Page 94 of And Everything In Between

As sleep pulled at them both, Paige curled into his side, fitting against him like she'd been carved from his rib, like she'd always belonged exactly there. In the quiet space between yesterday's triumph and tomorrow's possibilities, there was only them, Paige and Giovanni, building a love worth keeping.

Epilogue

Ten Months Later

The summer heat rippled across the fairgrounds as Paige checked her clipboard one last time. What had started as Giovanni’s annual car show had transformed into something new today, the first “Customs for a Cause” event, specifically created for Perry and others like him fighting kidney disease.

Banners flowed in the breeze: “Customs for a Cause” and “Perry Bishop Transplant Fund” alongside the logos of Giovanni’s shop and TV show. The connection between their worlds, his custom builds, and her father’s health journey had created something neither could have imagined six months ago. Giovanni had been hellbent on fulfilling Perry’s request, but in his own way, bigger, bolder, with the kind of impact only someone with his platform could create.

“We need more ice and water at registration,” Paige called to one of Giovanni’s crew members, who nodded and moved without question. Ten months of marriage had taught them to operate as a seamless unit; her diligence complemented his visionary approach in ways that still surprised them both.

“Piggy!” Her father’s voice cut through the growing crowd noise. Paige turned to see Perry making his way toward her, moving slower than he once did, but with determination in each step. Dialysis had taken its toll, but today there was a brightness in his eyes she hadn’t seen in a while.

“Daddy, you should be resting in the VIP tent.” Her hand found his arm before she even thought about it.

“Can’t sit still today,” he replied with a smile. “Too much happening. Where’s that husband of yours?”

She nodded toward the far end of the lot, where Giovanni could be seen directing his team around something covered bya large tarp. “Final touches on something I’m not supposed to know about,” she added with a smile.

Perry followed her gaze, pride written across his face. “My son in law don’t half-step about nothing, especially not when it comes to family.”

“That’s why I married him,” Paige said softly.

The “Customs for a Cause” event had exceeded even Giovanni's ambitious vision. What had started as his heartfelt promise to Paige months ago to use his platform to help Perry and others like him, had grown into something neither of them could have imagined. The response from his network, his show's audience, and the car community had been overwhelming. Cars donated, time volunteered, sponsors stepping up before they were even asked.

Perry’s simple request for Giovanni to put his information on a car had evolved into something much bigger. Giovanni had taken that trust and built an entire movement around it, proving once again that when he committed to something, especially when it came to family, he didn't fuck around.

Standing here now, watching the crowd stream in and the volunteer teams working seamlessly together, Paige could see the full impact of her husband's heart in action.

“Come on,” she said, guiding her father toward the shade. “It’s too hot for you to be acting like a hardheaded kid. You overheat; I’ll have to hear her mouth all afternoon.”

Inside the VIP tent, Myra Saint was organizing donor registration forms while chatting with the local news crew that had arrived to cover the event. She looked up as they entered.

“There you are.” Myra eyed Perry critically. “You gon’ get your ass kicked if you don’t sit down before you fall down.”

Perry chuckled but obeyed, easing into a chair. “Yes, ma’am.”

The civil tone between her parents still surprised Paige. A year ago, they could barely share a room. Now, bonded by Perry’s health and years of quiet hurt, they’d found a kind of grace neither of them saw coming. He didn’t get the kidney, but he got stronger, managing at home, showing up for himself, and letting her mother help in ways Paige never thought he’d allow. They were taking it one day at time.

Spirit approached, clipboard in hand, giving major side-eye and that‘girl, let me tell you’energy.

“They fired Darren,” she said under her breath, eyes dancing with delight.

Paige arched a brow.

“Finally realized he was more talk than talent?”

Spirit smirked.

“Close. Turns out Sienna pulled the same mess on him she tried with Giovanni. But she embezzled production funds, then ghosted again. Only this time? They’re pressing charges. She’s about to be bookedandblocked.”

Paige let out a laugh, unapologetically.

“I hope you sent flowers.”

“Better.”

“I sent the network our contact at EverHouse Media. They’re officially taking over production and bought our whole first season off Turner. Bigger budget, full creative control, and no more execs trying to remix Giovanni’s vision to fit their nonsense. They should’ve listened when he warned them.”

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