EPILOGUE
MICHAEL
It was late June when Julie and I finally made it to Paris. I tried to take her sooner, but between work and Josh’s recovery, we just didn’t have the time. Finally, six months after our New Year’s kiss, we were on a plane flying to France. When we landed, it was late, and all we wanted to do was sleep. We spent most the night in our hotel, not leaving the bed unless we had to.
“What do you want to see today?” I asked her the next morning.
“The Eiffel Tower,” she said without missing a beat. “Of course.”
“That’s tonight,” I said. “I promise.”
“Why wait?” she asked. She jutted out her bottom lip in a pout that almost broke me, but I held my ground. I had big plans for us that night, and nothing, not even Julie’s impatience, was going to stand in the way.
“We have a reservation, remember?” I asked.
“I know, I know.” Julie groaned, but smiled.
She was just happy to finally be in Paris. We’d been talking about this trip for so long that neither of us thought it would actually happen. Every time I tried to book the flights and hotel rooms, something always came up. Whether it was my work or Julie’s, Josh’s recovery or his move to Ennis, something always got in the way.
“I can’t believe we’re finally here,” I said, staring out the window in awe.
“Me neither.” Julie laughed. “I was beginning to think it wouldn’t happen.”
“Life got crazy,” I said with a nod. “But we’re here now.”
“Finally.” Julie laughed again.
We spent most of the day just walking around the city. I hadn’t been to Paris in years. The last time, I went for business and didn’t get a chance to see the sights. With Julie by my side though, I wanted to see everything.
We walked through museums and shops, up and down streets and down deserted alleyways. We didn’t bother using a map or taking a tour. We just wanted to discover the city ourselves, in our way.
That was my favorite part of being with Julie. She and I could have adventures that no one else would understand. We didn’t care if we got lost or if we never made it back to our hotel. So long as we were together, the rest of the world disappeared, and our happiness was undeniable.
“Do you know where we are?” she asked as the sun began to set. “We should probably head back to the hotel soon.”
“It’s two blocks this way,” I said, pointing to our left. “Not far.”
“How do you know that?” Julie shook her head. “I’m totally lost.”
I shrugged. “I’ve been paying attention. Or maybe I’m just better with directions than you are.”
Julie glared at me but linked her arm with mine and let me lead the way. We got back to the hotel just in time to get ready for dinner.
“Where are we going again?” Julie asked as she climbed in the shower.
“It’s someplace by the Tower,” I said. “It’s supposed to have an amazing view.”
“Sounds perfect,” Julie said.
She disappeared behind the shower curtain, and I hurried back into the bedroom. I was already dressed and ready, but my palms were sweaty from nerves. I thumbed through my suitcase, frantically searching for the little black box I knew was buried at the bottom. When I found it, I tucked it safely in my coat pocket before Julie could see a thing.
My phone rang, drawing my attention away from my plans for the evening. I saw Josh’s name flashing on the screen.
“Hey,” I said. “Everything okay?”
“I’m good,” Josh said. “Just calling to wish you luck.”
“Thanks.” I grinned and lowered my voice. “She’s in the shower.”
“I figured you guys were about ready to head out,” Josh said. “You nervous?”
“Yes,” I said. “That’s an understatement.”
“How bad would it suck if she said no?” Josh teased.
“Fuck you,” I said.
Josh laughed, and I quickly joined him. There was nothing like my big brother making fun of me to calm my nerves and get me ready for the biggest night of my life.
“You’ll be fine,” Josh said. “She loves you.”
“Thanks, man.”
Ever since his accident, things between Josh and I had changed. We weren’t just brothers who barely knew each other. We tried harder to stay close, and in doing so, we became friends. In just six months, he and I became almost inseparable.
Josh’s accident changed everything for him. He reprioritized his life and became a totally different person. He quit his job at the hospital, deciding that family medicine was a better option. He moved to Ennis and met Jennifer, his girlfriend of three months.
They were insanely in love already. I’d never seen him so committed to anyone. It was amazing how quickly things could change. Suddenly, we were double-dating all the time. Josh and Julie had become real friends, better friends than they were when they dated.
It was like everything had fallen into place after Josh’s accident. He changed. We all changed. Even Sheila came around more often. She and I were still nervous around each other, and I wasn’t sure that would ever change, but it was better now. Better than I could have hoped.
Even my adopted parents had begun to accept my new family. They were scared at first. My mom worried I would replace her and forget about them, but I managed to convince her that would never happen. She welcomed Josh with open arms and, slowly, she was starting to accept Sheila as well. They weren’t exactly friends, but they were friendly.
“Hey, you,” Julie said. I turned around to see her standing in the doorway of the bathroom.
Steam billowed out around her. She was naked, not even bothering to wrap a towel around herself. My stomach tightened with need.
“You’re the devil,” I said. “You know we have to leave.”
“Just a little something to get you through the night.” She winked and disappeared back into the bathroom.
I laughed to myself and patted the ring inside my pocket. Julie was the perfect woman. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she was the one.
When Julie was dressed, we made our way downstairs. I ordered a car to take us to dinner. Before we even arrived at the restaurant, we saw the Eiffel Tower. It was lit up and gorgeous. Julie’s eyes flew wide as she stared up at it.
“It’s even better at night,” she whispered.
We ate dinner, talking and drinking wine like our lives depended on it. This was our very first vacation together and, already, I didn’t want to go home. I could have lived in Paris forever if it meant keeping Julie by my side.
Dinner ended, and I took Julie by the hand. I led her outside and past the car. She frowned, confused.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“We had a plan, remember?” I said. “You promised we’d make out in front of the Eiffel Tower.”
“I don’t think I ever promised that,” Julie said, laughing lightly.
“In my mind, you definitely did.”
We walked into a clearing just in front of the Tower. Julie was smiling up at the structure with those same wide, enchanted eyes. I couldn’t look away from her face. She was the only thing I saw, the only thing real in my life.
I took her arm and spun her toward me. She giggled just as our lips collided. I wrapped my arms around her waist, kissing her slowly. The moment was everything I hoped it would be.
When we pulled apart, I reached into my coat pocket and got down on one knee. Julie’s eyes were wider than ever. She stared down at me, shocked and speechless.
“There are so many things I want to say to you,” I said. My voice was weak, but I kept going. “My love for you is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Julie, I can’t even begin to tell you just how much I need you.”
“Oh my god.”
“I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you,” I said. “You’re everything to me. Everything.”
“Michael.” Julie’s eyes filled with tears.
“When we planned this trip, I could think of only one thing,” I said. “If I’m sure of anything, it’s that you and I were meant to be together. Always.”
I swallowed hard and opened the box. Julie’s eyes flickered to the ring and then back to my face. She was crying in earnest now, tears sliding down her cheeks.
“Julie,” I said. “Will you marry me?”
Her answering nod was the best moment of my life. She laughed through her tears and flung herself at me. I caught her and stood up, spinning her in a fast circle before setting her back on her feet.
I slid the ring on her shaking finger and kissed her. She was crying and laughing while I could barely contain my excitement.
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you, too.”
We kissed again, right there in front of the Eiffel Tower. People around us began to applaud, but we barely noticed. We were lost in each other, and nothing else mattered.
The End