Epilogue
Maryellen
I held Harper’s and my flowers as she looked into Gage’s eyes and said her vows. I was trying hard to keep a straight face at such a serious part of the ceremony, but Chase kept making silly faces at me from across the man-made altar on the grassy field.
The venue they ultimately chose was a beautiful farm in upstate New York, not too far from the city. And the weather cooperated perfectly with a picture-perfect blue sky.
I made the mistake of glancing across at my boyfriend again, only for him to mouth the words you look fucking hot.
He was making my job as maid of honor difficult, but I played along.
So do you, I mouthed back.
And he did in his black tux. It hugged his body, accentuating all the best parts. And of course, he had that perfect scruff I loved so much.
I studied Harper’s attention to detail, amazed to see how it all came together. From the wisteria flowers that hung from the altar to the lanterns that lit the aisle. She did an amazing job with this wedding.
Gage had helped get me back to the city over the past year to continue with the planning. He would send the company jet to pick me up if Chase and I were too far away to bring me back for appointments with Harper.
“And now you may kiss the bride.”
Everyone stood from their seats and cheered for the new Mr. and Mrs. Gage Parker. Harper and Gage turned toward the crowd as I fixed her train before they made their way down the aisle. Chase and I met behind them, my arm linking with his.
“Can we ditch this and go back to our room?” he whispered into my ear. “I want to peel that dress off you.”
I peered down at the dress, a simple slip dress in pink satin that had a halter top and an open back with a bow above the ass. It did make me look hot.
“There’s time for that later. We have all tomorrow.”
We had the rest of our lives.
“But how am I supposed to keep my hands off you looking like this? That dress outlines your ass so perfectly. And those tits of yours…”
We made it to the end of the aisle and were surrounded by tons of guests. Thankfully my horny boyfriend was able to keep his hands to himself so we could tend to our duties for the bride and groom.
It was going to be an exhausting day.
And I was already tired.
“Maryellen,” Harper called out. “Can you gather all the girls and guys? The photographer wants us to head toward the barn.”
That would be like herding cattle since they had already made their way to the bar. And food was being hand served in the room as well.
“Chase.” I grabbed his arm, and he spun around to face me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
I smiled at his immediate concern. “Nothing, with me anyway. Gage and Harper need the bridal party by the barn, now, for pictures. Can you help me?”
He looked around and understood the gravity of the request as well. Moving to the bar, he leaned over and asked the bartender something close to his ear. The guy nodded and gave Chase a firm handshake. Chase then faced the group.
“All right, everyone. I’ve arranged for a server to follow us to the barn to bring us drinks and food while we do photos for the bride and groom. Let’s go!”
That got the group going. They made sure to grab their current drink, and we traveled as a group along the cobblestone path through the gardens. The mountainous backdrop, surrounded by marshmallow-like clouds, made it the perfect location for pictures.
“This is a nice place,” Chase said. “We’ll have to keep it in mind.”
My sideways glance didn’t go unnoticed as he smiled back at me. His hand went to my lower back as he made sure I was steady on my feet on this unsteady path.
“There you guys are!” Harper called out as we rounded the corner and the barn came into view. “Maryellen, Chase, you two need to come here first.”
We hustled over to them as the photographer handed out glasses of champagne to us.
“She wants a picture of the four of us making a toast and trying to get a candid shot of us laughing while clinking our glasses. I thought it was a great idea with the trees and barn behind us.”
Harper’s excitement was contagious. Chase and I took the flutes and got positioned by the assistant.
“Don’t take any real sips right now, we want the liquid to stay in the glass for the shots.”
Chase gave me a devilish grin.
This process was going to take a while. The photographer must have taken no less than twenty pictures of us for this one shot of the four of us only. We still had the entire wedding party, and then family to go.
“OK, for the last shot, you guys can actually drink the champagne,” the photographer said.
“Finally,” Harper groaned.
“Look this way…3…2…1…drink.”
We all put the glasses to our mouths and turned them upward.
“Great shot!” the photographer said.
“Give me that,” Chase said as he spun us around from the crowd. He grabbed my glass and drained the champagne for me, then handed me back the empty glass with a smile. “There ya go.”
He kissed me gently on the lips as the server came to take our empty flutes.
“Don’t go too far, you two. You’re not done,” Harper said.
Gage came to stand next to us, while Harper went to have some pictures taken with her mother.
“Congratulations, Brother,” Chase said as he hugged Gage. “A married man. Never thought it would happen but have to say I’m glad you found Harper. She’s good for you.”
Gage’s smile was wide and genuine.
