Epilogue
SUTTON - TWO MONTHS LATER
“ I can’t believe you’re getting married.”
Jameson quirks a brow at me. “Is it because I’m getting married before you?”
I swat at his light pink suit. Only Jameson could pull something off like this on his wedding day. It matches the simple dress I’m wearing with a sweetheart neckline. “No. It seems like you just got engaged a minute ago.”
“Sutton.” He stills my hand that’s pinning his boutonniere in place. “Gunnar is it for me. Why wait?”
“I’m really happy for you two. Gunnar is your perfect match.”
“I know.” He waggles his eyebrows at me. His face is perfectly made up for the big day. The small room we’re in does nothing to diminish how radiant he is. “I can’t wait until Derek pops the question to you and you’re the one getting married.”
“We need a little more time.”
Derek and I have already had this conversation. With two small kids, we’re not in any rush. We both agreed we loved our life as is. Since I’ve started my new job and moved in with Derek, life is chaotic. Between football, hockey lessons, and the hospital, it seems we only have time for each other an hour a day.
“Well, don’t take too much time. Lock him down while you can. He’s a snack.”
I burst out laughing. “I can’t with you sometimes.”
“You love me.” Jameson pulls me in for a hug and smacks a kiss on my cheek.
“I do. I’m beyond happy that I get to stand by your side today.”
“Who would have thought we’d both find our soulmates at the very same time?”
“Maybe I was just trying to one-up you.” I laugh.
“Girl, please.” Jameson pulls back, adjusting his jacket. “I’d say maybe, but we all know Derek is a stud.”
“God, I love that sexy man.”
Jameson hands me my bouquet. “No time to fawn over him. It’s time to get married.”
I drop a peck on his cheek and make my way out of the small room in the little chapel. Leave it to Jameson to pick a place in Vegas for the weekend. I was told it was the least tacky of the places to get married here—even if Elvis is still going to be the one marrying them.
The aisle is small, with two sets of benches on either side of the faded, red carpet. Wooden walls are old and dated, but flowers fill the space. Bright, overhead lights give the room a hard glow, but it doesn’t matter.
Derek is beaming in the front row with the kids. It’s us, our parents—who came along to watch the kids—and Gunnar’s family.
Small. Quaint.
It’s perfect for them. And everything I would want in a wedding when Derek and I get married.
I take my spot at the top of the aisle, winking at Gunnar before turning my attention to Jameson as he struts down the aisle in the way only he can .
The Elvis impersonator starts the ceremony in an over-the-top Elvis way. It has me smiling the entire way through. Gunnar and Jameson didn’t write their own vows, so I listen as the words are repeated.
Love. Honor. Cherish.
The two of them are beaming at one another. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jameson so happy. I sneak a peek of Derek, whose eyes are firmly on me.
He’s wearing a simple gray suit with no tie and the first few buttons of his shirt undone. God, I love this man more than I ever thought possible.
As Gunnar and Jameson exchange rings, Elvis tells them to kiss one another. A kiss that has Derek covering the kids’ eyes.
“Hey now!” Derek chirps. “Impressionable eyes here.”
Jameson and Gunnar break apart, a look of love on both of their faces.
“You know…” Jameson trails off. “We could make this a double wedding.”
“What?” My eyes snap to his. “A double wedding?”
“What are you talking about?” Derek asks from his seat on the bench.
“Oh please. Like I haven’t seen you two making se— googly eyes at one another.” Jameson cuts himself off, keeping that sentence appropriate for the kids.
“But…” I’m trying to think of a reason why we shouldn’t get married right now, but I’m having a hard time coming up with one.
“We don’t have a marriage license,” Derek points out.
“Easy thing to do,” Elvis tells us. “Don’t you want to marry your hunk?” he asks me.
“I mean, we can’t, can we?”
Derek is sitting on the bench, looking me up and down like this is the craziest idea he’s ever heard. A crazy idea that he’s on board with .
“I mean, why can’t we? We’re already here. Our parents are here. Who else do we need?”
“Elvis thinks it’s a good idea,” Gunnar says.
