Epilogue Money Shot

Eight months later…

"Fuck me!"

Lee chuckled at the first words Eddie spoke as he opened the door, and he held out his arms in display of the tuxedo he'd dug out from the back of his wardrobe that somehow still fit him. Little snug, but Eddie obviously didn't mind where it cinched him in.

"How about I sack off this premiere and let you fuck me while you wear that tux instead?"

Little inappropriate. Lee was pretty sure this was his wedding tux.

He might have obliged though, especially as Eddie too looked exceptionally dapper and completely fuckable in his more fashionable suited attire, but as he peered around him, he laid eyes on a shocked Rupert. "Ru."

"Lee. "

Eddie swivelled around. "Dad! You shouldn't sneak up on people like that."

"Evidently." Rupert tucked his hands in his jeans pocket. "I came to ask you both what your plans were after this red carpet affair?"

"There'll be parties galore." Eddie rubbed his hands together in glee.

"I see." Rupert looked crestfallen.

"Which we will ditch to come back here to drink the Champagne you bought," Eddie said squeezing his dad's arm.

"Are you sure?" Rupert drew his eyebrows in. "I don't want to stifle your fancy schmoozing with the stars. And, of course, showing Lee off."

"It's fine, Dad. We already agreed. Few drinks, then back here. The fancy schmansy stuff isn't all that interesting, if I'm honest."

Rupert's lips lifted into a smile. "Then I'll be honoured to have your company." He peered around Eddie. " Both of yours."

Eddie leapt out onto the driveway, kissing Lee on the cheek.

"Wait, hold on." Rupert fished his phone out. "I need a photo."

"Dad, we'll be late for the premiere of my own sodding film at this rate."

"Two seconds, Eddie. You didn't go to your prom, this is the next best thing. Now smile. Both of you."

Eddie snuggled in next to Lee and they smiled for the strangest photo Lee had ever posed for. Rupert then allowed them to bundle into the car sent courtesy of Tiger Productions to take them to Leicester Square, where Sands of Love was having its official premiere in London. The American premiere was due the following week and the apprehension of Eddie going to that one alone was beginning to wreak havoc on Lee's nerves. At least he could accompany him to this one.

They settled in the back, and Eddie held out his hand for Lee to put his into it. This was their first outing as a couple. Well, the first outing in front of cameras and press where they would announce to the world that Eddie was in a relationship with a man nearly thirty years his senior. They had, obviously, ventured out of Lee's flat occasionally in the past few months to walk Coco, go to dinner and the pub, and hadn't spent all of it in bed, despite Eddie's insistence. He'd not been trying as hard to land another big role as yet, and Lee wondered if that was to do with him and this…coming out.

Although Eddie didn't seem too worried about it. He'd been open and honest on his social media feeds and had received, mostly, love for it. There had been a few nasty posts, but that was to be expected. Keyboard warriors were a hell of a lot easier to deal with than the flesh and blood Lee had been contending with of late. Mostly Cora, Rupert and those who made up their circle of family and friends. Whilst Rupert was dealing with his son dating his best friend, not everyone was getting there as fast. Or as easily.

"Hey." Lee squeezed his hand. "We still ok to make that pit stop?"

Eddie checked his watch. "Yeah. Sure."

Lee leaned forward to ask the driver to make a turn.

A while later, nestled within a serene haven of east London, framed by tree-lined avenues, the taxi parked up at the entrance to the City of London Cemetery. Constructed of sombre grey stone with neo-Gothic spires and arched windows, the front building welcomed them into its serene embrace. Lee inhaled a weary breath. But he needed to do this. To be here. It had been typical for Eddie's premiere to have landed on the same day, or he would have been here at the same time as everyone else.

He got out of the car, Eddie following behind, and bought a bouquet from the vendor at the front. He then took Eddie's hand, lacing their fingers as he made his way through the arched entrance and into the Gardens of Remembrance. Eddie squeezed and Lee knew it wasn't all down to him providing support for him in this moment, but for his own anguish of being around the gravestones, those of whom had all been someone's son, daughter, father, mother .

Lee stopped at the grave he was searching for. Fresh laid flowers dotted the bed. Friends, relatives and colleagues had already been and gone, paying their respects to a hero. He slipped his hand from Eddie's and stepped forward, laying the bouquet among the others. Eddie stayed behind while Lee stroked the lettering on the Gravestone.

PC Stanley Lewis. Beloved husband and father. London's hero.

Lee clasped his hands together, bowing his head, keeping his words to himself but saying them in his mind. His apologies. His gratitude. How he would forever wish he'd been quicker. More insistent with his orders. Then maybe Stanley would be here now.

"Lee?"

Lee spun, lips parting as Stanley's wife, two smaller children sheltered under each arm and the teenager hovering beside, approached him. "Fiona." He hadn't seen her since the funeral. Nor the children. Now older, they were young people. One a late teenager. And Stanley had missed it .

