Epilogue

EPILOGUE

JESS

J ess wiped a bead of sweat from her brow as she watched Jamie lead their co-ed outdoor fitness class through a particularly grueling set of burpees.

Looking around at the mix of determined and slightly frantic faces, a wave of satisfaction washed over her.

Three years. Had it really been that long?

Finding love in the unlikeliest of places, with the fiercest competitor turned soulmate. It still felt like a story ripped straight out of a reality show, literally.

Her selfishness almost shattered everything. Yet, by some stroke of luck, she managed to claw it back from the edges.

It hadn't been easy. Rebuilding trust was like putting together a shattered vase, a painstaking process filled with apologies, awkward silences, and a lot of couple's therapy. But slowly, brick by brick, they'd rebuilt their foundation, stronger this time for the cracks.

Every morning, she woke up feeling like she'd won the lottery, not some silly fitness show trophy gathering dust on her shelf. No, the real prize stood beside her—Jamie. They'd come a long way.

The idea for the co-ed class had been a joint effort, born out of late-night brainstorming sessions fueled by take-out and shared dreams. It was a way to combine their strengths, Jamie's Zen approach to movement with Jess' high-octane, bootcamp style.

Jamie's voice, a soothing melody, drifted across the open space, guiding the group through a series of sun salutations. The contrast between Jamie's calm demeanor and Jess' energetic coaching style was stark, yet somehow, it all balanced out.

Afterwards, Jess put them through a series of killer planks and crunches, her voice hoarse with barks of encouragement.

This, Jess thought, this was magic. To see their love translated into something that helped others, that empowered them to push their limits and discover their own inner strength. It brought a smile to her face, a smile that widened as Jamie's eyes met hers across the training ground.

Their clients often joked about getting the best of both worlds—the heart-pumping intensity of boot camp followed by the serenity of yoga. Jess couldn't help but agree. It was a perfect metaphor for their relationship.

At the end of the class, Jess felt a familiar hand brush against hers. It was Jamie, her smile as warm as the fading sunlight.

"Another successful session," Jamie said.

Jess squeezed her hand back, a silent agreement passing between them. "You know, sometimes I can't believe we almost threw all this away."

Jamie chuckled. "Me neither, babe. But hey, at least it makes the story more interesting, right?"

Jess laughed. "Definitely more interesting."

Jess led a blindfolded Jamie down a winding path. The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Crickets chirped a lullaby, and the air carried the sweet scent of blooming night jasmine.

"Okay, stay still," Jess whispered, stopping them at the edge of a clearing. With a flourish, she gently removed the blindfold.

Jamie gasped. Before her stood a breathtaking scene. A white gazebo, adorned with fairy lights that twinkled like a constellation fallen to earth, stood perched on the edge of a still lake, its surface reflecting the shimmering sky.

The ground beneath the gazebo was carpeted with a soft layer of rose petals in shades of pink and red, forming a perfect circle. Delicate lanterns, fueled by flickering candlelight, hung from the gazebo's roof, casting a warm glow on everything around them.

Around the perimeter of the gazebo, flower arrangements bloomed in a riot of colors: vibrant lilies, delicate orchids, and cascading bougainvilleas.

Jamie turned to Jess, her eyes wide with surprise. Jess cut a striking figure in a sleek short orange dress, her hair shining in the light and her beautiful figure evident. Jamie's desire for her was still evident and it made Jess buzz with happiness inside when Jamie looked at her with hunger in her eyes.

Jamie wore shorts and a tank top and her lean muscular legs arms and shoulders were as seductive to Jess as they ever had been.

For a moment, they stood there, speechless, the only sound the gentle lapping of waves against the shore.

Jess reached out, her hand brushing a stray curl from Jamie's cheek. "Do you like it?" she asked, her voice soft.

Jamie, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, could only nod.

A soft smile tugged at Jess' lips as she saw the wonderment light up Jamie's face. Taking her hand, Jess guided her up the white steps of the gazebo.

As they entered, the gentle strains of a string quartet filled the air, weaving a romantic melody that made Jamie blush harder.

In the center of the gazebo, a round table draped in a crisp white tablecloth awaited them. Atop it, silver cloches covered the delicacies.

Crystal flutes sparkled with chilled champagne, condensation clinging to their sides like tiny diamonds.

Jess couldn't help but grin at Jamie's wide-eyed astonishment. Seeing her happy, truly happy, filled Jess with a warmth that chased away any lingering doubts.

"It's… it's perfect, Jess," Jamie whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Just like you."

The gentle melody of the strings swelled, signaling the start of a slow waltz.

Jess pulled out a chair with a flourish, ushering Jamie in. As Jamie settled down, the scent of food wafted over them, a delicious mix of herbs and spices.

Lifting the silver cloches, Jamie's eyes widened again. It was a feast fit for royalty. Salmon en papillote, its delicate aroma hinting at lemon and dill, sat next to a platter of roasted vegetables, their colors mimicking a summer sunset. A bowl of fluffy couscous, dotted with golden raisins and toasted almonds, rounded out the main course.

"Wow, Jess. Did you take a cooking class in secret? This looks incredible!"

Jess chuckled, a blush creeping up her neck. "Stop teasing. You know perfectly well I can only manage scrambled eggs and the occasional burnt batch of bacon."

They both burst into laughter.

Taking a bite of the salmon, Jamie's eyes lit up. "Seriously though, this is amazing. Every bite is an explosion of flavor."

Between mouthfuls of food, Jamie continued, "Alright, spill the beans. What do you want for your birthday this year? I promise to pull off an even grander surprise than this!"

Jess laughed, shaking her head. "It wouldn't be much of a surprise if you already knew, would it?"

"Fine. But you can at least give me a hint. Something I can work with."

Jess pondered for a moment, her gaze wandering across the star-studded sky. "Honestly, Jamie, the greatest gift you could ever give me is already here. Right here, with you, under the stars, sharing this beautiful night with the woman I love. That's all I could ever ask for."

Jamie blushed even though she tried to hide it. "Oh, come on, you can give me a hint. Anything? Spa weekend? Tickets to a yoga retreat in Bali?"

"How about we get married on my birthday? Then you wouldn't have to worry about a surprise topping this one."

Jamie's breath hitched. The playful banter evaporated, replaced by a sudden stillness.

Seizing the moment, Jess reached into her pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. With a trembling hand, she flipped it open, revealing a beautiful gold ring with small diamonds that shimmered in the light.

Taking a deep breath, Jess dropped to one knee. "Jamie, you are my strength, my partner, the love of my life. Will you marry me?"

As if on cue, the string quartet launched into a slow, romantic rendition of "Unconditionally." The melody, filled with tenderness and devotion, wrapped around them like a warm embrace.

Tears streamed down Jamie's face, a mixture of joy, relief, and overwhelming love. "Yes, Jess. A thousand times, yes!"

With a cry of joy, Jess slipped the ring onto Jamie's finger. The diamond sparkled, mirroring the tears glistening in Jamie's eyes.

"I love you, Jamie."

"I love you, Jess."

They kissed, a kiss filled with the promise of forever, a testament to a love that had weathered storms and emerged stronger.

As they pulled apart, breathless and exhilarated, the orchestra swelled into a joyous crescendo.

Jess extended her hand towards Jamie, a question brimming in her eyes. Jamie, a radiant smile illuminating her face, readily took it. Stepping into the embrace of the music, they began to sway together beneath the fairy lights, with the world around them fading away.