1A/N: Here we are, exactly one year to the day since our journey together began. While it took a wee bit longer than planned to craft an ending that I was satisfied with, there's a lovely symmetry to the timing of its posting. Thanks to the readers who joined me on this ride, and indulged my desire to give Alex and Marlena their HEA. One last time, I hope you enjoy.
~ Epilogue ~
In the end, Lucas' idle speculation had turned out to be oddly prescient. Alex had treated Marlena to a month-long Mediterranean cruise, and since their return, they'd spent weeks at a stretch at Alex's cabin in the mountains. During their brief sojourns in Salem, they'd put the penthouse up for sale and toured various homes in search of one they could call their own, eventually settling on a spacious condo with expansive windows and a river view.
Between stints of packing, Marlena had caught up with her family and friends, renewing the ties that had weakened during her bout with amnesia. Although she'd re-established most of her long-standing relationships, a few of those formerly tight-knit bonds had frayed beyond repair. Not surprisingly, John had maintained his steadfast antipathy towards Alex, continuing to badmouth him at every opportunity. Roman was only slightly less antagonistic, convinced that his ex-wife had been manipulated by a charlatan, despite her repeated efforts to refute his claims.
Hope, Maggie, Julie and Lexie had demonstrated far more acceptance of Alex's newfound standing in Marlena's life. As they'd resumed socializing with their friend and her partner, all four of them had witnessed concrete proof of Alex's deep devotion to Marlena, and of her overwhelming happiness at being reunited with her first love. Despite her disappointment at her parents' divorce, Belle had remained supportive, eager to spend time with her mother and to foster a rapport between Marlena and Claire. Perhaps most surprisingly, Sami's hostility towards Alex had eased considerably. He'd worked hard at winning her over – giving her time and space to adjust to his presence, resisting the urge to offer unsolicited advice, yet being approachable and responsive when she'd unexpectedly asked for either his opinions or his help. Which was how he now found himself, outfitted in his finest suit and flanked by a couple of his oldest friends, on the receiving end of the approving smiles of the two young women who were about to become his step-daughters.
From the moment Alex had rescued Marlena from John's ill-advised kidnapping and she'd confessed that she'd remembered all of her past, their future was never in doubt. On the day that the divorce was finalized, he'd whisked her off to the cabin and, after re-creating the meal they'd eaten on their first date, he'd dropped to one knee. She'd gasped at the sight that greeted her as he raised the lid on the small, square box he'd retrieved from his pocket. There, nestled within velvet folds, was her ring – the same ring he'd proposed with all those years ago.
"How? Where?" she stammered.
Sensing that an explanation was in order, he rose from his crouched position and sat down beside her.
"They took it from you, when they wiped your memory. Couldn't very well leave you with tangible proof of a fiancé who, in your mind, no longer existed."
"But why do you have it? How did you get it back?"
"I didn't notice that you weren't wearing it, on that horrific day when they used me to verify that their experiment had succeeded. I was blinded by my rage, and oblivious to pretty much anything but that anger, and the pain of my loss. But later, once I'd calmed down, and as I began to routinely relive the experience in my mind, I realized that your finger was conspicuously bare. It wasn't much of a leap to come to the conclusion that they must have it. So, I demanded it back – rather forcefully, I might add."
"What did you say?"
"I understood, by then, that I was valuable to them. I reminded them that, since they'd severed the most important relationship in my life, I had very little incentive to do their bidding. If they wanted my cooperation – or, more realistically, my reluctant participation in their organization – the least they could do was give up the ring. Although it was meaningless to them, I convinced them that I'd view its return as a sign of good faith."
"And they actually agreed?"
"They did. Quite honestly, I was surprised that they hadn't just thrown it away, but I took full advantage of the fact that they'd kept it. The minute it was in my hands again, I felt closer to you. Not only did it calm me, but it helped me focus. It gave me purpose. I held it in reserve all these years, secure in the knowledge that, one day, it would find its way back to its rightful owner. That I'd be given the chance to slip it on your finger once more. May I?"
