Chapter Thirty-Eight – Epilogue
"Ladies, we've got 10 minutes! Better move it along!" Zach called, rapping on the door. Aisha let out a haggard breath, glaring at it. She shoved the hooped earrings she was holding in her hand into her holes.
"I told you we should have stayed in a different hotel as those damn fools." She said, rolling her eyes. I smirked at her reflection in the large mirror in front of us. Trini sat beside me, her also sharing a smirk with me as she finished applying lipstick to her lips.
"They would have followed there anyway." I said, standing up from the bench. Adjusting my green lace dress, I gave myself one last glance in the mirror. It hung at my shoulders with thick straps and flowed down to my knees. Matching flats completed my look and I felt satisfied with it. I mean, it would have to do for now.
"I know. I really hope we don't hit traffic." Aisha groaned. She grabbed the white shawl she had off the bed behind us and pulled it over her shoulders. The light red dress she had on fit like a glove, showing off her curves in all the right places. The satin material hugged her hips and stopped a little above her knee. Red stilettos adorned her feet and I suddenly felt like a nobody in comparison to her.
"Girl, we're gonna be fine." A voice said as Tanya emerged from the bathroom. She had changed from her silk robe to a silk black dress that ran all the way to the floor. Sitting on the bed, she grabbed a pair of black heels from the floor and pulled them on. "Besides, we've got VIP status tonight. I'm sure traffic won't be an issue."
"This is exciting!" Aisha exclaimed, smiling at her cousin. "This is our first time out of the country. Well…if you don't count different planets and dimensions."
"Of course not." I replied, the four of us giggling. Trini slid off of the bench, her long red dress billowing to the floor as she did. Her dress was also lace and hung off her body like it was made just for her. She had a gold shawl around her shoulders and a matching gold clip on the back of her head. I smirked to myself, finding it funny we had all decided to wear the color of our dates. It wasn't something we had told them prior to this event and I was sure they were going to be quite surprised when they saw us.
"I suppose we should get going before they send a search party out for us." Trini said, grabbing her purse from the bed. Gathering the rest of our things, we headed out the door of our hotel room and into the hallway. Together, we walked up the long walkway that was decorated with dark browns and a lovely shade of burgundy on the walls. When we reached the end of the hallway, there was an elevator. Tanya pressed the button and the silver doors opened. Stepping in, we travelled down the four stories to the lobby of the hotel.
The doors opened and the four of us emerged. I could hear the boys before we saw them, the six of them standing in the middle of the lobby. Rocky and Jason were talking, showing each other different moves the best they could in their tuxedos. Billy, who had come in specially from Aquitar, was speaking to Zack and Adam about something that seemed to confuse the two former black rangers as they both had lost expressions on their faces. Of to the left, standing by himself, stood Tommy. He was lost in thought, leaning against the doorway next to the group. I smiled when I saw him, his long hair combed back into a pony tail on his head. Zach was the first to see us, letting out a whistle as we approached. Rocky, Jason and Adam's mouths gaped open as they saw Aisha, Trini, and Tanya. Jason beelined it for Trini, taking her hand and giving her a little spin that made her giggle.
"I gotta say, Mrs. Scott. You sure do make that dress look good." He said, kissing her.
"Thank you." She said, wrapping her arms around his neck. Rocky also made his way to Aisha, looking her up and down like he was ready to pounce.
"Red? I like it." I heard him saw. Aisha shrugged but a smile spread across her lips and she gave him a hug. Behind them, I watched as Adam sheepishly approached Tanya. The two had started dating not too long ago and the shyness between them was still apparent as he stopped in front of her.
"Hi." He said, meekly.
"Hi, Adam." She replied, looking up at the taller man.
"You look very pretty."
"Thank you. You don't look to bad yourself." A blush crossed Adam's cheeks as he smiled. Holding out his arm, she grabbed on to it and he led her over to the group.
"Why, Mrs. Oliver. I do believe you are wearing my color." A voice said in my ear, a broad smile crossing my face as I turned to the source. My husband stood there, his black tux and green vest looking sharp on his broad shoulders and lean body.
"Am I?" I asked, innocently. "I didn't notice."
"Oh. I'm sure you didn't." He whispered, leaning in to kiss me. Running his hand down my arm, he took my hand in his as he pulled away. "You ready to go?"
"I think so." I replied. He pulled me towards the group that was heading out the front door of the hotel. A long stretch limo was waiting out front, the black color of it reflecting the bright lights off the front of the hotel.
