Epilogue
Lena
I stand in the center of the living room, staring at my reflection in the tall, antique mirror. Henry’s old farmhouse has been transformed into a bridal suite for the day, but even with all the delicate lace draped over the furniture, the soft blush roses filling the air with their sweet scent, and the sunlight streaming through the windows, it still feels like home. My heart races, pounding in my chest like it’s trying to escape, but in the best way possible. I smooth my hands over the front of my wedding dress, marveling at how unreal it all feels.
The dress is perfect. Soft ivory lace hugs my body in all the right places, flowing into a delicate train that pools at my feet. The bodice is sweetheart-shaped, fitted to show off the curve of my waist, with intricate lace patterns that trail over my shoulders and down the three-quarter-length sleeves. It’s classic and elegant, with a bit of rustic charm that fits this day, this place, and everything Gavin and I have been building together.
I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and turn just in time to see Jayla and Tatum bouncing into the room, their matching pale pink dresses swishing around their ankles. They stop when they see me, and for a moment, they just stare at me with their mouths hanging open.
“You look like a princess, Mom!” Jayla gasps, her eyes shining.
Her dark hair is curled into loose waves, pinned back with a tiny flower crown. She’s looking more like an adult every day.
Tatum is crying as she comes over to hug me tightly. “You are radiant and…I can’t take how happy I am for you.”
I smile, my heart swelling at their words. “Thank you.”
Jayla steps closer, her face softening as she takes in the details of my dress. “I’ve never seen you this happy,” she says quietly, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. “You’ve never smiled like this before.”
I feel the weight of her words and nod, unable to find the right ones to respond with. I don’t need to. She’s right—I’ve never been this happy. Not ever. Everything in my life has led to this moment, to Gavin.
As I glance out the window, I can see the barn in the distance where so many memories have been made as kids and adults. The old structure has been completely renovated and turned into something breathtaking. Twinkling fairy lights hang between the wooden beams, casting a soft, romantic glow over the hay bales that have been arranged to form a makeshift seating area for the guests. The barn walls are adorned with wildflowers picked from the fields around the farm, and delicate touches of lace are draped along the edges of everything. It’s rustic, it’s beautiful, and it’s more than I ever could have imagined for a wedding.
Everyone from town has shown up, pulling together to make today happen. There’s something special about Hicks Creek—how everyone comes together when it matters. I feel a surge of gratitude for all of them and the love and support surrounding us. They’ve helped build the new barn for the animals, the house Gavin and I have been working on just over the hill, and now this… a wedding that feels like the perfect culmination of everything we’ve been building—our future.
After everything came to light about Aaron, it could have all gone very badly, but it didn’t. Yeah, a few people thought I knew the whole time, but for the most part, everyone understood who he really was and that I was clueless.
“Lena, are you ready?”
I turn at my mother’s voice as she steps into the room, her eyes glistening with happy tears. She takes one look at me and smiles, her hand coming up to her chest. “Oh, sweetheart,” she whispers, her voice catching. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Mom…” I laugh softly, feeling the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. But I won’t cry. Not yet. I need to hold it together until I get down that aisle.
“I’m so proud of you,” she says, stepping forward to cup my cheek. “And I’m so happy for you.”
I nod, my throat too tight to respond. She pulls me into a gentle hug, and for a moment, I let myself just be still, to breathe in the moment. This day is everything I’ve ever wanted.
The door swings open again, and I hear a familiar voice. “It’s time.”
I step back from my mother, turning to see my dad standing in the doorway, his eyes filled with emotion when he sees me. He looks so proud, and something in his expression brings back a flood of memories of the girl I used to be, the one who never dreamed she’d end up here, about to marry the love of her life on a farm she’s come to call home.
I take a deep breath, smoothing down my dress one more time before I nod. “I’m ready.”
“You know, I think we always knew that you and Gavin would end up together.” Mom smiles softly. “Even…even on your wedding day to Aaron, your father told me you were marrying the wrong one.”
“Yet…no one ever told me that,” I tease.
“You wouldn’t have listened.” Dad laughs.
He’s not wrong.
Tatum and Jayla move toward the back door, and my dad steps forward, offering me his arm. I take it, feeling the warmth and support in the simple gesture. He leads me out of the house, down the steps, and toward the barn where the ceremony is being held.
The sun is just starting to dip low in the sky, casting everything in a soft, golden light. The twinkling fairy lights in the barn glow brighter in contrast, and the air is filled with the scent of wildflowers, freshly cut hay, and something sweet, like the promise of everything good to come.
The music starts, a soft melody played by the string quartet that one of the townsfolk organized, and I take my first step down the aisle. My eyes immediately find Gavin standing at the front of the barn, waiting for me. He’s dressed in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, the dark fabric hugging his broad shoulders and lean frame in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. He’s never looked more handsome, and the way his eyes lock onto mine, filled with love, makes everything around me fade away.
There’s no one else. Just him. Just us.
His smile widens as I get closer, and I can see the emotion in his eyes, the way his lips press together like he’s trying not to cry. I know exactly how he feels because I’m right there with him, trying to hold it all in, trying to keep from falling apart with the weight of how much I love this man.
As I reach the front of the barn, my dad gently squeezes my hand before passing me to Gavin. The officiant starts speaking, but I barely hear him. I’m too focused on the way Gavin’s thumb brushes over the back of my hand, grounding me at this moment and reminding me of all the reasons I love him.
When it’s time for our vows, I take a deep breath and begin, my voice trembling but strong. “Gavin, from the moment I met you, my world shifted. You’ve taught me what it means to be loved and truly loved, and every day with you feels like a gift I don’t deserve. But today, I promise to spend the rest of my life deserving it. I promise to love you with everything I have, stand by your side through every storm, and build a life with you as strong and beautiful as the love we share.”
Gavin’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, and his voice is thick with emotion when it's his turn. “Lena… you came back into my life when I didn’t even know how much I needed you. You’ve made me a better man, and every day with you and Jayla has been more than I ever could’ve dreamed. I promise to love you, protect you, cherish you, and never let a day go by without reminding you how much you mean to me.”
By the time he finishes, there isn’t a dry eye in the barn, least of all mine. We exchange rings, and when the officiant finally pronounces us husband and wife, Gavin pulls me into his arms and kisses me like it’s the first time all over again.
The applause from the crowd fills the air, and as we walk back down the aisle, hand in hand, it feels like we’re floating.
We have the reception in the barn, with fairy lights casting a soft glow over the wooden beams and rustic tables set up with mismatched plates and wildflower centerpieces. The food is home-cooked and made by the women in town, and music, dancing, and laughter fill every corner of the space.
I watch as Jayla twirls around with the other kids, her face flushed with happiness, and I catch Gavin’s eye from across the room. He’s laughing with a group of friends, but when he sees me looking, he excuses himself and walks over to me, pulling me into his arms.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, his voice low and teasing as his arms wrap around my waist.
I smile up at him, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “Like the luckiest woman in the world.”
He leans down, pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m the lucky one, Lena. Always.”
And as we sway together in the middle of the barn, surrounded by everyone we love, I know with absolute certainty that this is just the beginning of the most beautiful adventure of our lives.