shell he’d carried last year cracking ever more and replaced with pride. Whatever awaited them when the final applause faded, this moment— their moment—would remain etched in their memory, an unbreakable thread connecting their lives forever.

Then it was Rick’s moment, his first time gracing a stage in front of an audience in two years. The stage lights dimmed to herald his comeback, a hushed anticipation settling over the audience, and, with a dramatic flourish he’d missed exhibiting, he burst forth as the genie, his voice booming through the theatre. Each word he recited infused with a newfound gusto, years of disillusionment forgotten as he shimmered under the spotlight, alight with the joy of performance for performance’s sake.

God, he’d missed this.

“Your wish is my command!” he bellowed his line, eyes gleaming with mischief, Yorkshire accent let loose to roam, lending a charming authenticity to the character, a touch of the familiar amidst the magic unfolding on stage.

The magic mostly coming from him sharing the limelight with the man he’d fallen in love with.

As the final scene drew to a close, the cast assembled for their curtain call. Applause rolled in, thunderous and exuberant, a tidal wave of appreciation for the spectacle he had created. He and Jayden. And he stood centre stage, hands clasped in Jayden’s, fingers entwined, and they took their bow together amidst the standing ovation comprising family, friends, and the community they’d spent a year forming.

In an act of pure instinct, fuelled by the electric atmosphere, Rick pulled Jayden into a kiss. The audience erupted, cheers mingling with the echo of their affection and Jayden wrapped his arms around Rick’s neck to draw him closer. Breathless and flushed, Rick rested his forehead on Jayden’s and although no one could hear beyond the applause, he only meant for Jayden to hear him, anyway. “I love you.”

Jayden grinned, dimples deepening. “Love you, too.”

Then they faced the sea of smiling faces, the warmth of the spotlight pale compared to the exchange of those three words.

Everything Rick loved was right here .

* * * *

Later, Rick finished plating the party food in their country cottage kitchen, a modest but charming abode nestled on the outskirts of Dore as snowflakes danced in the air outside his window.

Launching their new Christmas Eve tradition, they’d opened their house up after the performance for family, friends and the children from Jayden’s after school looked-after-children club courtesy of a grant from Children in Need and an in-kind donation from Rick Thornton’s Broadway Theatre. And it was in full swing, the festive aroma of mulled wine and pine filling the air, along with the batches of party food courtesy of his mother.

Jayden had decorated the cottage in homage to their old grotto at the mall, and was in full entertaining mode, playing Pin the Red Nose on Rudolf with the children.

“Watch the tree, Logan!” Jayden warned as he ushered a blindfolded young boy away from their tree to the cardboard picture of Rudolf stuck on the wall.

Rick caught his eye from the door, holding up the centrepiece of a gingerbread house, which was remarkably similar to the cottage they lived in. Together.

Jayden grinned, aiding Logan to pop the nose on the reindeer, then announced, “Grub’s up!” and steered everyone toward the dining area, eyes twinkling with mirth under the soft glow of fairy lights.

Rick set the gingerbread house down in the centre of the long rustic table, set meticulously, and adorned with crimson candles and a garland of holly weaving between platters piled high with every party delight imaginable. Rick’s parents sat beaming at the head of the table, expressions the very picture of pride. It was a scene straight out of a Christmas card, one that Jayden might have only ever seen in movies or imagined in the recesses of his mind. Rick loved how he could give Jayden this now. And Jayden loved how he could give all this to those children in care he identified with.

“Rick, lad, you outdid yourself this time.” Gordon raised his glass in a toast. “Seeing you up there today was like the boy who left Dore for RADA has finally come home.”

“Your performance was nothing short of magical,” Sandra added, eyes glistening as she reached across the table to place a gentle hand over Rick’s. “And, of course, yours, too, Jayden.” She raised her glass to Jayden, who was busy tucking one of the kids into a chair next to his social worker.

A ripple of agreement passed among the guests, punctuated by the clink of cutlery against china and they all tucked into the food. Rick swallowed the lump in his throat, feeling the weight of his parents’ words. For so long, he’d been chasing shadows of his former self, but tonight, under the roof of this quaint cottage and surrounded by excitable children, with Jayden here with him, his life had shifted focus. Now this was his best accolade.

