Southern Secrets by Natasha Madison

Epilogue One

Asher

Six months later

"Mr. Asher Normand." The man on stage calls me, and I walk up the four stairs toward him. He holds out his hand for me to shake and holds what I’ve been working toward. I smile at the guy and then look out into the crowd.

The cheers are so loud it’s making me blush. "You’re a popular guy, Mr. Normand," he says.

"My family takes it a bit overboard," I say, shaking my head as I walk down off the stage and toward my seat. My foot moves up and down as I wait until the end of the ceremony before I can get up.

Amelia is the first one I see as she gets on her tippy-toes and kisses me. "Congratulations, officer.”

“Stop hoggin’ him," Ethan says, pushing her aside. "There he is, my big brother." I laugh at him as he hugs me. "I’ve never had a big brother. It’s also gross you’re dating my sister." He fake vomits, and I push his shoulder. Since we found out that we have the same father and are half brothers, he’s become my best friend. I have to wonder if we would be best friends regardless.

"We are so proud of you," Kallie says with tears in her eyes. She has stepped up and welcomes me with open arm. She treats me exactly as a son. I turn and see Jacob with his own tears in his eyes.

"I knew you could do it," he says to me when I walk to him, and he hugs me. "Proud of you, son." I hug him, my own tears coming to my eyes. He has taken me under his wing and has been the father I’ve never had. Beau has been the shining light and has been there for me every time I’ve needed him. And with my father in jail and fighting everything, I’ve needed him. He got life in jail for all of his crimes, and little did we know we were just scratching the surface. They also found out that he burned two of his houses down, committing insurance fraud.

"Can I have my guy back, please?” Amelia says, and I shake my head. "Besides, we have to get home and celebrate," she says. "Everyone is waiting at the bar."

"Okay, I have to stop at home and get Emily and the kids," Ethan says, walking out. "They made Uncle Asher a card."

"Don’t forget my girl," I say, and he groans out.

"Stay away from my daughter." He points at me. “Last time, she didn’t even want to let you go."

"She’s got great taste." Amelia wraps her arms around my waist. "But she better keep her mitts off my man."

"She’s three," Ethan says, laughing as he gets into his truck.

We get into the truck with Jacob and Kallie and make our way over to the bar. The parking lot is already full.

"This better not be for me." I glare over at Amelia, who just shakes her head.

"It’s a going-away party for Reed, too," she says. "I can’t believe he’s leaving tomorrow."

"Another family member joining the military," Jacob says. "Casey is going to go nuts."

"Olivia might enlist with him," Kallie says of Reed’s mother.

We get out and walk into the bar, and everyone cheers. I raise my hand and walk in, shaking people’s hands until I get to Billy, who just shakes his head with his hands on his hips. "Well, I guess you quit." His eyes glisten with tears as he hugs me.

"Nah," I say. "I’ll work there on my days off." I put my hand on his shoulder.

"I want grandbabies," he says, looking at me.

"Hey, he can’t have the cow for free," Charlotte says. "He’s got to put a ring on that finger."

I don’t say anything as I look over at Amelia, who is on the side talking to one of our newer waitresses, Hazel.

The crowd cheers again, and I look over to see Reed entering, followed by Christopher and his parents. "Thank you," he says. "Drinks are on me."

"Idiot." I hear Amelia from the side. "Like he has any money to pay for drinks."

"I got it covered, baby," I say, and she smiles up at me and kisses me.

The night flies by with both of us busy behind the bar. The only difference is I can kiss her when I want. "Okay, big boy, time for you to go,” Amelia says to Reed, who is sitting on a stool at the bar. Everyone else has left.

"Where the hell is Hazel?” Reed says, and you can tell he’s had a couple of whiskeys. The two of them have been getting closer since she started even though they’ve known each other their whole lives.

"She took the night off," Amelia says, and I look over at her, knowing full well Hazel was here. "Besides, it was just family and friends tonight, so I didn’t think we needed her."

I look over at him and can see he’s a little bit disappointed by this news. He taps his finger on the bar. "Okay, I’m out. See you all tomorrow." He turns and walks out of the bar.

"Who are you all?" Amelia says, shaking her head.

"Is it just us?" I look at her, and she smiles at me. I walk around the bar and lock the front door.

"Closed," I say and walk toward her. I hold out my hand. "Dance with me." I pull her to the dance floor, going onto the stage and plugging my phone in, the song playing right away.

She waits for me in the middle of the dance floor. Her smile is still the best thing I’ve ever seen. "Our song," she says, putting her arms around my shoulders. "I love you," she says, and I look down at her, and I kiss her lips.

"I love you," I say, my heart starting to beat uncontrollably, and my palms get suddenly sweaty. "You know that, right?”

She laughs. "I figured it out."

"Loving you," I say, "was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It just came so naturally to me." I move away from her and reach into my pocket to pull out the diamond ring I’ve been carrying around all day. I get down on one knee. "I was going to do this six months ago," I say. “The minute I walked out of that barn and saw you on your knees, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you." I smirk. "I mean, I knew way before then, but seeing you there just cemented it." She puts her hands to her mouth. "I also knew before then that I couldn’t do it without being someone," I say as the tear comes to my eye.

She grabs my face. "You are someone," she says, kissing my lips. "You are everything."

"I wanted you to be proud to have my last name. I wanted to be sure I had something to give you," I say honestly. "I want to hold your hand and kiss you good night. I want to dry your tears when you get sad. I want to watch you carry our babies and be the best mother in the world. Every single memory that I have, I want it to be with you by my side." I look into her gorgeous blue eyes. "So, Amelia McIntyre …" She sobs out. "Will you be my wife?" She nods her head and holds out her hand for me to slip the ring on.

She gasps when she sees it. "Is this …?"

"Billy gave it to me tonight," I say. "Said he’s been waiting for me to say something." She looks at the ring. "I asked him for your hand." Her mouth opens. "I mean, after your father and your mother. And your brother."

"You, Asher Normand, are my everything." I bend and finally kiss my future wife.