Epilogue Oliver
ONE YEAR LATER
H ailey kneels down with the world’s biggest smile as she assists a four-year-old with a flying unicorn backpack far too big for the kid’s shoulders, but it’s cute. Once the bag is in place, Hailey waves to the little girl running away on little feet to her mother who is waiting with a warm smile of her own.
Every time I see Hailey in her teacher mode, I nearly break our agreement to wait to have kids of our own. She’ll be a good mom. But we both agreed that we want to wait and enjoy being husband and wife first.
My wife stands and surveys the area to see that all kids have left. That’s my cue that I can leave my car to help her close up her school. Normally, I’m not here. I have a long workday, and a teacher’s husband has no place hanging around. Hailey wouldn’t give me a tiny dose of attention anyhow, as she is so busy.
But today is different, which is why I walk through the front door with a sign for Early Explorers Preschool. I’m immediately greeted with the latest art project hanging from strings. Huh, clever. They made bumble bees using a toilet paper roll. Following the sound of her voice, I end up in the classroom where Hailey is straightening a few tiny chairs as she agrees with her assistant, a young woman who just graduated, about Monday’s activity in the number groups.
“Hi, Oliver.” The assistant smiles in passing as she leaves.
“Have a good weekend.”
My wife peers up at me as she tucks the last chair under the table that only reaches my knee. A wry smile is set on her mouth. “What?”
I throw her a pointed look. “We are already pushing it for time.”
She gushes another smile. “We’re fine.”
My brows rise from her brazen attitude. “We have wedding photos at 3.” Because we are actually saying real vows this time, but we don’t need to worry about any of that traditional stuff about seeing the bride before yadda-yadda… We’re already married. It’s just a group of about 50 in my parents’ yard, with dinner after sunset.
Hailey walks to her desk, shrugging. “And? It was only a half day of school today which means it’s 12 and we have plenty of time.”
That’s what I love about her. She’s laidback. I know she’s getting her hair and makeup done but by no means is she stressing.
She pulls out stickers from her drawer and begins to place little stars on a posterboard of names on the wall a few steps away. “That reminds me, we should probably go pick up more bottles of juice for Monday’s kids.” She quickly glances at her watch. “We have time before we have to pick up Jet from the groomers.”
My jaw almost drops, but I keep it together. “Seriously? Are you trolling me?” Time is tight, and we have to pick up our yellow labrador, Jet. He is our life and is also walking down the aisle with our rings. Because yeah, we became that kind of dog parents.
Her sight whips to me, and for a second, I believe she isn’t until a few seconds later a grin crawls on her face. “I would never.”
I reach over and grab her arm to yank her to me. “Come on, you.”
“It’s a mermaid braid,” Hailey corrects me as she giggles in my arms, and we completely ignore the photographer as we stand along the riverbank outside my parents’ house. Standing in a tux, I’m distracted.
“You’re stunning,” I reiterate for the hundredth time. Her dress is Gatsby inspired. Sheer material with little sequins. Absolutely beautiful. But that braid? “It’s dying to be yanked later when you’re on your knees.”
Instantly her lips part, and she glances quickly to her side at the photographer not far away. I clear my throat and force a wide smile. “I mean, you don’t wear this style often.” I raise my voice a little to correct my public blunder. Luckily, the photographer is busy looking at the screen of her camera. We wanted Esme to enjoy the night as a guest, so she recommended one of her friends.
Hailey playfully pushes my shoulder. “Watch that mouth of yours. I know we’re married already, but I think my parents would still like to associate this white wedding dress with their virginal daughter, even if for a minute or two.”
I burst out laughing. “I’m not sure this conversation is getting us out of the deep end.”
Her eyes dip down at the sight of our fingers intertwined, and her face softens. “You’re right. I’ll take this opportunity before everyone finds us to say…”
She grows near shy. I bring her hands up to kiss her knuckles, a feathering of lips really. “What is it?”
Her beautiful eyes meet mine. “I’m just going to tell you my vows now before everyone hears them. It’s simple, I get to have everything I dreamed because I have you. But the biggest part of that picture? My dream is only complete with you. And I vow to ensure it feels that way every day.”
Fuck, hit me in that spot in the corner of my eye that burns with a tear. Framing her face in my hands, I gently force her to look me straight in the eyes. “We’ll have to find something new to dream about, and I vow that every single one will be with both you and me… until we die… even if you cut off another finger due to bagels. I’ll save you every time.”
