Short Story: When We’re Thirty Epilogue

by Casey Dembowski

Hannah

Their one-year wedding anniversary

“There you are.” Hannah smiled at her husband—now officially twice over. She saw him in suits nearly every day, but Will in a tuxedo was another sight altogether. Maybe it was the vest, or maybe it was the easy, contented expression that hadn’t left his face all day, but damn, her husband was hot. “I thought you got lost.”

Will leaned back against the door, locking it with his free hand. “I had to fight for this spanakopita and literally bulldoze one of your relatives for this meatball on a stick.”

Weddings. They were so ridiculous. This one even more so because they’d already been married for a year. But she had asked Will to marry her again, and he’d had no intention of letting her off the hook. So, they’d spent the last seven months planning their wedding—for a Wednesday night no less. They agreed to all the silly traditions, booked the venue’s coveted ice cream sundae station, and agreed to a champagne fountain at Kate’s urging. Then they’d filled their cocktail hour menu with the yummiest—and according to some inappropriate—appetizers. But Will refused to get married again without meatballs on sticks and all Hannah wanted to be able to eat on her wedding day were cute little cheeseburgers with plastic “I do” sticks in the buns.  

Still, their event planner, Randy, had balked at the idea of them actually attending cocktail hour—there were photos to take and makeup to adjust and, really, they should just bask in the glow of being married. As if they hadn’t been doing that for a year.

Hannah pointed to the assortment of food arranged at the back of the room and the plate of French fries—sans ketchup, which had been banned by Randy, Kate, the photographer, and her mother lest she stain her wedding dress. “Randy had food brought in.”

“I know, but annoying Randy is like the best part of any event. And I only talked to three… maybe seven guests. It’s fine.” He patted his perfectly coiffed hair and smirked. “There’s still time for me to repin my hair, no?”

She trailed her gaze over him—from that perfectly coiffed hair down to below his belt and back—before meeting his mischievous grin with a questioning look of her own. “I suppose that depends on why you locked the door.”

Will laughed as he crossed the hotel room. His eyes didn’t stray to the bed just across the room but did take a lengthy trip down the curves of her wedding gown. She could see the memory of the last time she’d worn this gown and how he’d worked her out of it flit across his face. She glanced towards the bed and back at him, but he shook his head and took a seat next to her, pushing the plate of pilfered food in her direction. “That didn’t work at our first wedding reception, and I doubt it will now. The second we get to anything fun, someone will knock on that door.”

She hooked her foot around his leg, letting her toes drift under the hem of his pants. “I don’t think so. Our schedule is set in stone, and Kate is busy trying to pick up a rebound. So, she’s definitely not going to come back early.”

He inched back, rolling his eyes. “I locked the door because I have a present for you, and not that kind.”

Her eyes narrowed and she fingered the circle of diamonds at her neck that Will had given her for her birthday last week. Though they both knew it was the wedding present she’d refused to let him buy. “We said no more presents.”

He held up his left hand where his new wedding band gleamed. They hadn’t planned on getting new rings, but while her original set had been planned by Will for their first wedding, she’d never gotten to pick out one for him. So, she’d surprised him with the two-toned titanium band at the ceremony less than an hour ago, pausing along enough to show him the words she’d had engraved around the inside—“let’s make a pact.” He’d almost kissed her then and there, but Eddie, cool as ever, had pulled them back to attention before they could completely derail the ceremony. “You broke that rule already.”

“That’s not a ‘present’ per se.”

He rolled his eyes and slid an unmarked and unwrapped box towards her. “And neither is mine.”

Hannah picked it up. She didn’t know what exactly might fit in there under normal circumstances, but it was bigger than a jewelry box. And light—almost like it was empty. Leave it to Will to give her an empty box with some crazy meaning. She lifted the lid, her breath catching in her throat. Her husband was the consummate gift giver, and every time he bestowed even the smallest of gifts on her, butterflies took flight in her stomach. But the only thing inside was a folded sheet of paper. She eyed it and then him before picking it up and unfolding it. The form inside was familiar. She’d filled one out only four months ago when she’d decided to legally become Hannah Abbott-Thorne. But this wasn’t her form or even a blank form.

Full name at birth: William Anderson Thorne

Name to be shown on the card: William Anderson Abbott-Thorne

Tears pooled in her eyes and that butterfly in her stomach wrapped its wings around her in an embrace filled with warmth. She met his calm expression with blurry eyes.

His gaze shone bright and happy, a small smile formed on his lips, and Will wiped a tear from her cheek. “None of that. If your mascara runs, Kate, Randy, and the photographer will never forgive me.”

