Epilogue

3 years later.

What is love?

That's a hard question to answer.

Thousands of definitions, descriptions and explanations can answer that question. However, we forget we are all individuals, with completely different perceptions and believes. We forget we experience and feel differently.

Let's narrow my question: What is love for me?

Now, that is too general, I love many things and many people so let's specify my question even more.

That is Romantic love for me?

I don't feel like an expert in area, after all, I've only been in love once in my life but love is just... that, love. I know you were expecting the big, poetic definition of it, oh, I'm sure I could come up with dozens of beautiful ones. Still, we experience things in different ways, therefore, following that, love is just that sensation of fullness and completeness you share with another human being. Love is the bridge between a person and happiness.

Is love easy? Absolutely no, it's hard, painful and it takes a lot to build but is worth it. After all, It's the feeling that allows to reach happiness with the simplest of things, like just sitting next to him, watching Netflix makes me happy.

Or watching him groan because he's losing in Cards against humanity against my friends. He purses his lips but then smiles, the little holes appearing in his cheeks. I've learned that his dark hair will always be messy in a way that only suited him.

My dark poet...

Forever handsome.

I raise my glass of wine to my lips, watching the whole scene develop in front of me. For some reason, wine makes me feel classy and it's the only alcoholic drink I actually like and doesn't make me scrunch my face.

It's summer break and as tradition, we are all gathered in the Sullivan's beach house. Nadia and Nash inherited it after their dad passed away some weeks after I met him. I did visit him again, and chatted with him. I never saw him as father but he didn't deserve to die thinking I hated him. No one deserves to die like that.

Laura laughs at something Jordan read in the one the cards and I smile at them. They look adorable together, always have and probably always will. They have never had a fight in the years of their relationships, isn't that amazing? They got married last summer and we had a huge party in this house. This place has become our favorite, it's filled with so many memories now.

Nash furrows his eyebrows confused, "The things written in these cards are awful."

Jordan pats his back, "That's the whole point of the game."

Evan grumbles, fumbling through his cards, "I never get good ones."

I cut in, "You mean you never get mean ones."

Evan looks at me and grins, "You know me."

Laura shots me a glance, "Again, why aren't you playing?"

Jordan speaks for me, "She's too fancy for this game. Look at her with her wine and crossed legs."

I raise an eyebrow, "That's not true."

Jordan is about to retort when a small little girl comes from the kitchen, holding a bag of Ruffles, her blond hair flying in the air as she runs, "Emily!" Helen's voice echoes through the place as she comes after her daughter.

Emily runs through everyone and jumps in Evan's lap to wraps her small hands around his neck, "Hey there." Evan's voice turns softer.

Helen stops, hands on her waist, "Oh no, you're not hiding behind your uncle again."

Evan smiles, "What happened?"

Helen glares at me, "She stole Ruffles again, this is your fault, Jules."

I feign shock, "How is it my fault?"

"You let her taste them for the first time, remember?"

I shake my head, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Helen sighs, "Evan, give her to me."

Evan pretends trying to get her off, "She doesn't want to, sorry, sister."

Helen narrows her eyes, "you are spoiling her, you know that, don't you?"

I agree, "That, he is."

Helen gives us a tired look, "Fine. I'm preparing her dinner if she doesn't eat it because she eats those Ruffles, it's on you." she turns around to go back to the kitchen.

Laura gives us a worried look, "you think I'll be like that?" she gestures her huge belly.

Yes, Laura is pregnant, almost full term.

I shot her a reassuring look, "Nah, and she's just worried."

Nadia chimes in, "You know what I was thinking? since yours is a boy, Laura, can you imagine if Emily and him fall in love? Wouldn't that be cool?"

"Are you watching those Hispanic soap operas again?" I ask knowingly.

Nash cuts in, "Yes, she is. And she makes us watch. Shane and I have considered cutting the cables' service."

"Speaking of Shane," Jordan starts, "Where is he?"

Nadia checks her phone, "He said he'd been here soon. He left college too late and it's a long drive."

Shane.

Shane got over me after losing contact for almost two years, and when he came back to my life, we stayed friends and he started dating Nadia. I wouldn't say it wasn't awkward at the beginning but as time passed by, it got better. Now, it's just as we were before everything got messy. We are best friends.

Nadia is crazy about him and their relationship has been a rollercoaster. They are the opposite of Jordan and Lau, they fight a lot. Both have really strong personalities and well, Shane keeps getting hotter which attracts lots of ladies. I don't think he has ever cheated on her but he's still immature sometimes about the choices he makes.

Emily untangles her arms from Evan's neck to trying opening the bag of Ruffles. Evan watches her with so much love, it makes my heart beat faster.

I hear someone coming down the stairs, and I look over. Jason yawns, stretching his arms, he's shirtless, only in his shorts and I can't blame him. This summer is really hot.

"Sleeping beauty is awake." Jordan teases.

"Daddy!" Emily jumps off Evan's lap to run to him.

Jason scoops her up, "Hey, princess."

Evan fakes hurt, "She changes me so easily."

Jordan snorts, "Dad always beats Uncle."