"Aren't you supposed to ask me a question first?" There was a teasing lilt to her tone, and her eyes sparkled mischievously.
"I thought I already had."
"That was years ago. Maybe I've changed my mind."
"Now that would be a shame. But if you really don't want it…"
He made a motion to snap the box shut. She immediately reached out to stop him.
"Ask me again."
Her whispered plea proved his undoing. He clasped her hands in his, and their gazes locked. His expression grew serious, all traces of his earlier playfulness gone.
"Marlena Evans, will you do me the very great honour of marrying me? Will you agree to become my wife?"
"There's nothing I want more. Yes. Yes, of course I'll marry you!"
Once Alex slid the diamond band onto Marlena's finger, he pulled her into his arms, and they sealed their re-engagement with a deep, passionate kiss. When they broke apart, without a word being spoken, they raced upstairs. Their private celebration lasted long into the night.
They'd opted for an intimate ceremony, deliberately keeping the guest list small. Although it was Alex's first wedding, he had no need for an elaborate ritual. Truthfully, he'd been aghast at the amount of time planning such an event would require, when all he wanted was to make Marlena his wife – the sooner, the better. They'd also foregone the traditional bachelor party and bridal shower, choosing instead to host a get-acquainted dinner for his groomsmen and her bridesmaids. The conversation had been lively, the toasts plentiful, and the laughs abundant.
Somewhat surprisingly, they had adhered to the age-old custom of staying apart the night before the wedding. Alex, along with his close friends and Frank, had bunked at the Salem Inn, while Marlena spent her last hours as a single woman at the condo, in the company of Maggie and Julie.
Now, the day they'd both been waiting for had finally arrived. The morning had dawned crisp and clear, with the lightest of breezes blowing, and the sun shining brightly from a cloudless sky – weather so perfect, it was as if nature itself was signalling its approval. In their separate venues and surrounded by loved ones, the long-suffering duo looked forward to consigning all the torment and sadness of their separation to the past, as they eagerly readied themselves to pledge their lives to each other.
Cameron Lewis, a tall, lanky southerner, eyed Alex with mounting concern.
"Shouldn't you be wearing a hole in the carpet or something? You're preternaturally calm for a man who's about to surrender all manner of freedom for the foreseeable future."
"For the rest of my life," Alex corrected his friend gently, but firmly, before posing a query of his own. "Is Alexis aware of your commitment issues?"
"She is. It's a bit of a sore point between us."
"That's an understatement. He spent a couple of weeks camped out in my guest room after their last spat," John Hudson, Alex's other groomsman, admitted with a chuckle.
"And you didn't invite me over for a poker night? I'm offended, Hud," Alex quipped, before shifting the topic of discussion back to the upcoming ceremony. "Seriously, though, I can't thank you guys enough for agreeing to stand up for me. You both know that I've wanted this since…"
"Since we met you," Cameron interrupted. "Yeah, we know. And I'm just giving you grief for being so nauseatingly sappy about it all."
"Your fiancée is smart and beautiful, and she clearly adores you," Hud added.
"Which does call her judgment into question. Should I schedule a quick session with her before the wedding, just to confirm that she's of sound mind?" Cameron suggested, his mouth curved into a teasing smirk.
"I have every confidence she'd pass your assessment with flying colours, but since we'll need every remaining minute before the wedding to make me presentable so that I don't embarrass my bride, I'll forego your kind offer on her behalf," Alex demurred.
"Presentable? Might take longer than we've got," Cameron muttered. "But I'm willing to give it my best shot. You up for the challenge, Hud?"
"Absolutely! Let operation 'prepare Alex for his date with destiny' begin."
Seated at her bedroom vanity, Marlena stared pensively at her reflection. Her prolonged silence was making both of her bridesmaids – who'd been busying themselves setting out her dress, shoes and accessories – apprehensive.
