Epilogue

Liam

The morning sun reflected off Cedar Cove Lake's still waters as the memory of our wedding day's peacefulness filled my heart. I stood at the edge of the dock, tightening the knot on the boat's anchor as Cory tossed his gear into the boat with that casual, unhurried pace you only get in a place like this. The new cabin, our cabin, stood proudly behind us.

"Get your ass in gear, Liam. Fish ain't gonna wait all day," Derek said, chuckling as he yanked his fishing rod from the back of the truck. He was more laid-back than I'd seen him in a long time. The old Derek was slowly coming back—less weighted by the gambling demons that had haunted him.

"Yeah, yeah. Give me a second," I shot back as I secured the last knot.

Cory, arms crossed over this chest with his usual scowl, let out a grunt. "Jesus, can't believe you two are still going on about fishing like it's some life-changing event. It's a damn fish."

"Shut it, Cory. You're just pissed 'cause you suck at it," Derek ribbed, tossing his gear into the boat with a smirk.

Cory shot him a glare, arms crossed over his chest. "If I don't catch anything, then you're a useless fishing guide."

I couldn't help but laugh at their banter. "Yeah, yeah, you're both full of shit," I said, shaking my head as I finally climbed aboard. "Let's get things moving."

Mia, who had been standing nearby watching the show with her usual amused expression, raised an eyebrow. "Are you boys done? Or did you forget I'm here?"

Derek straightened up, flashing an apologetic grin. "Sorry, Mia. Got carried away."

Cory just shrugged, muttering, "Didn't mean anything by it."

I shot Mia a wink. "Don't mind ‘em. You know how these guys are. No class."

Mia shook her head, but her smile was soft, affectionate. "I figured as much. Just try to remember there's a lady on board."

Finally, Mia boarded and we pushed off, the motor humming as we glided out toward the middle of the lake. The water was smooth as glass, the kind of serenity you don't get in the city. I leaned back, taking in the view, a rare moment of contentment washing over me.

"You're all talk, Cory," I teased, leaning over to nudge him. "Let's see if you can actually catch something today."

Cory snorted, pulling a flask from his pocket and unscrewing the cap. "Keep dreaming. I'm just here for the booze."

Derek chuckled, shaking his head. "You've been bitching all morning, and now you're ready to drink?"

"Hell, it's the only thing that makes listening to you two bearable," Cory shot back before taking a long swig.

Mia, trying to hide a smirk, crossed her arms and gave me a knowing look. "I think this is about as close to ‘relaxation' as Cory's ever gonna get."

"Damn right," Cory muttered, shifting in his seat. His perpetual grumpiness was something we'd all gotten used to, but there was no mistaking the flicker of ease in his eyes. The lake had a way of softening even the hardest edges. And Cory, for all his billionaire seriousness, wasn't completely immune.

I glanced over at Mia, feeling that familiar swell of pride. We'd built something good here—something worth holding on to. And today, with our closest friends here, fishing gear loaded up, and nothing on the horizon but clear skies and a calm lake, I couldn't think of a better way to spend the morning.

"Alright," I said, casting my line into the water with a flick of my wrist. "Let's see who can actually catch something first, huh?"

Derek leaned over the edge, already baiting his hook. "Bet your ass it's gonna be me."

Cory took another swig from his flask, raising it in a mock salute. "Here's to the biggest bullshitters on this damn lake."

Mia laughed, shaking her head as she reclined back, soaking in the sun. "Well, if it's a contest of who can talk the most shit, I'd say Cory's already won."

Cory grunted, but a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. Maybe Cedar Cove really was working its magic on him.

With the sun fully up and the boat gently rocking near the edge of the lake, the air was still and calm—perfect fishing weather. Derek cast his line, the reel buzzing as it sailed out over the water. Meanwhile, Cory leaned back, looking indifferent as ever, clearly in no rush to actually catch anything.

I moved to the small bar built into the side of the boat, popping the cork off a bottle of champagne. "Alright, you lazy bastards, time for a proper toast."

Derek glanced over his shoulder, grinning. "That's more like it. Thought you'd gone soft on us, Liam."

"Never." I poured champagne into three glasses, then handed them over to Derek and Cory, who accepted theirs with raised eyebrows. Mia, standing beside me, smiled as she fixed herself a mimosa, mixing the champagne with some fresh orange juice we'd packed for the trip. The sparkle of the rings on her finger caught the sunlight, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of it.

"Champagne on a fishing boat? Now I've seen it all," Cory muttered, taking a sip with a smirk. "You really are rich, aren't you?"

I chuckled, shaking my head as I raised my own glass. "Here's to good friends, new chapters, and—hopefully—one of you actually catching something today. But I'm not holding my breath."

Derek raised his glass, grinning. "I'll drink to that."

We clinked glasses, the sound light and crisp against the lake's quiet. Mia took a sip of her mimosa, then leaned into me, her head resting against my shoulder as she gazed out over the water.

"You know," she said softly, her voice warm and content, "this is exactly what I imagined when I thought about life here. It's simple, peaceful, perfect."

I wrapped my arm around her, the moment as calm and steady as the water around us. It was everything we'd hoped for.

Cory sat back, his eyes scanning the horizon as the boat gently rocked on the water. He hadn't bothered casting a line, just like I knew he wouldn't. The guy was too damn focused on the conversation, or maybe just too detached to care about fishing.

"So, Derek," Cory said, his voice breaking the silence, "you mentioned that Riverstone Hospital's foundation is gearing up for another fundraiser."

