Epilogue

Levi

Eight months later

I t feels like a lifetime and a heartbeat all at once. Standing here, dressed in my best suit, I reflect on everything that's happened since that fateful day when Maya and I first crossed paths again. Who could have imagined that a simple conservation project would lead us to this moment?

As I look around, taking in the scene at Turtle Haven in Key Largo, it all feels surreal. The place is beautiful, with the ceremony set up on the beach, the ocean stretching out behind us like a vast, endless promise. White chairs are arranged neatly in rows, decorated with simple seashell garlands that Maya insisted on. The archway is draped in soft, flowing fabric, adorned with tropical flowers in shades of coral and peach that match the sunset we'll see later.

I let out a breath, my thoughts drifting back to the past year. Officer Moore is in jail, serving a fifteen-year sentence alongside two other Wildlife Officers who were caught up in illegal activities. The case was more extensive than we ever imagined, and the plea bargain he struck didn't just take down his turtle poaching operation—it uncovered a network of corruption that reached far beyond what we originally thought. Justice was served, and it felt like the right ending to a dark chapter.

Maya and I didn't just survive that ordeal; we thrived. She's thrown herself into her new role with OceanLife, and I've never seen her more passionate—or more at peace. She's working on an incredible coral spawning project now, dedicated to restoring the reef. Every time she talks about it, her eyes light up with excitement, and I can see the future she's building, one piece of coral at a time. She's already made so much progress and knowing that her work will help the turtles we care so much about is the icing on the cake.

As for me, life has changed in ways I never expected. I'm still running my tour company, still getting out on the water every day just like my father did. But now, I'm also a part of something bigger. Whenever OceanLife needs a boat captain for a project, I'm their guy, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My experiences with the team give me a deeper connection to the ocean, and I share that passion with everyone who comes on my tours. I talk about the reef, the turtles, and the importance of protecting our fragile ecosystem. It feels like I'm doing more than just showing people the beauty of the ocean—I'm helping them understand why it matters so much.

But today… today isn't about work or conservation projects. Today is about us—Maya and me—and the life we're about to start together.

I stand at the altar, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Hank is by my side, looking every bit the best man, he is. He gives me a reassuring nod, his usual stoic expression softened by a rare smile. "You ready for this?" he asks, his voice low.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "I've never been more ready for anything in my life."

Sarah, Maya's maid of honor, is fussing with the flowers in her hands, but she catches my eye and winks. "She's going to knock your socks off, Levi," she says with a grin. "Just wait."

I don't have to wait long. The soft strains of music begin, and everyone turns to look as Maya appears at the end of the aisle. The moment I see her, my heart stops.

She's breathtaking. Her dress is simple yet elegant, a flowing white gown that moves with the breeze, catching the light of the late afternoon sun. A crown of delicate flowers rests on her head, and her hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders. But it's her smile that floors me—a smile so full of love and joy that it makes everything else fade away.

As she walks toward me, her eyes locked on mine, I feel a swell of emotion that I can't put into words. It's everything—our past, our present, our future—all wrapped up in this one perfect moment. I feel like the luckiest man in the world.

When she reaches me, I take her hands in mine, and the world around us falls away. It's just the two of us, standing on this beach, ready to start our life together.

The officiant begins to speak, but all I can focus on is Maya. Her eyes are shining with unshed tears, and I can feel the same in my own. The words of the ceremony pass in a blur until it's time for our vows.

Maya goes first, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "Levi, when we first met again after all those years, I never imagined we'd be here today. But you've shown me what it means to love unconditionally, to stand by each other no matter what. I promise to love you, to support you, and to be your partner in all things, for the rest of our lives."

I squeeze her hands, feeling the weight of her words. "Maya," I begin, my voice thick with emotion, "you've changed my life in ways I never expected. You've made me a better man, and I'm so grateful for every moment we've shared. I promise to love you, to protect you, and to always be by your side, come what may. I'm all in, now and forever."

The officiant smiles, saying the final words that will seal our fate. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Levi, you may kiss your bride."

I don't need to be told twice. I pull Maya into my arms and kiss her, feeling her smile against my lips. The world erupts in cheers and applause, but all I feel is her—her warmth, her love, her everything.

When we finally pull back, I see that she's crying, but she's smiling too, and as we turn to face our friends and family, hand in hand, I feel a deep sense of peace and joy. This is just the beginning of our forever, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes us.