Epilogue

D ali

December

I waited anxiously for Kennessy’s approval. I’d already gotten permission from their parents to propose to Kassadee but I wanted Ken’s input on the ring I’d purchased. He was staring at it for far too long, and I was starting to get worried.

“Is it not big enough?” I asked.

He chuckled. “No, it’s actually too big. You’re gonna make my sister a walking target with this big ass ring.”

Snatching it from his hand, I shoved it into my pocket. We were getting ready for a group trip to Denver for Christmas. Our parents were going to Vegas for what they called an elder’s escape, and I could only imagine what they were going to get into.

“Trust me, ain’t nobody gon’ try Kassadee. They know she belongs to me.”

“Whatever, nigga. You just make sure a pistol comes with that boulder if you insist on giving it to her.”

That was good enough, so I smiled and accepted his approval. Since she loved mountains, my plan was to propose after a day trip to Grand Lake in front of the Rocky Mountains. Both Siri and Mona were going to be there, and her mother had already made me promise to have someone record it to send them the video.

Kennessy had surprisingly proposed to Siri on Thanksgiving, and I was still in shock over that. I was happy he’d finally done it and wished nothing but the best for them. Germany and Mona still said they were just friends, and I think that was more for Mona’s sake than anything else. Germany didn’t have the best reputation. Maybe she didn’t want people to think she was crazy if she liked him. Either way, they were still kicking it tough, and I liked her for him. Twila’s baby turned out to be Vincent’s, and after three additional run-ins with Germany that resulted in him getting his ass whupped, Vincent made the decision to leave town.

Ken and I busied ourselves with putting the last of our bags in my truck. It was the girl’s bright idea to make this a road trip instead of flying because they wanted to sightsee. I was cool with that because I was sure with all of us together on a party bus, we’d make some good memories. When we were done, we headed to pick everyone up, and I couldn’t wait to get to Denver. Not only would I have a good time with my people, but I’d be able to propose to my girl as well.

In Denver

This Colorado weed had us on another level. I’m not sure what the hell we were thinking playing football at the resort, in shorts and T-shirts no less, but that’s what we were doing. While Siri, Mona, and Dynasty’s date for the trip cheered from the sidelines by the firepit, my lady was on the makeshift field.

Kassadee’s love of sports was one of the first things that made me fall in love with her. As feminine as she was now, she was a tomboy back in the day. I thought back to how she used to run behind us trying to play whatever we were playing, do whatever we were doing. It used to drive Kennessy crazy, and I secretly loved every minute of it.

As I tossed the ball in Dynasty’s direction, she intercepted it, tumbling slightly down the snowy hill. Regardless of how tough she was, she was still my woman, so the sight immediately scared the shit out of me. I rushed down the hill toward her, instantly thinking back to when we were kids and she scarred her knee after Everett pushed her.

I still didn’t like that nigga because of that to this day!

“Ah.” Kas groaned, rolling from one side to the other.

“You good, bae?” I asked, kneeling next to her. “Where does it hurt?”

“It’s just my back but I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, gently picking her up.

“I’m positive, babe. I’ve survived worst.”

Her giggle was the only thing that calmed me. As I carried her up the hill, everyone asked if she was okay while Ken scolded her and told her she was done playing for the day. I carried her to our suite and sat her on the edge of the bed as I removed her snowy clothing. She stared up at me, biting down on her bottom lip, and I had to hold my laugh in because she was clearly high. Her ass would probably be sore once it wore off, but for now, she was good.

After I had her clothes off, I grabbed her pajamas and cut the fireplace on. I asked if she wanted hot cocoa or coffee from room service and she opted for hot cocoa. Though she insisted she was fine and I could go back out, I undressed and climbed into bed with her. Kassadee wasted no time cuddling up on my chest and released a moan of relief.

“You’ve always been my protector,” she said before yawning. “I feel so safe with you.”

“I’m glad you know you’re safe with me, and I’m honored to protect you. Every part of you will always be safe with me.”

I kissed the top of her forehead and resisted the urge to propose to her now. “I love you, Dali. I have ever since you knocked Everett out for me.”

We shared a quiet laugh. “What’s crazy is that was the first thing that came to mind when I saw you fall. You damn near gave me a heart attack then and now.”

She giggled and held me tighter. “That was the moment I knew I could trust you. I couldn’t vocally express that then, but I felt it. Even when we had our moments of distance with time, I knew if I ever needed you, you’d be there. Now you’re here for forever… not just because I’m your best friend’s sister but because I’m—”

“Because you’re my fiancée, soon to be my wife.”

“Hmm?”

Unable to wait any longer, I slipped out of bed and grabbed the ring from my bag. Her eyes never left the ring as I walked back over to the bed. She sat up and leaned against the headboard, blinking back her tears.

“I remember our fake wedding, our first kiss, the loss of our virginities, beating niggas asses over you… I remember it all.” She blushed and buried her head in my chest, but I cupped her cheek and pulled her gaze back to my eyes before wrapping my pinky around hers. “I’m grateful for the memories of our past, the experiences in our present, and the hope of our future. You’ve always been my one, Kas. There’s no one else I want to do life with but you. Will you marry me… for real this time?”

She gently tugged me to her by my beard and gave me a tender kiss. With a moan, she pulled away. “We’re forever and always, baby. Yes!”

I knew she’d say yes, but her actually saying it made my heart skip a beat.

“Yes?”

Kassadee giggled. “Yes. Gimme my ring!”

I chuckled and slid the ring onto her finger. She gave me another quick kiss before lifting her hand to her face and swooning over the ring. I was glad I followed my first mind and selected the ten-carat beauty. Kas wasn’t materialistic by any means, but she loved gifts, and this ring would be the best gift I could give her. It had to be perfect, and I felt great pride in knowing I’d gotten something she approved of.

“I have to go show the girls!”

“Hol’ on now. It’s some I want you to show me first,” I countered, using her ankle to pull her down flat on the bed.

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” she asked, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“I wanna see how many times I can make you cum before room service gets up here.”

“Mm… sounds fun. Let’s see.”

“Good. I love when you be a good girl and let daddy demolish that pussy.”

The End