Extended Epilogue Kai

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

“ S he attributes her newfound health to your visit, so it's the least we could do,” Khushi’s dad tells me.

“Wow, big words coming from a kid who was adamant that Santa wasn't real,” I say, smirking down at Khushi, whose straight black hair is trimmed into a bob with a red headband that matches her black suit with red lapels and the red berries dangling from the mistletoe boutonniere pinned to her breast pocket.

“Yeah, and I stand by that,” Khushi says, rolling her eyes. “Now, are you gonna marry her, or what? I don't have all day, Santa. ”

“Damn kid, you're pushy tonight,” I say, chuckling as we line up at the end of the aisle behind where Liam's standing with a basket in hand. Music starts to play, and he's off. He struts down the aisle, twirling as he tosses red rose petals with a flourish. He drops down into a low squat before popping back up and shoving tiny bottles of liquor into the waiting hands of our friends and family.

When he makes it to the end, it's our turn.

“As your best man, I'm gonna tell you that I'm glad you didn't pick him ,” she says, practically sneering at Liam. The kid is fucking ridiculous, but Lea and I have grown to love her. After she got the all-clear from her oncologist, her parents called to let us know she was in remission and made sure we knew that it was Khushi who demanded we were told.

“I'm glad I didn't pick his dumbass, either,” I tell her, and she smiles a big, missing-toothed one up at me. She grabs my hand and drags me to the end of the aisle where we wait for Lea.

When she appears in her long white gown with red lace overlaying the top half, my heart grows another three sizes in my chest.

Maybe everyone does have their own angel watching over them. And if that’s true, I’m fully convinced that Lea is mine .

The end.