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!"

Charlie laughed. "As long as Charlie Junior waits until we're settled in. I have two more houses I'm trying to finish up within the next few weeks. I still can't believe how busy business has been!"

"I'm grateful the company's taken off the way it has, but it'll be nice to have you home for a while. Even if it's only for a couple of weeks." Talia swiveled around, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And just so you know, we have not decided on a baby name yet."

Charlie's grin grew wider. "I know, but I keep hoping you'll come to your senses."

Talia shook her head, amused by her husband's tenacity for naming their son after himself. "To me, there will only ever be one Charlie."

Charlie's smile faded slightly. "Well, when you put it that way..." He brushed his lips against hers and she felt herself sigh.

Talia pulled away, not wanting to make a scene. She found it all too easy to get carried away with her husband. "Actually," she began, "I do have another idea. What do you think about naming him Reed?"

Enid gasped. "Reed--as in my maiden name?"

Talia turned back with a nod. "Yes. I was thinking that since we named Carter after my parents, maybe we should name this little guy after you." Talia slowly ran a hand over her stomach to calm the kicking that took place every evening at that time. She looked up at Charlie. "What do you think? Reed Charles. Named after two of my favorite people."

"Reed Charles Wilson." Charlie's brown eyes crinkled slightly at the corners. "I think I could live with that."

"Mama!" Carter squealed as she ran up to Talia, Winston following closely behind, and threw her chubby little arms around her mother's legs.

"Woah. Slow down there, baby girl." Charlie scooped his daughter up into a hug, her blonde hair falling in ringlets around her face. "Your mama's a little off balance these days. Don't forget she has your baby brother in her tummy."

Carter looked back at Talia, blue eyes wide with wonder, and pointed to her stomach. "My bwuva."

"That's right. Your baby brother's in here." Talia stroked Carter's hair. "How do you like the name Reed? Do you think that's what we should call the baby?"

Carter looked thoughtful. "Weeeeed." She squealed again and wiggled in Charlie's arms until he set her down.

"I found you, Carter!" Talulah shouted, running up to the toddler. The two girls giggled and bolted off, weaving their way around wedding guests. Winston chased after them, his tail wagging happily from side to side.

William laughed. "I think that means she likes it."

"Oh, but those girls!" Betsy exclaimed as she hurried past. Tendrils of brown hair hung half in her face from trying to keep up with them. "They should both sleep good tonight. I know I will!"

Talia smiled gratefully at her friend. "Thank you so much for watching over Carter. I know she can be a handful. I really appreciate it."

Betsy waved back as she continued her pursuit. "You know I don't mind, she's Lulu's best friend. Those two are inseparable!"

Talia's heart swelled with happiness. "Yes, they are," she whispered to herself.

"Hey bro, here's your beer," Ryan said as he approached. He handed Charlie a clear plastic cup with amber liquid splashing over the top. "I would have grabbed you a second, but I only have two hands." He wiped his wet fingers along the side of his navy dress pants and took a healthy swig of his drink.

Enid turned to Ryan, her smile so big Talia couldn't help but smile herself. "Ryan, I hear you're the owner of a new truck."

Ryan's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, man--you should see it! Black leather interior, a huge in-dash touchscreen and more gadgets than I know how to work! Plus, the driver door shuts and the sunroof doesn't leak, so that's a huge plus. She's a real beauty!" He glanced quickly at Charlie. "We just signed four more clients and the company bought it for me. So I guess I owe it all to my boss."

"You earned it, buddy." Charlie nodded, taking a sip of his beer. "The company wouldn't be doing nearly as well without you. And after everything that's happened over the past several months, it's the least I could do."

"Hey now," Enid said suddenly. "Let's not go there. Not on my wedding day. The past is the past. Let it stay there. It can't hurt us anymore. If nothing else, it's made us all stronger." She snaked her arm around William's waist and looked up at him with a smile. "Everything's right as rain, and I for one have never been happier."

William leaned down and kissed her. "I second that."

"I'm gonna go check on Betsy," Ryan said, watching his wife chase after the girls. "I'll catch up with you guys in a bit." He walked off to join her.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt." Dr. Rebecca Blair said to the group. "I have to get going, but I just wanted to say again, the service was lovely. And Enid, you make the most beautiful bride." She gave Enid and William a hug then turned to Charlie. "Charlie, it's so good to see you outside of my office. You look amazing. Happy and well-rested. You enjoy yourself tonight."