“Really?” she asked, motioning to the paper. Not because she didn’t want him to change his name. But because the thought was so far out of left field it was something she’d never even considered or could have predicted. She was happy with her hyphenated name and so was Will. He’d easily gone from calling her Mrs. Thorne to Mrs. Abbott-Thorne, all in the same sultry tone, all still sending thrills down her spine whenever he rolled it out.

“Yes, really.” He kissed her, soft and slow, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. “We started a family; you didn’t just become mine. We built a life together, and it’s a combined life, and I love it. I want to match you, my amazing wife and best friend. And I want to match our kids.”

“Our kids?”

He flushed and squeezed her hand. “Yes, we can start today, if you want, or next week or next year. But I want a brood of Abbott-Thornes running around this city.”

She wasn’t sure about an entire brood, but still his words set a jolt through her, from her heart down through her whole body. This was such a Will thing to do, to even want. The last eight months had brought a reckoning to the Thorne name—at least amongst their own. Jon and Grayson had forced Jonathan into early retirement, and while he kept his seat on the board, Jonathan’s influence at Wellington Thorne was greatly diminished. There hadn’t been a “family weekend” since that disastrous one in January—at least not one Jonathan sanctioned—and Hannah wasn’t sure they’d ever come back. The Thorne patriarch seemed to have no desire to speak with any of his sons, and for now that suited them just fine.

Jon took up the CFO mantel and with encouragement from both Will and Daniel was looking for ways to grow Wellington Thorne’s philanthropic efforts. In fact, the coming spring the Thorne brothers were scheduled to travel down South to help build houses. Will and Jon had settled into an uneasy détente, and while their relationship would never be the same, it at least existed. Hannah could see the allure for Will to create his own separate unit of the Thorne family. But he didn’t need to draw up paperwork to do that. They’d done it when Will walked away from Wellington Thorne, when they’d decided to stay married and then moved to Long Island City. They fostered their new unit each Sunday when they hosted their own family dinners—no strings attached. The house was always filled with love and laughter.

But Hannah knew—just like she had known she had to marry Will despite the consequences or the odds last year—that his decision wasn’t about any of that. Will wanted to match her. He wanted to start a family—soon. Now. And he wanted their kids to be Abbott-Thornes. Like their mom. And now like their dad. God, she loved this man.

Hannah climbed into Will’s lap as best she could in her wedding gown and wrapped her arms around his neck. She slanted her lips over his in a kiss that was the exact opposite of the soft, sensual one he’d given her. It was messy and hungry and the type of kiss that usually made them late to engagements.

He chuckled softly. “Does this mean you’ll have me?”

“Only for the rest of my life.” Her eyes slid to the door and then back to Will’s. She grinned, kissing him again while tugging at the bowtie around his neck. “Shall we start now?”

They couldn’t actually start now. There were pills to stop and such, but her words were more than enough of a hint for Will. Time was tight, but there was no way they were leaving this room until she had her way with him. His grand gesture demanded nothing else. Which he’d certainly known when he locked that damn door.

Will’s fingers trailed over her collarbone and shoulder until they reached the zipper of her dress. “Have I told you how much I appreciate the lack of corset on this particular dress?”

“You might have mentioned it the last time you took it off me.” Her words were barely a whisper as Will planted a kiss on her literally heaving bosom.

He lifted her up, his lips exploring the sensitive skin under her ear and lower, his fingers inching that zipper down as he moved them across the room. Hannah breathed him in, her husband. All this time and it never got old. He placed her gently on her feet at when they reached the bed. His hands skimmed her shoulders and lower as he pushed the dress down until it puddled around her. His eyes darkened as he took her in—bodice tight to her curves, white underwear with Mrs. in rhinestones across the front, nearly nothing in the back.

He wrapped his arms around her, skimming down her back. “How did I get so lucky?”

Hannah pulled him closer, bringing her hands around to cup his ass. “It helps that you have a cute butt.”

Will’s mouth found hers, and his fingers made quick work of the clasps on her bustier. She didn’t waste time removing the rest of his clothes as they kissed and teased and caressed each other into a frenzy. He laid her back on the bed, kissing his way down her body, stopping at each breast, his teeth grazing the sensitive nipples, his hands soft against her skin, and then lower and lower until he reached his destination. He hooked a finger under the band of her thong and pulled it down, his lips following his hands.

“We don’t have time,” she gasped as he edged her thighs apart with his shoulders.

“They’ll wait.” His breath was warm against her, and she squirmed in anticipation. “It’s not like they can start the reception without us.”

