Hello Beautiful Reader! Here is the bonus scene following the ending of Cosette and Asher’s journey!!! The epilogue if you will! Enjoy! But please do not copy and paste or share! I own the rights to this chapter and this work is copyrighted under the very novel that led you here! ENJOY!

Epilogue/Bonus Scene

*Two Years Later*

A mist of setting spray settled against my face. “There,” the makeup artist quietly said and I opened my eyes. She spun me around to face the arched mirror with even, small lights draped around the edge for the perfect backlighting. The face that stared back at me was mine with just a small added flair. My lashes were darker than usual, and the eyeshadow was expertly applied, highlighting how big and bright they were with the hint of shimmer added to the subtle glamor. The artist had pulled the full coverage look altogether by painting my plump lips in a glossy wine red.

“Wow,” Elysia whispered behind me, her beautiful face appearing over my shoulder. “Asher’s going to swoon when he sees his bride!”

A smile of blissful peace danced upon my face as Elysia reunited a wayward curl in my hair with the rest of the vintage, clean waves. Ava rushed over carrying a white hair pin with subtle pearls on it and slipped it into the side of my hair that was tucked behind my shoulders.

“All that is left is the dress. Now hurry up, it’s almost time,” Ava guided me out of the chair. I scanned the bridal suite of the small bed and breakfast wedding venue we’d booked. Everyone who mattered, who I loved was here, yet, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment that my parents hadn’t even acknowledged the wedding invite. After all this time, they still wanted nothing to do with me since I no longer came with a big fat paycheck.

Sliding my hand along the back of the walnut chair, I faced the back wall. Two large windows let in the beautiful, crisp sunlight as falling snowflakes sparkled against the beams.

It was perfect. Sophie and Emily smiled at me, both of them seated on the edge of the white, floral couch in the opposite corner of the room. Their deep plum bridesmaid dresses flattered both of them, just as they did my other three best friends. I hadn’t been able to pick a maid of honor out of the five of them, so they all wore the exact same a-line, long sleeved, square neck dress. 

Everything was perfect. My soon-to-be husband and our son waited downstairs for me. The world surrounding us was full of beauty and perfection, despite all of the trials that had befallen us. Duvaldi was still a secret and by this point, I figured the only way it would ever get out was if I decided to share my identity.

The fear that had consumed me for so long was a distant memory as I’d even sung back up in a couple of Void’s new songs—only for the studio version. There was still no way in hell I’d sing live with them… At least at this point.

He was my freedom, my muse, and Duvaldi was that channel that allowed me to release all the songs in my head. The first time I’d caught Asher laying on his bed, staring at the naughty poster I’d given him while listening to my music still seemed as recent as if it had happened yesterday.

“Here we go,” Nova said, holding out my lace wedding dress so I could easily step into it. Despite offering to go a little lighter on her eyeliner, I couldn’t make her do that. I wanted my girls to be authentically them at my wedding. For fuck’s sake, I was marrying Asher Stone and he certainly wouldn’t be holding back. I still wasn’t even sure if he was going to wear a suit and tie or his usual joggers.

Elysia balanced the other side of the dress as Sophie brought over my heels and Emily held the thin, simple veil for me. My thumb found the beautiful diamond engagement ring and slid across the band. There were no cold feet, no apprehension swirling around me. Nothing but peace and excitement coursed in my veins.

Dropping the robe from my shoulders, I quietly padded across the pine flooring and stepped into the mermaid fitted, off-the-shoulder, long sleeved wedding dress. As Elysia did up the trail of buttons in the back, the custom fitted dress clung to my body like a glove. It hugged every curve in all the right places and felt light as a feather. With a long train pinned up near my ass, once she was done buttoning it up, she released the rest of the lace from the fastener and let it billow out behind me.

Within the next several rushed minutes, my heels were shoved on my feet, the black and plum bouquet of roses stuffed in my hands, and the veil pinned into my hair. We were shuffled down the stairs by the wedding coordinator and I stood off to the side of the large, arched, hand carved dark, walnut doors.

All the groomsmen had already gone through into the wedding hall, along with every one of my bridesmaids except for Elysia. She gave me one final smile and wink before her cue played and she too slipped through the doors opened by Asher’s security. We’d invited almost nobody else, wanting to keep things intimate and simple. Or I guess, I hadn’t invited anyone else except for Mrs. Wallace because I’d wanted things to be just between Asher and I and our closest friends.

I tightened my hold around the bouquet, listening for the change in song to cue my entrance. A song I’d written for this moment with Asher. An expression of everything he meant to me and what I meant to him. And for a brief moment, as I stood completely and utterly alone in this echoing hallway, another ghost briefly made its presence known.

Despite everything, part of me had hoped that my dad would’ve been here to walk me down the aisle. But instead, I had to walk it alone. Without anyone, but at least once I made it down through the rows of chairs, I’d come face to face with the man I loved and I would never be alone again.

