“Yes, I think I would very much like that. Now, were Nina and Owen in on this little ruse?”
“Of course, they were. I even got Owen’s permission. By the way, I received on the condition that I would continue to be his wingman. I reminded him that he doesn’t need one.”
“You talked to Owen? Oh, Jameson, that is positively the sweetest thing I have ever heard.” I am seriously overwhelmed. I am swooning at his love and respect for Owen.
Seriously, ladies, I think he might be a keeper. How cute is that? I walk over to the table where Jameson pops the cork off of the champagne and pours me a glass. I pop a chocolate from the bouquet. Not because I’m anxious, but because I can. He knows that chocolate rules and flowers drool in my book. He knows me.
He hands me a glass and pours one for himself. “To new beginnings.” Our glasses clink, and I let the bubbles tickle my throat. I grin and think to myself, It’s finally my turn, and life has never looked so promising.
Epilogue
Jameson
I take a moment to take in the view. While the vineyards surrounding our extravagant villa are gorgeous, my line of vision is drawn to the woman who captured my heart. I love the way her lips purse as she thinks. Her eyes close as she takes a sip of her coffee. Relaxed. Happy. I can’t imagine a life without her and Owen. It makes me realize how empty and colorless my existence used to be.
Addie is open to developing a relationship with her biological father. Her pace is slow, but I think that with all of the abandonment and trust issues that she brings to the table, it’s understandable. Do you know the most beautiful thing I’m privileged to watch? It’s the budding bond between Owen and Wendell. It is natural. It is comfortable. Most wonderful of all, Addie stepped back from it, allowing the two of them to figure it out for themselves. After all the crazy that surrounded us for months, the circus has officially left town. We are going to be okay.
After a lot of consideration and subtle pressure from Nina, Addie decided to write a memoir about her life. With the false facts floating around the internet, she thought the best course of action was to control the narrative. I wonder where she got that excellent advice? Anyway, I think that the book has been a therapeutic release of sorts. I admire her willingness to be so vulnerable on a public level, which she fought in the beginning. I am so fucking proud of her.
Before we came to Italy, I went ring shopping. I’ll admit that I’m terrified of asking her, but not because I’m afraid of committing—I’m scared that she won’t say yes. I spent months trying to get them to move in with me. We have spent every moment together, but for some reason, she finds excuses. Irrational excuses. Like that I don’t have enough bookshelves for her literary collection, or that my furniture won’t blend with hers. Stupid reasons. At least to me. So, I bought a house complete with a library that would accommodate her book addiction- still a no. I will not be deterred. This step in asking for her hand happens to be one of the most frightening actions I have ever taken. Which is crazy, since I have jumped out of a plane in war-torn countries, taken out insurgents, and lived for weeks in trenches. Seriously. I’m terrified.
I asked Owen’s permission, of course. He rolled his eyes and told me to, and I quote, “Shit or get off the pot,” which I suppose was his way of giving me his blessing. Nice. God, he makes me laugh. He sees life in color.
The ring I selected is simple. Understated. Totally Addie. Custom made. It’s a one-carat diamond surrounded by emeralds. It isn’t flashy because Addie would hate that. I know she’s skittish, so I have been patient, but I will say that it still feels like throwing a Hail Mary pass.
“Morning, Addie.” I keep my voice low, hoping that it isn’t wavering with emotion.
“Morning.” She grins at me, her eyes closed. God, that smile lights up my world. I sit next to her and grab her hand. We sit in compatible silence while I try to formulate my delivery. I have been practicing, but at this moment, I know I just need to speak from my heart.
“Where’s Owen?” I take a sip of my coffee.
“Oh, he’s with Antonio. They went to a café so Owen can scope out the ladies.” She giggles. Antonio is the caretaker of our villa. He and Owen have formed a tight bond.
“So, I’ve been replaced as his wingman?” I say it like I’m annoyed, but I’m not. Besides, Antonio is a good guy and apparently “hot as fuck,” or at least that’s what Addie says to Nina when she thinks I don’t hear her as they chat on the phone. Whatever.
“I suppose so. Are you going to survive?” She smirks at me.
“Yes, I’ll survive. I have my hands full with you.” I laugh. “When are Nina and Harrison arriving?”
“Tonight. I hope they don’t kill each other in the process.” We’re both still wondering what the hell is going on between them. Every time I ask Harrison, he changes the subject. Interesting. There is a dance with them. The sexual tension is thick.
“Oh, I’m sure they’ll be fine. So, are you done with the revisions?” I know her focus has been a little scattered, but since Nina is coming, she’s had to buckle down. The publisher is breathing down her neck, which means Nina has been on her ass.
“I have some work to do today, but it should be done by the time they get here.” She closes her eyes and sighs. I take in her beauty. She looks happy. Content. Loved. Cherished. Everything I promised when I pledged my love to her. In all honesty, her presence in my life has eased my PTSD issues—along with the psychiatrist Addie urged me to see. It seems that I will do just about anything she asks. She is a powerful presence.
“Addie.”
She opens her eyes and turns to me. I’m down on one knee, a chocolate rose in one hand, and a ring box in the other. She gasps. Probably more about the chocolate rose because, well, it’s chocolate, and I can guarantee she’s wondering where I was able to find such an amazing creation. I digress. Focus, Jameson. This is the moment.