"Cool uncle, though." Evan retorts, "Just wait until she's a teenager and Dad doesn't let her do things and Super uncle comes to the rescue."

Helen walks out of the kitchen with a plate in her hands, she seems so relief to see Jason, "I'm so glad you're awake. I'm drained. Emily has been running around everywhere."

Jason gives her a peck, "Go, sit down, I'll feed her."

"I need some fresh air." I get up, feeling my ears hot which happens when I've had too much wine.

I step out, closing the door behind me. The hot breeze hits my skin, making me close my eyes in delight. From the back porch, the sight of the beach is breath-taking, there is a beautiful moon, reflecting on the dark water. I glance at the window behind me, watching the people I love, laughing and talking.

Happiness.

Completeness.

That's how love serves as a bridge to this amazing sensation invading my body right now.

I hear an car's engine going off from the side of the house, and seconds later, I catch Shane from the corner of my eye. He comes around towards the porch steps, placing his car's keys inside his short's pockets. How is it that getting older suits him so well? I guess it's a genetic thing.

His hazel eyes find mine, "Oh hey, Jules."

I wave at him, "Hey."

He stops at the final step and turns towards me, "What are you doing out here? Had too much wine again?"

I nod, "Yeah, my ears are about to explode."

He laughs a little, "I still don't understand why your ears turn hot."

"Neither do I." I sigh, staring at the ocean in front of us.

Shane stands next to me, placing his elbows on the porch's banister, he leans forward, "It's a great view."

I glance at his profile, his facial features have matured, he has grown some muscles, being in his college's football team. Apparently, he works out a lot, he has always liked to be fit. I remembered that birthday night he made me count his abs, arrogant bastard.

"Yeah," I stare back at the ocean, "It is."

"It feels like yesterday when we were running around highschool, being idiots."

"Yeah, though, the idiot part only applies to you."

Shane snorts, "You made me fail Math."

"That doesn't make me an idiot. Plus, you earned it."

He sighs, "Always my fault."

I look at him, "Yep, Jerkpid."

His eyes meet mine, "You haven't called me that in ages."

I smile, raising my cup of wine, "I save it for special occasions."

He shakes his head, "I still have that t-shirt."

"Hum?"

"The one you gave me that says 'Jerkpid' on the front."

I laugh, remembering that, "That was one of my proudest moments."

"Clever, I'll give you that."

Silence.

We stare into each other's eyes for a second and I have to look away, focusing on the view.

"You still do that." Shane points out.

I take a sip of my wine, "What?"

"Look away like that." I swallow, "You've never been able to hold my gaze."

I huff, "Here comes the arrogant."

My playful smile fades when I find his serious expression, "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you always look away?"

I shrug, "I don't know. You have an intense gaze, I guess." I play it cool, "Remind me not to never start a staring contest with you."

Shane licks his lower lips and smiles at me, "Good answer." I open my mouth but he continues, "Anyway, are we all going swimming tonight?"

"I bet we are. As soon as the alcohol kicks in." I rub my ear with my freehand.

"Is it hot?" Shane extends his hands and cups both of my ears, I'm surprised by the sudden touch, I can see his biceps flexing since he;s wearing a tight t-shirt, "Yeah, they are. That is so crazy."

I take a step back, breaking the contact, "You should go in. Nadia's been waiting for you."

"I bet she has. That woman has no patience."

"She's a little impatient but she adores you."

"I know." his eyes don't leave mine, and I struggle not to look away but I fail, averting my gaze, "Looking away is not going to work forever, Jules."

I look at him, "Ah?"

He shakes his head, smiling and backing away, "I'll see you inside."

When he's crossing the door, Evan is walking out, "Hey, man." They shake hands and Shane walks inside, screaming something about the king of the party arriving to the group. I roll my eyes, typical Shane.

Evan walks up to me, with his hands inside his shorts' pockets, "Hey, Peachy girl."

"Hey, Dark poet." I place my empty cup on the porch's banister, "Did you win?"

"I'll never win that game."

"With that attitude, you won't." he comes closer, I play with his hair, my fingers going through it.

"So, what was that about?"

I give him a confused look, "What?"

"Shane."

"Oh, we were just talking."

"He grabbed your face, I saw him."

"Evan, don't start with this again."

"I just don't want him touching you, that's all."

"He was just checking if my ears were hot." I explain, "He's my friend, and my sister's boyfriend."

"He doesn't look at you like a friend would and he probably never will, you know that, right?"

I roll my eyes, "Seriously? We are having this conversation again?"

"I just..."

"Evan, whatever it is that he felt for me is history. It's gone."

"How do you know that?"

"I just know."

Evan cocks an eyebrow, "Really convincing."

"You trust me, don't you?"

He nods, "Yeah."

"Now," I walk past him and down the porch steps. The sand meets my bare feet, "I'm going for a dive, you're coming?"

He follows me through the sand. I move fast to keep a prudent distance between us, I take my shorts off and throw them at him. He catches it mid-air and raises an eyebrow, "Oh, so we're playing this, eh?"