"Oh, Lee!" Fiona wriggled out from her children to throw her arms around him, snivelling into his neck. "I'm so glad you're here."

Lee held her, squeezing his eyes and trying not to spill tears on her bare shoulder. She then drew away, out of his reach and sniffed back her sobs.

"Fiona, I—"

"Please don't apologise, Lee." She shook her head. "I don't need you to again."

He'd seen her several times after the incident and had broken down each time. Apologising. Wishing, back then, it had been him.

"It isn't your fault. You were doing your job."

"I didn't do it quick enough."

"And Stanley disobeyed your orders. I know what happened, Lee. I've read the inquiry." She held a hand to his cheek. "I'm sorry for you . For what you went through. What you're probably still going through."

"I'm doing better." And he was. With a little help from his friends. And his boyfriend.

He was still getting used to that word.

"Who's that?" Fiona peered over his shoulder.

Lee smiled at Eddie standing away, watching on, quiet and subdued but damn adorable in his fashionable suit and styled hair. "That's Eddie." He turned back to Fiona. "My partner."

Fiona furrowed her brow. "I thought you retired from the Met."

"I did. Not that sort of partner. He's uh…my boyfriend." Lee beckoned Eddie over. "Eddie, I'd like you to meet Fiona, Stanley's wife. Sorry. Widow ."

"No." Fiona held out her hand. "Wife is right."

Eddie shook her hand. "Pleasure to meet you. Sorry for your loss. "

Lee smiled at him, rubbing his back as he echoed the words many had said to him over the years.

"Have we met?" Fiona regarded him as though wracking her brains trying to decipher where she knew him from.

"Ah, no." Eddie chuckled. "I'm on the tele a bit."

"And in a film," Lee added with all the pride he felt. "Which we are off to see the premiere of. Hence the tux. Sorry, this wasn't all for Stan."

"I did wonder." She tapped his chest. "You look very handsome. Both of you." She then stroked Lee's cheek, face pinching through the sorrow. "I'm glad I caught you. And I'm glad you're getting better and…" she looked at Eddie, "moving on. You look good, Lee."

"I feel good."

Eddie checked his watch. "I am really sorry, but we need to get going."

Lee dipped forward to usher Fiona into a hug, then shook hands with her three children. "Take care. All of you."

"And you, Lee." Fiona gave him a pointed look. "Stay in touch."

Lee nodded, then laced his hand in with Eddie's, rushing back to the idling car.

"You okay?" Eddie asked as they clambered into the back.

"Yeah." Lee nodded. Smiled. Squeezed Eddie's hand. "Yeah. I am."

* * * *

A few hours later, after having to stand in the background once again while Eddie schmoozed with the press on the red carpet outside London's Leicester Square along with Tiffany and Mitch, taking photographs, signing autographs, doing TV interviews, Lee sat in the middle row of the Odeon Cinema ready to watch the film that had changed his life.

Eddie sidled in beside him and squeezed his knee. Mitch did an introduction at the front for the press, then the music blasted from the surround speakers and the huge screen illuminated with a stretch of desert Lee was familiar with. The titles darted across the screen.

A Film by Mitch.

Sands of Love.

Starring Tiffany Rose and Eddie Hart.

Whistles rang out from the crowd, along with a few claps, and Eddie laughed, catching Tiffany's grin across the aisle. He then reached for Lee's hand and clasped it as they watched.

Forty minutes in, and Lee held his breath when Eddie, as Joel on the big screen, clambered over sand dunes, fury and frustration clear in his delivery. "You are so damn stupid!" he hollered to the back of Maya, "I'm in love with you!" Then he grabbed her neck, pulled her to slam against his chest, and kissed her.

Lee fidgeted in the seat, clearing his throat, and Eddie leaned into him. "That's our first kiss."

Lee wasn't able to watch the sex scene that came after that, having to stare at his lap, hand tightening in Eddie's, until Eddie nudged him, alerting him that he could come up for air now Joel had climaxed. Lee made a vow then to never watch another of Eddie's films if he was naked with someone else.

The film ended with applause and a standing ovation. Eddie was swept off again to do interviews and various other promotional related activities, before he returned to Lee and they had drinks in the bar but declined the offer of the after party to head back to Eddie's. Rupert was waiting with the bottle of Champagne, having watched the premiere on the news roundup.

"You looked stunning, Eddie," Rupert said, pouring out the bubbles in the kitchen, and they all retired to the living space to drink it.

"Thanks, Dad." Eddie held up his drink. He'd already put away much of the Champagne on offer at the premiere and was tipsy, because he huddled next to Lee, all touchy feely in front of his dad. Something they had avoided doing for Rupert's sake. But Rupert had a sappy look on his face, so Lee didn't think it was a big deal anymore. He knew they slept together. Although, only at Lee's place. Rupert wasn't ready to have Lee sharing Eddie's childhood bed with him. And Lee respected that, no matter how many times Eddie asked him to sneak in.

