17. Epilogue

Chapter 17

Epilogue

Orson: A Year Later

The spotlight hugs her like an old friend, as I lean back in the dimly lit Blue Note, the legendary jazz club where Winter has dreamed of headlining for so long. Everyone is at the edge of their seats as Winter’s voice fills the room, each note a gentle wave crashing against the eager ears of her audience.

She's doing a cover of Nina Simone tonight, and something about the way she sings "Since I Fell For You" makes my heart swell. It’s as though she’s not just singing the words, she’s lived them, and we've lived them together. This stage is her dream, her soul laid bare for all to see and hear, and she shines with every word.

I’ve never been more in love with her than this moment now, but I also understand that this feeling will only grow as she continues to amaze me.

Sitting here, at this small round table with a half-finished drink, watching my wife live out her dream, it feels like we've finally hit a sweet spot in our lives. The eight-year gap that once loomed between us like a chasm has now been filled with chapters of our story—the one we write together each day. I can barely remember what life was like without Winter beside me, her laughter filling our home, and her ideas about world travel.

I remember the promise we made not too long ago—when we decided that life was too short to waste it apart. Our ambition and the intensity of our careers helped steal eight years from us, eight years of could have been. But here we are now, stealing back time, living deliberately.

Winter catches my eye as she finishes her set. That familiar smile spreads across her face—the one that always seems to say we've weathered the storm and come out better for it. Applause erupts around us, but she walks straight to where I'm seated at our usual spot by the stage.

“You were amazing,” I say as she quickly reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers.

Winter laughs softly, squeezing my hand. “You’re amazing. You’re the best husband I’ve ever had,” she teases and leans forward for a kiss.

Watching her in her element brings me endless joy, but returning home to the cozy love nest we've built over the past year is even more satisfying. With Christmas approaching and our parents on their way to join our festivities, I must seize this precious time alone with my Winter before it slips away.

“We should probably start looking at those beach destinations for our big escape," I suggest.

The notion of getting lost on sun-drenched shores together sparks an adventurous light in her eyes. “Yes! Let's do that. The Maldives? Bali? Oh, we could even do a little island-hopping in Greece,” Winter chatters excitedly as we plan to explore the corners of the globe together.

As she leans in closer, laying her head against my shoulder while the next performer sets up on stage, I think about how this feeling right here is what I’ve always wanted: peace entwined with adventure, and love mingled with music.

Winter isn't only my wife—she's my girl. And neither time nor distance will ever change that… again.

THE END