Addie
It certainly has been a whirlwind of activity. Dorothy got what she deserved. A prison sentence that should keep her far, far away for a very long time. The trial was a media circus, but that was tame compared to the months leading up to Dorothy’s fall. We handled it. Together. Jameson has been my rock. A true partner in every sense of the word.
Matthew divorced Dorothy, and aside from the trial, I haven’t seen or heard from him. I’m not expecting to since we now know that we aren’t even related. I mean, even when I thought we were family, he did everything he could to destroy that bond. Good riddance. I do hope he finds his bliss. I am so evolved now that I feel a little like Oprah.
I’m sure you’re wondering about the senator, a.k.a. my father. He opted not to run for another term. His approval rating took a hit. Surprised? Yeah, me neither. Anyway, we’re taking it slow. Like, sloth slow. I’m sure you’ll be shocked to know that I may have some trust and abandonment issues that I’m still working on. The memoir has been cathartic and has gotten me to a better place. Wendell has been very patient with the whole process. Together, he and I told Owen that he is our father, and they’re working on their own bond. I will say that he’s extremely patient and loving with him. And honestly, if nothing else happens with our relationship, I am grateful that Owen now has a real connection with our father. And, I am staying out of the way, allowing them to forge their own path. That was all Jameson. He urged me to let Owen figure this out for himself, which is not my usual way of approaching things where Owen is concerned. It is possible that I don’t know what’s best sometimes, but especially in this case.
Speaking of Jameson, I am jolted back into reality as I open my eyes. There he is, on one knee with a stunning ring. I see his lips moving, but my ears are roaring. I am sure he’s saying some romantic things. I am frozen. Paralyzed by my own neurotic state of fear. I have held him off from living together. I have used excuse after excuse, but yet, here we are. He’s proposing. And the only thing I tune into is, �
��Please be my wife.” Wife. Something I never thought would happen to me. A partner. Someone to walk with me through life. Cue the ugly cry. Did you know there are women who cry without their skin getting blotchy or snot running out of their nose? That isn’t me. But this man is wiping my tears and helping me blow my nose while I stutter my answer, which, of course, is yes. Yes, to a life full of everything I never thought I deserved. Yes, to trusting other people to have my back. Yes to it all. I finally have my happy ending. It just took me a while to catch up to it.
Nina
This man is infuriating. Sitting in first class, Harrison looks like he walked off the cover of GQ, sipping his bourbon and generally annoying me. Oh, he isn’t doing anything to me, it’s just his presence. His ability to get under my skin. Ugh. Great. I said “ugh” out loud.
“Problem, Nina?” He smirks.
“No problem. Could you possibly turn down the volume on your drinking?”
“What? That’s ridiculous. You can’t turn down the volume on drinking. I don’t even know what that means.” His brow is furrowed as he looks at me.
“The clinking of your ice in the glass and your sipping is too loud. Those are just two examples.”
“Is my breathing too loud?”
He’s teasing me. Even I know I’m being ridiculous, but I can’t admit that to him. How am I ever going to survive this trip with him? Focus. This isn’t about me. It is about celebrating my best friend’s engagement. I mean, I kind of deserve credit since I did initially introduce them. I always knew they would be perfect together.
Harrison’s voice jolts me out of my thoughts. “I asked you a question. Is my breathing too loud?”
“Well, your chattiness certainly isn’t quiet,” I scoff.
“I can’t win with you. Look, we’ve got to agree on a truce. I know that you’re angry with me, but I can’t change what happened. This is about our friends. Let’s try to get along.”
I hate it when he’s reasonable. Unfortunately, he is right. I guess I can fake it until I make it there. Thank God there will be copious amounts of wine.
“Are we in agreement?” he asks.
“Yes, we’re in agreement,” I whisper.
“Wait, did you just agree with me, because I couldn’t hear you. I guess my drinking is a lot louder than I originally thought.” He laughs at his own joke.
“You heard me. I am not repeating myself. I love Addie and Jameson, so I’ll be nice. For now.”
“Maybe, Nina, just maybe, we can reconcile our feelings while we’re there.” Before I can say anything, he puts his earbuds in and shakes his ice cubes in a rhythmic fashion.
Reconciling my feelings is exactly what frightens me.
Acknowledgments
To my family. I am so grateful for their support and encouragement, tolerating my moods, and being willing to let me escape into another world. You are my heart.
To my friend and taskmaster, Kristi Jedlicki. I appreciate your willingness to keep me focused. You read the garbage I sent and helped me fuel it with magic. I can never repay your commitment to helping me along this path.
To Christie Stratos of Proof Positive. Thank you for your guidance and honest feedback during the development of this book. Your experience was incredibly valuable to me during this journey.
I was taught to write what I know. My inspiration for the character of Owen resides in my oldest son, Bailey, who was born with Down syndrome. Both of my boys are my greatest teachers, but Bailey encourages me to simply accept life on life’s terms. He isn’t plagued by worry or stress. Instead, he basks in the beauty of life.
To my tribe of beautiful women that continue to support, inspire, empower, and accept my twisted brand of crazy, I love you all. You help me be the best version of myself.
For more information on Down syndrome,
go to www.ndss.org
About the Author
Allison Jones is a freelance writer and blogger who resides in the beautiful city of Louisville, Kentucky. Her work has appeared in various newspapers and magazines, and her blog, Square Peg, Round Hole, feeds readers the humor of her everyday life.
She shares her life with her husband, Brian, and boys, Bailey and Bryce, along with her fur babies. When she isn’t writing, she is reading and avoiding people.
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