Epilogue
Ezra’s Point Of View.
After 5 months…
“Long live the newlyweds!”
I smiled broadly when I heard everyone shout, even I was screaming in bliss. I approached Kiana whose reaction couldn’t be any happier. She’s busy taking photos with the guests while holding the bouquet for her wedding.
When she finished her business, I motioned for her to talk. She excused herself and turned to me. Her high-pitched scream has me plugging my fingers into my ears. She threw her arms around me in excitement and I returned the hug with a slight eye roll and chuckle.
“I can’t believe I’m married!” She showed off the sparkling ring on her finger.
She was so beautiful in the wedding gown she was wearing. Finally, five months later, nothing and no one stopped her and Xavier’s marriage.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Vergara!” I greeted her.
“Thank you, best!” She hugged me again. “Don’t worry, you’re getting married soon!”
I smiled bigger. Hyde proposed to me last month and of course, I responded with a yes. It was such an unforgettable proposal.
I was on my way home after I visited Mom’s grave in the memorial park when Kiana called me and invited me to come to the seven’s new place. They moved out so we won’t be a burden to Auntie Xyra anymore, although she’s also in favor of it because the boys don’t listen to her and they are indeed stubborn.
When I arrived there, the breeze of wind coming from the open field next to their isolated house, without a single neighbor to be seen, I was greeted with dark green bushes and petals of red roses scattered from the entrance.
I headed inside and I was surprised when I stomped on a button, which I didn’t know was there because the lights are turned off and the surrounding is dark, causing the lights to open as confetti exploded and mixed up with air.
My eyes widened in shock when I noticed the person in front of me and the people he was with. Hyde was there, as well as the six others and Kiana, Auntie Xyra, and even Dad.
I scanned the place, the decoration and design are giving me a different vibes. There are balloons, scent candles, and ribbons. There are also polaroid photos hanging on the wall. I stepped closer to it and discovered it’s Hyde and I in the photo. It’s not the surprise Hyde always does to celebrate. In fact, as far as I remember, there’s no occasion.
I glanced back at everyone who’s grinning at me in a meaningful way. They are using body language and not saying a word. I can’t pick their gestures up because I don’t understand what’s the matter.
“What’s going on here?” I asked, perplexed.
Hyde took a step forward and faced me. He smiled at me but this is the first time I’ve seen him nervous. I followed his gaze and cuffed his face because he can’t look me straight in the eye.
“Did I forget an important event today?” I added another question for him to answer. “What’s happening, Hyde?”
“A marriage proposal,” he answered and heaved a deep breath.
My throat went dry. “W-What?”
I was stunned when he stooped down on bended knee and took out a box from his pocket. He opened it and a classic oval-shaped diamond ring glistened inside.
“Ezra, as my heart is thumping, it’s chanting your name in every heartbeat. You are my everything. I don’t know about love but at the first moment I have sunk in your eyes, I can’t think beyond you. I feel I have got everything. You completed me,” he started. “If you give me one moment to live with you, I assure you I would make it something unforgettable, full of love and a remembrance for you.”
I’m starting to get emotional. I’m fond of romantic and fairy-tale-like relationships but I never expected to get and experience one.
Where in the world did he go all along?
I should’ve met him sooner, though I also believe in perfect timing and here it is. Destiny may often disappoint me with its final judgement in life, but it didn’t fail to be a blessing in disguise to me. Because of the unfortunate events I’ve gone through, I was given a chance to meet the seven bad boys and be Hyde’s girlfriend.
“I want you when you feel like crying even though nothing’s wrong. I want you when everything is wrong but you still don’t cry. I want you when you feel like you can conquer the world and I want you when you’re too broken to even get. I want you when you lie in your bed all day, contemplating. I want you when you spend hours watching a movie with me,” he added. “I want you in the mornings when you wake up confused, and tired. I want you when you drink your morning tea and read the newspaper absentmindedly. I want you when you tell me you love me. I want you whole. I want you over and over again.”
He’s staring at me with teary eyes. I wanted to cry but I didn’t want to ruin the moment. I will save my tears for later.
“Will you marry me, baby?” he asked, in front of Dad and everyone. “I hope you will take all the time you need before making this decision. I have waited centuries to find you. I have spent many lifetimes in your search, I could wait some more.”
“You don’t have to wait any longer.” I cupped his face, making him stand up. “Because even from the start, you’re the only man I wanted to marry and spend a lifetime with.”
“Is it a yes?”
“Yes!” I nodded slowly. “I’ll marry you, Hyde!”
He punched the air in joy and wore the ring on my finger. Then, he locked me in his arms for a hug. The ring fits perfectly and it’s so beautiful. I don’t know how much money he spent for it but the value and the love he put into it is what’s more important to me. He’s worth every heartache and pain.
“It’s almost scary how I’m not scared about the thought of us anymore. I mean, a man like you and a woman like me. I’ve always been too scared and I was never sure. We were never one of those people who are meant to be,” I said and let out a soft chuckle. “But underneath all my insecurities and fears, there’s something that I’ve always known. Something that I never thought needed saying, for you to know.”
I caressed his cheek. “I want you. On the nights when you taste like red wine on my lips and I melt like soft wax in your arms. I want you on days when all we are is a black polaroid picture in the bottom of your drawer underneath the pile of all the things you don’t need. I want you on days when you are too much and on days when you aren’t enough. I want your messy hair, your bloodshot eyes and your anger. I want the calm that follows. I want you when you're covered in sweat and dust from all your adventures. I want you when you’re as still as a night. I want you when you’re a violent hurricane.” I kissed his lips. “I want you, unaltered. I want you when your breath smells like cheap beer and your shirt, my favorite cologne. I want you with all your bruises and all your scars. I want your deepest cuts. I want you when you don’t want yourself. I want it all. I want you.”