A blissful smile appears, and I lean down to kiss her, smile to smile, teeth scraping teeth. Parting, I kiss her real quick under her chin on the spot of her neck that makes her shiver every time.
“Oliver,” she murmurs.
“You’re my wife so I can kiss you the way I like,” I remind her.
She swats me again. “And we have a photographer here.” Forgot about that.
The woman holds up her camera gleefully. “No problem. The less you realize that I’m here, the better. Plus, I’ve heard it all from couples.”
Hailey wraps her arms around my middle then rests the side of her head against my chest.
“I love you,” she sighs, relaxed.
“I love you so much.”
We take a few breaths to just be in this moment because we know what awaits. Yes, Hailey has the menu that she picked out, and flowers she approved, the dress she went to Chicago for. But let’s make no mistake that the bride and groom will be busy speaking with guests for most of the evening.
Another five minutes of photographs that we intentionally pose for and then excitement bubbles inside of me and it’s written all over Hailey’s face. “Ready?”
She nods her head enthusiastically. “So much so that I skipped a few steps.” She proudly holds up her hand to show the ring on her finger. The one she has worn from the very beginning.
I hold up my own hand to show her. There is a smugness to my smile because of the satisfaction that I made her my wife when it was a crazy thing to do. “Oh, look at that, great minds think alike.”
Both grinning, I kiss her forehead, even though I hear my brother in the distance calling my name.
Hailey tips her head to the side. “You told him, right?” Lines form on her face.
I wince and scrub a hand across my face. “Not exactly… yet.”
Shock floods her face, and she swats my shoulder. “Are you insane?” Her loud whisper squeaks before she fakes a smile and faces my brother who arrives next to us in a suit.
“Hate to break up the priceless photos between you two well-dressed kids, but I need to steal the groom. Mom and Dad want to have a family moment, and I figured we could have a cigar.”
“No problem. Rosi— is here.” She realizes her fumble. “I mean, the florist was dropping off more roses, and I need to check on that. Yep, flower check. I’m just going to do that.” Hailey awkwardly tries to save her blip.
“Sure thing, and Hailey…” my brother says to her.
“Yeah, Sheriff?”
“Thanks for marrying my brother… again. You’re good for him and put up with his irrational thoughts.”
He gives her a quick hug and my brows knit together, debating if he is joking or insulting me.
“Irrational they are. Must be a family trait.” She gawks her eyes at me as a warning until she turns her back and scurries away.
Carter throws a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of Hailey heading to the house. “She isn’t nervous, is she? Your dog is actually wearing that bow tie you got him, so no need to stress.” He must be sensing her nerves, and it sure as hell isn’t for our vow renewal or our badass dog.
“No.” I scratch the back of my neck, preparing myself for this firework to explode. “I guess word hasn’t gotten to you yet…”
“About what?”
“There is an extra guest. I only found out this morning. Mom and Dad took the liberty of adding someone to the guest list.”
Carter’s face firms and his nose raises an inch. “Humor me. Who might that be?” His tone is sharp.
“Kind of funny maybe.” Nothing I can say will save this.
He gives me a stern look and grows impatient. I remember this version of him when we were kids. “Oliver, say it or I swear I will issue you a parking ticket next time I see your car.”
I bite my fist before puffing out a breath. “It’s Rosie.”
My brother stills and he soaks in the news.
“As in…”
Eeeks. Why am I tasked with delivering the news? “Yep.”
His eyes draw a line when we hear an enthusiastic welcome from our mother by the patio where a few guests have arrived. Actually, it’s my mother throwing her arms around one particular guest. I can hear the growl my brother is controlling.
Carter’s jaw tightens, and his eyes dagger me. “Why is my ex-wife here?
NEXT
My ex-husband, the sheriff, pulled me over for speeding. Throwing up on him instead of getting a ticket wasn’t my proudest moment. Nor when he realizes the itsy-bitsy tiny detail that I’m pregnant due to our one night together at his brother’s wedding. It was for old times’ sake, right? Except Carter is still insistent that we do things his way.
That we fall in love again.
I refuse to reunite due only to our child. But Carter moves me into his home and is persistent on proving that we shouldn’t have given up on one another the first time around. And as we grow closer again, preparing to become parents, I slowly begin to realize that we might be better this time around. After all, now we might have everything I needed…
This Carter’s (Oliver’s brother) & Rosie Blisswood’s story (yep, from that Blisswood family series!)