30. Epilogue
Epilogue
Amy
One year later...
“You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Eliza gushes, adjusting the lace on my wedding gown. I can’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for having her by my side. I couldn’t imagine this moment without her.
A soft pink glow illuminates the room as I gaze at myself in the full-length mirror. The reflection staring back at me is a vision I’ve dreamed of since I was a little girl.
My mermaid gown hugs every curve, the delicate lace cascading down to a sweeping train. A cathedral-length veil trails behind me, shimmering with tiny crystals that catch the light. I reach up to touch it, hardly able to believe this day has finally arrived.
“Thank you, Eliza,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper, overwhelmed by the moment. “I can’t believe this day is finally here.”
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears as she steps back to admire me. “You deserve all the happiness in the world. And today is just the beginning.”
I take a deep breath, my heart fluttering with a mix of nerves and excitement.
Today, I get to marry the love of my life.
I get to marry the man who’s become my rock. The man who stands by me through thick and thin, through all of life’s ups and downs. The man who understands my quirks, who appreciates my flaws, and who sees the real me beneath the facade I often put up for the world. The man who fiercely respects, protects, defends, and uplifts me. The man who challenges me to be a better version of myself and encourages me in my pursuits and dreams.
I get to marry the man who loves me just like my dad loves my mom.
As I stand here, taking in the moment, the door to the bridal suite swings open, and in walk my parents.
My dad’s eyes well up with tears as he sees me in my wedding gown, a proud smile stretching across his face. “You look absolutely stunning, Amy,” he says, his voice filled with emotion. He crosses the room in a few long strides and wraps me in a warm embrace. “I can’t believe my little girl is getting married today. I couldn’t be prouder of the person you’ve become. ”
Tears prick my eyes as I hold onto my dad, feeling his love and pride envelop me. My mom joins in, her eyes sparkling with joy as she looks at me. “Oh, my sweet girl. Your father is right—you’re absolutely radiant.”
I feel a surge of love and gratitude for my parents who have shown me what true love and commitment looks like. Their unwavering support and endless love have shaped me into the person I am today, and I can only hope to have a marriage as strong and loving as theirs.
Mom pulls back slightly, holding out a small box wrapped in shimmering blue paper. “I have something for you,” she says softly, placing it in my hands.
I look down at the intricate bow and delicate ribbon, the color reminding me of a clear summer sky, and carefully unwrap the gift. My heart pounds with anticipation.
Inside, nestled on a bed of velvet, lies a stunning sapphire necklace. The deep blue stones glint in the soft light, casting tiny rainbows around the room.
I gasp. “Oh, Mom. It’s beautiful.”
She smiles warmly. “It’s your something blue,” she explains. “It belonged to your late grandmother. She gifted it to me on my wedding day, and now I’m honored to pass it down to you.”
I carefully lift the necklace from its resting place, feeling the weight of history and love in my hands—my grandparents were married for over sixty years before they passed, and my mom and dad have been married for thirty-eight years and are still going strong. As I fasten it around my neck, the cool stones rest against my skin, a tangible reminder of the strong marriages that have come before mine.
“It’s perfect,” I murmur, turning to look at myself in the mirror once more.
“You’re perfect,” she whispers before kissing my cheek. “Parker is a lucky man.”
I’m the lucky one.
Parker
“You got this.” Dad looks at me and grins. “You look great. How do you feel?”
“I feel like I’m about to throw up,” I admit, grabbing my stomach. “You know I don’t do these kind of heights.”
“Just don’t look down.” He bursts into laughter as he reaches out, straightening my tux.
“I don’t think I’ll have that problem. I’ll just be looking at her.”
“Good plan.”
Amy and I are getting married in a penthouse atop Central Park Tower, the tallest residential building in the world and the closest thing to skydiving I could come up with without actually skydiving...
It would be pretty hard to say your vows while strapped to a parachute.
“Is Susie here yet?” I ask, glancing toward the door.
Dad grins. “Yeah, she is. She’s hoping she’ll be next.”
