Epilogue

5 Years Later

T he curtain closes, and we all stand to applaud. It's a euphoric feeling, hearing the whistles and cheers ring out around us. Trent squeezes my hand while my mom grips my arm from the other side, my brother next to her. Pride beams from their faces.

Tonight is the opening night of my first costume designs for an off-Broadway show. To say I’m over the moon would be an understatement. To see my ideas come to life on stage is surreal and a memory I will never forget.

Trent leans into me so I can hear him over the crowd. “Next stop…Broadway.”

Smiling, I slap him away teasingly.

“Let’s get through the two contracts I have and see what happens.” With a blush probably staining my cheeks, I turn away. Designing for a Broadway show has always been a dream of mine. Thanks to constant support and encouragement from Trent, I started designing again and sought out dreams of my own. Ones I never thought I'd be able to achieve .

It's amazing how drastically your life can change in just a few short years. I try not to dwell on my past, but occasionally, it creeps back in. Thankfully, my family is around to help me out of any dark places.

I could never thank Trent enough for always pushing me toward the things that bring me the most joy, for being by my side as we build our future after leaving our past behind us. But even more than that, he gave me the three sweetest gifts and my absolute greatest accomplishments.

Our three babies.

The minute our first son was born, Trent looked at me, tears shining in his eyes, and said, “You know what his name has to be, right?”

Phoenix. Because he rose from the ashes with us.

When our second child, our wild child, came along, we wanted his name to connect with Nori Beach, our safe haven, where we are the proud owners of a little oceanfront slice of heaven. So, we named him Beau, after the city next to our favorite place, Beaufort.

We welcomed our sweet baby girl to our rambunctious crew just a few months ago. Trent picked out her name, too. Luna, in honor of the many nights the moon gave us solace when we were apart.

Trent is an amazing father, one who does anything and everything he can to ensure we’re all happy and healthy.

“I'm so beyond proud of you,” Mom says, as Micah reaches across her for a hug.

“Thank you both for coming.”

Over the past few years, we have all worked very hard to repair our relationship with one another. My mother has been more present in our lives, whether it’s Sunday dinners or just coming to spend time with us. Not to mention what a help she’s been with the kids. She’s more than willing to watch them whenever we need some extra help. That reminds me...

“We’re still good for next Friday night, mom?” I whisper into her ear, not wanting to clue Trent in on the plans.

“Yes, of course. I’ll be over around five and stay the night.” She winks.

I take the last sip of my drink while I wait for my guest from the corner of the bar, my eyes on the elevator doors.

“Would you like another?” the bartender asks as she takes away my empty.

“Yes, please.”

The bar area is getting full, with people from all walks of life floating in and out of the rooftop bar. Hotel Luxure and its rooftop have come to hold a special meaning to Trent and my relationship.

Tonight, we’re celebrating our anniversary—our nine-year hotel meet-up anniversary. The date that Trent agreed to my crazy Friday night hotel rendezvous. We were just young kids, both desperate for one another and willing to risk it all for a few hours together.

It's a bit on the cooler side for an August evening in NYC, but I relish the reprieve from the summer humidity. My blue satin dress finally fits again, and I was more than excited to wear it tonight.

No one warns you about how much your body will change after pregnancy, let alone three basically back-to-back ones. But no matter the stage of my body, my husband adores and worships every inch of me. His acceptance of my changing body always fills me with such confidence. He never ceases to amaze me with his unconditional love through every up and down of our lives.

“Is this seat taken?” a deep voice asks from my left, and pure excitement thrums through me at the sound.

My gaze rakes over the handsome man beside me. He’s tall, with a gorgeous smile, and looks absolutely deadly in a suit. His green gaze sparkles back at me, traveling down my body before locking onto my eyes.

“No, it’s all yours,” I say, shifting on my stool.

“What is a gorgeous woman like you doing alone tonight?” he asks while situating himself in his seat.

“Just celebrating.”

He waves the bartender over and orders himself a drink. “What are you celebrating?”

“Fate,” I tell him, raising my glass just as the bartender sets his in front of him.

“To fate.” He joins me by clinking his glass to mine. He briefly eyes me again before asking, “What do you mean by fate?”

“Life has a funny way of working, almost like certain things are fated to happen. The people you meet, the things you do, the relationships you have…they all play an important role in this thing we call life.”

“I think fate brought me here today.” He smirks in a way that lights me up from the inside out, every damn time.

“Is that so?” I raise an eyebrow, and he nods, taking a swig of his drink .

“Yes, what are the chances I'd meet such a beautiful woman here at the bar?” He shifts in his seat, his body moving closer to mine.

“You probably say that to all the women you meet.” I lean in just a bit closer, unable to break the spell he has on me.

“No, ma’am, you’re the only one who has my attention. Name’s Trent, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Trent. I’m Maggie.”

A grin spreads across his face. “Would you like to go somewhere more private?” he asks as his hand trails down my arm, stopping at my ring-clad finger.

“I’d love that.”

After settling our check, we walk to the elevators, and I press the button on the third floor. The whole way there, tension simmers between us like another presence, our bodies pressed side by side, his hand holding mine.

Striding out, my eager steps follow his, and before I know it, I’m swiping my room key, and he’s opening the door to the suite. I gasp at the sight of the flower petals and candles spread throughout the room, my head whipping to look up at him in awe.

“How?” I question, knowing I'm the one who booked this room as a surprise for him.

Pulling me close, he looks into my eyes for a moment before kissing me deeply.

“Happy Anniversary, Doll,” he whispers against my lips. And once more, my husband sweeps me off my feet.

The End