XOXO: A Bundle of Cozy Novellas

Epilogue - Edmund

“You aren’t going to make me wait years , are you?” Edmund whispered into the dark of his bedroom. It was New Year’s Day, and they’d returned from Pearl and Webb’s ceremony only a few hours earlier. The wedding had been beautiful and poignant and everything Edmund hoped for himself and Owen.

“What?” Owen slurred as he rolled over to snuggle against Edmund’s side. This was Edmund’s new favorite thing: Owen all soft and pliant, melting against him like a chocolate bar left too long in the sun.

“It’s too soon, even I know it’s too soon, but I’m really hoping you’ll be ready to marry me sooner rather than later.”

“Edmund, are you asking me to marry you?” Owen’s words were muffled because he had his nose jammed into Edmund’s armpit, which tickled.

“Nooooo, not yet. Just making sure that when I do, you aren’t planning on making me wait forever.”

More awake now, Owen propped himself up on one elbow. “So, you’re pre-asking me to marry you? Kind of like putting a deposit down?”

Edmund had a realization that perhaps he was going about this all wrong. Normally he was a planner, but the fateful words had spilled out of him of their own accord. Rolling onto his side, he mimicked Owen’s position and used his free hand to cup Owen’s chin, tugging him a little closer so he could look into Owen’s eyes.

“Owen Addison, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Owen’s beautiful eyes lit from within, and his smile only made his eyes more intriguing, something Edmund knew he would never tire of experiencing.

“Yes, Edmund Lake, I will marry you. Not before I finish my degree, but I will marry you.”

“Good god, how long is that going to take you?”

“I have one or two semesters left, I think. Kiss me and make this proposal official,” Owen demanded, lying back against the pillows.

Edmund rolled over so he was on top of Owen. “Kiss you? That’s it? I kiss you and The Blade is mine? Forever?”

Owen chuckled, gazing up at him, the smile in his eyes all for Edmund. He was struck again how lucky he was. How lucky that he’d come into the office on the very day Owen needed help. The same day he’d felt brave enough to reach out and offer assistance. He was thankful he’d forgotten to check the weather report, because if he’d known about the blizzard forecast it was very likely he would’ve called the trip off, no matter how much he wanted to be Owen’s knight in shining armor.

“That’s it, Chief Engineer. All I need is a kiss.”

So, lowering his head, Edmund kissed his pirate and claimed him as his own. In the next few weeks he’d pick out rings for them—as Chief Engineer that was his responsibility—and then he’d ease into talking about setting a date.

“Say it.”

Breaking off the kiss, Edmund said, “I love you, Owen Addison.”

To make certain Owen knew he meant it, Edmund would repeat the words thousands of times if that’s what Owen needed. Who knew three little words could be so important?

“I love you too, Edmund Lake.”

It wasn’t the first time Owen had said he loved him, but that evening the words settled into a place in his heart he’d always believed would be empty. First as a boy and then as a man, he’d never believed—until Owen came along—that someone could love plain old Edmund Lake. And that he would have a pirate of his very own.

Edmund Lake is quite possibly my favorite of all the characters I’ve written.