The Rockstar's Intern

Chapter Seventy - Two - Epilogue

It had been five years since the Halloween party. Five Christmases and Birthdays and Anniversaries since Asher told me he would love me forever, and he had been true to his word.

In that time we had bought a house in Malibu, toured the U.S. for a second time, and my stomach had swelled with love for him. Our daughter Avery Eileen Adams had been born on September the eighth, with a very protective best friend - Elijah West, Vanessa and Reid West's little boy. The two were a few years apart, but still played nicely when she and I got together, which was often when our men were on the road.

I thought my mother would have a heart attack when I told her we were pregnant, outside of wedlock, but she had been beyond thrilled for us both. I even imagined it would only be a matter of time until they bought a retirement property closer to where we lived. 

They weren't the only couple who had made some major progress. Sarah and Theo were currently amping up for their wedding in Las Vegas in two weeks. The nuptials were sure to be over the top with Ted and I being co-maids of honor, Snake being the best man, and Asher officiating.

It was funny how life had unfolded from that one summer. The summer internship I was gifted by none other than Kent Fucking Stevens, who I'd heard was engaged to some rich stuffy New York socialite, which was very fitting. I could honestly say I was far enough removed at this point that I was happy for him. Dating Kent felt like a lifetime ago.

His father's record label was also booming, with several of their rock artists on my regular song writing rotation. Despite my initial goals of writing the next country anthem, I discovered that country music felt contrite and I hated writing it, craving the darkness that rock music held. I guessed it was me and my black aura feeling right at home...

I pushed my purple gas station sunglasses up my nose as I stepped into my big Mercedes SUV, waving at Chloe from across the parking lot. She and Summer were expecting their third child via surrogate next month and I couldn't be happier for them. They'd been together for over ten years now, a millennium in Hollywood, and they looked even more in love than ever. Writing for Chloe about their love was still one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

I cruised through town, driving slow and stopped to get a smoothie. I was subconsciously allowing Asher and Avery more daddy-daughter time before he left to tour Europe again next month. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss him, but we already had plans of visiting him in London and Prague and making a point to FaceTime daily.

After driving the loop toward our house, twice, I finally turned onto our gated private drive and drove up the hill admiring the ocean view. We were so incredibly blessed to live directly on the beach, and Avery and I made a point to make memories and sandcastles as often as we could.

As if on cue the front door opened and tiny legs ran in my direction. "Mommy!!!!"

"Avery!!!" My voice was high, matching my daughter's as I stooped beside my car. She ran right into my arms, her curly blonde hair resting against my shoulder and her hazel eyes squeezed shut tight as she held onto me. Avery was my mini-me in every way aside from her eyes and her mischievous nature. Those she got from her father.

"What've you and daddy been up to?" I asked, picking her up and carrying her across the front lawn.

"Nothing...." She giggled, but sounded instantly guilty. I wondered if Ash had spoiled her with another half dozen chocolate cupcakes like the last time I had to work.

"What do you have there?" I asked, noticing a small piece of paper in her hand.

"Oh! Daddy told me to give this to you." She smiled, proud of herself as I set her down on the front porch. I slowly took the thing from her hand and recognized it at once. It was a single red playing card with a black Gage sticker on the front. Tears pricked my eyes.

"What?" I pushed open the front door and was immediately accosted with hundreds of black roses and playing cards strewn across the floor, on the furniture, hanging from white strings from the ceiling...

"What's going on?" I giggled, following the madness into the living room which was crammed to the edges with flowers and cards and one very handsome man in a black dress shirt unbuttoned at the top, and black linen pants.

"Come here my love..." Asher held his hand out to me and I carefully navigated the flowers until I could reach him.

"What're you doing?" I giggled again.

"I still remember the first time I met you seven years ago. You were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen and I prayed that someday you'd be mine..." I wiped a tear that fell down my cheek.

"The last time I gave you this card, I asked you if you were done running." I nodded, remembering the feel of the axe sticking out of the side of my head like it was yesterday. "Today I give it to you, asking you to continue running...with me. For the rest of my life." The tears were streaming steadier down my face now and I felt a small hand grab mine, glancing down to see our daughter's curious face.

"I told you once that I would love you for the rest of this life and into the next, and today...today I'm making good on my promise." He slowly got down on one knee and Avery took the opportunity to wrap her arms around his tattooed neck. He pulled a small black box from his pocket and flipped the lid open to display the most beautiful single huge oval diamond atop a thin gold band.

"Samantha Alexandra Collins, will you make me the luckiest man alive and marry me?" Asher smiled nervously.

"Yes. Of course I will. A million times over!" I sobbed and grabbed his face kissing him deeply, trying to make him feel how much I loved him. Avery giggled and hugged me too and Asher showed her how to slide the ring onto my finger.

In that moment, Father Time finally relented and allowed me to stand frozen, if only for a moment, embraced by the two loves of my life. In the midst of such overt darkness and overwhelming beauty, I finally felt like I was at home. Following my path in life and no one else's. And my path was absolutely perfect.

** The End **