"IS this for us?" Aisha asked, looking surprised. Billy nodded.
"Affirmative! The driver has been waiting for us." Reaching over, he opened the door and the boys let us climb in first. It was very nice inside, royal blue velvet seats with up lighting running throughout it. Champagne buckets were on both sides of the car and glasses were aligned in holders above the seats. Tommy slid into the seat next to mine and looked around.
"Wow. This is nice." He said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. Rocky hopped in last, shutting the door. He made quick work at opening the champagne bottle and pouring some into the glasses. He handed them out to everyone as we pulled away from the hotel.
"What times does the show start?" Zach asked, sipping from his glass. Jason glanced at his watch.
"In half an hour. We'll have just enough time to get in and get our seats."
"London is so beautiful." Trini murmured, looking out the window at the sites we passed. I leaned back into Tommy, linking our fingers together. He kissed the top of my head, causing me to sigh happily. We drove for a few minutes before the limo came to a stop outside of an old looking theater. People were lined up outside and around the corner, waiting to get inside. Bright lights lit up the front of the building and a poster for La Bayadere was hung on either side of the marquee. The name was also written there, the name of the ballet company underneath it. The limo parked in front of the theater and people waiting in line craned their necks to see who was climbing out of it.
"It's like a red-carpet premiere!" Tanya gasped. The door opened, and Rocky slid out. Holding his hand out, he helped Aisha climb out. Billy and Zach followed them, Tanya and Adam next. Jason and Trini scooted out after and then Tommy slid out and helped me climb out. Our group walked up the side walk towards the front doors where doormen dressed in tuxedos held open the glass doors. We were led inside where we found ourselves in the lobby of the most amazingly designed theater I had ever seen. It was very old, the ceiling high above us with designs carved into the wood on the walls. Murals were painted on the walls and the ceiling, depicting scenes from different pieces of art. It was astonishingly beautiful in here and reminded me of the things Tommy and I had seen on our honeymoon to France last year.
"This way, folks!" A man with an English accent called to our group. We followed him through a set of doors and into the main theater where more eye-popping art was found. There was a large stage in the front of the room, private boxes with people lining the walls. The center of the room was filled with red velvet chairs with gold trims. The man led us down towards the front and motioned for us to sit in a roped off section. We filed in, Tommy letting me slip by behind Trini. Taking our seats, we all looked around in awe at the sight of the grand theater.
"This is remarkable." Trini said, gripping my hand. I nodded.
"I know! Kat wasn't lying. And she gave us such great seats." I replied.
It's amazing what a year can bring. After Tommy and I were "married" that fateful day, we headed to Paris to see my mother. Paris was just as beautiful as my mother had described it each time we spoke on the phone. Tommy and I spent six days with my mother, getting married on the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower with just her and a justice of the peace. It was simple, sweet and perfect for the two of us. This time, I had a ring to give him and we officially became husband and wife as he kissed my deeply high in the sky. I bid a tear-filled good-bye to my mother who promised to visit sometimes towards the end of the year.
From Paris, we went to Versailles then on to the French Riviera where we spent five days completely absorbed in each other. It felt amazing having nothing to worry about except each other, our times on the sandy beaches and crystal-clear water leaving me feel more relaxed and loved as I had been my entire life. We spent every moment together between site seeing, lounge on the sand or rolling round the sheets in our hotel room. It went perfectly and way too quickly for my likely. Soon, we found ourselves back on a plane for the United States where Jason picked us up at the airport.
Back home, I moved all of my belongings into Tommy's apartment. I was able to sell my furniture and keep only the things Tommy didn't have already. It felt like home with our stuff mixed together, even though Tommy kept saying we could get a bigger place. I didn't want one though. This worked well for me. Anywhere he was worked well for me, something he agreed with me. His uncle told him we could stay as long as we wanted, and Tommy returned back to work, racing for him on the nearby circuit.
As for me, I continued to work for Jason and Rocky at the dojo. I kept their office neat and took care of the paper trails they had. Jason offered me the manager position at the youth center which I accepted. The Youth center opened after the wedding and was already a booming place. Kinds from all over town were coming here to have a place to hang out and enjoy Ernie's old smoothie recipes that his family had given to Jason. It was amazing to see it restored to its former glory and it made me smile to know that Ernie would be proud of it. I even started teaching gymnastics lessons once a week, my classes growing with each passing week.
