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EPILOGUE MOLLY
I take a big breath in, feeling on top of the world here on the rooftop of Stephen’s New York club. It has been months and months of hard work for him, but tonight is the launch party and it has all come together beautifully.
He’s created an elegant bar, filled with lots of plush lounges and strategically placed lanterns and fairy lights, making this an oasis for the rich and wealthy of New York. There are a few dark corners, because it wouldn’t be Stephen’s club if there weren’t some secluded places to escape to, but overall, the vibe is luxury for the elite and the place is full of the elites tonight.
There is a list of who’s who here, many famous and not so famous faces gracing the rooftop, enjoying the ridiculously expensive champagne and food on offer. Photographers are taking photos of everyone, some immediately up online on entertainment websites and social pages, others which will grace the morning paper. Businesspeople mingle together, making new contacts and building on existing ones and Stephen is getting pulled in a million different directions all at once.
Standing and watching, I sip my champagne carefully. I don’t usually drink but a glass in celebration is required. Next to me is Scarlett, now only weeks away from giving birth, but still looking amazing in a Dior designer dress and Jimmy Choo heels - although I think she will be retiring early tonight, and Shaun will ensure she has everything she needs because he dotes on her every move.
Looking back around for Stephen, I spot him talking to a few men over by the bar, sharing a whiskey and networking like he needs to.
“You know, it is so surreal what he has been through,” Scarlett mentions to me, both of us looking adoringly at Stephen across the room. Not too long after I was released from hospital, both Stephen and Scarlett sat me down and told me every heartbreaking detail of their past, wanting me to know the full history of their family before I committed myself to Stephen. But it didn’t matter, he had me hook, line, and sinker from the moment we met over spilt coffee.
“I know, he amazes me every day,” I say whimsically, adoration for my man seeping through my pores and infiltrating the aura around me. Smiling, Scarlett pulls me in for a hug and she departs, Shaun hot on her tail to get some much-needed sleep before the baby arrives.
I stand and walk over to the balcony to get a better look at the view. I could never tire of this view. I am still not a party girl and Stephen and I still live like day and night, but we make time for each other and each of us are the other’s number one priority - as well as gran and Jasmine.
Gran and I moved in with Stephen after I was discharged from hospital. Gran has made a full and vibrant recovery and decided to sell her house. At the moment, her and Margaret are on a cruise somewhere in the south pacific. They are due home in a matter of days - not wanting to miss the birth of Margaret's first grandchild. Stephen did have a nurse who assisted gran in her recovery, and that nurse stayed on for a little while longer and helped in my recovery too.
After everything that happened, Jasmine and I became really close and helped each other through the mental anguish we both felt in the aftermath of our kidnapping. Unfortunately, she didn’t settle back into her foster care placement and after some discussion with everyone, Stephen and I decided that she should stay with us. Including her into our lives has been a blessing for all of us. Of course, having a teenager in the house is a lot of work, but it has given gran extra energy and now Jasmine is at school, working hard trying to get into college. I am extremely proud of what she is achieving. Our housekeeper, Mary, looks after all of us, managing the cooking and cleaning and keeping everyone well looked after.
Stephen went from a single man living the high life to living with three women and a full-time female housekeeper, a big shift for him, but he loves it. We all dote on him, and I am not sure he has had so many women in his life before. His smile is wide every day.
After a few weeks of recovery, I went back to work with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club. When I returned, Kelly filled me in on the previously missing kids, all who fell prey to Byron and continue to remain missing. The Federal Police, led by Jai, are still trying to track them down and we all remain hopeful that they will be found. Stephen has been working hard to get Nitro back in full action after closing it for a fortnight while we waited for the media storm surrounding my kidnapping to blow over. He has also put a lot of time and energy into this new rooftop bar here in New York. It has been busy, but we like it.
As I look out to the lights of the city, I feel strong arms circling around my waist as Stephen’s lips pepper kisses to my neck and cheeks, making me blush.
“Hi,” he says seductively.
“Hi,” I say back with a giggle.
“Want to get out of here, angel?” he asks
“Really?” I ask in surprise. This is his night, this is what he has been working so hard for and he wants to leave?
“It’s past midnight. I think it is safe for us to go now. Besides, I have been dreaming of being naked, wrapped up in sheets with you all night.”
He continues his kisses. We are still insatiable for each other even six months later. I turn in his arms so I am facing him and take in this handsome man that I am so lucky to call mine. He leans down, his forehead touching mine. “Angel, this is perfect. The opening has been perfect, but most of all, you are perfect. You are perfect for me, and I can’t do any of this without you. Let’s go celebrate together.”
He pulls me by the hand, and like always, I go happily with him, wherever he wants to take me.