After several more drinks, Eddie fell asleep on Lee's shoulder, his grazing snores amusing Lee and Rupert.

"Never could stay up late," Rupert said from his corner of the sofa. "Would ask to go to sleep when he was a kid. Who does that?"

Lee gazed at Eddie. "Someone who likes dreaming."

Rupert breathed through a melancholic smile.

Lee nudged Eddie. "Hey, why don't you go to bed?"

Eddie mumbled something, but Lee couldn't decipher it. So Lee wriggled out from under him and dragged him up. "I'll get him upstairs," he said to Rupert. "See you in a sec." He then lifted Eddie into a fireman's carry and climbed the stairs. He shouldered open Eddie's bedroom door. "Come on, you. Undress."

"Want you…" Eddie slurred, wrapping his arms around Lee's neck as he lowered him onto the bed. "Make love to me."

"You're way too drunk for that. "

"Then spoon me naked while I sleep it off?"

"We're at your house." Lee aided Eddie out of his shoes, gently slipping him out of the rest of his suit down to his underwear. "I'll call you in the morning. Water." He pointed to the glass on his bedside table, then kissed him. "Night, baby."

He then left the room, clicking the door shut, and trampled down the stairs where Rupert was pouring out more Champagne in his and Lee's glasses. He held one out to him. "You don't have to go right away, do you?"

Lee took the glass. "No." He smiled. "No, I can stay a bit. Last tube not for an hour. Although, any whisky? Sort of done with bubbles."

Rupert rushed off to the kitchen and returned with two low ball glasses of neat whisky. The good stuff. Rupert always bought the good stuff. Then they sat together, just the two of them, for the first time in a long time and…talked.

About everything.

Lori. The bridge. Stanley and his wife. Olivia. Then Eddie .

"If I'm honest," Rupert said, swishing his glass. "I didn't think you and he would last beyond the first month. I thought you'd been pushed together through circumstance and threat and forced proximity. But…" he stared into his glass, then knocked the last bit back. "I don't see it slowing down now."

"No." Lee leaned forward to dump his empty glass on the coffee table. "Me either."

Rupert met his gaze, then smiled. "You like him, huh?"

"More than like."

"You want another?" Rupert pointed to his glass .

"Ah, no. I'm beat." He went to lift out of the chair. "I better get going if I want to catch the last tube." He stood.

"You don't have to go."

Lee ruffled his hair. "No offense, Ru, your spare room has a lumpy mattress. You've not changed that since I stayed over five years ago. My old back won't take it."

"You don't have to go in the spare room." Rupert stood. "You can stay with Eddie."

Lee cocked his head. "You sure?"

"It's ridiculous. You not staying here together to protect me. I'm aware you have sex. I might not want to hear it, or think about it, but we're all adults. I'll assume you can just sleep together."

"I don't sleep with anyone else."

"Good to hear it."

"Not even when alone."

"I assume we are talking actual sleep."

"We are."

"Even more reason for you to stay here, then."

Lee held his gaze, then threw himself at Rupert for a hug. Rupert tapped his back. "Go on, go to bed."

So he did. He climbed the stairs to Eddie's room, undressed to his boxers, and slipped under the sheets where he pulled Eddie to him, being the big spoon to Eddie's little. Eddie smiled. Hummed in appreciation. Snuggled in.

Lee pressed his lips to Eddie's ear. "I love you."

Eddie waited a moment, then twisted in his arms and the grin he received through the hazy darkness was worth the heartache of getting to this moment. Yeah, this is what it should feel like. Exactly like this.

"I love you, too," Eddie said. "But you already know that. "

"I do." Lee kissed him. Languid and longing, until Eddie delved a hand inside his boxers and Lee had to grab his wrist before it went around his cock that, yes, was a little interested and, yes, a little pissed off with the house rules. But he had to reaffirm them like the grown adult he was. "No sex."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No."

"You tell me you love me for the first time and you don't want me to follow that up by giving you a blowjob?"

"Um…no."

Eddie threw his head back and laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"You." Eddie kissed him. "You're a dream come true."

Lee smiled. Kissed him. And Eddie spun around, clasping Lee's arms around him as he snuggled back into the little spoon and drifted off to that dreamland he favoured so much.

Lee? Lee stayed awake a little longer. He rarely had nightmares anymore, but still suffered with occasional bouts of insomnia. It didn't matter that he rarely slept anymore though, because when he was awake, his life with Eddie was as good as any dream.

Thank you for reading Lee and Eddie's story. Their book concludes volume one of the Flying into Love series. If you have enjoyed this book, please leave a little review.

I have immensely enjoyed travelling the world, falling in love, but I now pause this series to start a new one that's been running around in my head for a while. And it starts with a little Christmas book to pull us in.

Pre Order All Wrapped Up which will introduce the setting and one character from a new romantic suspense series starting in 2025!