Perfect Storm

Epilogue

Tawny

Five years ago, after dealing with one of the most wicked storms of my life, a beautiful and exceptionally bright rainbow appeared-a harlequin rainbow full of inspiration, fortunes, and hope. That rainbow told me to close my eyes to the old shitty life and open my heart to new beginnings. But, it also said that I needed to read the letter my mother had left behind for me, finally.

In my mother's letter, she wanted me to know how much she loved and adored me. And then apologized for not being a stronger person, explaining how bothered she was that she couldn't figure out how to be the woman, wife, or mother she was supposed to be, and then begged that I not be like her and be the opposite. Saying that once I find the man I couldn't live without, I am to listen to his wants and needs, work out any problems that may arise, and forgive him, shall he make a mistake.

My mother also insisted that I do everything I can and not allow the man of my dreams to feel the need to become unfaithful. She added that I am to forget the horror of the past. To look forward to the future. And live my life to the fullest. Because if I didn't, it would only lead me to unhappiness. Make as many beautiful memories as you can, as I did with you—the only thing I did right with you, she added at the end of her letter.

So, with that rainbow and my mother's letter, I said to hell with the past. And I told myself to forget what hurt me, what made me cry, what made me run, what had me feeling lost, and learn from them because there are always new memories to build.

And by doing what I told myself to do, I've felt stronger, wiser, and more alive than ever before.

Three months after Ian's heartfelt proposal and sliding the most meaningful and intriguing ring I've ever seen on my finger, new memories started building when our beautiful daughter, Eliana, entered the world. It was thirty-eight hours of hell, but after hearing her first cry, seeing her angelic face, her little squinty eyes looking, and studying me while I held her in my arms, made being in labor as long as I was all worthwhile. She was perfect. Except for having Ian's strikingly emerald-colored eyes, Eliana was the spitting image of my mother and me.

A couple of weeks after the birth of our daughter and wishing to spend as much time with her, Ian and I decided that the nightclub wasn't in our best interest, and we placed Erotic Playground on the market. Three months later, Arnie and Skye partnered up and bought it together.

Not long after Arnie and Skye bought the club, they hooked up. Then, after five months of dating, they surprised everyone when they flew to Vegas and came back home married. Ian, however, wasn't too thrilled they married before us and pushed harder to marry sooner than initially planned.

I wanted nothing big or extravagant anyway, so a couple of months later, we ended up marrying at Ian's resort in a small ceremony on the beach. I surprised everyone that day when Aliyah and my three other siblings showed up for the wedding.

Everyone expected me to hate them for what my father had done. But after learning how to forgive and teaching my heart there's more to life than hating others, I told myself I needed to continue living in peace. So I decided to invite Aliyah, Braylon, Janessa, and Chance.

A year and a half later, Ian bought a five-star hotel, and we also welcomed Soraia into our lives. And she's entirely the opposite of Eliana. Since Soraia was born, she's been a daddy's girl. Whenever she heard Ian's voice or saw him entering the room, she'd light up, get excited, and smile. And the moment he'd leave her sight, she'd cry.

And to this day, nothing has changed. Soraia follows Ian around everywhere he goes, and when Ian leaves, whether it be for running around doing errands or going to work, he'll bring her along. Which is fine; Eliana keeps me company by sitting in my art room with me, doing whatever I'm doing. Whether it be painting, drawing, or sculpting, she does it. And she's good too. Real good. So good that Ian hung one of her paintings up inside our art museum.