Epilogue: Laila

“Drew, what is Laila’s favorite book?” my mother asked her new son-in-law. Drew looked at me with a small smile. It was hard to believe, but the man knew everything about me. I mean everything.

“Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.” My mother’s face fell.

“Correct.”

My parents, me and Drew, Finn and his wife, Anna, and Paris and Brendan were all playing the Newlywed game in our new penthouse. It was a nice space, with plenty of room for the two of us now that the nuptials were taken care of. As I had promised him those months ago, I had furnished the place to give it a modern feel. Everything was styled and colored to favor no specific sex. It was quite “young”, if I do say so myself.

The wedding was more than I could have asked for. Everyone who meant anything to Drew or me was there to wish us the best. Since the wedding was in December, it was only fitting that it snowed, which it did just as we exchanged vows inside the massive cathedral we had rented.

The reception went off without difficulty, although Brendan was rather irked that he still had to perform. But he did anyway after some heavy-duty arguing with Paris. He sang “More than Words,” which was a perfect choice for a Clapton-lover like me. I had a lot of work to do in order to get Drew to appreciate him like I did. But I was determined to get it done.

“How is it, that after this many years, you still have no idea what I like?” my mother demanded of my father. I smiled as I watched them from my seat in Drew’s arms. They both knew that it didn’t matter how much you knew about the other person; all that mattered was that you loved them.

“Are we going to end up like them?” Drew asked me quietly. He was watching them with a worried eye. I giggled.

“There’s no one on this planet like my mom and dad.” He nodded and glanced at the Donovans, who had stood up.

“Well, we hate to leave this game, but we have to be up early tomorrow,” Anna announced. My parents ceased bickering long enough to say good bye. I hugged them both and showed them to the door.

“Remember our deal,” I told Finn. He laughed.

“If we find out it’s a girl, I’ll be sure to suggest naming her Laila.” I nodded and smiled as they walked off. I turned around to find Brendan and Paris standing up.

“You’re kidding,” I said with slight irritation. “You’re leaving me too?” Paris nodded guiltily.

“Sorry, babe, but we have a flight to catch tomorrow.” I sighed and waved at the door after kissing both their cheeks. I looked at my parents.

“Are you two leaving?” I asked before they had the time to dash my hopes. They looked at me, mid-argument.

“Hate to, darling, but we must. Elliot and I have to head back to work tomorrow,” my mother said with a sad smile. She hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead, my father doing the same. I sighed as I sat back down, the penthouse empty save for the two of us.

“They just wanted to leave before they got beaten badly,” Drew comforted as I snuggled back into my spot. It was a nice feeling to be married after the social hell life had put me through. Not that I regretted any of it, really. I firmly believe that things happen for a reason. I doubted that Jaiden meant to hurt me after so many years, but it just wasn’t meant to be between us. My life was meant to entwine with Drew’s.

“Yeah,” I replied sleepily. I had to reluctantly accept that I had to get up in the morning. Xavier and I, after some serious compromising, had managed to open our bookstore. We had appropriately named it The Nook. We were doing an excellent job, having broken even a few months after opening.

“Sleepy?” Drew asked, his voice low in my ear. I smiled. It was strange; I had thought that my feelings towards him would diminish after the wedding, but it was purely the opposite. If anything, it increased tenfold.

“Unfortunately.”

“Pity.” I laughed and looked up at him. His dark eyes were swirling with a form of mystery that I knew and loved. I pulled myself up so that my face was almost level with his.

“Come to think of it, I’m not so tired anymore.” A wolfish grin came to his face. Quicker than I thought was possible, he flipped me over and slowly ran his fingers up my abdomen.

“I didn’t think so,” he remarked. “Mrs. Vega.”

“Well, aren’t we a smarty-pants, Mr. Vega?” He grinned again and swooped down onto my lips.

“Just shut up and kiss me.”

“I’ll do more than that.”

“I’m counting on it.”

THE END