And then she didn’t quite care if their guests waited hours. There was only her and Will and this moment and so much pleasure that whoever knocked on that door would know to come back a long while later.

***

 “Oh my god. What did you do?” Kate lifted one of the strands of hair that hung free from Hannah’s meticulously pinned updo.

Hannah met Kate’s eyes through the mirror. “Is it that bad?”

“Let’s just say, you really should’ve been on top if you didn’t want the entire guest list to know what you two were doing.”

Hannah giggled. “I was… mostly.”

Kate pulled a face. “You couldn’t wait a few more hours? It’s not even like you’re actual newlyweds. You’ve been banging each other for a year.”

Hannah shivered, desire pooling in her belly, as the memory of Will pulling hair pins free as his hands brushed down her back and settled on the curve of her ass as they claimed each other again. Abbott-Thorne.

“No,” Hannah met Kate’s gaze in the mirror. “We definitely couldn’t wait a few more hours. I’m sorry you had to come back.”

“Twice. I had to come back twice.” Kate tugged a curl back into place. “You two are gross.”

Hannah laughed and her eyes slid to the table, the one Will had bent her over only minutes ago. They’d heard Kate knock both times, but, well, they weren’t exactly in a position to stop. It had taken all her strength not to scream out in ecstasy when Will had picked up the pace to drive them to finish before Kate knocked a third time. “But you love us.”

“Not when I have to hear you two having sex.”

“You couldn’t hear us.”

Kate snorted. “Half the hotel could probably hear you. You’re lucky Randy didn’t force the front desk to give him a key to your room.” She motioned to Hannah’s slightly tousled hair. “Best I can do.”

“Thank you. It looks great.”

“Just count your blessings it’s going to be dark. Otherwise, your grandmother would know exactly what you just did.”

“Grandma has been asking me when we’re going to make a baby for six months. I’m pretty sure she’d approve.”

Kate’s hands stilled on her hair. “You didn’t. I mean, you’re not… was this like an ‘I’m ovulating’ thing?”

“No.” Hannah’s cheeks turned even pinker. “But it will be soon.”

 The door slid open, and Will appeared looking too pleased with himself. And rightfully so. Her body still hummed with pleasure, and dammit if she didn’t want to strip his clothes off again. Wedding guests and first dances be damned.

 “Kate, could you give us a minute?” Hannah grinned at her best friend, who shook her head vehemently.

“You have got to be kidding.”

Will laughed, though his eyes darkened. She wondered just how long they’d make it before coming back here. “Randy says if we’re not outside the ballroom in two minutes he’s canceling the whole thing.”

Hannah hopped down from the stool and twirled around. Duty called. “How do I look?”

“Beautiful as ever, wife.”

“Thank you.” She kissed him not-so lightly.

“Alright, out of this room now.” Kate held open the door, an impatient expression on her face.

They hustled through the hotel to the ballroom and made it just as the wedding planner came tearing around the corner.

Randy’s face relaxed into a small and very insincere smile. “There you two are. I was starting to get worried.”

Will patted Randy on the back. “Relax. It’s my wedding day. No matter what happens it’s already the best day of my life.”

“Thank you for making it extra perfect,” Hannah added, planting a kiss on his cheek.

Randy’s shoulders came down from his ears. “Fine, you are forgiven. Now, get in there.”

They stepped into line outside the doors to the ballroom, Kate just in front of them, linking her arm with Daniel. Hannah surveyed their bridal party—Eddie and Stephanie, Riley and Uncle Grayson, and CeCe in a flower girl dress with enough poof to knock her over. She curtsied and waved at Hannah before running through the ballroom doors as the first Wilderness Weekend song of the night blasted through the speakers.

The introductions passed quickly, songs filtering in and out as the doors opened and closed until finally “Love Acts” faded out and the familiar opening of their Leonard Nulty exclusive filled the space. Hannah’s hands were clammy as they stepped into place outside the doors waiting for their cue from the DJ. She wasn’t nervous, but excited. This was a continuation, but it was also a beginning.

Will squeezed her hand. “Let’s make a pact, Mrs. Abbott-Thorne.”

The DJs voice sounded through the doors as he started their introduction. Hannah slid her gaze towards her husband. “And what shall it be this time?”

The DJ continued, bringing them closer to their debut. “I am proud to introduce for the first-time ever—and yes, I do mean first-time ever…”

Will held out his pinky and leaned in close, his breath stirring the loose hair near her ears. “For always.”

Hannah blocked out the applause and cheers of their collected family and friends as the DJ dropped their new combined moniker as she linked her pinky with Will’s and brought her lips to his in a featherlight kiss. “For always, Mr. Abbott-Thorne.”