His Secret

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Adrian

Eight months later

“Where should we put the cake?” Amelia asks, holding the white box in her hands.

“Over here,” I say, clearing off a space on the kitchen counter.

“All right, honey. I have the food setup on the table. They’re all covered and in the warmers,” Matías’s Mom, Lucia, says as she walks back into the kitchen.

“Thank you.”

I glance at the time to see we have maybe twenty minutes before he drives up. He’s not big on parties or people, so his surprise party consists of me, Amelia, his mom, and his step-dad.

This is the first time we’ve hosted anything since the house has been completely put together. Three months ago, we moved into a new place that sits halfway between South River and Ashberry—where he now works.

Today actually marks the end of his first week there, and while I miss seeing him every day at work, at least we can now come home to each other.

It didn’t take us long before we realized living next to each other was pointless. I spent every night at his house, so we started looking for a place that would have our commutes to work fairly even, and then we listed our homes.

Charlotte and I are on better terms. She decided to stay in Chicago, and after living with her parents for six months while working at a bank, she found an apartment.

She’s asked how Matías and I are, which is definitely progress. She hasn’t spoken to or seen him, and I wouldn’t ask her to do that.

My mom has met him. She was kind if not a little standoffish, but that’s always been her nature. She’s trying though. She calls to see how we’re doing or will tell me to pass her regards to him. Her reaction has been better than I imagined.

Dad didn’t talk to me for a little while. However, after finding out Amelia came to have Thanksgiving dinner with Matías and I instead of going over there, he decided to call me.

It was a brief conversation, where he asked if I was planning on hosting Thanksgiving dinner every year. When I replied with a just as prickly maybe he asked if I’d be visiting them for Christmas. I told him we’d probably be busy, but mostly because I’m just not ready to forgive him so soon. He hadn’t been making any effort, and was still trying to use his power as a father to get me to do what he wanted.

He asked to be told about our next Thanksgiving plans, and I told him he could come visit us if he wanted. His response was a small huff, but it wasn’t a no. Since then, he’s checked in with me here and there, mostly about work and a little about whatever new hobby Mom picks up, but it’s something. At Christmas I got a call and was told “Merry Christmas to you guys” so there’s that.

Amelia, however, loves him. Sometimes it feels like she likes him more than me. She’ll call him on the phone to ask about something, or talk about some show they both watch. I can’t remember the name, because it’s something I have no interest in, but they both love it.

Lucia’s rearranging some balloons while I get the camera Matías bought me for Christmas. He remembered what I said in college about liking taking photos, and said that even if I’m going to stick with my job, I should have a hobby that I enjoy. So, I’ve been taking pictures again, and I can’t wait to capture the look on his face today when he walks in.

The garage door goes up.

“Okay, he’s here!” Amelia screeches, grabbing her little party horn.

His step-dad, Charles, stands a little behind me as I aim the camera at the door, while Amelia and Lucia stand on either side of it. The garage begins to close, and the door opens.

“Happy birthday!” The four of us shout the greeting, mostly in unison, and then Amelia blows her horn right after.

I snap several photos, capturing the surprise at both the loudness, and then the recognition of who’s here.

His face splits into a smile and then he looks at me, his eyes softening and head tilting just slightly. The shutter clicks a few more times, catching the appreciation in his gaze.

I lower the camera and smile at him.

He hugs his mom and Amelia, then shakes Charles’s hand before pulling me into a hug.

“Happy birthday, baby. ”

He kisses me on the mouth. “Thank you.” A brief pause. “So, I’m assuming you’re not really sick.”

I laugh. “I needed an excuse to not go into work today.”

He grins and squeezes my hand before turning to his mom to talk to her. After a few minutes, he excuses himself to get changed, and then we all sit down at the dinner table to eat.

Once we’re done, Amelia grabs the cake, and we light the candles and sing happy birthday to him as he sits in embarrassment at the attention.

His parents leave first, since they have over a two drive to get home, but Amelia sticks around for a little while, and the three of us sit in front of the TV and talk for a couple of hours.

“Well, I’m gonna get to the hotel. I’ll swing by around lunch time, but then I fly out early the next day.”

We stand to give her a hug. “Thanks for coming out.”

“Anything for my brother,” she says. “And you too, Adrian.”

I put my hand on her head and mess up her hair. “You’re still a brat.”

Matías chuckles. “I’m glad I got to see you.”

“Me too. Happy birthday again.”

“Thanks.”

Once she leaves, the two of us plop back down on the couch.

Grabbing my hand, Matías looks at me. “Thank you for today. For doing all of this.”

I smile and lean in to kiss him. “You don’t have to thank me.”

“No?” he says with raised brows. “I was about to offer to show you how thankful I am for you…in the bedroom,” he says, jerking his thumb toward the stairs. “But if you don’t need to be thanked?— ”

“No, no. I definitely need to be thanked. It was so much hard work.”

He smirks, leaning forward to capture my mouth with his. “I love you, Adrian. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”

My hand goes to the side of his face as I kiss him again. “I love you. I’ll never be able to express just how much, but I’m glad we have the rest of our lives for me to try.”

He hums low in his throat. “I like the sound of that.”