Swallowing the momentary anguish, I lifted my chin and smiled as the music had a key change. Stepping squarely in front of the doors, I drew in a deep, reassuring breath and the wooden frame groaned.

Clear music swallowed me whole as every pair of eyes turned to face me. Eyes that held me frozen in place. At least a hundred pairs of eyes smiled at me. Tears blurred my vision as I scanned the crowd and recognized every face, even though many of them I had thought I’d never see again.

Students from my final classes I’d taught back in California were scattered about the students I’d taught in North Carolina over the past five years. Mrs. Wallace and her husband beamed with pride amidst the crowd, and standing quietly in the back row were Sydney’s parents who I had learned had still remained in no-contact with her after what she did to me before sending them an invite. Because, despite everything, they had been like a second set of parents to me.

Finally, I slid my gaze back to the middle of the aisle at the man who stood patiently waiting for me. His smile deepened as he clasped his hands in front of his black suit he’d paired with a black button down and black tie. He blinked rapidly and quickly swiped the back of his palm across his cheek, breaking the shock that held my feet trapped to the floor.

Suddenly, a four-year-old boy with his hair styled exactly like his dad’s rushed down from standing next to Asher. “Mama!” Xander cried out, racing toward me.

Soft chuckles resounded around the room as his feet carried him quickly to my side. He tipped up on his toes as if he needed to tell me a secret and I bent down. Cupping my ear, he whispered, “Daddy told me to come hold your hand. He doesn’t want you to be alone and I told him I can protect you just like he does.”

I whipped my gaze back up to Asher and shot him a quick glare. How dare he know that’s exactly what I needed? Asher winked and I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile from deepening on my face.

Xander smoothed out the black tie against his plum shirt and tugged at the bottom of his black suit then offered me an outstretched hand. I placed his little palm in mine, stood upright, and slowly began walking down the aisle.

All the eyes that I thought would’ve made me uncomfortable faded away. Staring directly at me was Asher’s piercing amber gaze. As direct and powerful as the first time I’d seen his eyes, it was all consuming now. A shiver raced down my spine as flames of desire and love engulfed me. 

His love. His desire. His protection all waited for me at the end of this aisle.

He waited for me. In all his bad boy, rockstar glory, he had chosen me. I giggled to myself, grateful that he’d put the effort into wearing an actual suit, but ready to rip that coat and tie off and help him undo a couple of those top buttons of his shirt.

Xander pulled his hand from mine the moment we reached the step and he jumped with both feet up to stand right in front of Kieron who wore the same black suit and tie with a plum button down as the rest of the groomsmen.

Asher’s massive palm swallowed mine, guiding me up the step to gently stand in front of him. Elysia took my bouquet as I placed my other hand in Asher’s. He grinned even wider as the rest of the guests sat down.

As the officiant began speaking, Asher tightened his hold on my hands and refused to look away from me. The words became muddied behind his captivating and safe gaze. Empowering and yes, flirtatious. I knew exactly what he was thinking without him needing to say a word and the moment we slipped the rings on each other’s fingers after saying our vows, he didn’t hesitate to slam his lips against mine.

Lingering against my kiss, he smiled as cheers erupted in the wedding hall. But I kept my eyes closed, sinking into his warmth, taste, and comfort from the knowledge that we were officially married. 

“Can you go take that suit coat off now and let me watch you roll up those sleeves just halfway up your forearms?” I mindlessly whispered against his mouth.

He pulled away abruptly. “The fuck?” he quietly muttered.

I pursed my lips and opened my eyes. “You heard me.”

“That—That’s all it’ll take?” He raised a questioning brow and I nodded.

A massive grin spread across his face. “Well, damn, what the hell are we still doing standing here? We can be late for the reception.” 

He glanced over his shoulder and pointed at Xander. “You got him?” Asher asked, and Kieron nodded.

“Duh. That’s what we agreed upon. Why?” he asked, furrowing his brows.

Asher’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. “’Cause we just got married dipshit.” He snatched my hand without any further explanation and dragged me down the aisle. He didn’t even bother to pause halfway for the dip and kiss the photographer had asked for. And I didn’t remind him or try to stop him for it. 

My favorite part of life was him—was us. It was this little family we’d built and one that someday we both hoped to grow. As we disappeared out of the wedding hall hand in hand, I realized that I’d been meant for someone after all. The cold winter’s snow had no effect on me if I was being held by Asher stone.

We raced up the stairs, ready to disappear and be alone for a bit before the reception and then off we’d go on our honeymoon while Kieron and Elysia watched Xander for us. The future held a world of unknowns and possibilities, but I was excited to face all of them with Asher. 

I knew I could take on anything with him by my side.

Because he would always be exactly what I needed.