"Are you having second thoughts?" Maggie couldn't refrain from asking.
"I am. But not the way you think," Marlena hastened to reassure her friends, whose faces had fallen at her wholly unanticipated response. "I'm scared. I've been in this position before – several times, in fact – and I have a lousy track record when it comes to marriage. How can I be sure I won't break Alex's heart?"
"There are no guarantees in life," Maggie reminded her.
"I know that. I just wish I could be certain that this wouldn't end the way all of my other unions have."
"Do you love him?" Julie queried.
"With every fibre of my being. But I felt that way about all of my other husbands, too."
"Of course, you did," Maggie concurred. "But I think this time around is different. Alex was your first love. And, even though your mind had forgotten him, maybe your heart remembered. Maybe some deeply buried part of you knew that, as terrific as Don and Roman and John were, they weren't the one – the person you were fated to be with. Maybe, subconsciously, you were waiting for Alex to come back to you."
"And, now that he has, your life has come full circle. Everything's exactly right – right place, right time, right man. I firmly believe that this one'll stick," Julie stated confidently.
Marlena's gratitude was evident as she pulled her friends in for a group hug.
"Thanks, to both of you, for the encouragement. You've made me feel so much better."
"What are bridesmaids for, if not to ease the bride's fears?" Maggie grinned knowingly. "But that's enough talk. Your groom awaits, and we can't have him thinking you've bailed. Let's get you into this gorgeous gown, and get you married!"
From his position at the front of the sanctuary, Frank scanned the small group before him, alert for any signs of trouble. Given the meticulous preparations that had been undertaken, he anticipated that the event would proceed smoothly, but after years of espionage work, caution came second nature to him. Spotting nothing amiss, he bowed his head and offered up a silent prayer of gratitude at being able to share in the joy of his protégé's fondest wish coming true.
Watching Marlena walk down the aisle towards him in her blush coloured, tea-length tulle and lace dress, Alex had to keep reminding himself that this wasn't yet another iteration of an oft-repeated dream. It was real. She was real. As she took her place beside him, he reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers.
"You look beautiful," he bent close to whisper in her ear.
"And you look incredibly handsome," she responded softly.
Standing face to face, they beamed at each other. With all eyes on them, they were oblivious to anyone but Frank, as the priest launched into the service, his lilting brogue conveying both solemnity and deep-seated emotion.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…"
A short while later, when complete silence greeted Frank's entreaty to 'speak now or forever hold your peace', they exhaled in unison, relieved beyond measure that no one present had seen fit to voice an objection and halt the proceedings.
"I believe I'm almost as relieved as they are. Alex is like a son to me, and I'm delighted that he's finally been reunited with Marlena, and been blessed with the happiness he so richly deserves," Frank confessed. The priest gave each of their shoulders an affectionate squeeze. "But none of you are here to listen to me reminisce, so let's get back to the purpose of our gathering – the joining in holy matrimony of these two wonderful people. Marlena and Alex have written their own vows, which they'll exchange now."
At a nod from Alex, Marlena spoke first.
"When you initially proposed to me, almost thirty years ago, I had no hesitation, no pros and cons to weigh. My answer was always going to be yes. You were charming, kind, handsome, smart, and funny. I was ecstatic to be your fiancée and to wear your ring. I couldn't wait to marry you, and to start building our life together. Then, in the blink of an eye, that future was gone, stolen from us by forces beyond our control. I no longer had any memory of you, and I moved on. But when you came to Salem to treat my amnesia, I was inexplicably drawn to you. I couldn't explain it, but you were the only person I felt comfortable with. Bit by bit, I began to remember our past, and I realized just how important you'd been to me." A tear trickled slowly down her cheek. She made no move to wipe it away. "I'm so grateful that you never gave up on me. We've lost so much time, and although we can never get it back, I don't plan on wasting another minute. I promise to be by your side, sharing your joys and sorrows through all of life's ups and downs, for as long as you'll have me."