“Listen to the man,” Elvis tells us.
Both of the kids giggle as my mom stands and walks over to me. “Do it, Sutton. Here’s your something old, borrowed, and blue.”
She takes off her sapphire necklace and clasps it around my neck. “Well, if we’re going to do this, I need something new.”
“I think I have that covered.” Derek beams at me as he stands and drops to one knee, pulling a small box out of his suit pocket.
“Wait, have you been planning this?” I ask. Shock laces my voice.
“This? No. But I’ve had this”—Derek pops open a velvet box—“with me for a few weeks trying to find the best time to ask the question.”
A simple, white gold band with a princess cut diamond sits on the cushion. “Oh my God.” I cover my mouth with my hand as tears wet my eyes.
“I love you, Sutton. I love Lydia. I love the family we’ve built together. You’re the person I turn to for everything. The one that has gotten me through these last few months. Without you, I don’t know where I would be. I want to be the guy that gives you everything.”
“You already have.” I lean down and give him a chaste kiss, mindful of our audience.
“I think you’re missing a few steps,” Jameson tells us.
I laugh as Derek stands. “Will you marry me, Sutton?”
“Yes! Of course I’ll marry you.” My voice is thick with emotion.
“Does this mean we can get our puppy now?” Lydia asks Derek.
“Now? What do you mean now? ”
“I might have told the kids my plans.” Derek smiles sheepishly. “I had to make sure Lydia wanted me to be her stepdad.”
My heart grows three sizes at how caring and wonderful this man is. “And a dog was somehow in these plans?”
“Yes!” Troy is jumping up and down at his dad’s side. “So we wouldn’t tell you.”
“You managed to keep this AND a dog a secret?”
“Our lips were sealed!” Lydia mimes zipping her lips.
“So are we doing this?” Elvis asks.
“Yes!” I cry through my tears.
“Yay!” both kids shout.
“Then let’s get this show on the road so we can get these two their puppy,” Elvis announces.
I laugh as the two of us step up to the altar. Jameson and Gunnar take the seats next to our parents. Both kids are standing at our sides.
Exactly the way it should be.
I listen as Elvis repeats everything he just said for Jameson and Gunnar. Except when we get to the vows, he nods at Derek. “Would you like to say your own vows, or go the traditional route?”
Derek turns to me. So much love is shining out of his eyes, it takes my breath away.
“Sutton. I never thought when we met that day in the hospital that we would end up here. You are everything to me. The reason I wake up every day with a smile. The reason I can keep going on the hard days. My reason for being a better man. My reason for being the best dad I can to our kids.”
Derek’s words have tears leaking out of my eyes. There is so much love in this tiny Vegas chapel, that I feel like it could burst.
“I love you more than I can ever tell you, but I will live the rest of our lives showing you exactly what you mean to me.”
“Sutton. Would you like to say a few words?” Elvis asks .
“Way to put a girl on the spot,” I laugh, swiping the tears away.
I take a steadying breath, trying to figure out the right words to tell this man I love him.
“Derek, you are my family. You welcomed not only me, but Lydia into your life with open arms. You make me feel safe. Like I don’t have to take on everything all on my own. You make me strong. I wouldn’t trade anything for our family. You, me, Lydia, and Troy. And together, we can face anything. I love you.”
I love you, Derek mouths back to me.
When we get to the exchanging of rings, Jameson darts out to the main lobby to get us each a gold band.
“Kind of essential to have these.” He pecks me on the cheek before taking his seat next to his new husband.
Elvis hardly gets the words out that we’re husband and wife before Derek is sweeping me into his arms and planting the best kiss of my life on my mouth.
Warm, sweet, perfect.
“I love you,” I mutter against his lips.
“Not as much as I love you.”
Cheers, shouts, and hugs greet us as we walk down the aisle behind Gunnar and Jameson.
“I can’t believe we got married!” I shriek, peppering Derek’s face in kisses.
“Best day ever.”
It is. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect day with a more perfect man. Being surrounded by my family?
This will be a day I remember for the rest of my life.
THE END