The energy is off-the-charts insane. This is our best concert ever, and that’s saying something.
HAZEL
I’m so buzzed it feels like I’ve been downing energy drinks. But it’s all from the concert. My men are amazing, though it’s not just them—the audience is blasting out enough good vibes to drown in.
I’ve snuck out front with Ember so I can take some shots of the band in action, and that’s where I am when Conal says, “We’ve got a new song for you tonight.”
Immediately, an expectant hush falls over the crowd. Conal picks up his acoustic guitar, and Rafe swaps out his electric for an acoustic, too. I’m trying to remember if I knew about this song.
As soon as the first chords fill the air, I know it’s new to me. And judging from the soft, slow strains, it must be a ballad. I’m almost ready to cry evenbefore Conal starts singing, but the beautiful lyrics tip me over the edge.
Baby, on the night we met
I saw the magic in your soul
never once will I regret
the way your spirit makes me whole
I’m standing with my hand over my mouth, trying not to sob out loud. Ember puts her arm around me and pulls me in close. “Your men really love you,” she says.
I cling to her and soak her shoulder. She was slow to accept my relationship with the band, but once she did, she was all in. Her acceptance and support—and occasional practical advice—mean so much to me.
The song is drawing to a close. I look up at my men, who can see me as I’m right up front next to the stage, and blow them kisses. The way they look at me echoes everything they’ve just sung.
I’m the luckiest woman in the world.
EPILOGUE
HAZEL
I’m getting married.
Again.
My memories of the later part of New Year’s Eve, including my wedding, never did come back to me, though I have a complete video that I can watch whenever I like. But that ceremony only involved Conal, so we’re having another wedding, with all three Curran brothers taking their vows with me.
I’m completely sober this time, and a million times happier, because I know who I’m marrying.
We’re not having a big wedding, so in that sense it’ll be like the first one; but this time, a small group of friends and family will be present, and they’ll celebrate with us afterwards.
We did ask the officiant from the Vegas chapel to oversee the ceremony, so it’s another echo of our first one. Instead of the chapel, however, we’re having it at Belle Epoque. Ember’s friend Lexy organized everything for us, and she’s been wonderful to work with. She’s in a poly relationship herself, so she’s sensitive to all the nuances.
The security team is supplementing the resort’s own security to make sure only approved guests get in. We might release an official wedding photo to the press later, but that’s all.
Bliss is my maid of honor again, along with my sisters. Bliss lives in Vegas now; Ember got her a job at one of the Beasts Ink tattoo shops, and she’s having a blast. And of course she’s thrilled about the wedding. “This is so awesome; your guys love you so much. I’m so glad you worked things out.”
“Me too.” I take a final look at myself in the mirror. My gown is simple but elegant, a creamy white that complements my coloring. Around my waist is a silk belt of three plaited strands—honey brown, gray, and blue. The colors of my husbands’ eyes.
The necklace I’m wearing is a gold chain with three teardrop stones dangling from it, in the same three colors.
My rings are gone so my men can put them back on me during the ceremony; my finger feels so strange and bare without them. Bliss has Conal’s ring, plus new ones for Rafe and Bron.
“You look amazing,” she says. “So beautiful. Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.” I smile at her the way you can only smile at someone who knows your history and has been there for most of it, and then I pick up my bouquet and we make our way down the hall to the room where the ceremony is being held.
Jack and another of our security guys are guarding the door, and I mouthThank youto them. Jack nods at me and holds the door open, and we go inside.