“Of course.” I laugh. “You better get on that. She’s been waiting long enough.”
Dad shakes his head just as Nick—Eliza’s husband—and Weston step into the room. “I’ll go check on her and let you talk to your friends.”
I nod, swallowing the nerves in my chest—which have nothing to do with marrying Amy. With her, I’m all in. I knew the moment I gave in to my feelings that she was the only one for me.
However, getting married at this height in front of a bunch of people?
Yeah, that’s nerve-wracking.
“How’s Amy?” I ask the two of them, missing the heck out of her. I haven’t seen her in two days per her request. It’s tradition or something. And it’s killing me.
“She’s excited,” Nick says, grinning.
“And hoping that you don’t throw up from the heights,” Weston adds, busting into a fit of laughter. “I know it’s bad, but I am kinda hoping you do.”
“Ha ha,” I say wryly. “I’ll be sure to wish the same for you at your wedding.”
“Hey now, your sister might not like that. ”
I make a face. I’m still getting used to the fact he’s dating my sister. “I can’t believe this is it—Amy’s about to become my wife .”
“I’m so happy for you both.” Nick places his hand on my shoulder. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Nick and Eliza over the past year. Amy and I have even traveled to the tiny town of West Falls multiple times to visit them.
She takes her friendships very seriously.
And I love her for it.
“It’s time.” Dad pokes his head into the room. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Five minutes later, I’m standing at the altar waiting for my bride to show up. I watch nervously as the bridesmaids and groomsmen make their way to the front, but all I can think about is the woman I know is coming next.
My bride.
I never realized until now that I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment.
And it feels so good.
Just as our song begins to play, filling the air with the soft piano introduction, I catch sight of Amy, her arm threaded through her father’s. My heart pounds as I take in the sight of her in a lacy long-sleeved mermaid gown. She looks stunning .
But then again, she always does.
The lump in my throat thickens as I smile at her, meeting her gaze. I can’t hold back my emotions as tears well up in my eyes.
I said I wasn’t going to cry .
But it doesn’t matter. I’m crying anyway as Amy walks down the aisle. She’s going to be my wife before this Valentine’s Day is over, and I can’t imagine spending this day any other way.
Though it is going to be hard to cover all these celebrations in one day.
Three special occasions.
Hopefully, we won’t have a baby born on this day.
Amy smiles as the preacher starts the process of her father handing her over, and I reach for her the very moment I’m allowed to.
“You look gorgeous, baby,” I tell her, fighting the urge not to kiss her red lips.
“You look handsome yourself,” she says to me, smiling. “I thought you weren’t going to cry.”
I wipe my eyes on the jacket of my tux. “Yeah, the joke’s on me.”
She giggles, shaking her head. “I hope it’s okay that we’re getting married instead of skydiving today.”
“We’re still a long way up in the air. I think it’ll be fine.” I chuckle.
The pastor gives us a look as he clears his throat. He makes it through a nice sermon about finding love and cherishing each other, but I can hardly hear him.
All I can do is stare at the beautiful woman in front of me.
My wife.
A few moments later, the pastor gives me the cue to say my vows, and I take a deep breath.
“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about all the things I wanted to say, but it always takes me back to the first time we met. I remember observing the way you lit up the room, and I had so many questions—and the truth is, I still don’t understand how you can be so positive and carefree all the time. You’re always willing to take a risk, and I love that about you.
“I can’t imagine not having you by my side, and the only regret I have is that it took me so long to realize loving you was worth the risk. We’ve had some really great times in the last year, and some that weren’t so great. But no matter what, Amy, I’ll never stop fighting for our love, for you, and for our future kids. I’ll always choose you over anything and everything. I vow to always say sorry, forgive you when you mess up, and take care of you in times that you need it. I vow to always be willing to change and compromise, because true love is worth putting in the work for. I vow to never give up on us.”
Amy nods, tears streaming down her face. “I love you,” she mouths.
“I love you forever,” I say. “Always.”