Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Colby

Four years later

"J esus. This is incredible," Roe said as he walked up to the counter at New Beginnings, Colby's brewery in Harmony. Roe had seen the building, of course, considering remodeling had been a family affair. Holden helped a lot, and Roe did when he was off from the shop, and of course, Vince was with Colby every moment he wasn't at the farm.

But today was the grand opening, and they were packed. There was hardly enough room to walk around, it was so busy.

Colby's chest swelled with pride as Vince put an arm around him.

"Thanks. I can't believe it's finally happening," Colby told his brother. Holden was with him, of course. Their parents were here as well, along with Colby and Roe's siblings and partners.

"I'm so happy for you, man," Clint said just as August approached them with Deke and Grady.

"What do you suggest we get?" Grady asked.

Colby took the time to pick out something different for each of them, going by what he thought they would like best. They'd all tasted a thousand samples of his beer over the years. Colby had taken the time to study his craft, to come up with new flavors and ways to stand out. He'd been lucky to be as supported by his family as he had been. Once everyone knew about his dream, they had never treated it like a hobby, giving Colby the space and freedom he needed to follow his heart. He was so damn lucky to have them all.

"Damn, this is good," Holden said.

"I like the sweet taste of mine," Deacon added.

It hadn't been easy. There were many times when he'd wondered if this was silly, and all the paperwork, permits, and legal hoops he'd had to jump through weren't his favorite part, but as he stood there, serving beer to his friends and family, he knew every moment of it had been worth it.

"My baby comes up with that good shit," Vince said, nuzzling his throat.

Holden rolled his eyes. Roe pretended to be grossed out, and Colby just ate up the moment. He was even more in love with Vince now than he'd been four years ago. It had taken some work, but he understood now that he'd never been broken. There had never been anything wrong with him, and there wouldn't be even if he didn't love Vince. But he was glad he did. Vince made his life richer every day. He was so damn grateful for his man.

"Be good. George and Marin just got here," Colby said, noticing Vince's aunt and uncle arrive. They'd come to Harmony for the grand opening. Vince and his family were trying to make it a point to see each other more, to keep in contact better. Colby adored them both, and his family loved them too.

"Hey, Auntie." Vince walked around the counter to give her a hug, then George. Colby followed behind and did the same, before his friends and family offered their hellos too.

The night was busy, and Colby didn't have as much time to visit everyone as he had hoped, but it wasn't like he was complaining about the popularity of New Beginnings. Sure, it was only opening day, but he also had a strong business online. He knew everything would work out the way it was supposed to, and hell, if it didn't, he always had Vince.

"Where's your next trip going to be?" Aunt Marin asked. They'd done a bit of traveling over the past few years. They hadn't gone everywhere they wanted, but they'd made it to see some of Europe, California, and New Orleans.

"We haven't planned it yet. We need to get things settled with the brewery first," Vince told them.

"Just don't work too hard. Make sure you have time for fun," George added.

"We will," Colby said. He'd waited a long time to really start living his life. He hadn't until Vince was in it, but they sure as shit lived it now. Both of them. Together.

Vince adjusted his backward cap and gave Colby a sexy wink.

"And the farm?" Marin asked, which made Vince glow like it always did. While his parents still lived there and still worked their asses off as much as they could, most all the operations went through Dennis, Vince, and Jackie now. They'd welcomed Vince on board, just like he was a Covington, because marriage license or not, he was one. Vince was family. He was the man Colby loved. And luckily, his family loved him too.

Vince spoke to them about the farm as the night went on. Colby couldn't stop smiling, even when it was closing time and he was dead on his feet. Owning a brewery wouldn't be easy, but he welcomed the challenge.

"We wanted to talk to you both for a few minutes before we head out," Colby's mom said, holding his dad's hand. He'd aged a bit in the last couple of years, but there was still no keeping Charles Covington down for good.

"Is everything okay?" Colby asked, reaching out and clasping Vince's hand for support. Everyone was gone now except the family.

"It is," his dad said. "We just…well, wanted to talk to you two and let you know that we want it to be official with Vince."

Colby's heart dropped. Were they going to start harassing them now? It wasn't that Colby was against marrying Vince; he just didn't need it. They had paperwork done so they were each other's legal next of kin and things like that, and that was enough for them.

"What your father is trying to say is, Vince has put his heart into the farm, and when we pass, which will hopefully be a long, long time from now, Covington Acres will go to our kids and their spouses. The two of you aren't married, and that's okay, but we'd like to add Vince's name to the paperwork." She looked at Vince. "You're family, and this farm belongs to family."

Colby's face hurt, he smiled so big. His heart thumped against his chest. It was perfect. He loved his parents so much for this.

"You don't have to," Vince said. "That's a big step, and—"

"Say yes," Colby cut him off. "They wouldn't do it if they didn't want to."

"We're all in agreement on this," Roe added. "You're our brother now too."

Marin squeezed Vince's shoulder, Colby assumed telling him to go for it.

Vince turned to him, then back to their family. "Thank you…I don't know what to say. You won't regret it. I love that farm more than just about anything…well, except for your son."

There were chuckles, then hugs and kisses. This night was everything Colby could have wished for, and more.

"Thank you," Vince said again.

"Dinner on Sunday," his mama added. "Will you two be here?" she asked Vince's aunt and uncle.

The dinners were smaller now. Wyatt was at NC State, playing football. Though Raleigh wasn't far, he was living his life and didn't get home as often as they'd all like.

Reese was off at college too, though he'd gone out of state. Scout too. Sean had been the only one to stay home. Roe, Holden, and his mama had made sure he knew he could leave, that they would support him and help pay for it, but Sean had decided against it. He was going to a local community college and working with Holden when he could. Colby didn't know for sure, but he thought the choice hadn't made Wyatt very happy. While they seemed okay, there was a distance between them that hadn't been there before.

"We sure will," Marin replied.

There was another round of hugs while everyone said their goodbyes. Colby followed them all to the door, locking it behind them, and now it was only him and Vince.

"You did it, baby." Vince wrapped his arms around Colby.

"Because of you."

He shook his head. "No. Because of you."

"Because of us." Vince had taught him how to love, how to fight for himself, had helped Colby figure out who he was. "I love you, Vince…so fucking much, you know that?"

"I love you too. Forever. Finally found where I belong."

They both had, and it was right here, where Colby had always been. In this place that so many others had fallen in love with. There was something special about Briar County, and Colby couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life here, with Vince.

The End