Epilogue

MATTHEW'S POV

"Do I need a passport?"

"Nope."

It was a wet and wild December morning when Remi decided to surprise me. He bundled me into the Jeep after breakfast and told me we were going on a trip.

We strolled along the wet streets, past the National Gallery and along the row of Georgian terraces, until we were at a very familiar-looking street.

"You know, when you said you were taking me somewhere, I thought maybe Paris, or Milan, or New York. This isn't exactly what I was imagining."

He grinned. "Just keep walking, sweetheart."

We crossed the street, and I knew where he was taking me. "Really? This is too cute!"

"It's the very first place I saw you. I'll always remember that morning. It changed my life, Matthew."

"And mine." I started laughing when I realized that the two little tables we'd sat at that day had 'reserved' signs printed on A4 pages and taped on top.

"I can't believe you did this. This is so sweet."

He indicated for me to sit. "Please wait here one moment," he said in a fancy voice.

I grinned and watched him dash into the café. Seconds later, he returned with two large envelopes.

"What is this?" I said, excitement bubbling up as he sat beside me in the freezing morning air.

"Okay, so it's a little colder than when we met, but it had to be here. This is for you."

He handed me one of the envelopes, and I opened it, pulling out a stack of documents stapled together. I flicked through and realized it was a contract.

"I don't know what to say. I don't understand."

"I've been showing your work to some of the gallery owners I know, and several are eager to take you on. There are two offers and one full contract for a solo show. They love your work. It's only the start, Matthew. You're going to be a huge success."

I shivered and pulled my coat tighter around me, shocked. "I can't believe this. Thank you."

"Don't thank me, this is all you. Your talent is getting you the recognition you deserve. All I did was make sure the right people saw it."

"What's in that one?" I picked up the second envelope. It was heavier than the first, and as I tore it open, one of documents slid out and landed on the table. "I'm confused. What is this?"

Remi took my hand, his eyes locked on mine and sending electricity surging through me the way it always did.

"The day I met you was the most serendipitous day of my life. I found myself here at this café by chance when I should have been somewhere else. But I wasn't. I was here, sitting beside you. It was as if the universe laid it all out so that we'd meet. And do you know what else happened before I sat at this coffee shop?"

"No?"

"I'd flown in from another long trip away, and I'd thought to myself how nice it would be to not have to travel so much. To maybe have my own auction house or gallery. I'd thought about it as I walked past that place, right there."

"Where?"

"That, right there. The building across the street."

I followed his gaze across the road to the row of period townhouses. There was an unkempt one, clearly lost in time and in need of some love, a large 'Sold' sign sitting in the front garden.

"Tell me you didn't buy it... did you?"

Remi's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.

"You haven't done what I think you've done?" My heart thundered in my chest as he reached into his pocket and pulled out two sets of keys attached to matching keyrings.

"These are yours," he said, handing me a bundle, "and that building is ours."

"What?!" I shouted, far too loudly but too shocked to care.

Remi laughed and leaned into me. "Surprised?"

"Uh, yeah? Are you kidding me? But isn't this... I mean, how can we, you know... together. It's soon, and what if..."

"Are you going to finish any of those sentences, or do I have to start guessing and see how many I can answer?"

I exhaled, gripping the keys in my hand, and shook my head. "Sorry. I'm just in shock."

"I know it's soon. It's probably too soon. But everything between us has been so easy and wonderful, it just feels right. I'm going to run my business from there, and we can use the ground floor as a gallery space. Then the second floor will be perfect for private viewings and auctions. The third floor can be my office, and the top floor is all yours. The light is amazing up there. You can paint here on the days you're working and at your studio space at Sean's when you're home."

My heart skipped, and I swallowed down the lump in my throat. I smiled like a fool and grabbed his hand, squeezing it tight. "This all sounds amazing, and I love it, but I'm just wondering whether legally buying this place would be, you know, a good idea?" I was palpably aware that Remi was not short of funds, and I was still, well, completely broke.

"I know what you mean, and I agree. It could be messy. But I've thought that through and taken legal advice. It's all in order. You want to take a look inside?"

"Duh!"

We crossed the road, excitement whirling in my gut as we climbed the steep steps to the beautiful Georgian door. The paint may have been peeling and the weeds tangled in between the stone, but it was so beautiful.

"I can't believe this. I'm in shock," I said, dancing on the spot as Remi turned the key and opened the door.

Inside, we roamed the large high-ceiling rooms with incredible fireplaces and ornate cornicing.

"It will need some work, but it's perfect. Just perfect," I said.

"I've had surveyors and an architect in. They reckon it will take five months to renovate, and it will be incredible."

"Oh god, I'm so excited. Is this really happening? Are we really doing this?"

Remi smiled and pulled me toward him, his arms wrapping tight around me and kissing me deeply. Heat flushed through me as I felt him harden, and I pressed my hips against his in longing.

He grabbed me by the back of the neck and kissed me, thrusting his tongue in my mouth and making me feel as though time had stopped.

"There's nothing in this world that I want more than you, Matthew."

We stood there in the center of the room, kissing, as rays of winter sun flooded through the old shutters and illuminated vast beams of dust.

I pulled away, still in his arms. Remi was always composed. He seemed to have a solace and depth that kept him level no matter what. But right now, the man before me seemed nervous. The strong arms that had been holding me tight were vibrating against me. Was he shaking?

He shuffled, nervous and tense, and I felt my own anxiety rise.

"What? What is it?"

"I don't know how to do this. So, I'm just going to say it."

He took both my hands in his, and before I knew what was happening, he was down, on the dusty floor, on one knee.

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!" I shouted, shaking my head in shock.

"Matthew, I knew the moment I met you that you were made of something special. You weren't like other people. You're so kind and genuine. I thought it was only me that could see that light within you, but it's not. Everybody does. You do something to people, and I can't explain it, but it's as if you were sent here to bring light and give love."

"I can't believe this is happening."

"I'm telling you this because you don't even see it. I know you don't. You have no idea how special you are, but it's the truth. You are special. I can't believe how lucky I am to have you. And I know only a fool would ever let you go. So, I want to spend every day of my life with you. You've made me see things again and feel things I thought I never could. And you make me feel young, which is pretty amazing for an old fool like me. I love you, and I want you to marry me. Will you marry me, Matthew?"

I stood there, mouth agape, the winter light now flooding in on where we were, and I stared down at the beautiful man kneeling before me. How could I ever have dreamed he would want me? How could I be this lucky? But somehow, I was, because this was really happening. I was getting my happy ever after that, deep down, I'd feared I never would.

"Yes." The word left me in a whisper.

"Yes?"

"Yes!" I roared, and it echoed through the empty room and into the hall. We both burst into laughter, and I fell to my knees, a cloud of dust rising up around us as we clung to each other.

"I love you. You're everything to me, Remi. Everything," I murmured against his neck.

"I love you too, sweetheart. And I promise, I'll give you everything I have."

I leaned back and held his face in both my hands, pressing my lips against his, drinking him in.

This was what perfect felt like.

This was love.

THE END

*****

A/N: Aaaaaand there you have it! True Art is finally finished! Thank you so much for reading!

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