"Forever," he responded quietly but emphatically, his voice thick with emotion. "There's never been anyone else for me. There is no one else for me. It's only been you, from the moment we met. I felt an immediate connection, and all I wanted was to nurture it, to feed the flame that had flared between us. You made me the happiest man alive when you agreed to marry me while we were in med school, and losing you was the most painful, the most devastating experience of my life. I'd almost come to believe that we'd always be apart. And then, I got the call. You'd suffered a new trauma, and you needed me. It took a while, and pretty much every trick of the psychiatric trade that I had in my arsenal, but once you remembered me and our past, the crack in my heart mended. I felt whole for the first time in decades. So, now that we're together again, you're never getting rid of me. I'm yours, body and soul. My love for you is beyond measure, and I promise to be by your side, always."
He slipped a simple gold band onto her finger. She reciprocated the gesture. And, the instant Frank pronounced them husband and wife, they promptly, and to sustained applause, sealed their vows with a tender kiss.
Once the meal had been eaten, the speeches had been made, and every member of the wedding party had taken a turn dancing with the bride or groom, the newlyweds had retreated to the head table. After a few sips of champagne, Alex dropped a light kiss on Marlena's temple, then rose from his chair.
"Hope you don't mind if I abandon you temporarily. I've managed to work my way into your eldest daughter's good graces, and it's time to bolster her newly-minted positive opinion of me."
Alex strode across the room and drew Lucas into a conversation with Cameron, which soon became animated. With Sami's fiancé conveniently distracted, EJ quickly approached her and, seconds later, she was following him onto the dance floor. Marlena watched, bemused, as her husband winked at her daughter, who mouthed a quiet 'thank you' in response. Once Alex had reappeared at her side, Marlena was unable to keep her curiosity at bay.
"What was that about?"
"She's infatuated. I thought she'd appreciate having his attention all to herself," Alex shrugged.
"And what's his game?"
"Oh, he's totally smitten."
"She's engaged."
"That may well be, but there's an electricity between them that's palpable. You can practically see the sparks flying."
"If she plays with fire, she's liable to get burned."
"When has that ever stopped her?"
"Good point." Marlena sighed, her expression resigned. "And, if it all blows up in her face, I'll be there to help pick up the pieces."
"Yes, you will, as the remarkably caring mother that you are." Alex downed the last of his drink, then extended his hand. "Shall we get back to our guests?"
"Couldn't we make a discreet exit instead?"
"It's far too early. Our absence would be noticed, and Cameron – never one to leave well enough alone – would probably hunt us down, interrupt us in the middle of an intimate moment, and drag us back to the party. But, once we've spent a reasonable amount of time mingling, we can sneak up to the honeymoon suite."
"I'm going to hold you to that." She looped her arm around his waist, and gifted him with a brilliant smile. "Alright, let's mingle!"
Curled against Alex's side, Marlena idly twirled her rings around her finger as she and her new spouse reviewed the events of the past several hours. Propping herself up on one elbow, she aimed a quizzical look in his direction.
"We're officially husband and wife. The wedding's over, and you've still got more than a year left on your suspension. What's next?"
His answer was swift and assured.
"I want to have coffee with you every morning. Ski the Alps. Watch sunsets from our balcony. Surf in Hawaii. Debate the latest trends in psychiatry. Wine and dine you in Paris. Read by the fire. Sail the Caribbean." He caught her gaze and held it, the intensity of his stare conveying his utter sincerity. "I want to revel in the minutiae of the everyday, and I want to show you the world."
"That sounds like a dream come true. It's everything I was hoping for, and then some. So, when do we start?"
"How about tomorrow?"
"Perfect."
The following night, as stars twinkled above them, they stood arm in arm on the deck of a sleek, well-appointed sailboat, watching the Salem skyline recede from view. With water lapping gently at the hull and a full moon lighting their way, they embarked on the first chapter of a grand adventure – one that would continue for the rest of their lives.