Epilogue One

"Clarabella!" Luke yells my name from downstairs. “Let's go."

"Oh my God," I say, walking down the stairs and seeing him standing there with both hands on the banister as he calls my name. “Would you hold your horses?" I look down at him, and he looks so handsome in his black jeans and a black T-shirt. “What is the big rush this morning?"

"It's the first time we've had off in weeks." He grabs my hips as I stand on the step in front of him, looking down at him. “And I want to get going so we can start naked weekend."

"One." I hold up my free hand. “You said we are leaving by nine." I turn my hand over and see that it's nine ten. “I'm ten minutes late, and that's because you decided that you wanted to shower with me."

"Hmm." He pulls me closer. “That was fun." He smiles up at me, and my heart speeds up in my chest, and my stomach feels like a wave hitting the shore every single time. It's been over six months now, and honestly every single time he kisses me it's like the first time all over again. "And it's always a good decision to get you naked and wet." He kisses me again. “Now can we get on the road?"

"We can." I take a step down as he grabs the bag from me.

"Why is this so heavy?" he asks, ushering me out of the house. “It's naked weekend. You don't need all these clothes."

"I don't know why; it might be naked day every time we are there," he says, opening the back door and throwing my bag on top of the seat.

"Where is your bag?" I ask when he opens the passenger door for me.

"It's naked weekend." He pffts. “Why do I need a bag?"

"Is there anything that your sisters don't know?" he asks me, and I roll my lips.

"They don't know that." I try to think. “They don't know that we live together," I say, and he whips his head around. "I mean, they know we live together, but they don't know you officially moved in and will be selling your house."

"We've been living with each other since your almost wedding day," he jokes with me and shakes his head, laughing. "Well, after today, there is going to be a for sale sign, so it won't be a secret for long." His hand finds mine at the back of his neck, and he brings it to his mouth, kissing my fingers. I lean my head to the side as I watch the trees as we drive up to his cabin. We try to get away and come here at least a couple of days a month, but the past two months have been crazy busy for the both of us. Especially since we just partnered together with a property that he was looking at out by the lake. It is a great space for a restaurant during the week, and then the weekends will be amazing for weddings. He will be the in-house chef, and we will run the events. We didn’t know what to expect, but it is now fully booked for the next three years.

"It definitely gets you a tiara," he says, opening the top, and to be honest, I don't even fucking care what’s in the box. It could be from a Cracker Jack box.

"I mean, if I get a tiara," I say, laughing as the tears pour down my face. “Yes."

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask them after I hug my mother.

"Sorry to intrude on your naked weekend,” my mother says, and I can hear moaning coming from Luke. “But I couldn't not be here."

"Can we just go outside so we can sit down?” Presley says, looking at us.

"We can bring the couch in from the bedroom,” Travis suggests, and she just shakes her head.

"They have naked weekends here." She points at me and then Luke. “There have been ass cheeks and ball sacks all over this place." She puts her hand in front of her mouth. “And I, for one, am not touching anything."

"You helped decorate," I point out.

"She wore gloves and a mask,” Shelby shares with Ace beside her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

"I knew it,” Presley gloats. “I fucking called it."

"What are you talking about?" Luke says, and I take a deep breath.

"I had the big wedding planned," I remind him.

"I know, I drove you away from it," he says, putting his hands on his hips.

"What she's trying to say is that she had the big wedding, and now all she wants to do is get married,” my mother says, stepping forward, smiling at me with big tears in her eyes.

"I mean, we already have food for the engagement party,” Luke says, and I just stare at him in shock. “And your sisters already had the decorations brought down."

"And I might have snuck in a dress,” Presley admits, and all I can do is stare in shock.

