Epilogue

LILAH

TWO MONTHS LATER

Winter in Connecticut is always a humbling experience. Between the nipple-hardening temperature and all the ice I slip on without fail, it’s a wonder I’m ever able to get in the Christmas spirit.

But I’m feeling it this year. More than usual.

School is out until January and I’ve just finished some last-minute Christmas shopping. Now, as I drive home, I tap my fingers against the steering wheel as I wait for the light to change.

I’m anxious as ever to see Andrew and kiss him under the mistletoe I just bought.

Andrew’s not big on Christmas. But with Gladys’ help I transformed his house into a winter wonderland. Even he can’t resist the merry spirit going around when his house looks like Santa’s workshop.

Parking in front of the house, I frown when I see a Bentley parked ahead of mine on the horseshoe driveway.

There’s only one person I know who owns a car like that. Grabbing my bags from the car, I hustle up the steps and unlock the door with my key.

I moved in last month after the heat in my apartment broke. Andrew had been adamant that I stay with him at least through the winter, not taking no for an answer. And of course I gave in.

Who wouldn’t want to live in the lap of luxury? If only for a few months…

In the foyer, I hear voices coming from the kitchen and my suspicions are confirmed.

Edward’s here.

With a huff, I try to hold on to the cheerful mood I had before but it’s damned hard.

Dropping my bags in the entryway, I make my way to the kitchen and see the brothers having a heated discussion over beer.

When Andrew notices me by the entrance, he gives me a smile that instantly puts me at ease.

Beckoning me to his side, he continues talking to Edward whose back is to me.

The two of them have been trying to work out their relationship recently and while I’m happy Andrew and his only sibling are communicating again, my distrust for Edward hasn’t subsided.

“Hey, Cupcake,” Andrew greets me softly, pressing a kiss against my lips. “Missed you.”

Butterflies invade my stomach and I feel like a schoolgirl caught up on her first crush. I’d only been gone for a couple of hours, but he made feel like my absence had shifted the course of his day.

It’s cheesy, but I love it.

“Hi Lilah.” Edward clears his throat behind me.

“Be nice,” Andrew mouths for my eyes only.

Turning, I give him a cordial smile.

“How’s it going, Edward?”

His typically cool, grey eyes actually hold a touch of warmth today. Edward’s answer is succinct before he glances at his watch and announces that he has somewhere else to be soon.

Left alone in the kitchen, I turn to Andrew.

“What was that about?”

Shrugging, Andrew gets down from his barstool to fetch another beer from the fridge.

“He came over to drop something off and then we ended up discussing a business opportunity.”

“Hmm, that’s nice,” I hum tactfully. Although I want to say more, I keep my thoughts to myself.

Who am I to interfere? They’re rebuilding their relationship and I’m going to stay out of it. If Andrew can forgive him for all the fucked-up shit that transpired, then I can at least try.

A month ago, our friend Natalia hosted a showing of Andrew’s artwork at her renovated warehouse gallery. Friends and family came out and supported him, including Edward, who brought his girlfriend. Although Andrew has never said as much, I knew that Edward’s presence there meant a lot.

I overheard Edward say to his girlfriend that his mom would have been proud of Andrew’s talent. I wanted to say something, but tears of happiness overwhelmed me. Perhaps if Edward can respect Andrew’s talent, then their relationship can be healed.

The only reason Andrew gave him another chance at forgiveness at all is because he’s the reason we got back together in the first place.

Still, it doesn’t stop my protective instinctive from kicking in. I’ll kick Edward’s ass if he even thinks about hurting Andrew. Not that Andrew can’t hold his own.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Andrew asks, reclaiming his seat at the bar and pulling me between his legs.

“Just thinking,” I say nonchalantly. “What else did you do while I was gone?”

“I’ll tell you if you tell me what you bought while you were out,” Andrew bargains.

He’s been trying to figure out my gift for him since Thanksgiving! For someone who doesn’t really get into Christmas, he sure is curious.

“Who said I bought anything?” I ask him evasively.

“I heard bags drop before you walked in here,” he tells me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I assure him with a slight shrug even as a playful smirk lifts my lips.

“Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll find out soon enough.”

***

Later that night, Andrew calls me into his studio when I finish tidying the kitchen.

Gladys is on vacation for the next two weeks so I’ve stepped up to do the bulk of the housework. It’s the least I can do since I’m living here rent free.

In Andrew’s studio, I reach the landing and peer at him.

“What’s up?”

“I have something to show you. Come here,” he commands, pointing at the spot in front of him.

Walking over, I look at him curiously. There’s something weird in his voice but I can’t put my finger on it.

Once I’m standing in front of him he pulls a canvas from a nearby table and extends it in my direction.

“I know it’s not Christmas yet but I want you to have this since we’ll be at your mom’s house on the actual day. This is a little difficult to carry on the plane,” he states as my eyes roam over it.

It’s an abstract piece, comprised of the colors red and black. The swirling tones are most intense in the center of the painting while the outer edges are only splattered with faint red lines.

My eyes scan over it several times in quick succession. For some reason passion and love jump out at me as I take it all in.

I love it.

Smiling, I express gratitude. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

Andrew grins. “Don’t you want to know what it is?”

It’s a painting. What is he talking about?

“I thought the whole purpose of an abstract painting was that the meaning is left up to the interpretation of the observer.”

My eyes travel back to the painting again, trying to make out any distinctive figures or clues. But I come up empty. The colors are fused together so well it’s like they were made to complement each other. Perfectly coming together like two lovers meant for each other’s bodies.

“We made this,” Andrew fills me in as I continue gawking at it.

My frown is apparent with this new information.

“What are you talking about, us? I’ve never painted…”

And that’s when it comes rushing back to me.

That night after the movies. We’d painted each other and fucked like rabbits right on top of this canvas.

Mouth wide, I look at the painting with new eyes this time. Every splash and smear of paint is more significant now.

When I turn my eyes back to Andrew, he isn’t there. Well, he is but he isn’t standing.

Kneeling beside me, he opens a red ring box and tears instantly clog my throat.

Oh, my God.

“I think I fell in love with you that night and I knew I didn’t want anybody but you for the rest of my life. You complete me,” he says, looking up at me adoringly. The love in his eyes is enough to make my knees weak.

I can’t believe this is happening.

“Lilah, will you marry me?”

Speechless, I set the painting down and drop to my knees to cover his face in kisses.

Chuckling, Andrew pulls a dazzling ring from the cushioned box and grabs my hand.

“This ring belonged to my mother and now I want you to wear it as my wife. What do you say?”

“Yes! Oh my God, yes I’ll marry you! Are you kidding me?”

With another chuckle, Andrew slips the ring on my finger and it’s a perfect fit.

I’m engaged.

Holy crap, I’m going to be Mrs. Lilah Knight.

Andrew lifts my chin up, so I look into his wonderful eyes.

“To be honest, Cupcake… Lilah, this why Edward was here tonight. He had our mom’s ring and wanted me to have it to give to you when I told him what I was planning to do tonight. As I said, this is an investment.”

Andrew’s smile at his own joke makes me squeal in joy.

“And there’s something else.”

He hands me a sealed envelope with a cute cupcake drawn on the front, which I snatch from his hands. I rip it open as he continues.

“I know how much your project means to you. I want to you have this and I want you to make your dreams come true.”

The check is for one million dollars.

“This for your project. I believe in you, Lilah, and I believe in your project.”

Happiness swells within me as joyful tears start running down my cheeks. This is the happiest day of my life.