Another Epilogue
Lizzie
He takes my hand as we walk toward the house, and it feels like my heart is going to leap from my chest and take off running in the other direction. I’m incredibly nervous, but only because of the meaning of this moment.
“Let’s go around back,” I say, taking the sidewalk around to the backyard where I know everyone is gathered.
Even though we’re right on time, it appears everyone is already here. The moment we step around the house into the yard, the noise level elevates, and we’re spotted. “Lizzie!”
Immediately, we’re surrounded by my family, all wanting hugs and to officially meet the man at my side.
“Everyone, this is Collin. Collin, this is everyone!” I glance over at him, noticing the slightly overwhelmed look on his face. “I’m not going to go through all the names right now, because you’ll never remember them.”
He nods, his eyes a bit wide.
“Come on, let’s go say hello to my parents.” Taking his hand, I move him out of the middle of the pile and head toward where Mom and Dad stand.
They’re on the patio alone, as if everyone understands the magnitude of this moment and is giving us space. “Hi,” I say lamely as I approach.
Mom smiles at us both, stepping forward and giving me a hug. “Breathe, sweetheart,” she whispers, kissing my cheek before stepping back.
I turn my attention to my dad. He’s staring at Collin, his expression unreadable. I’ve witnessed this look on his face many times over the years, and I know he’ll give nothing away until he’s ready. “Hi, Dad,” I state, stepping in to give him a hug.
When he looks at me, his face instantly relaxes, and a little smile spreads across his mouth. “Hi, Lou.”
He kisses my forehead, just like he used to do when I was little, before I step back and turn to look at Collin. “Mom, Dad, this is Collin. Collin, these are my parents, Mallory and Walker Meyer.”
Collin reacts first, stepping forward and offering his hand to my mom. She smiles but doesn’t take it. “Nice to see you again, Collin.” Stepping closer, she adds, “Around here, we hug family.”
My heartbeat slows almost immediately as I watch Collin give my mom a polite hug. “Thank you for having me.”
“Of course,” she replies, moving back to stand next to my dad.
Collin turns his attention to the man who has always been there.
Who wiped away my tears and held me when I was scared.
He made me laugh and always told me how much he loved me more times than I could possibly count.
He always likes to tell the story of how much I changed his life, but the reality of it is, he changed mine. He gave me something I never had.
A real dad.
I find myself holding my breath as I watch Collin extend his hand to shake.
My dad stares at him, then down at the offered hand.
Just as I’m about to chastise my dad for being rude, he steps forward and takes Collin’s hand, giving it a firm shake.
“Welcome, Collin. It’s nice to officially meet you. ”
My heart flies right out of my chest and I feel tears gathering in my eyes. I knew this was going to be a big moment, but seeing my dad take Collin’s hand feels better than I ever imagined. I didn’t expect my dad to give him a hard time, per se, but I expected a little more discomfort.
Dad holds Collin’s eyes and adds, “Take care of my baby girl.” His words are thick, and I swear I can see his eyes shining a little brighter than they were just moments ago.
“Always, sir. You have my word.”
Dad nods before releasing his hand.
“I’m going to go get the rest of the food ready,” Mom announces, placing a supportive kiss on my dad’s cheek before heading into the house.
I’m about to excuse myself to go help, when I see a wall of uncles walk up behind my dad. “Do you need help burying a body?”
I almost roll my eyes, but I can tell by the look on my uncle Tank’s face, he’s dead serious.
Dad’s lips tick in the slightest grin. “No, we’re good. Guys, meet Collin, the man my Lou loves.”
Hearing my dad say those words, introducing Collin to my uncles that way, causes a few of those tears I’ve been keeping at bay to spill.
“Fuck, you made her cry!” Uncle Jasper announces, a look of panic and anger on his handsome face.
Dad just smiles. “I didn’t mean to, Lou.” He moves straight for me to pull me into a hug, but he’s too late. Collin is there, his arms sweeping around me and his thumb swiping across the apple of my cheek.
My dad notices immediately, a flash of hurt mixed with respect on his face. But he pushes it away instantly, replacing that pain with a gentle smile.
“I’m good,” I insist to Collin and everyone standing around us. “These are happy tears.”
“They better always be happy tears,” Uncle Tank grumbles, already saying more words in a short amount of time than normal.
But he’s always acted a little different with me.
We’ve been tight my entire life, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
He crosses his arms over his chest and stares down Collin, who doesn’t so much as flinch.
“Food’s ready!” Mom hollers from the doorway, and everyone starts to scramble for the house.
No one around me moves, and suddenly, there’s tension once more. It’s as if everyone is waiting for what comes next, whatever that may be.
But it’s Dad that makes the move.
He takes a step forward, a soft smile on his face as he claps Collin on the shoulder. “Come on, Collin. Let’s eat.”
THE END