57. Epilogue

Devon

One year later…

“Smile and say cheese!”

“Cheese!” we say in unison, the photographer smiling as he snaps our photo.

“Perfect!” he says, glancing down at the camera screen. “These are beautiful. Is there anything else you want while I’m here?” he asks, looking at all of us.

The answer should be no because we’ve already been doing this for too long and I’m ready to be in the air conditioning. I’m pretty sure the sun is out to kill me today with how hot and sunny it is.

“Yes!” Summer shouts. “How about you get some photos of just Tate and Devon?”

I roll my eyes. “We have enough selfies and photos from you. Don’t waste his time.”

“It’s no trouble,” the photographer says. “How about by that tree over there? ”

I huff a sigh and glance at Tate. He shrugs, giving me the we better just listen to her look.

“Fine.”

The whole group follows us over to the tree the photographer suggested.

Summer wanted family photos, so we’re doing family photos. Me, Tate, Dad, Dane, Astrid, Summer, and her parents. Honestly, I’m sure they’re going to come out great, and I love that she’s putting together all these memories for Astrid. She even made sure all of us match outfits. It’s cute but a little over the top. Still, she’s my best friend, so of course I go along with it. It’s for my niece, how could I not?

Besides, it’ll be nice to have some family photos that include Tate, since he has none. We’ve since moved in with each other—a brand new house with an enormous pool—and I found not even a single photo of him and his father when I helped him pack. There were no photos of his mother either, which made me realize that he may not know what she looks like. Tate never went to visit his father before he passed, which he said he’s okay with. It was his decision, and even though I don’t agree with it, ultimately it was his choice. Tate seems to be doing okay with his father’s passing, and honestly just doing great all around. Life is damn good.

“Here?” I say, standing under the Red Sunset Maple tree that has always been one of my favorites out here. I missed not seeing them when I was in Myrtle Beach—a place I haven’t been spending much of my time lately, but can’t complain about. I love being back home with my family. But I love the little bubbles Tate and I have elsewhere. There’s five so far, all over the US. And when life gets tough, either because of work or family drama or just life in general, we escape to one. We reset. We find ourselves in each other. And we come back better and stronger than ever.

“There is perfect,” the photographer says.

He guides us into different poses, some of which I think will come out really cute. Definitely better than selfies, so I guess I don’t hate this idea. But I’m hungry, and this is taking way too long. When Summer said photos, I thought it would be a quick ten-minute thing. We’ve already been at this for an hour.

“Okay, I have one more idea,” the photographer says. I try not to roll my eyes. He’s just trying to make sure we get wonderful photos, which is his job. I can’t be mad at him for that. “I saw this pose the other day, and I haven’t tried it yet, but this is a good place for it.”

“Sure, just tell me what to do,” I say, forcing a smile.

“Just stand right here,” he tells me. So, I do. “You, sir, come right here.”

I turn my attention to Summer and stick my tongue out at her. She owes me so much food. Astrid is smiling big, jumping up and down, super excited about the photos. It’s adorable.

Dane is standing right there with them, and god they make such a beautiful family.

How I spent so much time with Astrid and never saw the resemblance between her and my brother is insane. It still baffles me.

“Earth to Devon!”

“Hm, what?” I blink a few times, and Summer is gesturing in front of me .

“Oh, right. Sorry.”

The photographer is holding his camera up, ready to take pictures. He snaps a few, changes angles, then snaps a few more.

“Now, I need you to turn around. Last one, promise,” he calls out.

With a huff, I do as he says and nearly fall to the ground. Because behind me, on one knee, with a small red velvet box in his hand, is Tate.

Tears fill my eyes immediately. The shock is overwhelming.

“Tate—”

“Devon Kensington, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life. There isn’t a day that goes by when I’m not thankful for everything that I have because of you. You’ve made me a better man, and though I’d like to think I make you better, you’re already the best there is so that’s impossible.” He chuckles, but I cry harder. He flips the box open, and the diamond ring sparkles in the light. “Will you do me the biggest honor and marry me?”

I’m sobbing now, sure my makeup is running down my face. I faintly hear the camera clicking away, and it partially registers that they planned this entire thing. All of them. Everyone knew about this but me.

“I’ll call in my winning favor if I have to,” Tate says, and I choke out a laugh.

“Keep your favor,” I say through a sob, holding my hand out. “Yes! I will marry you, Tato!”

With the biggest grin I’ve ever seen, Tate stands and puts the ring on my finger. Then he lifts me up and spins me around. The camera is still snapping away .

“They’re getting married!” Astrid shouts. “Married, married, married! I’m gonna have a Uncle! Uncle Tato!”

I laugh hard, holding my hand out to look at my ring that fits perfectly on my finger. Holy cow, I’m getting married!

I grab Tate’s face and kiss him so hard it hurts.

“I love you so much,” I tell him.

“And I love you,” he responds.

“Did you really think you’d have to use your favor?” I ask, smiling at him. He jokes about that all the time, bringing up the fact he made me come so quickly as often as he can. I doubt he cares about the favor, he just likes showing off.

“Not at all,” he says. “Just like to remind you that I still have it if I need it.”

I lean down to kiss him, then turn to my family and shout, “We’re getting married!”

They all cheer, whooping and clapping. Everyone is smiling and hugging each other. Tate puts me on my feet and Astrid reaches me first, hugging me tightly. Then it’s Summer. Then Dane and Dad. Finally, I’m back in Tate’s arms.

My fiancé… my future husband.