Epilogue

NICHOLAS

Four-and-a-half years later…

Sunlight streamed through the open-air pavilion where the graduation ceremony was being held, painting golden highlights across the sea of black caps and gowns. My chest tightened as I waited for my name to be called. Four years—it had taken that long to get here. And now, I sat with a cap perched on my head, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree just minutes from becoming mine.

The crowd was a blur of proud families and cheering friends, but I only saw my people. Aiden was front and center, hoisting a bright sign that read, GO NICHOLAS! WE LOVE YOU! with enough glitter to blind someone. Markus stood beside him, dignified in a button-up and blazer that made my heart do ridiculous things. The proud smile on his face was impossible to miss, and when Aiden said something loud enough to draw laughter, Markus shook his head, lips twitching in amusement.

Flanking them were my best friends—Kyle, Wyatt, Parker, Faith, and Brianna. They were a mix of chaos and color: Wyatt waving a mini pride flag, Faith snapping pictures like a mom at a recital.

A part of me wished Beverly could’ve seen this moment. She wasn’t family, not in the traditional sense, but working at the senior living facility, she’d become like family to me in her own sharp-tongued, no-nonsense way. She couldn’t make the trip but I’d promised her I’d tell her all about it.

When the announcer finally said my name, Kyle, who was never one to blend quietly, blew an obnoxiously loud air horn. Aiden’s voice rang out, predictably loud and over the top. “That’s my brother!”

Not to be outdone, Markus cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Proud of you, baby!” His voice carried a warm authority that made me feel both seen and small in the best way.

The cheers from my fellow students hit me like a wave.

The moment felt surreal as I crossed the stage. I walked across it, shaking hands, accepting the rolled diploma case, and smiling for the obligatory picture. My legs felt wobbly, not from nerves but from the sheer weight this moment. Almost eleven years ago, I was just a kid with dreams of following in Mom’s footsteps, standing by her side in our small-town hospital. When she passed, it felt like that dream died with her. But now, walking off the stage, I felt like I’d reclaimed it—not just for me, but for her too.

Mom would’ve loved this day. I could almost hear her laugh, warm and full of life, telling me she knew I could do it all along. The thought brought tears to my eyes, but they didn’t sting like they used to. These weren’t tears of loss—they were of joy. Of pride. I touched the edge of my cap lightly, a silent promise to her. I hope you’re smiling, Mom. I did it. For both of us.

When the ceremony ended, it wasn’t the applause that grounded me. It was them—Markus, Aiden, my best friends. Their joy radiated toward me, a force stronger than gravity.

Aiden was bouncing on his feet, grinning like an idiot. He grabbed me into a bear hug the moment I got close, nearly crushing the diploma case in the process.

"Finally!" He stepped back and waved his sign like it was a trophy. "I’m retiring this bad boy. You’ll have to do something else amazing if you want another one."

Markus lingered a step behind, watching with soft eyes. He waited until Aiden let go, then pulled me into his arms. His hold was firm, steady, and when he whispered, “I knew you could do it, baby," it shattered something inside me in the best way.

Tears threatened, but I managed a grin. “Couldn’t have done it without you. Any of you.”

Wyatt jumped in with a cheeky, “Damn right. We deserve a cut of that diploma. I want the corner piece!”

Faith smacked him lightly. “It doesn’t work like cake, Wyatt.”

I laughed, swiping at my eyes.

They bickered good-naturedly as we moved toward the garden area, Aiden leading the way with his sign and the rest of us in tow. Markus’s hand found its place on the small of my back, grounding me with its steady warmth.

We reached a tree strung with twinkling fairy lights. The graduation organizers had gone all out. Markus caught my hand, pulling me aside. The others followed, lingering close but giving us space. Markus faced me, his expression unusually serious.

"You’re still glowing," he teased, his thumb brushing along my jaw. "You’re gonna blind someone if you keep it up."

"I’m not glowing," I huffed, but the grin on my face betrayed me. "Okay, maybe a little. It’s just—it feels right, you know? Like everything finally fell into place."

Markus’s eyes softened, and his hand slid down to grip mine. He didn’t say anything right away, just looked at me like he was memorizing every detail of this moment.

Then he took a deep breath and dropped to one knee.

The breath whooshed out of me. My knees locked, my heart stuttered, and behind Markus, I could hear Faith gasp and Kyle whisper, “Oh my God, it’s happening!”

“Nicky,” Markus said, looking up at me with eyes so full of love I thought I’d drown in them. “Watching you grow, fight for your dreams, and love so fiercely has been the privilege of my life. You’re my everything—my baby boy, my partner, my heart. And I don’t want to spend another day without knowing you’re mine—completely, forever. Will you marry me?”

The ring was simple—a band of silver with a small sapphire in the center—but it felt like the most precious thing I’d ever seen. It glinted in the sunlight, but it was the raw emotion in his voice that made my vision blur. “Yes,” I choked out, tears spilling freely. “Yes. God, yes. I love you.”

Markus slipped the ring onto my finger with steady hands, then stood and gathered me close. The kiss we shared was so deep and consuming, I forgot we were in public.

Behind us, someone groaned.

“For the love of glitter, get a room! ” That was Aiden, of course.

Faith smacked him, and Brianna stage-whispered, “Shut up, he’s having his moment.”

Markus chuckled against my lips. "Guess we better take this celebration home."

I looked at him—the man who’d been my anchor, my Daddy, my love and now my fiancé—and nodded. “Yes, Daddy. Let’s go home.”

Because with Markus by my side, I knew I was already there.

Want to know what happens with Nicky's brother Aiden? Read A Little Christmas 3: Aiden .