About six months after returning from our honeymoon, Jason and Rocky offered Tommy the chance to become a third partner for the dojo. With my blessing, he accepted and stopped being a part of the racing scene. Tommy loved being a part of the dojo. It was something he had always wanted to do and something he was extremely passionate for. He gets along with his students so well and he tells me all the time that he has finally found his calling. It was a blessing in disguise that he joined the dojo as his uncle unfortunately suffered a heart attack about a month later. He lost everything, making us have to move from the apartment building. Tommy and I decided to buy a house, not too far from Jason and Trini's home. We've been there for a few months now and it's amazing to have something to call home.
As for Jason and Trini, the two of them married about six months ago in a lovely ceremony. Like us, they had their wedding at the Youth Center and it was a lovely day. Fortunately for them, it wasn't planned in just two weeks and there was no stress to be found like there had been for the last wedding held there. It was the perfect day, and everyone had come back for it, even Kat and Billy.
Billy was able to work things out with his wife. When he came from the wedding, he brought her with him, letting us all meet her. She is a wonderful person and very much like Billy. I can see why they get along so well. Since then, he announced to us that they were expecting their first child, a little boy, due in the fall. I am so excited to see a little version of Billy and to see him become a father. It's something he will be great at and I do not doubt that his son will be just as smart as him. Billy also presented us all with communicators. It was only because of the fit Jason and Rocky threw when they found out that him, Tommy and I had them. He was able to find enough of them to supply us all with them. I had to admit it was nice having them again. We were all able to stay in touch now, not having to worry about the distance.
Katherine moved to London as planned and did very well in the ballet company. To our surprise, she presented us with VIP tickets to the opening night of her show when she came for the wedding. I am very grateful that there is no bad blood between her, Tommy or myself. I knew how different it could have turned out and how to any other person, it would seem odd that it worked out the way it did. Katherine told me that after her time in London, she was able to see that love happens to people when they least expect it. Her and Alex, the man she had an affair with, having been dating for a while now and she says she couldn't be any happier. I am glad she found someone that makes her happy.
Adam and Tanya started dating a month or so before Jason and Trini's wedding. It had taken some convincing on all our parts to get him to ask her out after she came back from London. He finally did, and things seem to be going well for the two. It was cute seeing the two of them together. Adam will always be the shy kid I remembered in high school. Him and his band were finally able to land a small record deal and they are working on their first studio album that is due to be released by the end of the year.
Zach landed a role on a soap opera this past winter where he has become a regular. It's odd to see him go through the daily struggles and dramas in a soap opera but he likes to tell me he learned it from Tommy and me. He actually found love as well, reuniting with his high school girlfriend, Angela. The two of them are working on a long-distance relationship as she is finishing up her political science degree in Washington D.C. He's not sure what happens after that, but I know Zach will figure it out. He always does.
Rocky and Aisha finally moved into their new house and he proposed to her this past Christmas. It was sweet, romantic and very unlike Rocky. The two are expected to tie the knot this fall. It's another wedding we are all gearing up for. Aisha has opened up her own business as a real estate agent and Rocky is still teaching classes at the dojo. He also helps me out at the Youth Center when I need it and Jason is busy.
My friends are my rocks. Looking back over the course of the last year, it's crazy to think where I would be without them. If Trini and Jase hadn't convinced me and helped me come back to Angel Grove, there's no telling where I would be. Probably still struggling to get by every day in Florida. I am so grateful for all of them and for the love and support they give me on a daily basis. It's not always rainbows and butterflies, but we still manage to get through each day with a smile on our faces. I never would have imagined myself sitting here in London, with my husband and all of our friends a year ago. I know they say all things happen for a reason but I'm not sure what I did to deserve this kind of life. I'll forever be thankful for it though.
"How's my girl doing?" Tommy whispered in my ear, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"Fine." I replied, smiling at him.
"And my other girl?" He asked, placing his hand on my belly. I laughed, nodding my head.
"She's fine too. How many times do you think I'm going to have to pee during this?" I said. He let out a laugh, rubbing my five-month pregnant belly. Tommy and I found out I was pregnant around the time we had to move out of the apartment. I am not going to lie; I'm scared. Not in a bad way but an excited way. I can't wait to have a family with him and I know Tommy is going to make a wonderful father. He nearly fainted when I told him, but he's came around to the idea quickly. I'm due around Christmas time, the perfect present.
"I love you." Tommy whispered, leaning in to kiss me.
"I love you, too." I replied.
A year ago, Tommy was getting married. I tried to give him everything he could have wanted in a wedding even though I was dying inside. Well, I was able to give him exactly what he asked for.
He wanted to marry me.