Epilogue

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said,

"Marry me, Juliet. You'll never have to be alone.

I love you, and that's all I really know…

…It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes."

—-

James hauled the day's catch in from the beach. He'd gotten better at fishing over the last year, and it was almost too full for them both to eat on their own. It made him smile to think about - how much they were finally flourishing here.

He thought back to the first time he'd tried catching something on his own. He'd had limited tools and even fewer resources, and it had taken him almost a week before he'd been able to catch even one fish.

He wasn't looking forward to cleaning all this, though. His hands were going to reek.

When James arrived back at his and Juliet's hut fifteen minutes later, he was surprised to see they had a visitor. Richard, who they hadn't seen in a year, was sipping what was likely tea out of one of their mugs. He looked as dapper and out of place as ever.

"What're you doin' here?" James called. The net dropped as he put his hands on his hips. He couldn't help but be immediately suspicious.

Richard grinned, likely in an attempt to assuage any of James's anxiety. "I just came to check in. Really."

"That so?"

Richard nodded, and handed the mug back to Juliet. "You've made… well, to be honest James, you've made a hell of a place here." He looked around in awe, as if to emphasize his point.

James couldn't help but grin. He was proud of it too. The small hut they'd made from surrounding trees. The clothesline with laundry strung up on their right, and the makeshift pantry with pilfered goods on their left. It wasn't much, but it was home.

Juliet stepped over to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Richard was just filling me in on island gossip."

"Was he now?" James slung an arm around Juliet's shoulders and planted a kiss on her temple. "Mighty kind of you to keep us in the loop."

Richard nodded. "The gist of it is that all is going well. No one knows you're alive, and people are finally starting to get along well in the barracks."

Juliet frowned. She hated that Alex and Karl didn't know. But Richard claimed it was for the best when he'd helped them find this spot, over a year ago. He'd thought he'd found them dead, but when he'd come back the next day, they'd moved. It didn't take long to figure out that all along, they'd been lying right next to a nest of Medusa spiders.

Juliet knew it had been the biggest blessing, no matter how terrified she'd been at the time. She'd later learned how close James had come to truly ending his life. Those spiders saved him. And her, if she was being honest. She'd come pretty close, too.

"It's for the best," James agreed, and then a funny look came over his face.

"Well, I should get going," Richard announced after a moment, but James's hand shot out.

"Richard, wait." James looked over to Juliet, who was watching him with mild curiosity.

"You okay?" she murmured.

"Yeah, I, uh…"

Something had been on his mind lately. Something he hadn't known how to bring up, because even if he did, what could he do about it?

He loved Juliet. He knew nothing else but that. Surprisingly, he loved this life with her, this solitude. He loved waking up to her each morning and feeling the sunshine on his face when they splashed in the ocean. He loved making love to her under the stars, knowing no one was going to find them here.

He wasn't alone anymore. But still… he wanted more.

"Richard, you, uh, mind stayin', just a moment?" James asked, and suddenly his stomach was filled with nervous spasms. What if Juliet thought this idea was stupid? What if this caused a problem between them somehow? What if… oh god, what if she said yes?

He didn't have a ring. He only had the love in his heart, and the supplies they took from Otherton. He had nothing to give her but the rest of himself.

He took a deep breath. And then he got down on one shaky knee.

"Juliet… uh… I hadn't expected life to go this way, but it did. And I truly… I mean I couldn't be happier. You make me so damn happy. And I hope I make you happy too. I know… I know I ain't got a ring or nothin', but…" He shook his head. He was too scared to look up into her face, which was now covered by her hands. "I know it ain't legal or whatever but… All I know is how much I love you. And I guess what I'm sayin' is… will you marry me?"

He finally glanced up at her. Her eyes were bright and shining, and she finally lowered her hands away from her stunned face.

"I will, James. Of course I will."

He rose to his feet and when he did, she threw her arms around his shoulders. She was shaking as he spun her around, trying to redirect the momentum.

When he looked back at Richard, the man was gaping at them. He just might've had tears in his eyes too.

"I don't suppose we'll see you again anytime soon, Rick," James announced, trying to swallow the emotion clawing its way up his throat. "But ya know, maybe… maybe you'd do us the honor? Marry us, right here, right now?" James's eyes darted to Juliet's for approval, and she was already vigorously nodding her head. She laughed, delirious and ecstatic, and pressed her palm to her forehead in shock.

"I'd… I'd be honored, James," Richard agreed.

And with zero preparation, and only a vague recollection of what was said at weddings, he married the two. But it didn't matter. It didn't need to be perfect.

But it was, though. To them. This was their love story, and the only thing they needed to make it perfect was each other.