Misprinted Lies (Alice in Chains/Bruno Mars)

Epilogue

As I open the front door to her house, now ours, to let in all our family and friends, I can't help but smile looking at my beautiful wife and our beautiful little girl. I had looked at an article published about her online, already knowing the truth. It talked about how she had many Grammy and American Music Awards, the most ever for a person under 30. That, of course, was the truth. Duh. Her net worth skyrocketed, in her own right. It wasn't because of me, or anyone else.

Our house is beautifully decorated for the holidays. The skylights let the sun in and the beautiful crown molding shows great character for a modern house. A pair of vehicles sit in the large driveway, one is a very old jeep which is a reminder of where she came from, the other a brand new jeep, a symbol of her well-deserved success.

The house sits on a mountain, like a castle, where I now find myself very lucky to live. It's not the high ceilings or the beautiful views that make me fortunate; it's the woman who lives there with me. Not just anyone deserves to live there; Lily does.

All of our family and friends walk into the house as we are about to celebrate her 30th birthday. Dinner is served and all the kids are playing together. I am excited because I have the privilege to work with her on my live album.

I hand her my gift last and it's an odd shape. Lily just smiles back at me as she begins to rip up the wrapping paper.

"No way!" she exclaims happily.

I smile and nod, looking down at the guitar pedalboard that she had been looking for, for years. She hugs me, or more like, attacks me.

"How...how did you find this? They don't even make this model anymore."

I shrug my shoulders, grinning ear to ear by seeing her reaction. Lily hugs me tight.

"Thank you, Bruno" she kisses me. "I love it so much."

We all sit around Lily as she plays guitar around us, on cloud nine with her new present. I wink at her and she winks back. I kiss her once again on my way back to the kitchen to refresh my drink.

"Ewww!" Layna says as she plays with my nieces and nephews.

"Yeah," Phil says. "Maybe it's time we take Layna... and leave you guys...for alone time."

"Actually," Lily says, winking at me. "We manage a lot of alone time..."

Layna then interrupts.

"I'm going to be a BIG SISTER!" she yells.

Everyone starts laughing and getting really excited about the news.

"Oops," she smiles.

"It's okay, Layna. A couple minutes early, though."

Layna stands there with so much pride.

"C'mere," Lily says, waving her over.

Layna walks into Lily's arms and starts giggling when they start kissing and hugging.

"Now go give Daddy some lovin' too," Lily whispers loudly into her ear, allowing everyone to hear.

Layna gives the biggest smile in the world and walks into my arms. I pick her up. She has been getting so big and so grown up. Jerry takes Layna by the hand, everyone leaves, and we are alone. I can't help but smile.

"What?" she asks playfully, grabbing my arm.

I grab her arms gently to kiss her.

"I love you."

"I love you too," she grins widely.

"What do you wanna do? Wanna go out...or...?"

Lily pulls in close to me, squeezing me hard. "This."

Every time I look at her, I fall in love with her all over again. I love that we watch the same movies and we laugh like we've never laughed before. I love that she loves music the way I do and that she will walk into a music store and look at the instruments the way I do. My happiness is dependent on hers and hers is dependent on mine.

I am so glad I found her, that I gave her a chance. It took the world a while to realize that. It took them years to realize that. I had to show them that she's talented, that she's funny, and that she's got the most amazing heart. Had I never walked her into her old, musty, moldy, house all those years ago, I might not have known her as well. I might not have given such effort to get the know her.

My dad always told me to find someone who made me a better man, and that's exactly what I did. She helped me in ways that she didn't have to. She helped me with my demons even though it was painful for her. Dad is no longer around to see me raise my daughter and later an amazing little boy named Peter, but I know he is watching me.  

Lily is my queen, simply the best. She's the best mother to my daughter and to my son. She's my best friend who I am honored to have and to love forever and ever. It may sound cheesy, and it may sound corny, but it's the truth.

A/N: So there it is! I can't believe it's over. I want to thank you for reading it, voting, and commenting. I appreciate all the support I've gotten.