"Come this way." Luke holds out his hand for me, and I walk to him, and he slips the ring on my finger. “Now it's official." I shake my head as I follow him out and walk down the stairs as he walks toward the path that we hike in, an arch of white and green flowers leads into where the reception is supposed to happen. “What the fuck?" He gasps, and I look around the clearing in the middle of the forest surrounded by trees, and tables are set up. Huge moss-like flowers sit in the middle of the tables surrounded by white roses, and what looks like tree branches are in the middle of five round tables with dark green tablecloths that fill the empty space. White place settings are set up with sage-green napkins on each plate. White vine leaves drape over us as if they are falling onto lanterns to light up the area. It's the most romantic thing I've ever seen. "You told me that you would handle it."

"And we did,” Presley confirms. “You are lucky that we couldn't put candles all around this place." She puts her hands on her hips. "We also have enough flowers left over to make a nice archway.”

"We need to get someone to marry you,” Shelby states. “And there is no service."

"I'm ordained." Presley sticks her hand up, and Luke just stares at her in shock. “Two years ago, the officiant was in a car accident, and well, I had to save the day."

"There isn't anything we can't do,” Shelby declares, and I clap my hands.

"Then let’s get married,” Luke says.

"Are you sure?" Harlow asks me. “This may delay naked weekend by like eight hours."

"That's a deal breaker for me," I joke. “We could get married naked."

"I just threw up in my mouth,” Travis says, putting a fist to his mouth. “And now I need booze to take the image out of my head."

"Oh my God, are you really doing this?" my mother asks. “Not the naked part." She shakes her head. “But are you really, really going to get married here?"

"Really?" Presley says, and Shelby slaps her arm. “What? I'm just asking. She literally was going to get married this year to someone else."

"Presley,” my mother scolds between clenched teeth, but nothing could stop the smile that fills my face.

"Let's go, people. You have thirty minutes!” I shout and turn to walk back to the house.

"How are we going to do this?" Travis says, and in three minutes, Shelby and Presley have given out orders.

"The dress is in the bedroom hanging in the closet,” Presley explains when we walk into the bedroom. She walks over and grabs a couple of black garment bags and turns to Luke. “You can have the bathroom, and then you leave." She looks at him. “Immediately leave." Then she hands one to Travis and Ace. “You follow him." Then she motions with her head to Harlow and my mother. “If you don't have a vagina, you are not allowed in this room." She slams the door in the guys’ faces. "Now, where were we?" She looks at me. “I want to say, thank God you washed your hair."

"You spent way too much time looking at it when we went to the store last month,” Presley replies.

"It was the only dress that you went up to and touched,” Shelby adds, smiling. Last month, we had to go and help a bride pick out a dress, and the minute I saw this dress hanging, I envisioned myself wearing it. "Now, let's get you dressed."

"We are just missing one thing,” Shelby notes, looking at Presley and trying to hide her tears.

"A husband,” my mother says, and we all laugh as I turn to walk out of the bedroom and stop when I see Luke there waiting for me. He's wearing black pants and a white button-down shirt untucked. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, his hair is pushed back, and you can see where his fingers ran through it. He's never looked hotter. His face is filled with a smile when he looks at me.

"Oh my God." Those are the only words he says as he wipes a tear away.

"You have one job,” Shelby warns. “One."

"I…" Luke starts to say.

"It's not like you've never seen her in a wedding dress before,” Presley says, and my mother moans. "What? It's true."

"I can't wait until it's your turn,” Harlow says to Presley, and she throws her head back and laughs.

"Please, after you three?" She points at us. “I'm dying alone with my ten cats."

"Why would you get ten cats?" Shelby asks, shaking her head.

"We are going to wait outside,” Harlow says with a smile. “Please keep all clothes on."

"Better than the first one?" I ask, and he nods his head.

"This is you," he says, coming to me. "And you are mine."

"I am yours," I confirm to him, and he kisses my lips. “Now, can we go and make me your wife?"

"We can," he agrees, kissing my lips one more time. “All this time," he continues, holding my hand as we walk out of the house, "you were always going to be mine." I look over at him as he brings my hand to his lips. “And I'll cherish you forever."