Epilogue
Summer
Two months later
Icouldn’t think of a better way to end this week.
Tuesday night was the last performance of the play, and I got the biggest standing ovation I’ve ever had in my life. The best thing was looking into the audience and seeing Eric standing there with my father next to him cheering for me.
On Wednesday I signed another contract to do another play in the fall with the same director who also put me in touch with a movie producer who saw my performance in the play. He’s keen to cast me in a movie he’s producing in the fall.
If I get the part, it would be the epitome of my acting career. Since the movie is also being filmed in L.A. the timing would work perfectly since I’ll be studying at UCLA.
On Thursday, Eric and I moved into our new home—a five-bedroom beach house in Laguna Beach that looks like it was pulled from a dream.
Yesterday we spent the day in bed, and now I’m in his arms dancing under the stars away from the guests at his sister’s wedding.
We broke away from the guests a little over an hour ago and we’ve just been dancing on the beach to the faint music we can hear.
It was a beautiful day where I got to see his family again, who I absolutely adore, but this is even better because I never imagined this could be me.
I’m happy.
For most of my life, happiness felt like a myth for a girl like me. Now I have it.
I have happiness and I’ve finally made peace in my heart with my father.
I see him every day as he hangs on to life. I think the togetherness strengthens him. There are days when he seems stronger and days when he’s weak, but he fights to stay alive.
When I gaze up at the handsome man holding me, he smiles at me like he just had one of his crazy ideas.
“What now Mr. Markov?” I ask.
“Thinking of what I’m going to do with you next.”
“What are you thinking?”
He pretends to consider my question even though I know he’s already formed the idea. That was how he looked before he asked me to move in with him at his old apartment and how he looked when we pitched up on the drive of the beach house and he told me it was our new home.
We stop dancing and my spirits rise when his warm hands cup my face.
Our eyes lock as he gazes deeply into my eyes with a fervency I’ve never seen in him before.
“I’m thinking of what you might say if I told you I’m planning to give you my name and fill your belly with my babies.”
Joy overwhelms me at such a degree that my head spins. I beam up at him feeling warm all over.
“I’m going to say yes,” I answer, and we fall into a kiss that speaks of our forever.
* * *
Eric
6 months later
Summer and I got married two days ago.
We eloped to Brazil. I married her on the beach not far from where she’s walking now, collecting seashells.