We head inside, bypassing the kitchen and heading straight for the master bedroom. The door is shut, but I can smell the fresh paint. The anticipation is getting the best of me as I try to picture what he’s done. When he opens the door, my imagination didn’t do any justice of the actual finished product.
“Wow,” I whisper as we step inside.
Samuel clears his throat and moves us to the center of the bedroom. “One of my favorite things to do with you is watch the stars, so I brought them inside.”
The former white walls are now a gorgeous shade of blue that continues to the ceiling, but it’s what’s stuck there that has tears burning behind my eyelids.
“I know it might be a little cheesy,” he starts, his paint-covered hand messing with the collar of his T-shirt. “I remembered Marissa had these on her ceiling when she was younger, and I got to thinking, they would be perfect for here. For us.”
I’m smiling as I look up at the dozens of stars on the ceiling. It’s not dark enough in here yet for them to shine, but I can picture it perfectly, the beautiful glow of the stars later tonight. “It’s amazing. I love it,” I tell him, noticing for the first time that the furniture isn’t pushed back against the walls.
“Tomorrow we’ll move it all back to the walls, but I didn’t want to take the chance of the paint not being completely dry. I’ve never painted an entire room so fast in my life,” he confesses.
Turning, I throw my arms around his neck. “You did this for me,” I whisper, nuzzling my nose against his neck, inhaling the familiar scent of his soap.
“Yeah, well, for both of us. That white was so…boring.”
I can’t help but laugh. “It was,” I confirm. “But you’ve made great strides and stepped out of your comfort zone on a lot.”
He nods in agreement. “I have, because the woman I love has made me see there’s nothing wrong with a little splash of color.” He runs his lips over my forehead and just breathes me in.
We stand there for several minutes, soaking in the warmth of each other and the changes around us. So many changes, but when I’m next to Samuel, those changes don’t look so daunting. “Thank you for today.”
He wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me into his chest, his front to my back. “Anytime, Freedom. You deserved a little pampering.”
“And for this surprise. It’s my favorite room in the house,” I confess.
He beams at me. “Oh, Marissa brought over some dinner. It’s in the oven.”
“Well, I had a double scoop of ice cream not that long ago, so I’m not quite ready for dinner yet.”
His eyebrows shoot up and a wicked grin spreads across his face. “No?”
“Not yet.”
“Whatever shall we do?” he asks, his hands sliding down my arms and drawing goosebumps in their wake.
“Well, we could talk about our next color change,” I suggest.
Samuel pauses. “What else could we possibly change? Every room in this place has color in it?”
With my own wicked smile, I reach down and tug on his shorts. The elastic gives easily as they drop below his narrow hips and fall to the floor. His cock starts to harden right before my eyes, and I lick my lips as I gaze down at it.
When my eyes meet his, I just smile. “Let’s talk about these tighty-whities.”
Epilogue
Samuel
I’ve never seen the beach look so amazing. Freedom, Mom, and my sisters did an amazing job of setting it up for today’s festivities. There’s an arch along the shore that Latham built and a few rows of white chairs we borrowed from the funeral home. There are small handfuls of daisies tied to the end chairs, creating a sea of flowers on your way to the altar.
That’s where I stand, with my brother by my side.
My entire family is here. The Summer clan from Virginia drove in for the occasion, including my aunt and uncle. When we extended the invitation to them, we didn’t think they’d all show up. But they did. All six cousins, their spouses, and kids in tow. It’s a tight fit getting everyone a place to stay, but we’ve made it work. Thankfully, it’s the low season for bed and breakfasts in the area, so we were able to secure a few rooms elsewhere too.
Whimsical music drifts from the speakers in back, and I can’t help but smile. It’s the same relaxing melodies she plays when giving a massage, which seems a little fitting to me because it’s just her. I’ll admit, I’m starting to sweat in my suit under the late afternoon sun, but I refuse to complain. We have perfect weather for a beach wedding in Rockland Falls.
My family all files in, taking any available seat. The Hansons are here too, along with Bud and Kitty Douglas, and a few other friends. It’s a small affair, which is exactly what we both wanted.
Mom is the last one to take her seat in the front row. Beside her is Kathryn and Max, as well as Latham, Marissa, and Rhenn. Everyone I love is front and center on the biggest day of my life. Well, the second biggest. Even though I don’t remember most of it, our Vegas wedding will still be the best day. That was the day I made her mine.
The one person absent is my father. I still haven’t reached out to him. I don’t know when I’ll be ready, if I ever will be. There’s so much hurt and betrayal there, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to let it go. No, I take that back. I will be able to, just not today. Today is for celebrating. Today is for Freedom and me.
Everyone turns and looks toward the clearing in the trees as Harper makes her way to the beach. She’s wearing
