Notes and Words

Chapter 11 - Epilogue - Five Years Later

Riley stood in her apartment for the first time since getting her first book published, he had been right she was good at writing novels about strong fierce young women. Some of them fell in love, while others just took over the world. She wrote about the people she knew, and who they became, but mostly she wrote about herself as a character. Sometimes in far off places, in different worlds, they all had something to say, they all made her stronger. She was proud of that.

"Riley," Maya said sticking her head out of the kitchen. "Everything is set up in here."

"Thanks Maya," she said looking around. "Lucas should be here soon so why don't you go home to Josh and have a good night."

"I will, but remember if you need anything just call."

"Maya I'm 21 years old, an adult, trust me everything is going to be fine."

"I know it's just that moving in together is a big deal, you guys aren't even married."

"You and Josh are, and things with you aren't any different."

"Yeah I guess, call me later," Maya said before walking out of the apartment leaving Riley alone with the view of the city.

Lucas had gotten them the apartment, his father owned the building along with a few others and offered them the apartment when Lucas graduated a year early so that they wouldn't have to worry finding a place. At first she didn't think it was a good idea but once Lucas started working, and she had to do publicity tours it had become their only option. The place was huge and it had been renovated with what they liked, but most of all the place felt like home for the first time as all of their furniture was in place.

She couldn't help but walk around looking at the rooms before finding herself in their bedroom sitting down on the bed. The bed felt like a cloud and she loved it, she decided it would be a good idea to take a nap as she waited for Lucas to get home from work. Her final semester started in a few weeks and she was excited because she wouldn't have to go to school again afterwards. She fell asleep with the thought of settling into the quiet life with Lucas, raising a family, trying to not make the mistakes her parents had once talked to her about.

"Riley," she heard Lucas' voice say. She couldn't help but smile as she pulled him close to her. She couldn't believe how real her dream was. "Riley I love you but you're choking me."

At the sound of his voice so close she jolted awake, "Sorry."

"I forgot how strong you are when you're asleep," he said rubbing his neck. "Come on I brought dinner."

She couldn't help but smile, "Okay, can we eat on the terrace?"

"Yes, but first grab a sweater, there may be heaters out there but I don't want you to get sick."

She did as he told her before following him out, before they reached the living room he covered her eyes and walked her towards the terrace.

"I have a surprise for you," he said as he guided her forward. Once outside she felt the cool breeze mixed with the outdoor heaters. It felt nice on her skin. "Don't open your eyes until I tell you," he said as he pulled away, she couldn't help but giggle thinking that he had a surprise for her.

"I won't," she said thinking about how he must be trying to set up a romantic dinner for them since they rarely spent so much time together. They both worked very hard but their date nights were precious.

"Okay, you can open them," he said.

She slowly opened her eyes to see that the terrace was lit up around them, on the ground were rose petals as Lucas kneeled at the center. Riley couldn't help but gasp as she saw him there holding out a ring box in front of her.

"Riley Matthews," he smiled. "I met you by chance, but I believe that in that moment the universe was trying to tell us something, I know we sometimes have our own problems, but I know that if you weren't there next to me I would be a lost man. It would make me the happiest man on the planet, if you would be my wife."

She could feel the tears fall down her face but it was the most beautiful moment she could have asked for, "Yes, Lucas Friar I will be your wife."

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Some where along the way, I lost the heart in writing this story, I wanted to put so much more into it but I couldn't find my footing. I hope that you did like how it ended, because I know that these last two parts took a lot from me. I wanted the happy ending, because I'm a sucker for them, but I also wanted one that was open ended in a way. I like to leave them open like this because if I ever want to go back and write another chapter I can.

Thank you for reading!!