EPILOGUE
1 YEAR LATER
RHIANNON
“Is it time for a toast yet?”
Xavier finishes filling the last shot glass with a flourish, then recaps the whiskey bottle and sets it on the table. He looks at me as he continues, “What do you think, Rhi? Are you ready for this?”
The butterflies in my stomach take flight, and I press a hand to my belly in an attempt to settle them. As I look into the full-length mirror, I watch my lips curve into a smile. But everything feels distant. Surreal. Almost as if I’m watching someone else instead of myself.
“You okay, Rhi?” Niall asks.
Turning towards him, I meet his concerned gaze. “I’m fine. Why?”
He studies me for a second. “Because you look like you’re about to throw up.”
Eeep.
Do I?
I glance back in the mirror, this time looking at myself with a critical eye.
On the surface, everything appears as it should be.
My hair falls down my back in loose waves, smooth and shining without a flyaway in sight. The concession to makeup I agreed to wear is subtle, adding a bit of color to my cheeks and a shimmer to my eyes. My dress fits perfectly, just as the tailor promised it would, the simple fabric accentuating my curves and exposing a hint of cleavage.
The jewelry my mom gave me throws sparkles around the room as the light hits it, adding a disco-style flair to my living room. Normally, I wouldn’t wear something this expensive—a set of matching diamond earrings and a necklace that cost more than some people make in a year—but I know it’ll make my mom happy to see it.
At first glance, I look good. At least, I think I do.
Except there’s a pallor to my skin that my makeup can’t completely hide.
My pulse flutters at my neck, thrumming near double speed.
As I stare into the mirror, a flicker of anxiety moves across my face.
I clutch both my hands together across my belly, silently commanding my jittering nerves to settle.
But I’m not having second thoughts about marrying Hawk. So I’m not sure why I’m feeling this way. For months, I’ve been anticipating this moment.
No. That’s not true. I’ve been wishing for this moment for years.
Even back in the early days of our friendship, when I was so determined to keep things platonic, the fantasies would slip in unexpectedly. I’d be watching House Hunters with Hawk, an episode when the newlywed couple searched for their first home together, and just for a second, I’d imagine what it would be like if that were Hawk and me.
On the few occasions when I’d bring Hawk to L.A. to spend the holidays with my family, there would inevitably be a time when I wished for more. That I wasn’t bringing him home as a friend, but as my boyfriend. Maybe even—in my heart of hearts, I couldn’t stop hoping—my fiancé.
And whenever we’d exchange gifts—usually something practical, like a new fleece for me or a hiking backpack for Hawk—I’d wonder how it would feel to receive jewelry, instead. If the box was small enough, my heart would flip-flop in wistful anticipation of an engagement ring I’d never receive.
Except.
Now I have all those things.
A home with Hawk, in our shared apartment at Blade and Arrow.
Visits to see my parents with my fiancé in tow.
A gorgeous ring on my finger that announces I’m his. And soon—oh, I can’t wait—there will be a ring on Hawk’s finger, as well.
It’s everything I ever hoped for. And more. Because before, my dreams were just that. Hopeful fantasies.
Now they’re reality. And in the year since we got engaged, I’ve never been happier.
I’ve found a peace I never knew I was missing.
I’ve learned that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness.
I’ve had lots of incredible sex.
No. Not sex. Making love. Because being with Hawk is so much more than just a physical connection.
And I’ve discovered that when you’re with the right person, you can handle just about anything.
So.
If I’m getting everything I wanted, then why am I so nervous?
Erik moves to my side and puts his hand on my shoulder. Gently, he says, “If you’re having second thoughts, we can get you out of here. Just say the word.”
Dante gets up from the couch and crosses the room to join us. “No judgment, Rhi. Yes, we all like Hawk. But you’re our sister. And we’ve got your six.”
Matt sets his laptop on the coffee table and looks over at me. He lifts his chin. “You want me to book you a last-minute trip? I can have you on a plane in under an hour. Anywhere you want to go.”