I brought his face to mine and kissed him again. He put his hands on my waist and returned the kiss, while I placed my arms around his neck and grabbed his collar.
We savored the moment and our kiss lasted for a few minutes as if we were the only ones there. We didn’t mind the others and spoke up what’s running inside our head.
“Because every long lost road led me to where you are; others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars, guiding me on my way, into your loving arms, this much I know is true,” I whispered to him and smiled despite the tears rolling down over my cheeks. “The runaway led me straight to you.”
All of us were happy that night, especially me. Hyde asked for my hand from Daddy and Dad gave it to him without hesitation.
“I’ll be off now. By the way, I might be late for the reception, best,” I said goodbye to Kiana.
“Oh, where are you going?”
“Hearing,” I replied sparingly, and she immediately understood. She smiled and took my hand.
“You will win the case, Ezra. Have faith and gather up courage,” she said, encouraging me and lifting the confidence I have. I nodded and hugged her again before I finally left.
Hyde insisted on coming with me so we went together. Our trip was only a few minutes away and I was abruptly dominated by twitter. After five months, the hearing has only now resumed.
When we headed inside, I was even more sweaty. I have to win this case no matter what — to finally give Mommy the justice she deserves.
“Please, sit down,” the judge ordered.
We all obeyed and sat down. Hyde must have noticed that I was nervous so he held my hand and tried to calm me down. He intertwined our fingers and repeatedly kissed the back of my palm.
“We’re going to win this case, Ezra. I’ll fight with you,” he said. I smiled slightly.
This man really had a different effect on me.
“Mr. Tan, Raiko is hereby declared…” I closed my eyes tightly and tightened my grip on Hyde’s hand. “Guilty.”
I was stunned to hear that. I didn’t pay any attention to what the speaker said because I immediately got up from my seat and jumped. I flashed a smile of victory and hugged Hyde.
Finally!
The police arrested Raiko and put him back in jail. I couldn’t help but burst into tears of joy. There has been justice for my Mommy and I’m sure no one will bother us anymore.
Everything is in order. Everything is under control. No one will ever hinder us nor can nothing ruin our happiness.
***
3 years after…
“Ellie, baby! Be careful!”
“Yes, Mommy!”
I laughed as I watched my daughter run around the backyard. I returned to preparing the food and setting up the table. Then, I caught sight of the large tarpaulin in front of me.
Ellie Jean M. Faulkerson’s 3rd birthday!
When Hyde and I got married, we were happily blessed with a beautiful daughter. I have nothing more to ask for because them coming into my life is enough for me.
I glanced at Jeremy, Clarence, Iñigo and Joaquin grilling a barbeque on the side and talking. I couldn’t help but smile as I remembered what had happened before. I don’t think much more needs to happen between us before we can achieve what is truly right for us.
I looked up at the sky. If Mommy was still here, she’d probably be happy to meet my daughter, her granddaughter.
“Kiro!”
Kiana’s loud voice dominated from the outside. She approached me and greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. I smiled at Kiro and touched his cheek.
“Hi, baby boy! Is your Mommy scolding you again?” I jested while Kiro giggled. Kiana frowned and carried her child.
“Hey, my son is so greedy! He saw the food you are preparing in the distance and he immediately ran here,” Kiana said and beamed. I chuckled and talked to her son again.
Kiro is a handsome boy. I want to pinch him because he’s like a cute little child. He has dimples on both cheeks and when he smiles, his eyes squint. He inherited everything from Xavier, for sure. I bet he’s going to be a heartbreaker in school.
We turned to the direction where we heard a car horn. The smile widened on my lips. Axle immediately headed to me to play with Jean and pointed out her Daddy.
I saw Hyde going home from work with Xavier. They parked the car and went out. I’m carrying my daughter now while waiting for her father from afar.
Hyde approached us two and kissed our child on the forehead. Then, Daddy took my daughter who was giggling because of him.
I turned to Hyde again. I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him and caressed his back. Hyde isn’t only a good father to Jean, he’s also a perfect husband to me. I can even barely count his flaws.
“I missed you, wife,” he whispered in my ear, which revived my system. “Won’t you give your husband a greeting?”
I grinned. “What do you want?”
“I want to kiss your lips.” His lips curved a playful smirk. “It’s my one and only energizer.”
Even before I could speak, he pulled my waist closer to him and kissed my forehead lightly down to my nose and lips. I almost tore my mouth with a smile when his lips touched mine.
I closed my eyes tightly and kissed him back. I laughed as I saw Xavier and Kiana cover the eyes of the two children, while the five others and Dad were teasing us.
I hugged Hyde and looked up at the sky once again. After all, I still consider myself lucky. Despite what happened in the past, I still have friends who show endless support to me no matter what I do. I also have Dad whom I can always lean on and ask for advice in life. I have Hyde and Jean. I have my own family now.
I’m happy and content with it. I’m satisfied being around their presence. I couldn’t ask for more because these blessings I’ve got are a lot than enough.
Even the gloomy nights will end, and the sun will rise up high again. Replace negativity with optimism and start a new beginning.
Because this is the finale we deserve, a happy ending…
The End.