EPILOGUE
Alex and Valerie walked into the restaurant holding hands. They’d gone straight to her dad’s house then to his parent’s place from the airport. Valerie seemed much more relaxed after speaking to their parents.
Angel glanced up from the host desk in the front, no doubt expecting to see customers. He did a double-take before smiling. “Hey, how was Bermuda?”
“Beautiful,” Valerie beamed.
“How’s everything here?” Alex asked as he walked by him.
Angel waved a hand at him. “Running smoother than ever.”
Sarah was hunched over, reading something at the back bar. Sal was on the other side of the bar, and he glanced up as they walked toward them. “When did you guys get back?”
“Couple hours ago,” Alex responded, squeezing Valerie’s hand.
Sarah turned around and immediately came over to greet them both with a hug. Valerie brushed a strand of hair away from her own face and Sarah stopped cold. “What is this?” She grabbed Valerie’s hand and gawked at Valerie’s three carat diamond ring.
Valerie smiled, but didn’t answer. She glanced at Alex. Sarah finally looked away from the ring and brought her attention to Valerie’s. “Are you guys engaged?”
“Nope,” Alex answered for her.
Sarah brought her attention to Alex now confused. “Then-”
“We’re married,” he said matter-of-fact.
Sarah’s mouth fell open.
“You’re what?” Angel asked, coming around Alex to see what Sarah was looking at. He glanced at Valerie’s ring then turned back to Alex. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
Sarah had her hand over her mouth now. Valerie’s hand was still in hers but her eyes went back and forth from Alex to Valerie.
“No kidding,” Valerie finally spoke up. “We got married in Bermuda.”
Sal walked over to join the rest of the stunned bunch. He took one look at the ring then at Alex. “Dude, mom’s gonna flip.”
Alex chuckled. “She did. We just came from there. She was a little upset but got over it pretty quick when I finally agreed to let her throw us a little party. She and Sofie were already on the phone making the plans before we even left. ”
“Ha!” Angel scoffed loudly. “Mom and pop throw a little party? Good luck. She’ll invite two maybe three hundred people.”
Alex frowned at that. Sarah finally stopped gawking and let out a squeal. She hugged Valerie again and then jumped up to hug Alex tighter than the first time.
Sarah turned back to Valerie with an accusing look. “You never even told me you were engaged.”
Valerie laughed and glanced at Alex. “I was only engaged for a couple of days before we left for Bermuda. It was really spur of the moment.”
It sure had been. The moment Valerie agreed, the wheels were spinning in his head. The day after she’d agreed they both decided they didn’t want a big wedding. The only way that was going to happen is if they didn’t tell anyone. He worked his schedule around at the restaurant telling everyone Valerie needed to get away after all the drama she’d been through, secretly buying the ring and booking the flight. He wasn’t about to give her time to change her mind. They’d been married the day they arrived in Bermuda then spent most of the rest of their time there in their suite. Honeymooning.
After a round of hugs and a few kisses for the bride from everyone, they sat around the bar for a celebratory drink.
Sarah sat with Valerie, demanding every detail of their small but very romantic wedding. Valerie was doing her best to oblige.
Sal stood behind the bar in front of Alex. “I can’t believe you did this. What’s with everyone all of sudden? My buddy Jason’s just got engaged, too.”
Alex took a drink of his beer. “Really? I thought he was still in school.”
“He is,” Sal lifted his shoulder. “I guess he just couldn’t wait.”
“Hey!”
Alex turned to see Romero walk in the restaurant holding Isabel’s hand. “What’s the big surprise?”
Valerie told him in the car she texted Isabel to meet them at the restaurant. She hadn’t mentioned that she told them there was a surprise. He exchanged glances with her and she gave him a devilish smile. Valerie lifted her finger in the air. Isabel’s eyes opened wide. She turned to Alex then back at Valerie. “You’re engaged?”
Valerie stood up shaking her head with a big grin on her face. “We got married.”
“Get out!” Isabel hugged her as soon as Valerie reached her.
“Hey, man.” Romero shook Alex’s hand and clapped him on the shoulder. “How come you didn’t tell me?”
“We didn’t tell anyone. Everyone just found out. Have a beer. Celebrate with us.” Alex turned to the bartender and held up two fingers.
“Man, you Morenos are dropping like flies.” Romero took the beers Alex handed him and turned to Sal. “That means you’re next, chief.”
“Hell no,” Sal took a swig of his own beer. “I have too many plans before I even think about settling down.”
Romero rolled his eyes before walking toward Isabel with her beer. “Yeah, we’ll see.”
“What are you talking about?” Sal smiled. “You’re probably the next one to go down.”
Valerie walked toward them. “Hey, I heard that.”
Sal came around from behind the bar and held out his arms. “I’m only kidding. I couldn’t be happier for you two. I know how much you mean to this big lug.”
He squeezed her a little too tight, rubbing his hands all over her back and smirking at Alex.
Alex reached out for her hand. “Alright, that’s happy enough.”
Sal laughed, letting her go. “You’re too easy, little brother.”
“Funny,” Valerie smiled as Alex pulled her to him. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone refer to you as little.”
Sal laughed, about to say something when Angel walked up behind Valerie and interrupted. “You two sure there’s no other reason for this sudden marriage?”
Valerie turned to him, obviously not understanding what he was getting at. Alex squeezed her hand and shoved Angel. “No, ass. But now that we’re married I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t visit that idea.”
Finally getting it, Valerie laughed. “No way. One thing at a time.”
Alex laughed and kissed her. They hung around for few more drinks then said their goodbyes. The happiness he felt was a bit overwhelming. Life couldn’t be any better.
He’d been pissed when Valerie got a call from Luke on their honeymoon. But after hearing the voicemail, it more than made up for it. Valerie had gone on her second interview the day before they left. Luke called to tell her she got the position. Alex would have to put up with her working with him for only a few more months.
Once in the truck he leaned over and kissed her, “You know, I wasn’t kidding in there about us having a baby.”
Valerie’s mouth fell open. “Alex, I swear, you’re too much. Can we get used to this marriage thing first?”
“What’s there to get used to?”
She laughed aloud, putting her hand on his thigh then sliding it up a bit more, her expression becoming more serious. “I do want to have babies, Alex. Lots and lots of them. I promise. Just not yet.”
He’d had her day and night to himself for the past five days straight and her touch still singed him. “Lots and lots uh? Sounds to me like we’ll need lots and lots of practice making them then.” He kissed her again, as if he hadn’t in ages.
It was a good thing they were married now, because somehow he couldn’t imagine ever getting his fill of her.
To all my wonderful readers, I hope you enjoyed reading Alex and Valerie’s story. I invite you to leave a review on the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords websites. If you haven’t already read the first in The Moreno Brothers series Forever Mine – Angel and Sarah’s story, it is also available on Amazon, Nook and Smashwords, for only 99 cents!
Next up is a bonus novella “Sweet Sofie” Sofia and Eric’s story. I’m having a lot of fun writing this one. It spans her life from the time she was 10 years old through college. You get to meet the whole gang and see what they were like as kids. Sweet Sofie should be out this fall. Then the final full length novel in the series Sal’s story should be out by early 2012. See the cover of Sweet Sofie, and get all the latest updates on the Series and my other projects on my website: and follow me on Twitter @AuthorElizabeth.