Xavier and Niall close in around me, matching expressions of concern on their faces.
“What do you need, Rhi?” Niall asks.
I could brush off their concern like I used to do in the past. Insist that I’m perfectly fine.
But I’m not that person anymore.
So instead, I turn so I’m facing my teammates and admit, “I’m scared. I’m not sure why, because I want to marry Hawk more than anything. But I can’t remember ever feeling this nervous before.”
There’s a beat of silence.
Then everyone smiles.
Xavier claps my shoulder. “Rhi. That’s normal.”
Niall nods. “Completely normal.” He grins. “I couldn’t keep my breakfast down the morning of my wedding.”
“It’s a big change,” Matt adds. “Getting married. It’s a lifetime commitment. Or at least?—”
“It is ,” I interrupt. “I’m not getting a divorce. No way. Hawk and I are going to get all wrinkled and gray together.”
“Of course,” Matt agrees quickly. “I wasn’t suggesting you won’t. Just that statistically?—”
“Matt.” Dante jumps in, his voice gently scolding. “I’m not sure now is the best time to discuss marriage statistics.”
Matt’s ears go pink. “Sorry, Rhi. What I meant to say is it’s normal to be anxious. It’s just your body’s natural reaction to an important event like this.” He pauses before adding with a sheepish smile, “I threw up an hour before the ceremony; I was so nervous. And I definitely wanted to get married.”
“I bet Hawk’s feeling the same way,” Xavier adds. “I know when I saw him earlier, he was looking a little pale. But he couldn’t stop smiling, either.”
“You think?” I smooth my hands down my dress, brushing at imaginary wrinkles. “He’s feeling nervous, too?”
Niall slings his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in for a quick side hug. “Of course. The guy’s head over heels in love with you. He’s probably sick with nerves, hoping you don’t change your mind.”
Pain stabs my chest at the very thought of it. “I would never .”
“I know.” He grins at me. “Just saying, you’re not the only one who’s nervous.”
As I think about Hawk standing in the client apartment, Knox and Cillian reassuring him just like my team’s helping me, my anxiety shifts to anticipation.
I want to stand in front of Hawk and tell him everything’s okay.
I want to hold his hands and vow to support him through anything.
I want to promise a lifetime to him.
I want to slide the platinum band etched with an infinity symbol onto his finger.
I can’t wait to finally— finally —become his wife.
Drawing in a steadying breath, I exhale slowly. Then I smile, and this time, it’s genuine. “I’m not nervous anymore.”
Xavier’s eyebrows rise. “No?”
“No. I’m not. Now I’m just excited to get out there. Finally get married after waiting for so long.”
I would have married Hawk right away, but we really wanted to make sure everyone we care about could be here, so that took a bit more planning. My parents were both filming movies for most of last summer, then Erik was dealing with all of his stuff during the fall. In the spring, we got really busy with work, and it seemed like at least a few of us were always out of town on a case. Plus, Hawk wanted to get settled into his job with the park police before taking any time off, so it made sense to wait.
But now, almost a year to the date we got engaged, we finally managed to get everyone together.
My parents. The entire Sleepy Hollow team. Knox and Lark. Cillian. Ace. Beau and Walker, two more of our old GB teammates. And nearly all of our San Antonio friends—Quint and Corrie, Cruz and Mickie, TJ and Milena, Conor and Erin, Blythe and Squirrel, and Calder and Hope. And in a shocker of events, Rafe is attending with his new fiancée, looking happier than I’ve ever seen him.
“It’s almost time,” Dante announces after a quick glance at his watch. “What do you think about that toast, Rhi?”
“I think it’s a great idea.” I extend my hand to Xavier, who obligingly places a nearly-full shot glass in my hand.
He quickly distributes the rest, then raises his glass in the air. As his gaze shifts to me, his smile sobers. “To Rhiannon. Not just one of my very best friends, but my sister. And the best godmother anyone could ask for.”
