13. Epilogue

13

Epilogue

Alex

A year later

I have always loved the Christmas in July fundraiser and last year will be hard to top, but this year just might do it.

Once again, Young and Associates are lucky enough to have The Pandemonium Pixies playing at the party and helping to raise money. Of course, this year no one is really surprised. Rosie and I have been a couple for a year, and it was expected that the band would play.

They finish their first set and promise to come back for the sing-along in thirty minutes. Phoebe rushes over to me before Rosie can. "Do not take my sister back to that supply closet, Alex Young."

"I wasn't planning on it, Phoebe," I say and I'm telling the truth.

She squints her eyes. "What do you have planned, Alex? I know you almost as well as Rosie does, except for the naked stuff," at this she shivers like I'm repulsive, "and I can tell when you are up to something."

"Maybe…maybe not," I tease. "You'll just have to wait and see."

Maggie comes up then and asks Phoebe if she gave me the warning. Dating Rosie has given me the most amazing woman to love and two little sisters to torture. Being an only child it's been fun to learn this new dynamic and how much you can actually bother a person who loves you and it's just considered part of family life.

Rosie comes out from behind the stage then and I leave her two sisters to join her. She's gorgeous, like always and I wish we could find time for the supply closet.

"I had to promise not to ravish you during the break," I tell her as I hand her a bottle of water and kiss her cheek.

"Where's the fun in that?"

"Well, two certain someones are running a tight ship this year for some reason," I say and point at Maggie and Phoebe who are watching us.

"Maggie thinks you are up to something, but she can't figure it out. She doesn't trust you suddenly."

"She's just nervous about her meeting next month about her solo record. I love that you are all branching out, but if she's not ready she can tell them no."

"She's ready. I know it," Rosie says firmly.

I nod. If Rosie's sure, then that's it. The sisters have all branched out to different projects in the last year. It's been amazing to see them do different things and it's made them stronger as a group.

"Hey, everyone," Liz says into the mic. "I think Alex wanted to say a few words before the sing-along."

Rosie looks at me with surprise, but I just smile and give her a quick kiss. Then I make my way to the stage.

"Hey everyone. I want to thank you for coming to the Christmas in July fundraiser for the Hope Foundation. This year we've raised even more than last year which was a record year. So, thank you everyone for your generosity. I know that most of you know I met the love of my life at the party last year, so this fundraiser will always be important to us. It's been an amazing year we've spent together and so I thought I would just ask her tonight, in front of everyone…" I start to walk off the stage and toward Rosie who is frozen with tears in her eyes.

I hear Maggie yell, "I told you he was up to something."

I laugh and continue to Rosie, "Rosie Stone, I love you more than anything else in this world. The adventure we started here a year ago has taken us all over the globe and challenged us in ways we didn't know would happen. There is no one I could imagine walking this life with and no one I can ever love as much as I love you. I will love you till my last breath and beyond. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Phoebe snickers, "Isn't he supposed to be down on one knee?" She quiets when Rosie sends her a death look.

"Yes, Alex, I want to be your wife more than anything." She holds her hand out and I place the diamond engagement ring I bought almost a year ago on her hand. I would have asked her to marry me when we reconciled, but Rosie asked me to wait. She was right. This was perfect, heckling sisters included.

"I love you." I kiss her in front of everyone and the crowd applauds.

"I love you too."