“Thanks. It’s good to see you guys,” Gage said. He leaned in and gave me a hug. “Really good to see you. How has the tour been going?”
Chase’s tour had been extended. The talent manager was impressed with him and two other singers on the original tour and booked them on a longer one that took us through to this summer. We were touring the entire country now, not only the East Coast. We flew in from Portland for the wedding.
“It’s been amazing. I’ve been making some serious contacts every step of the way. Some studio heads are supposed to be at a show in Seattle next week. I’m hoping they show up.”
“And you, Maryellen? How’s your book coming?” Gage asked, giving me his full attention.
Seeing him for the first time in months, I realized how much I missed him. And when I did see him, it was a quick hello as Harper and I were heading out for a wedding appointment of some kind.
I thought about my job with him often. The routine it offered, day in and day out. Literally, the security of my desk and the comfort of going to the same space for almost seven years. I thought it was necessary for me and my brain to cope. Since walking away, I’ve learned so much about myself.
Mostly that I hadn’t pushed myself, and my boundaries, enough. The world was a big place and had a lot to offer. If I stepped outside of my small box, there were opportunities for me to grab.
Chase helped me with that.
And I was flourishing.
“My book…” I said in response to Gage. “Well, it’s finished.”
His eyes went wide. “It is? That’s amazing. What’s the next step?”
“To find an agent and get it published. I’m realizing that’s harder than writing the damn thing.”
Chase put his arm around me as a show of support.
“She’ll do it, the book is amazing. She’s talented. The right agent will come along, I know it.”
I left the brothers to catch up. They hadn’t seen each other since Chase left originally.
Their reunion yesterday was genuine and real, with tears.
I think their time apart brought them closer together.
I knew, and Harper confirmed, that they texted and spoke weekly to catch up and provide each other updates.
It was cute.
And it helped Chase while on the road to have that connection back home, whether he believed it or not.
Chase
As Gage and I spoke, I kept stealing glances at Maryellen as she stared off at the mountains. She was always beautiful. But even more lately. The glow was real.
“Mitch has been doing great, you were right to recommend him for the spot,” Gage said, bringing me back to our conversation.
“I knew he’d be perfect for the job. He’s doing better at it than I ever would.”
I was thrilled for the shot I gave him by leaving the company.
He deserved it. Though I missed seeing him every day.
It was amazing when he and Evie came to a show in South Carolina last spring.
They made a vacation out of joining us for the weekend to catch me at one of the stops.
Seeing them in the audience was like old times.
“I hate when you put yourself down like that. I know you’re doing now what you were meant to be doing.” Gage turned to look at me. “Dad agrees. I know you haven’t talked to him much, but I think you should today. He wants to talk to you and Maryellen. He misses you, and he’s happy for both of you.”
I nodded. I would talk to my father. It was unavoidable, but it remained to be seen how happy he was for me.
Gage and I stood side by side, looking out at the horizon.
His bride laughed with her mom as they got goofy for the pictures they took, and it made him smile.
My girl was off to the side, watching the same scene we were, and it put a smile on her face.
Though I was sure as it did, it also hurt her heart knowing she’d never have a moment like that at her own wedding.
“Go see your bride, we’ll catch up later.” I gave him a loving slap on the back before walking behind Maryellen.
As I wrapped my arms around her middle, her hands went there protectively as well. My chin rested on her shoulder as we looked out at the impressive view.
“How’s my girl doing?” I asked.
Her head swiveled a bit toward my cheek, and she gave me a sly smile.
“Do you think it’s a girl?” she asked.
My body stiffened at her question, but then we were being beckoned.
“C’mon, everyone!” Harper yelled. “Time for the entire bridal party.”
I gripped her hand in mine as we slowly meandered toward the rest of the group. We were enjoying the fresh air of being in the country. There were a lot of cities on the schedule lately. Which we didn’t mind, it felt like home most times.
The photographer was working at getting the large group of couples in size order. Since Maryellen and I knew where we would wind up as the best man and maid of honor, we waited to the side until they were done. It was chaotic.
I pulled her against me again and whispered in her ear. “Well, I was talking about you before, being my girl. But is that what you think?”
She settled the back of her head against my chest and simply hummed with contentment. “I don’t know, it’s a bit early. What do you think?”
She faced me. Her face was lit by the setting sun behind me. The oranges and reds bounced off her skin and the dress she wore, enhancing the pink of both. As I reached up to stroke her cheek, her eyes closed at the touch.
“I don’t really care. I love that it’s you making all my dreams come true. Especially becoming a dad.”
A father.
Maryellen was going to make me a father.
We were going to be a family.
A family on the road together.
Another person to write my songs for.
The End