I bite my lower lip and take my t-shirt off to throw it at him as well, I'm left in my two-piece bathing suit, "You have too many clothes on."

I reach the water, feeling it cool against my feet. Evan takes his t-shirt off, showing that pale skin I've learned to love. Staring at him, I can't help but wonder how my life would be without him. It feels like the moment he walked into my life, he set everything in motion, things started to happen, to change.

The four words that started all come to my mind.

Share your own story.

What if I have never found Wattpad? If I hadn't published that story? If he hadn't found it? I can't help but wonder that if we haven't talked through Wattpad, would fate makes us find each other some other way? Because it feels like him and I are meant to be.

Back to those four words, they were the beginning of everything but they led to a four worded question a few months ago:

Would you marry me?

Evan had asked in the middle of the mountains, where we were spending Spring break. I play with the engagement ring in my finger, reminiscing in the memory. It's funny how it all started and how it turned out.

Dark_poet001 sent you a message.

I smile like an idiot. Evan catches up to me because I'm not moving anymore. The water grazes my feet, it's cool.

"What are you smiling at?" he wraps his arms around my bare waist.

I put my arms around his neck, "Nothing, Mr. Dark_poet001."

He cocks an eyebrow, "Oh, we're back to that, eh?"

"You were such a jerk back then. I don't know what I saw in you."

Those endless dark eyes looked into mine, "Maybe you sensed how much I needed you."

I get on my tiptoes and kiss him, slowly, our lips don't fight for dominance, they just follow the rhythm. My heart beats out of control, my breath hitches. He pulls me closer, fastening the kiss. His mouth moving a little more aggressive on mine, his tongue invading, prodding, making me weak in the knees.

He stops the kiss and whispers, "Do you know have any idea how much I love you?"

I lick my lips, "Just a little bit."

He kisses me again, all trace of slow pace gone. This time the kiss is passionate, demanding, wet and exciting. I let out a soft moan, feeling his hands squeeze my hips.

This time I'm the one breaking the kiss for air, "We better stop before we ended up like last time."

He bites my lower lip, "Last time was fun."

"You're not the one that got sand everywhere."

He gestures the water, "We could go in there."

I can't believe I'm actually considering it.

I'm about to speak when I hear Jason's voice, "Let's keep it PG!"

It reminds me of that time in Evan's pool when I screamed that at Jordan and Lau. That feels so long ago.

I remove my hands from Evan's neck to look behind him. Jason is heading towards us, carrying Emily and Laura is next to him. Nash comes behind them, mumbling something about not understanding how people enjoy getting sand everywhere. In the distance, Jordan holds Lau's arms as he helps her walking through the sand.

Shane runs past us, carrying Nadia over his shoulder. The memory of that time he carried me like that rushes to me, making me smile.

"What are you doing?! Put me down!" I punched his back, trying to get a reaction, "Shane Mason! You better-" he smacked my butt, making me turn strawberry red. I squirmed in his hold. 

"Behave, little minion." 

We are older now but he still acts so playfully. Shane is the type of person that brightens the day with his crazy acts.

Nadia screams, "Shane! Put me down! Don't you dare!"

"You're not made of sugar, are you?" he giggles evilly, "You won't melt with some water."

"Shane! I just did my hair! Don't!"

We all laugh, watching them get in the water. Shane throws her in, and as soon as Nadia emerges from the water, she hits his chest over and over again, calling him names.

"Evan." Jason calls out, "There goes Emily."

Evan turns around, getting on his knees to receive Emily who's running towards us. She takes his hands and forces him to walk to the water with him.

"Be careful!" Helen says, standing next to me.

Jason hesitates, "I'm just going to go over there, just in case."

I place my hand over his shoulder, "Relax. She's in good hands."

Helen sits down, looking exhausted, "I never thought having a two-year old could be so draining."

I sit next to her and Jason sits at my side, leaving me in the middle of the two, I sigh, "It's worth it though. She's amazing."

"I'm fine!" I hear Lau argue from behind us. We all look over our shoulders to find her glaring at Jordan, "Can you guys tell them I can walk on my own?"

Jordan has been extremely overprotective of Lau these last months. Lay joins us, sitting next to Jason and Jordan next to her. We all watch Evan playing with Emily, pretending to chase her and making monster voices when he catches her. Shane is still being attacked by Nadia in the water.

A feeling of peace and fullness invades me.

This is love for me. This moment, with these people, this happiness. As I said, love is the bridge to happiness. We are all at the other side of the bridge now. Was it easy? No. Did we get hurt in the way? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Have you started building your bridge? I hope you have, and remember that each fall is not a failure, is still building, making you stronger so you can finish it up.

I'm Jules, the girl fond of Ruffles,

And I have one single advice,

Don't get caught up in the storm,

Just enjoy the ride.

xx

Author's note: It's been a while but I'm so glad I waited to give them a proper, satisfying closure. Thank you so much for your patience, love and loyalty towards this story. 

If you want to know about my future projects, follow me on social media Twitter: Arix05 and Instagram: Ari_godoy

Thank you for everything, I love you all. 

Ariana G.