Epilogue

The lights dimmed, and Finn held his breath, waiting for the spotlight to light up the dancer in the middle of the stage.

Beside him, his mom grabbed his hand and on the other side of him, Aunt Poppy grabbed Slick’s hand.

He imagined his mom’s other hand was being clasped tightly by his dad.

The moment had arrived.

It had taken eight long months, but Jess was about to light up the dance floor with her first performance as the principal dancer for Baxter Dance Company.

The music began, and his heart stuttered in his chest.

What if her shoulder cramped up?

What if she couldn’t hold all the positions he’d seen her practicing the last few months?

Jess’s commitment to getting back to peak performance quicker than the doctors had predicted was something to admire. She had the same fire and determination as he’d had to get through BUD/S.

His mom squeezed his knee with their conjoined hands, the knee that was bouncing up and down. “Relax, honey. She’s going to be fine,” Mom whispered.

Then the lights brightened and there she was, his Jess, looking ethereal with a beautiful smile on her face.

Like he had been when he’d seen her dance all those months ago, Finn was speechless as he watched her glide across the floor. Her moves were flawless and there was no sign of her injured shoulder giving her any trouble.

She twirled for the last time and collapsed in on herself to end up on the floor.

Finn leaped from his seat and clapped loudly.

Everyone in the row joined him. His parents. Jess’s parents. Oak and the guys from his new team. Kaley was here somewhere, too, from what Jess had told him, but he hadn’t seen her, and he hadn’t asked Oak what the story was with the two of them.

They all cheered, and when Jess stood, her smile was huge.

He was so damn proud of her.

All he wanted to do was go backstage and kiss her, but the show had just started and there was a lot more dancing to go.

Every time Jess took the stage, whether with the entire company, or as a duet, or by herself, the loudest cheer was from Finn and those surrounding him.

Nothing showed in her performance that there’d been times when he’d been worried she wouldn’t get up on the stage again. Times when she’d come back from physical therapy in tears.

It had been hard because there were many times he hadn’t been there. His move to Virginia had taken time, and the dance company wanted Jess to have her treatment in New York. Their long-distance romance had tested them, but Finn could say they were stronger than ever.

Finally, the show ended, and everyone in the theatre gave the company a standing ovation. Madame Baxter came out on stage with a large bouquet of roses and presented them to Jess.

Finn touched his pocket; he had something to give to Jess he hoped would keep that smile on her face for all eternity.

“Are you ready?” his mom asked, and he didn’t think it was to go backstage to see Jess.

“More than ready.”

She kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud to be your mom. It was one of my luckiest days when you came into my life.”

Finn, aware Aunt Poppy was watching, pulled his mom close. “Mine, too. Thank you for loving me.”

“Always.”

He then turned to his aunt and hauled her close. By the end of the night, she would not only be his aunt, but also his future mother-in-law—provided Jess said yes—which he didn’t doubt she would. “Thank you for making the hardest decision in your life and thinking of me. I love you, Aunt Poppy.”

“Finn, I love you, too, and life worked out the way it was supposed to be. She’s going to say yes. She’s been waiting for months for you to ask.”

Finn laughed; he had waited a long time. Maybe too long. But he wanted Jess to not have any doubts.

They’d only just reconnected when he’d first talked about marriage. He had no doubts in his mind, and he didn’t believe Jess did, either, but he’d just wanted to wait.

“I know. But everything is settled now. She’s back to doing what she loves, and I’m doing what I love with a new team.”

“I know. We’ll meet you at the restaurant, okay?” his aunt said, with one last smile.

“Sounds good.” He gave his aunt another kiss and took a deep breath as everyone walked out. Then he made his way backstage and to his love.

Jess was riding high. Her first performance back was amazing. She’d nailed every part of her choreography. The company was celebrating together, but she wasn’t joining them. She was going to spend the night with the love of her life and her family.

Finn had been amazing. He’d stood by her side during the whole Daiken and Benita saga and her recovery. If not in person, then via constant phone calls and texts. The hardest had been when he’d had to go away on a couple of missions, but on his return, he’d flown over to see her.

His transfer to Virginia had finally come through and they were a lot closer now, not only in distance, but in their relationship, as well.

This time, she hadn’t had to go to court to testify against Daiken as he was declared unfit for a trial. He’d had a mental breakdown, and his family was getting him the help he needed.

Even with everything he’d done, she was glad his family hadn’t turned their back on him. Benita had been fired from Baxter Dance Company. Madame Baxter hadn’t liked what’d happened, or that Benita’s jealousy had almost caused the death of one of her dancers.

Jess felt a smidgeon of sympathy for her fellow dancer, but she’d been nothing but nice to Benita, whereas Benita had always been a bitch to her and most of the other female dancers. It hadn’t been Jess’s fault that she’d taken Benita’s place.

“You were magnificent, Jessica. I’m very glad you are back and are showing no signs of your injury.” Madame Baxter came up to Jess while she packed her things, ready to go to meet her family.

“Thank you. And, again, thank you for giving me the chance to recover and prove that you weren’t wrong in giving me the lead dancer role.”

“I never had any doubt. Make sure you rest. There is a lot of dancing ahead of you.”

“I will.”

Madame Baxter nodded and drifted away.

Jess zipped her bag up and slipped it over her shoulder. Her arm ached a little, but nothing ice wouldn’t fix.

She couldn’t wait to get outside to see her family. Most of all, she couldn’t wait to see Finn. Feel his arms around her.

Would tonight be the night?

She’d waited patiently for a proposal. They’d talked about it, and both knew that was where the relationship was headed, but there was a lot to get through.

So much had happened after they’d reconnected, so taking time to get to know the adult versions of themselves, not to mention the distance between them and her injury, made sense.

Jess was getting impatient now. Finn was on a new team in Virginia and thriving. Her career was back on track.

She walked out the door and met the gaze of her man, leaning against the wall, arms crossed casually over his chest. A closed-off position to some, but to her, she loved it when he posed like this. He looked sexy, remote, and mysterious—and he was all hers.

A second later, she was wrapped up in those arms she’d admired, and their lips were fused together.

This was how she always wanted to be greeted after a show. Although it wouldn’t happen because of Finn’s career. He couldn’t follow her everywhere, but she knew every chance he could, he would get to a show.

“You were amazing, popsicle. I’m in awe of you and your talent.”

Jess had a hard time ripping her gaze off his mouth. She didn’t have enough, but there was never enough of Finn. She smiled. “Thank you. I can’t describe how it felt to be back up there. Back to doing what I thought I’d never get a chance to do again.” She looked around, expecting to see their entire families. “Where’s Mom and Dad and the others?”

“They’re going to meet us at the restaurant. I wanted a few moments with you. Just us.”

After-performance adrenaline already spiked through her, but it increased even more at Finn’s words. “Why?”

“Because.” He got down on one knee, and she couldn’t stop her clichéd gasp. “Jessica Killian, this probably isn’t a surprise. We’ve talked about it often. So much has happened over the last few months, but one thing that has never changed is my love for you. If anything, it’s grown stronger and stronger. I can’t live another day without knowing that you will be mine. Will you marry me?”

Jess tugged his hand, which held the most gorgeous ring she’d ever seen. “Yes. A thousand times, yes. I’ve loved you since I was eight. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

Finn slipped the ring on her finger, and she took a second to admire its beauty before her fiancé possessed her lips again.

Strange circumstances had brought Finn into her life. They’d weathered storms that might break others apart. They were an unbreakable unit.

At the end of the day, Fate always knows what she’s doing.

Thank you for reading Jess and Finn’s story, I hope you loved it.