My heart swells at the mention of Alice, Xavier and Lucy’s nearly one-year-old daughter and the most adorable baby in the world.
“To Rhi,” Niall echoes. “You’ve been through a lot and come out stronger because of it.”
Matt lifts his chin at me. “It’s been an honor to call you not just my teammate, but my friend. And—” He stops. Emotion thickens his voice. “And I’m so glad Dove has someone like you to look up to.”
Dante’s dark eyes catch mine. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, Rhi.”
“Damn right.” Erik sets his glass down and pulls me in for a quick hug. Near my ear, he adds quietly, “You’re an incredible person, Rhi. And I’m so damn glad to see you happy.”
Tears burn in my eyes, but I sniff them back. “Thanks,” I whisper. “I’m glad to see you happy, too.”
As Erik releases me, Xavier says, “Okay, let’s get on with this before Rhi starts crying. Lucy gave me strict instructions not to let things get too emotional.”
“I’m not crying,” I retort. But it’s slightly ruined by a loud sniff. I hold my glass in the center of our little huddle. “But yes. A toast.”
“To Rhi,” Niall says.
“To Rhi,” the rest of my teammates echo. Then we all clink glasses and toss back the expensive whiskey Cole sent just for the occasion.
The fiery liquid is still burning its way down my throat when there’s a knock at the door. Dante crosses the room to look at the security monitor beside it and says, “Rhi. It’s your dad. I’d say that means it’s really time.”
My heart jumps. Not from fear, but excitement. Of eagerness to finally become Mrs. Jamison.
To truly start a life with the man I love.
At the door, my dad looks at me and tears spring to his eyes. He takes my hand and says, “Darling. You look so beautiful.”
Everyone else files out after us, having my six, as they always have.
Once we get outside, my dad and I stop while my teammates continue on towards the barn. The plan is to linger out here for a few minutes to let everyone get settled, then my dad will walk me to the doorway. From there, I’ll continue on my own.
Though I know it’s not traditional, walking down the aisle by myself feels right. I don’t need to have my dad hand me over to Hawk. I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself.
While we wait for the familiar notes of the wedding march to carry across the lawn, my dad turns to me, his eyes still bright with tears.
“Rhiannon,” he starts. “I just can’t believe it. My little girl’s getting married.”
My nose prickles. “I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“I know.” A beat, and then, “Maybe this isn’t the right time to say this. But.” He swallows hard. “I know we hurt you. Me and your mom. Because we weren’t supportive about your career like we should have been.”
“It’s okay, Dad.”
“No. It’s not. We should have supported you in whatever you chose. But—” Another swallow. “I was scared. So was your mom. My little girl going into the Army. And then Special Forces. Selfishly, I just wanted you to pick something safer. So I came up with every reason in the world why you shouldn’t.”
“It’s alright. I understand.”
“You shouldn’t have to.” He squeezes my hand. “I should have told you years ago. But I always knew you could do whatever you put your mind to. I knew you’d make a great soldier. And I’m so proud of you. Both of us are.”
“Dad.”
“Your Hawk,” he continues. “He gets you. He won’t push you to be someone you’re not. He loves you unconditionally. And Rhiannon. I’m so glad you found him.”
With my free hand, I brush the dampness from my eyes. “I’m glad, too.” Then I hug him. “I love you, Dad.”
“Darling.” His arms tighten around me. “I love you, too.”
As we break apart, the poignant strains of “River Flows in You” by Lindsey Stirling flow across the lawn, signaling that the ceremony is about to start.
My dad holds his elbow out to me. “Are you ready?”
“I’m ready.”
With every step closer to Hawk, my anticipation grows.
My Hawk.
Soon to be my husband.
When we get to the doorway of the barn, I take a second to look around and absorb everything.
The twinkle lights strung on every rafter and window, turning the space into a magical night sky.
