Epilogue

SUMMER

One Year Later

" Y ou worry too much, Summer," Terese, my mother-in-law, says with a warm smile, brushing my hair. "He's going to love it. Thank you for coming home for the ceremony. How was Malta?"

"Gorgeous," I tell her, unable to contain my smile. "Warm, welcoming, and the gift that keeps on giving."

She nuzzles against me. "I know. I can't believe after all this time, I get my son, my baby boy is home, and he's brought me a daughter and soon a grandchild. I can't wait. I'm so happy for you two."

"Don't forget a sister." Mom beams with joy as she strolls into the large suite of the hotel where Bodey and I will wed in a few hours. My heart and nerves are in jumbles as she comes toward us with something in her hand. She kisses Terese Scarpella on the cheek. The both of them are so happy, and I'm finally the daughter I deserve to be.

Mom hands me a small velvet box the size of a postcard. Inside is a sapphire barrette that fits nicely under the veil I'm supposed to wear, but I haven't even touched my gown yet, still wearing my corset and thong under a silk robe as my mothers help me get ready.

The knock on the door breaks the moment, and Bodey shouts from the other side. "I have a gift for my bride. Everyone out."

Mom giggles. "It's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony."

"I can navigate around Summer with my eyes shut, Debs," Bodey assures her. He opens the door with his eyes closed, and our mothers leave, both kissing him on the cheek as they do.

I pull out my own box. While it's nothing like a sapphire barrette, it's a beautiful piece of art.

"I have a gift for you too," I tell him as he steps closer, opening his eyes that drag their gaze down my silhouette. I hand him the box, which he slides open to reveal a brand-new black steel knife with his name carved into the handle. "Now, that's not for work with your dad."

"Of course not. I can't very well stab someone with a weapon that has my name on it, but you can put your initials on me before the ceremony. We've spent the past year getting to know everything about one another, and I'd be the luckiest man alive if you showed the world who I belong to."

"It would be my pleasure."

Bodey drops to his knees with his face directly in front of my pussy as he opens my robe. While Bodey makes me feel like the most important person in his life, his fingers and mouth work to bring me to ecstasy one last time as an unmarried woman. As he pleasures me, I delicately etch my soon-to-be new initials onto the side of his neck.

"Summer Calisi-Scarpella," I mouth my name as I dab my handiwork with my robe.

"I love you, Summer. Let's go make these initials official."

"I love you too, Bodey."

THE END