“Here’s to new beginnings,” Rick said, lifting his glass, gaze lingering on Jayden before sweeping across the faces of those gathered to share their everything. “To family, both given and chosen.”

“Merry Christmas,” the chorus rang out, heartfelt and harmonious, echoing through the cottage and into the frosty evening beyond.

* * * *

Jayden crouched beside a mound of colourfully wrapped gifts and cast a glance at Rick. He nodded in encouragement, making Jayden’s heart dance. God, he loved that man. Loved all of that man. And this. It was utterly, brilliantly, perfect.

He’d never believed, in a million years, he’d have all this.

He turned to face the children gathered in a semi-circle in his front room, eyes wide with anticipation, and vowed to give them a little of what he had.

“Right, then.” Jayden rubbed his hands together. “Time for a little Christmas magic!”

The kids’ nods and eager shuffles were the only cue he needed. But the social workers, foster parents and carers all nodding their affirmative as they clutched their drinks on the sofa amidst Rick and his parents gave him the okay.

Jayden handed out presents, one by one, watching the wrapping paper give way to shrieks of delight and wide grins. He received a few hugs as well, but he did it for them. Not for him.

“Right!” Jayden jumped up, glanced out of the window, and grinned. It was way better in Yorkshire where the odds of a white Christmas ratcheted up. “Get your coats on! Snowball fight!”

He legged it toward the front door, children screaming after him to get their coats and shoes, then he swung the door open, spilling chilled air into the house along with a swirl of snowflakes.

The garden was a blank canvas painted with fresh snow, ready for the imprints of small boots and gloved hands. And big boots and big gloved hands. Jayden launched outside, followed by squealing children, snowballs flying, some on target, and teams formed around mounds of snow that would soon become frosty companions.

Rick came out after, wrapped up in coat, gloves and scarf, dodging the flying snowballs. “Remember, three good rolls if you want to build a snowman!”

Jayden stood back, watching the scene unfold with his heart swelling. Rick, aiding two children to roll the snow into a snowman’s base, was a stunning vision of everything Jayden had ever wanted.

“No slacking, Jayden,” Rick called over to him, a mock sternness in his voice not quite hiding the lightness in his eyes. “Your artistic talents are required here!”

“Me? Slacking?” Jayden moved to join them, footsteps light on the powdery ground. He bumped his hip into Rick’s. “Who did all the heavy lifting and DIY at this place, eh?”

“That’s your penance for being younger.”

“Is it now?”

Rick smiled, clutching Jayden’s coat lapels to haul him closer and kissed him. “And this is your reward.”

Jayden wrapped his arms around him but before it could get out of hand, a snowball hit them, covering them in ice cold snow.

Jayden narrowed his eyes at the giggling little culprit. “Logan. You’ll pay for that.” He then ran off and chased after him.

Eventually, they all, together, sculpted a snowman with a rakish tilt to its hat and a carrot nose that seemed too jaunty for its own good. It was imperfect, much like the paths they all walked, yet it stood proud and Jayden couldn’t love it more.

After that, everyone left for their respective homes, leaving Jayden and Rick to clear up the mess, then shower together, wrap themselves in matching fluffy dressing gowns, and settle on their brand new sofa to watch in Christmas, fire crackling, spitting embers to dance up the chimney. A bottle of Chianti between them. Outside, the snow continued, but inside, the warmth wrapped around Jayden like a well-loved blanket and he sipped the deep red wine, legs stretched out with Rick’s on their new stool, toes seeking the heat from the flames. Jayden rested his head on Rick’s shoulder, the television before them flickering out whatever Christmas special they had on in the background.

“Who knew the gruff Mr Thornton had a secret talent for crafting snowmen?” Jayden said, tapping his toes to Rick’s

“Oi, that ‘gruff Mr Thornton’ is sitting right here,” Rick chided, sarcasm a familiar tune that Jayden had learned to dance to with ease. “And thawed for you.”

Jayden wrinkled his nose. “Aww.”

Their laughter mingled with the snaps and pops of the firewood and the sharp buzz of the television interrupted the tranquillity, slicing through the room. The news. And the anchor’s face was stern and sombre, delivering the latest headlines. Shit job on Christmas, delivering bad news from around the nation.

