AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Just like us,” I whisper back with a wink.
My girl laughs.
“Yep, just like us.”
“I love you, Emma Tucker,” I say as the Swan Lake music swells.
“I love you, August Penmayne,” she replies.
EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER
AUGUST
The red theater curtain rises, and I hold my breath.
It’s been a long five years since I was last in this theater, watching the premiere of the production of Swan Lake. That was for Emma’s birthday, and it feels like a lifetime ago.
And so much has happened since.
I settle in my front-row seat and watch the show. This is the first time this theater has put on Swan Lake since that last production five years ago, but I still remember the songs. I may not be the biggest fan of ballet, but I dolovethis one. Emma’s passion for it has clearly rubbed off on me. Tonight is the premiere of this new production.
A lone dancer appears on the stage, and I lean forward.
Finally...
Emma dances like she was made for this immense space. I can feel the entire sold-out audience behind hold their breath with me as she glides across the stage as the main dancer in this production.
I can’t help but feel a tidal wave of emotions rush over me as I witness her talents.
This is all her dreams come true.
She is, simply put,amazing.
I really don’t know much about ballet, but even I can tell she truly was made for this.
I’m here to support her on opening night, but I know she’ll receive nothing less than glowing reviews. She’s earned this position through hard work and dedication to her craft.
Irina is here, sitting next to me. I risk a glance over at the stern Russian dance teacher.
She’s crying.
It’s tears of pride and joy.
She was so rightly honored when I invited her to watch this show. It must be incredible for her to see her former student doing something as prestigious as this.
I think about Diana. She’s now married to the man she was dating when Emma and I were reunited. She has a good home. She has created a family. She is happy.
And Faith and Ethan still hold hands together. They’re growing up into well-adjusted teenagers – reminding Emma and me of us when we were their age. Faith has her eyes set on following her adopted auntie’s footsteps into ballet school, and Ethan has told me he wants to become a pediatric doctor – inspired by me. Nothing makes me prouder. His sickness never returned. He’s a little superhero.
Natalie Tucker recovered faster than any doctor anticipated post-surgery, even in the fancy new hospital us Penmaynes transferred her to. She was back on her feet in no time. She’s a tough nut, that Natalie. She’s got plenty of life in her yet. I’ve made sure we’ve put her on a pension, and now she’s traveling the world. She’s no longer traveling for work, but now for her own pleasure. Last we heard; she was in South Africa on some crazy safari in the middle of the savannah. Good for her. She deserves a good life.
And, as for Emma and me... after this show, I am going to go backstage and find my girl in her dressing room – the same room she was in when she last performed here. I like to surprise her, and I’ve got one last surprise in store.
The mother of all surprises...
The best surprise I will ever do.
It’s hidden in my top pocket, wrapped up in a note in a glass bottle - similar to the one she found on the island resort beach all those years ago.
But this time it’s not just a note professing my love.
It’s an engagement ring.
I’m planning to propose to Emma Tucker after this show, and I know that she’s going to say yes.
It’s our destiny.
