Secrets and Lies | ✔️

Epilogue

Epilogue

Six months later...

It was a beautiful Spring evening in Southern Florida as Talia stood watching the red-orange sunset give way to a star-studded sky.

Tiki torches lit up the back yard and the paper lanterns and white string lights only added to the warm, velvety glow. How nice it felt to experience the waves of the Everglades and see the river of grass the way it was meant to be seen: a majestic wilderness filled with beauty and splendor.

It wouldn't be long now. She was really going to miss it.

Talia surveyed the mix of friends and family mingling across the lawn, still smelling of cut grass from when Charlie had mowed earlier in the afternoon, and her eyes welled with tears. This day had been a long time coming but it certainly had been worth the wait. So much had happened in such a short period of time. But that was life, right? The ups and downs that came with each new day never ceased to amaze her, but it was how she chose to look at each experience that determined how she lived. "Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it." She learned that one from her mother-in-law.

"Hey," a familiar voice whispered from behind. "Are you alright?"

Two strong arms encircled her waist and Talia smiled, leaning back into the embrace. She tried to swallow past the growing lump in her throat. "I'm fine. Just a little emotional right now. I'm going to miss it here."

Charlie's arms tightened slightly. "Yeah, me too. It's hard to believe we'll be gone in a couple of weeks." He was quiet for a long moment before continuing. "We've made a lot of memories here."

Talia nodded in agreement. "Tonight is one of my favorites."

She felt Charlie smile against her ear. "Mine, too. It's all so surreal. Never in a million years would I have guessed things would work out this way, but I'm glad they did. They look so happy together." He chuckled quietly. "And speak of the devils. Here they come now..." his voice trailed off in amusement.

"Are you two at it again? I've never seen anything like it! The way you're always glued at the hip, it's amazing you're not sick of each other by now!"

Talia laughed. "You're one to talk, William! We could easily say the same about you."

"I can't help it." William Eastwood beamed proudly and turned to his new wife. "Enid Easterwood has me wrapped around her little finger."

Enid stood next to him dressed in a tasteful, cream-colored gown that swirled around her ankles with each step she took. "Enid Easterwood..." she repeated slowly. "Does that sound funny to you? Maybe I should have kept my last name? Or maybe hyphenated it?" She turned to Talia, her eyes full of mischief. "I don't know, what do you think?"

Talia's lips turned up at the corners. "I think you're already trying to get under your husband's skin. And on your wedding night!" she exclaimed in mock horror.

William put his arm around Enid's shoulder and brought her closer to him. "Don't you worry about me. I knew what I was getting into the moment I asked her to marry me, and believe me...I wouldn't have it any other way." He planted a kiss on the side of Enid's head and her cheeks flushed pink, a very uncommon occurrence.

"So, is the house ready yet?" Enid asked, quickly changing the subject.

Charlie rested his chin on top of Talia's head. "Just about. We should be able to move the first truck-load over next week. And just in time..."

"I'll say!" A grin spread across Enid's face and her hand flew to Talia's stomach, just as it did every chance that arose. "My grandson is getting so big! I can't believe he'll be here next month. I'm so excited to see that sweet little face!"