Epilogue

Phoenix

Standing at the window of mine and Kieran’s bedroom at his brother’s house, my eyes seek out the man that carries my entire heart and soul in his hands. Kieran’s standing with his back to the window, looking impeccable as always, in a charcoal three piece suit. His brother’s face toward the window, all matching, and when Flynn catches me in the window he smirks. I give him a small wave before turning back around and heading back to the middle of the room where my mom and Clara wait for me.

It’s mine and Kieran’s wedding day and I think I’m going to be sick from nerves. I’m not nervous to marry him, no I’m nervous to walk down that aisle by myself. I could have asked my mom, but it didn’t feel right seeing as my biological mom has to watch from heaven today. I run my hands down my ivory lace dress. It fits like a glove from my chest to my hips where it flares out slightly, flowing in a beautiful sea of fabric around my feet. The straps are thin and more for show than anything else.

“Oh Phoenix, my love. You look absolutely stunning.” She hugs me tightly, careful not to get makeup on my dress .

“I can’t believe we went from best friends to sister-in-law’s in just a year.” Clara wipes under her eyes.

Kieran asked me to marry him about a month after his accident. He took me to the rooftop of the penthouse, where our friendship moved into something more, and told me this is where he knew I was the one. That was ten months ago, and now we’re about to make this thing legal with the help of Ryan who’s ordained apparently and only our closest friends and family. If it was up to him we would have gone to the justice of the peace, but I wanted to have a day for us, even if it was a small one.

With one last look in the mirror and one last I love you from my mom and Clara, they make their way outside. Clara to my side of the altar, and my mom to the front row to watch her Nix rise from the ashes one last time. My hands twist nervously as I make my way downstairs and to the sliding door that leads into the backyard.

The entire backyard has been transformed from a kids dreamland to a simple yet elegant wedding venue. A tent to the side for a reception, chairs in multiple rows, making an aisle for me to walk down. An archway with simple greenery wrapped around it, and the Byrne boys standing beside Kie, who turns around as the music changes. Tears instantly pool in those gorgeous eyes as I follow suit, I begin to walk towards him when a hand gently grabs my arm and wraps it around whoever it is. Looking up confused I’m shocked to find Mac standing beside me. I was so focused on Kieran that I didn’t even notice Mac walking down the aisle to me.

“Come on, Pigeon. Let’s not keep him waiting, he’s impatient.”

“What are you doing? You’re supposed to be up there? ”

Mac lets out a low chuckle, “You didn’t really think we’d let you walk down the aisle alone, did you?” And with that Kieran’s brother walks me to him. To my future and to my forever. Because through it all we stayed, and we’ll continue to stay until we’re too old. Even then we’ll die in each other’s arms because that’s what happens when you swear to stay, forever.

Kieran

Nothing feels better in this entire world than spinning my new bride around the dance floor at our wedding reception. I hold Nix close as Sam Smith sings of falling in love, and staying. Her head is resting on my chest, just above my heart. The same heart that almost stopped beating a year ago. Since that day I’ve worn Kevlar to every single job, no matter what. I can’t do much about a head shot, but I can make sure my organs stay safe so I can get home to my Brave Girl every evening.

We moved into the penthouse right around the time we got engaged, and we’ve been there ever since. She loves it, and it really isn’t that much farther to work for her. She’s still Jackson’s assistant, and if she has it her way it’ll stay that way for the foreseeable future. He and I still aren’t on the best terms, but we tolerate each other, and I can appreciate what he and Trick, or whatever the fuck his name is, did for her.

Phoenix, my brothers, and I went on a hunt for Riley’s body. We spent a week out there, surveying every piece of dirt, but in the end, that was acres of heavily wooded area and we came up empty. Mac still is struggling, he said she isn’t at peace yet and he won’t stop searching until he can bring her home to rest, where she belongs. So after our honeymoon we’ll be headed back out there, for the fifth time this year. He’s right and we’re getting closer, I can feel it. But today he’s plastered an almost genuine smile on his face, and he smells like he’s at least partially sober, which is better than any other day over the past year.

The song changes, and I move her off the dance floor as our audience claps for us. “Hey, Mystery Man?”

I can’t help but smile at the nickname, “Yeah, Mo Stóirín?”

“Thank you for staying.”

“I’ll stay until my last breath. I swear.”

Tilting her head up to look me in the eyes, those steel orbs knock the breath out of my lungs just like they do every single time. I press my lips to hers, and allow myself to get lost in her for a few seconds.

She’s just fully melted into my embrace when a loud, “What the fuck.” echoes throughout the backyard. Pulling away, I move Nix behind me to shield her from whatever danger is approaching. As I survey the area, I see everyone turning towards the brown haired woman approaching. Oh fuck no. Who is she and why is she headed for us? She looks vaguely familiar but I can’t exactly place why. Her deep green eyes lock on mine and she gives me a polite smile and nod.

“Kieran, congratulations.”

Her voice has Nix peering around me before squealing and running to the woman.

“Lee!”

She embraces the woman, but there’s still something there. They pull apart, both smiling. Before Phoenix can make a formal introduction to me Theo Rossi’s voice permeates through the space.

“Principessa?”

The woman’s head jerks to the sound of the voice,but it’s Mac who speaks next.

“Riley?”

The End…