Epilogue - As told by Elena
The day has come that I’m moving into my dream house. Yay! Leo had me tell him exactly what I wanted in a home, and then he knew some architect who drew up the plans according to my wishes, and Leo had the home built for us. It took some time, but it’s finally ready and it includes all my favorite essentials.
Besides a grand kitchen, I made sure to add an aromatherapy steam shower on my list so that we can make steamy love in it.
I have planted a little herb garden under the kitchen window, for Leo to use in cooking, not me. I laugh to picture myself even trying. The house has a game room for Leo and his friends, a theater room, lots of space, and my favorite part is the custom master suite that Leo helped design. It’s huge and it has a terrace. He made me a coffee bar so I can have my morning espresso right in the room, and he designed the biggest master closet ever. I actually can’t even fill it up.
The gym on the main level has French doors that lead out onto the pool patio where there are gardens and trees surrounding it. This way I can workout and do my yoga at home. I’ve included a spin bike, so with the music pumping it’s like my own personal Soul Cycle. There are also machines for Leo to use so that we can workout together and then we can jump right into the pool, naked I’m assuming. I have my swimsuit on under my slip dress, ready for a dip, and I’m looking all over the house to try and find Leo. Where has he gone?
We’ve been dating a year and it’s been the most glorious year of my life. We are so in love and we’ve had so many passionate encounters that I’ve lost track of when and where they all occurred. Leo keeps me constantly on my toes and I never knew a love like this could exist, yet alone be mine.
Luckily, Barry was convicted of stalking, harassment, and attempted murder so that he got a lifetime sentence and we never have to worry about him coming back for revenge. He turned out to be a total monster and I’m overjoyed that the most terrible piece of my past is history.
I’m wandering barefoot through the great expanse of our new home looking for my man. I’m so excited that we took this leap together and that we are ready to move in. It feels like the best parts of my life are yet to come. I find Leo in the garage, and he’s not wearing a shirt and the view of him is gorgeous. His tanned, toned torso is moist with sweat and I admire him from afar before he sees me. He comes up upon me but I run away. I’m not getting my outfit stained with that sweat! I run but he catches me and clutches me in his arms making sure to get his sweat all over me.
“Leo! Gross.” I laugh with him.
Secretly, I don’t care and I’m glad to be captured in his arms. I’m glad that our new life together is beginning in this way, in such perfect total happiness.
“I’ve got my bathing suit on,” I say. “I’m going for a swim. Wanna come?”
“I’m gonna go through these last boxes first.”
“Okay, how bout I help? I can search for the pots and pans. I know we need them for tonight.”
He laughs, “You of all people should not be worried about the pots and pans.” He teases me. I will never live down the fact that I don’t cook well.
“Hey, I planted an herb garden. That’s a start. And anyway, you won’t be saying that when you’re starving,” I say as I continue to look for the pans.
With that he pulls me in for a long kiss. “As long as I get dessert, I’ll be fine.” Our eyes lock for a moment, we feel that intense heat, and then I’m the one to pull away. Even though I’m so happy, Leo stills makes my stomach swirl and my head spin. I can never get enough of him.
He pulls me back into his grasp. He’s not done with me yet. And he kisses me hard. He takes off my newly moist slip dress and I’m standing there before him in my new gold bikini. He likes what he sees and we’re kissing. I’m reaching for the bulge in his jeans, but before I can I find him down on one knee.
Now my head is really spinning. My world just got even better. I was never expecting this, not so soon. I look at him and tears of happiness stream down my face. My dreams are manifesting so quickly and I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet. I’m crying as he opens the Cartier box to reveal one huge emerald cut diamond ring.
“It’s modeled after the one Grace Kelly wore.”
“I know,” I say in between tears. I know what’s to come.
“My beautiful Elena, my most gorgeous angel, you are exquisite both inside and out. I love that your soul is so pure and that you would do anything for anyone. You have such strength and beauty and wisdom. You have made me become a better person, and when I’m with you, the world ceases to appear and it’s just you and it’s just me. I want it to be that way forever. I never want to be apart from you, not for one single day. And with that will you do me the tremendous honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes, Leo. Yes! Of course I will marry you!” I jump now into his arms and he’s holding me suspended in the air. Time stands still and we kiss and become one for the rest of eternity.