The flowers, all in shades of blue, arranged on every available surface.
All the guests, sitting on either side of the aisle, their faces turned towards me, glowing with pleasure.
My teammates at the front, all watching me with obvious affection and pride.
My new sisters dabbing away tears beside them.
And then.
Hawk.
The love of my life.
Dressed in a dark suit and crisp white shirt, he looks as handsome as I’ve ever seen him. His hands are shoved into his pockets, a tiny tell revealing his nerves. His gaze searches for mine, brightening when he finds it.
As I walk down the aisle towards him, everything else disappears.
It’s just us.
Two people who were meant for each other, no matter what life threw at them. No matter what mistakes they made.
Our love transcends all that.
It’s always been Hawk.
Once I get close enough to see his face, I can see the tears in his eyes. His features crumple as he looks at me, and as he takes my hands, he says roughly, “You look so beautiful. Just… you’re so beautiful, Rhi. Thank you for agreeing to marry me.”
The tears I’ve been fighting finally spring free. “As if I’d ever say no.”
The officiant glances between us. He smiles. “If you’re both ready?”
“I’m more than ready,” Hawk replies. “Let’s do this. I’ve waited long enough to make Rhi my wife.”
The audience chuckles.
But my eyes are only for Hawk.
As we exchange our vows, he’s all I can see.
My heart.
My soul.
Towards the end of the ceremony, the officiant says, “And now, Rhiannon and Hawk would like to say a few words to each other.”
Hawk gazes at me, all his love right there, on full display. “Do you—” His voice cracks. Pink touches his cheeks. He takes a breath. “Sorry. I’m a little nervous.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him. “I am too.”
“Do you know when I first realized I was in love with you?” he asks.
I shake my head.
“We were watching House Hunters . And it was at the end of the episode, when the couple finally moved into their new house. They were newlyweds, and they were so excited to move into their first home together. You had this wistful look on your face. Like… you wanted that. Not that house, specifically, but a home.”
“Hawk.” It’s barely a whisper.
“Right then, I knew. I wanted to give that to you. Not just a house, but everything you wanted. I wanted to do anything to make you happy.” He pauses. His eyes shine with tears. “That hasn’t changed, Rhi. I would do anything for you. I love you.”
“Hawk.” My voice is hoarse with emotion. “I fell in love with you while we were watching House Hunters , too. But for a different reason. You came over with pizza and beer, and there was this action movie you’d been talking about for weeks. One with cars doing all these impossible things.”
“ The Fast and the Furious ,” he says with a smile.
“Yeah. But you could tell I was having a tough day. Even though I never said anything about it. So you insisted on us watching House Hunters instead. An entire marathon of it. Just because you knew I liked it. You just sat with me for hours, commenting on pillow chopping techniques and wallpaper choices and whether granite or marble was the best option for counters. I knew you weren’t interested. But you did it anyway. Because you wanted to make me happy.”
“Always.”
“I love you, Hawk Jamison. And I’m beyond happy to be marrying you.”
“Oh, Rhi. Me too.”
From there, the last minutes of the ceremony fly by in a blur. All I care about is taking Hawk as my husband. Binding ourselves together in the most important way two people can do.
There’s no fear. No nerves. Just a fizzy joy bubbling inside me.
But when the officiant proclaims, “Hawk and Rhiannon, I pronounce you husband and wife,” everything slows.
The moment I’ve been waiting for.
The moment when my greatest wish comes true.
Hawk frames my face with his hands and kisses me.
My heart bursts with happiness.
With love.
When we finally draw apart, Hawk holds my gaze. His thumb strokes across the smooth wedding band on my finger. An almost disbelieving expression fills his eyes.
“All my life,” he says, “I never thought I could feel like this. That I could be this happy. Thank you, Rhi. For forgiving me. For giving me a second chance. For loving me.”
Oh .
“Hawk.” I brush my lips across his. “Thank you for making my dreams come true.”