Epilogue: Feel This Moment

Angel

It took almost nine months to liquidate all of Jacob Taylor’s assets and arrange everything for our fundraiser. Harbour Campaigns′ staff pitched in during their off hours to help Damian and me put everything together. My sister, friends, and co-workers have all gone above and beyond to make this day a success. We’ve rented a part of the Exhibition Place grounds, which is less than a kilometre from where Dina lives, and I can’t help but think about how far Damian and I have come since the first day he dropped Genie and me off. Genie is even more in love with him than ever, and so am I.

He’s directing volunteers, greeting people, and doing it all with Genie attached to his wrist with a bright pink leash. He claims she picked it out herself and he still can’t tell her no. It’s a work in progress.

After his father died, Damian approached Josh to discuss what he felt they should do with the money and Josh was in agreement with Damian’s plan. Their selflessness continues to amaze me. There was enough money for Damian, Laura, and Josh all to live a lavish lifestyle. Retire, set Daisy and Dahlia up for life, buy a fancy new house and top of the line cars. But none of them want what Jacob Taylor wasted his life on, and those things only serve as a reminder of what’s truly important.

“Can we go play some carnival games?” Daisy asks, tugging on my right arm.

I look at Lily and Laura, who are both standing with Dahlia a few feet away. “Let me just see if Uncle Damian needs any help with anything, then we can go, okay?”

Lily insists she’ll take the girls to check out some of the many attractions we’ve arranged for today. I thank her with a nod, and assure Daisy I’ll catch up with them shortly. Those little girls have become an integral part of my life. They remind me so much of how close Dina and I once were, and have become again since our talk many months ago.

The entire day passes in a whirlwind. I barely see Damian aside from a blur resembling him running around, doing his utmost to make this event a success. By the looks of things, his dream to turn this into an annual event could very well become reality. We’re sharing proceeds in equal parts with a few different charities, and I’m confident it will make a real difference for a lot of people. A lot of families.

When things wind down and Damian stands still for more than thirty seconds, I step up beside him, instantly feeling a sense of calm in his presence. He hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss. Something that never gets old. He still has the ability to make my heart flutter each time our lips meet. Each time I even think about kissing him.

“Thank you for all of this. I couldn’t have done it without you.” There’s a new intensity in his eyes that makes it clear he really believes that.

“This was all you. You would have pulled it off on your own.” A content smile tugs at my lips as I stand wrapped in his arms, studying every tiny detail of his face. Details I memorized long ago, but can’t seem to convince myself I’ve sufficiently committed to memory.

He hesitates for a second. “No, Angel. I guess I should have said I wouldn’t have done it without you. I would have still been filled with so much hatred toward my father, I never would have seen the possibilities with all he left behind.”

I’m not sure how to respond to that.

“My motivation before I met you was just proving to my father that he was wrong. But then you came into my life, and suddenly that didn’t matter anymore. Out of everything I have, the only thing I’d hate to lose is you.” Genie jumps up at his leg, which makes him chuckle. “And you, Genie. And my family, obviously. The point is, nothing else matters. I don’t care where I am or what I’m doing, as long as I’m with you.”

“Damian.” I giggle, trying to stop myself from tearing up. “You know I love you. I’m not going anywhere.”

He blows out a long breath, turning back to his brother and handing him Genie’s leash. He drops to one knee, which nearly knocks me to mine.

I scan around us and everyone I know is here. The same co-workers Damian first confessed his love for me in front of, my sister, her best friend, my best friends, and Damian’s family. They’re all here, and all looking at me. I settle my eyes back on Damian, who is beaming like never before.

“Angel Blake, when I met you, I was a shell of a man. I knew what I wanted but couldn’t achieve it because I was standing in my own way. I was lying to myself, making excuses for all the ways I fell short. But you came into my life, and just by being you, you made me face the truth. Without trying, you made me question everything about who I was and who I wanted to be.”

I’m frozen in place with my hands over my mouth and nose, focused on his every word.

“As much as I’ve figured out since I met you, I have just as many unanswered questions I’m looking forward to answering. But the only one that really matters is if you’ll be my wife. Will you marry me, Angel Blake?”

There’s no part of me that hesitates. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”

He hops up from his kneeling position to scoop me up into his arms, lifting me like he did the first time we kissed. And he kisses me again in front of everyone, but all I can focus on is him. The way he tastes. How his muscles feel under his black fundraiser T-shirt. How I can feel him smiling against my lips.

Honesty is always the best policy, and I honestly love this man with all that I am.

The End

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