“Don’t think we need to watch this,” Jayden said, rummaging around for the remote control, lost between the sofa cushions already. “We wanna keep up beat, people!”

“I have an idea to keep up beat.”

“Yeah?” Jayden leaned back. “Can’t find the damn remote you’ve hidden, so bring it.”

Rick put down his glass on the side table, then rolled toward him, untying Jayden’s gown belt and ruffling away the ends to reveal his naked body.

“Keeping it up , indeed. Hmm?” Rick hummed and kissed Jayden’s belly, up his chest, eventually reaching his mouth.

It got a little heated there, with Rick kissing and stroking him, and him grappling to undo Rick’s gown, when an image on the screen over Rick’s shoulder caught his attention.

“Fuck, Rick.”

“Mm hmm, I know.” Rick nibbled his neck. “Want you, too. Dare we do it on the new sofa?”

“No. I mean, yeah , fuck yeah, but look.” He tapped Rick’s shoulder, then pointed at the TV.

Rick peered over his shoulder, then sank, weight crushing down on Jayden as the photograph on the screen had obviously caused a reaction.

“Breaking news today,” the newsreader said. “Derek Thompson, renowned stage and screen star, has been dropped from the lead role in the new star-studded cast of BBC’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth following multiple allegations of sexual harassment.” The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of justice long overdue.

Jayden tightened his arms around Rick, holding him to his chest as they watched the rest of the story unfold. After hearing the worst of it, he pressed his lips to Rick’s ear. “Looks like karma finally caught up with him.”

“A Christmas miracle.” Rick muttered, rolling off from Jayden to his side of the sofa.

Jayden tickled the back of Rick’s neck and Rick was quiet for a while. Subdued . Then the news segment faded into another story, and Jayden feared he’d lost Rick to the past.

“You all right, lover?” Jayden rubbed Rick’s back.

Rick breathed out a smile, which merged into a chuckle, and Jayden squirmed to sit up, wrapping his dressing gown back around himself. When Rick’s eyes found his, the sparkle in them shone brighter than the festive tree lights.

“Never better, sweetheart.”

Jayden smiled. Although there was something else hidden behind Rick’s eyes. Something hanging there. Weighted. And Jayden’s belly fluttered when Rick stood from the sofa, retied his dressing gown and glanced down to Jayden.

Then he knelt, and Jayden held his breath, the only sound other than the gentle pop and hiss from the fire.

“I know we’re past my constant need to ask your permission for things.” Rick took Jayden’s hands in his. “But I have one last request.”

“Fuck. Seriously ?”

“Jayden Collins?” Rick ran his thumbs over Jayden’s knuckles. “May I marry you?”

Tears gathered in Jayden’s eyes and the thuds of his heart banged so hard against his chest he feared he might not get any words out. So he dragged Rick to him, forehead resting on his, and croaked out the affirmative. “Yes, Rick Thornton. Yes , you fucking may .”

Rick kissed Jayden before slipping over to the tree. He rummaged beneath it, finding a wrapped present, and crawled back to him on his knees. “I was going to give it to you tomorrow. But somehow, I couldn’t wait.”

Jayden ripped off the paper to reveal an elegant black jewellery box beneath and creaked back the lid. There, tucked in foam, was a solid gold and black ring, unassuming yet steadfast, glinting modestly in the firelight.

Rick slipped the ring onto Jayden’s finger.

“That’s all right,” Jayden said, sniffing back his tears. “Santa comes on Christmas Eve, anyway.”

“Does he now?”

“He will in a minute.” Jayden launched at Rick, kissing him and tackled him onto the rug in front of the roaring fire where, there, it got not just heated, but hot .

And Santa came twice .

With a little helper.

Thank you for reading Rick and Jayden’s festive frolic. I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I did writing them. If I could trouble you for a little review, that would be a most excellent Christmas gift.

My next book will feature Aaron, Jayden’s mate from the care home, in a departure from this soft and fluffy to a more dark and dangerous series.

Dream a Little Dream (To Love a Psycho #1).

Coming 2025

For updates on this release and others, why not join my newsletter at www.cfwhiteauthor.com