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EPILOGUE ONE
RED
TWO MONTHS LATER
There was a serene beauty about Linesworth and its mountains during the winter. Barring any unfortunate wolf attacks, I had to say I enjoyed the environment.
But I’m more than ready for the next season and to not see snow for about eight months.
Spring is arguably more beautiful, even if I do have slight allergies. They make medicine for that anyway, so I can enjoy the blooming flowers and trees to the fullest, and the shine of the sun.
It felt like the dawn of a new life for me, and if I was more of a poet, I’d manage something more profound.
Instead I’m going to focus on just enjoying it for what it is. A marriage and the start of a family of my own.
We decided to keep the ball rolling. A short engagement to go with how quick he proposed. Two months, and what two months they were. The passion never stopped burning so hotly. I could barely get anything done without wanting Hood to bend me over something and make me scream in delight.
Now, I’m about to walk down the aisle and tell him this is what I want for the rest of my days.
We weren’t going to have too fancy of a ceremony.. It wouldn’t fit a man like Hood, and it didn’t suit me too much either. A Crumble Dairy Farm barn, converted to be a glorious chapel for the two of us. I’m due to walk down the aisle soon, but not everything is perfect.
Because my brain won’t let it be.
“Why the pacing?” Cookie asks.
“You look like a wreck,” Sugar adds. “Are you having doubts?”
Cookie and Sugar, like me, had found a mountain man and swiftly fallen in love with them. Sugar was poised to marry Hood’s brother Rainier, and Cookie, Hood’s sister, had found an ex-Hockey player named Baker. The two of them are my new sister-in-laws-to-be, and they are sweethearts in their own rights.
“I don’t know,” I say, continuing my pacing. “Everything’s going too well. Something terrible’s due to happen.”
“Like what?” Cookie replies with a smirk. “You got doubts about if Hood loves you all of a sudden? Cause I can tell you that not the case, he won’t shut up about you when you’re not around.”
“Not that. I have no doubts about Hood. But like, karma or whatever.”
“Karma?” Sugar laughs. “Did you commit some heinous act you told no one about?”
“No! Just... things have been going too good. It seems inevitable for something to turn sour eventually. Like, I don’t know, we’re going to get abducted by aliens at the altar. Or more realistically, it’s going to start hailing or something. Endless ice balls from the sky, pelting me and scolding me for thinking I could be happy without consequence.”
Sugar looks out the window. “It’s a clear spring day, not a dark cloud in sight. If even rain happens, I’ll eat my hat.”
“You’re not wearing a hat though,” Cookie smirks.
“I’ll eat someone’s hat. It isn’t going to rain, and that’s that.”
The sunshine keeps on, and isn't replaced by any sudden storms, despite my worries.
The barn, despite being just a barn, is well decorated, and the wedding superbly catered. My grandmother insisted on paying for everything as long as I’m certain Hood is the one. She spares no expense, even completely paying for our honeymoon and a nice little housewarming gift. She’s right there, sitting on my side of the aisle, as I begin my walk down it for the ceremony.
My heart pounds as I do so. Fears are still strong. Maybe the barn will collapse. Maybe I’m a fool and this is some cruel and bizarre prank show that’s been waiting months for the payoff.
No. Hood is there waiting for me, beaming, the happiest son of a bitch on the planet, as he constantly puts it. I don’t know why, his mother seems like quite the lovely woman.
All my worries are absurd. Hood and I are perfect for one another. We’re sharing laughs all the time, love the same types of music, movies, and almost even agreeing on what the best pizza toppings are. Not even beginning to mention the bedroom. How our libidos match, how exploratory do we want to get, and... I think the picture is pretty clear. I love him, and he’s head over heels for me.
“I do,” I say without hesitation when asked.
“I do.” Hood matches my enthusiasm.