Derek nodded, adjusting his grip on the rod as he sat down next to Cory. "Yeah, we're hoping to make it bigger this time around, but the planning has been... rough. Honestly, I'm not sure I've got the right team in place."

Cory took a slow sip from his champagne glass, his eyes narrowing slightly as he leaned forward. "Sounds like you need someone who knows what they're doing. Fundraising's no joke, especially for something the size of your foundation."

I shot Cory a look, knowing where this was headed. "You got any recommendations, Cory?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.

He glanced over at me, then back at Derek. "I might know a few people who can help. I've worked with a few foundations over the years—some good, some not so much. But I can pull some strings, get you in touch with the right folks."

Derek's expression softened, a mix of relief and appreciation crossing his face. "That'd be a huge help. We're trying to do more for the community and get people involved. I just don't want this thing to flop."

"It won't," Cory said, his voice low and steady. "Not if you get the right team behind it. I'll see what I can do."

Mia, who'd been quietly sipping her drink beside me, glanced up at Cory, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "You really have connections in that world, huh?"

Cory shrugged, his gruff exterior softening just a touch. "I've been doing this philanthropy thing for a while. Helps when you've got more money than you know what to do with."

Derek chuckled, but Cory's next words grabbed my attention.

"To be honest," Cory said, taking another sip, "I've been thinking about getting out of Dallas for a while. I grew up in Beaver Creek, not far from here, and Cedar Cove's got a nice pace to it, and I'm tired of the city. Hell, I might even buy a cabin out here to stay part-time, see if I can get some peace and quiet."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You? Leaving the city?"

Cory smirked, though it was tinged with something more serious. "Broke things off with my girlfriend a few months ago. I needed a change of scenery, and Cedar Cove's looking pretty damn good right now. Plus," he added, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, "I never pass up a good fishing trip."

Mia smiled at him, her voice teasing. "Fishing trip, huh? You haven't even cast a line yet."

Cory shrugged. "It's the company that matters. Besides, the fish will still be there tomorrow."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Sounds like we've got a plan. Maybe next time, you'll actually try to catch something."

Cory just grunted, but there was a hint of a sideways smile hovering on his lips.

As the conversation drifted back to lighter topics, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment settle in. The future was looking pretty damn good—for all of us. Cory, with his grumpy self, might just find his peace out here in Cedar Cove. And as for Mia and I—we were already building something real, something solid.

This life we'd carved out together felt right, and even with all the business talk and the big plans ahead, I knew one thing for sure—we were exactly where we were meant to be.

By noon, the conversation had shifted from business to casual banter. We'd covered all we needed for the day—plans, the future, and Cory's possible regular visits to Cedar Cove. But I could see Mia watching us, an amused glint in her eye as we fell into another round of easygoing jabs and insults.

I caught her eye, raising an eyebrow. "What's on your mind?"

She shook her head, smiling softly. "Just enjoying watching you guys do your thing. You don't take a day off very often."

Derek laughed, casting another line. "You're right, Mia. But today, we earned it."

Cory, though still leaning back with his usual disinterested look, nodded in agreement. "Damn straight. Sometimes, it's nice to take a break from saving the world."

I grinned, reaching for the champagne bottle again, but Mia caught my hand just before I popped the cork. "Maybe go easy on the bubbles?" she teased. "I'm still recovering from last night's wedding celebration."

I chuckled, pulling my hand back. "Fair point. Last thing I want is to get us all tipsy out here."

Cory's gaze shifted to the horizon, his tone softening just a bit. "Speaking of last night... sorry I couldn't make it, but from the looks of things, it was a hell of a wedding."

Derek nodded, a wide grin spreading across his face. "You missed out, Cory. Small, intimate, and just about perfect."

Mia leaned into me, her fingers gently intertwined with mine. "It was everything we wanted," she said, her voice full of contentment. "Just close friends and my parents—no big spectacle."

Cory nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "That's how it should be."

As we slowly packed up the fishing gear, preparing to head back to shore, I turned to Cory. "You know, while you're shopping for real estate here at Cedar Cove, you've got a place to stay until you find something."

Cory grunted in response, but his eyes showed a rare warmth. "I might take you up on that, Archer."

Derek chuckled, "Just don't expect us to let you off easy next time you come fishing. You'll get a bad rep if you don't, at least, try to catch something."

Cory rolled his eyes, taking a swig from his flask. "We'll see."

As we docked the boat and stepped onto solid ground, I looked around at the small group—Mia, Derek, and Cory—and felt a deep sense of gratitude. This wasn't just a casual fishing trip. It was a gathering of family in every sense of the word.

Mia squeezed my hand as we began walking back toward the cabin. "You know," she said, her voice soft and full of emotion, "I've never been happier than I am right now. This life... it's everything I ever wanted."

I squeezed her hand back, the warmth of her words settling deep in my chest. "Me too, Mia. And it's just the beginning."

We paused on the porch, the sunlight casting a spell over us. I glanced at Mia, smiling as I remembered the next adventure we had planned.

"And hey," I said, "don't forget—we've got our honeymoon in Paris coming up next week."

Mia's eyes lit up as she turned to me. "How could I forget? Paris, you, and the Louvre... that wildlife exhibit I've been dying to see."

I nodded, wrapping my arms around her, feeling the weight of our journey in that embrace. "The timing couldn't be more perfect. A celebration of us amidst the awesome backdrop of Paris."

Her smile held a thousand promises as she nestled closer to me. "Absolutely," she whispered.