Gray Area (sequel to White Noise)

Epilogue

3 years later...

"You look beautiful, Lex."

"You think so?" I glanced at myself in the mirror again and nervously messed with my hair.

"Of course I do," Tori sighed. "You always look beautiful."

"You're my best friend. You're supposed to say that."

Before she could open her mouth to argue with me, the door to the room opened, and we were no longer alone. The new arrival made her way towards me and gave my hand a little tug.

"You look pretty, Aunt Lex."

I smiled and squatted down to Avery's eye level. "Thanks, munchkin. You look very pretty yourself. I love that dress. You look like a little princess." The little girl giggled and gave a little spin, causing Tori and I both to grin. She had a lot of Tori's qualities, but she really was a mini-Calum, from her dark hair to her sassy personality. Once she stilled, I noticed something in her hand. "What's that, Avery?"

"It's a love letter," she giggled again. "Uncle Mikey told me to bring it to you. He said I was his special delivery girl."

"I agree with Uncle Mikey," I told her with a smile as I took the note from her tiny hand. "Thank you for bringing it to me, sweetheart." I gave her a kiss to the forehead before she skipped off to climb into her mama's lap. She had a bit of a tough time getting situated due to Tori's prominent baby bump, but she seemed to make it work.

I sat down across from them and took a deep breath before opening the letter in my now shaking hands.

Dear Alexis,

Today's the day. Can you believe it? Today's our wedding day, and as I'm lying here wide awake at 2 a.m., I can't help but think of our road to get to this point. It hasn't been easy, that's for sure. I know you don't believe me when I tell you I've loved you since that first night we met, but it's the truth. I was completely captivated by you from the get-go, and as soon as you sassed me and didn't take any of my shit, I knew you were the one for me.

I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you. I guess I was just scared that you didn't feel the same way about me. We've always had an easy friendship, and I didn't want to lose that, even if it meant that I never got to have you. I don't know why you chose to love me back, but I thank God every night for it. I'm honestly the luckiest son of a bitch on the planet.

After today, you'll be Alexis Clifford. Pretty fucking weird, right? I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together. I can't wait to grow old with you, and have babies with you, and fight with you, and have amazing make up sex with you. (Sorry, I know this is supposed to be romantic, but it's the truth, dammit.) Life has always freaked me out a bit, but as long as I get to experience it with you, I think I'll be okay.

I love you, Lex. Today, tomorrow, and forever.

Michael

I reached the end of his letter with a sob, then proceeded to read it a second time. After the third reading, I felt a soft hand on my shoulder.

"You're going to ruin your make-up, Lex."

I sniffled and nodded my head, giving my eyes a little wipe. "I love that man," I told her with another tiny sob.

"I know," she smiled at me. "So stop crying, let me fix your face, and go marry him."

And that's exactly what I did.

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How did we do? I was going to do that whole dedication/shout-out thing, but there are just so many of you who have made sweet or hilarious comments and took time to tell us how much you enjoyed reading our stories. I didn't want to leave anyone out! So thank you to each one of you who stuck with us through three stories and for voting and sharing. I still can't believe we did this. LOL - A