He leaned in and planted a kiss on the doctor's cheek. "Thank you, Rebecca. I intend to. And thanks again for coming. You're like an honorary Wilson!"

"Well, I can't think of a nicer family to belong to." Rebecca smiled. "And I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Laura wanted me to apologize that she couldn't be here tonight. She's checking in a new admit to the shelter." She turned to Talia. "Which brings me to you, young lady. You enjoy your time off, you deserve it. And make sure you call me as soon as that baby's born. I want to come visit."

Talia smiled and engulfed her friend, co-worker and doctor into a tight hug. "I will. And thank you," she said, her eyes filling with tears again. "Thank you for everything, Rebecca."

Rebecca hugged her back. "You are very welcome." She stepped back and placed a hand on Talia's cheek. "You make me so proud every single day, Talia Wilson. You are, without a doubt, one of the most amazing women I have ever met in my life."

Talia sniffled, the threat of tears making her throat ache. "I feel the same way about you."

Everyone waved goodbye as Rebecca made her way through the crowd, just starting to clear out after a long day of festivities.

"Well," Enid began, looking up at William. "I guess we should start saying our goodbyes, too. Our plane leaves at midnight. Hawaii, here we come!"

William chuckled. "You go ahead, I'll catch up in a minute." They shared a quick kiss before Enid hurried off. "Charlie, I just want to thank you again for your blessing. Your mother means the world to me and I promise to take very good care of her." He extended his hand for Charlie to shake.

Charlie brushed the gesture aside and leaned in for a hug. "I know you will. And Talia and I are so happy you're part of this family. My mother's lucky to have you." He stepped back and smiled. "You two enjoy yourselves on the honeymoon, and don't worry about The Ivy House. I'll keep an eye on it. It'll be ready for it's grand re-opening in three weeks."

"Thank you. Thank you both." William kissed Talia on the cheek. "Don't you let that baby out until we get back, you hear?"

Talia laughed softly. "I have no intention to."

Talia watched quietly as William joined his new bride, his hand connecting to hers like a magnet to iron. All of the crazy twists their lives had taken finally brought them to this moment. It occurred to her that if life had dealt her a different hand, she might not be here right now...the exact place she knew she was meant to be. It had been a long, winding road but everything had fallen into place.

The shock of discovering Conrad's identity helped give her closure to a past she'd found nearly impossible to escape, and the revelation about Steven and his twisted life before she'd met him made her realize she had never been the problem at all. Her former husband was a sad product of his environment and she was just his unhealthy excuse to vent. Not that it made the abuse she'd suffered acceptable, but it did help her to make sense of it. Steven never hated her, he was just a very sick man. Somehow, that made her feel better and she was finally able to lay the past to rest where it belonged.

And then there was Charlie Wilson...smiling at her with that look in his eyes. The man she'd fallen in love with even though she'd tried to fight it. The man she had waited her entire life to find. Her husband and best friend, the father of her children. The only one for her.

As millions of stars twinkled like diamonds in the night sky, her family was beneath them, happy, healthy and safe. Talia felt a laugh bubble up inside of her and she couldn't hold it in.

All was right with the world.

THE END.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Okay, I'm typing through tears!!!

A HUGE thank you to all of you who have shared this journey with me, from The Secret all the way through Secrets and Lies. I hope you enjoyed Charlie and Talia's love story. It's so hard for me to say goodbye ... not only to them but to you as well. Believe it or not, I enjoy spending time with you every week. Truly, "thank you" doesn't feel like enough.

As some of you know, my debut novel, Strawberry Wine, is due out January 31, 2017.  Actually, it's up for the preorder sale on Amazon as we speak! Just look up Strawberry Wine by Darly Jamison and you'll have the option of eBook or paperback. I'm in the middle of re-posting the entire first draft here to Wattpad along with some bonus chapters. So if anyone's in the mood for a sweet, first-time love story, please join me! The published version will be twice as long and edited by a professional! lol

If you'd like to stay connected with me outside of Wattpad, please like my Facebook author's page, Darly Jamison, Author, and sign up for my email list. That's how I'll notify readers of fun giveaways and signed copied of published books! I'm on Twitter and Instagram, too!

Thank you again for your kind words and encouragement. I appreciate every single one of you more than you know!

Lots of love, Darly XO