Epilogue

Asa peeked around the panel at the large crowd gathering in The Art Institute of New York City. The hum of the throng of people grew louder every minute. She could barely hear the thump of the bass music playing in the background. She spotted Dakota and Melissa seated in the front row on the left side of the runway with their heads pressed together, whispering. Having her sisters present should have calmed her, but not today.

She backed away from the entrance to the large auditorium. Behind her throngs of make-up artists and tailors scurried from one model to the next making last minute adjustments. She ducked out of the way of a seamstress with a mouthful of stick pins to find Simeon.

He stood just beyond the flurry of activity with his arms crossed and his chin lifted just enough to make him look like an Adonis. After so many years of wanting him and eighteen months of marriage, her love had not diminished. He still made her pulse race. How he managed to stay calm with all the hustle and bustle amazed her. She needed a hunk of his tranquility to settle her jittery nerves.

“How’s my handsome husband?”

“More importantly, how’s my beautiful wife?” He wrapped his arm around her waist.

“I’m so nervous,” she said to him over the buzz in the room.

“Breathe, Asa. The show is going to be fantastic. Look around, every ensemble looks stunning. The colors are amazing.” He paused to smile at her. “The early reviews for your collection are all good. This is not your first Fashion Week appearance. You’re no longer a neophyte and you’re no one hit wonder.”

Asa noticed a tall, thin model, with a sleek ponytail and smoky gray eyes wearing her favorite piece in the collection. The color blocked red and orange dress she wore bared her arms and stopped just above her knees. The crisscross bodice accentuated her lithe frame. Asa could not help feeling reassured by the sight and Simeon’s words.

He pressed his lips against her temple and held her tight. She slipped her arms around his waist. No matter how many times he hugged her, it always felt like the first time.

“You’re right, but this never gets old for me. And this show is so much bigger than the one I did last year. I’m so excited.”

“You should be. You planned our wedding, redecorated the house, and introduced a line of sportswear all in a year. Next to you I must look like a tortoise, trying to keep up.” He rubbed the small of her back.

“Stop it. You work hard, too. Look at the community center. Within months you’ll be celebrating the grand opening.”

“We will,” he beamed. “Everything is going well now.” She pressed up on her toes and kissed his mouth. His tongue connected with hers for a brief moment before he pulled away.

The look on his face grew serious and his eyes darkened. “But you have to promise me you’ll slow down.” He placed his hand on her swollen stomach. “You’ve got to take care of my two favorite girls. Remember what the doctor said about the last trimester.”

She placed her hand on top of his and squeezed. “I promise I will. When we get back home the only thing I plan to do is take care of my husband and finish the nursery. The baby’s room will be easy. All I have to do is search the Internet for the pieces I want. Taking care of you requires a bit more,” she teased.

“Okay, I’ll try to keep my hands to myself,” he lifted his hand from her back.

She grabbed his arm and put it back around her. Then she placed her palm against his cheek. Her heart swelled in her chest. The last year had passed in a blissful, dizzying blur. “How did I get so lucky?” she asked.

“We. We’re both lucky.”

She kissed him.

We’re more than lucky. Much more.