Epilogue
? Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts
Callie
I stand alone behind two antique double doors, clutching a bouquet of anemones and wildflowers as I wait to walk down the aisle to the love of my life. The music shifts to Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts, and the doors swing open.
My breath catches in my throat as I come face-to-face with Jaxon in his black four-piece suit with the black-and-white paisley pocket square. He’s holding out his hand. “My beautiful bride. You’ll never again have to walk alone.”
Tears spring to my eyes as I slide my palm against his.
He places it in the crook of his arm, and we walk down the aisle together.
We decided to have the ceremony at the house, with an arch placed at the top of the porch steps.
Our home is where our love story truly began, and I couldn't think of a more perfect place to promise him forever.
His father is waiting at the top of the stairs, bracketed by Olivia, Clio, and Lexi on one side, and Griffin, Wilder, and Mo on the other.
By design, the ceremony is brief. We read off simple, handwritten vows and exchange rings.
Mine is a band of tiny diamonds that nestles up against my oval engagement ring.
Jaxon’s is a black band, inset with a ring of wood from the very first barrel of Hayes Brothers Bourbon.
The distillery is officially up and running, and apart from Atticus and me, it’s become his pride and joy.
The ceremony goes off without a hitch, and we make our way to the wedding barn for the reception.
Planning a wedding when you have no family to speak of is not for the faint of heart, but Jaxon offered me comfort and reassurance every step of the way.
When we discussed the all-important first dances, Jaxon offered to skip the mother-son dance, but I refused to let him miss out on that special moment with his mom.
He guides her around the dance floor with practiced ease, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears and unmistakable pride.
When the song ends, she hugs him, then whispers something for only the two of them to hear.
Jaxon returns to the table, taking his place beside me. His eyes are swimming with emotion as I press my lips to his cheek.
“You ok, Cowboy?”
He sweeps a loose curl away from my forehead and gazes at me like I’m his entire world, but all I ever wanted was to be a part of it. “Never better.”
“If the bride would please make her way to the center of the dance floor,” the DJ says.
I look at Jaxon, brow furrowed.
He gives me a reassuring nod. “Go, Wife.”
My heart swells, and I lean in for a chaste kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he murmurs.
I grip my dress, the crinoline swishing with each step as I walk to the center of the dance floor, coming to a stop under the massive chandelier. All eyes are on me, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. My breath catches as Russell strides toward me. “May I dance with my new daughter?”
I give him a jerky nod and let him pull me into his arms. My Wish by Rascal Flatts starts playing, and Russell leads me around the dance floor like a father leading his daughter.
Tears stream down my face unbidden. I never thought I’d get to have this moment, but Jaxon has found yet another way to make me feel irrevocably loved.
A giggle bubbles free as Russell spins me around.
I stumble in my heels, but before I can fall, I’m caught between two strong arms.
“Hey, baby sis,” Griffin says. “Dance with me?”
I choke on a sob as Griffin takes over.
“I’m not the best dancer, but I didn’t think I was that bad.”
I let out a watery laugh and shake my head, unable to form words. Even if I could, I don’t know what I would say. There aren’t enough words in the English language to express my gratitude to this family. My family.
His rough thumb glides over my cheekbone, capturing a tear. “He wanted you to have everything, Callie girl.”
“I do.” The words are barely audible beneath my rapid heartbeat. We make one full trip around the dancefloor before he returns me to the center.
When Griffin comes to a stop, Wilder takes his place. “May I cut in?”
“He’s the worst out of the three of us,” Griffin says, placing my hand in Wilder’s much larger one. “Mind your toes.”
“Get outta here. It’s my turn to dance with the bride.” Wilder shoves Griff out of the way and sweeps me into his arms. He offers me a tender smile and glides his hand up and down my spine in a comforting gesture. “You ok?”
“Besides being a blubbering mess? I’ve never been happier.”
“You deserve it.” He gets a far-off look in his eyes, and his expression sobers. “Thank you for loving him back to life.”
My heart spasms inside my chest. “What do you mean?”
“Jaxon was a broken shell of a man before he met you. I don’t know how you did it, but I have my brother back again.”
I lock eyes with Jaxon across the dance floor and mouth a silent “I love you” as the song comes to an end. Evelyn meets me at the side of the dance floor and pulls me in for a hug.
When she lets go, she cups my cheeks in her palms. “You will always have a place in this family, Calliope Hayes. Thank you for loving my boy.”
Jaxon
She sways on her feet, gazing at me with a warm smile, eyes the exact shade as the night I proposed. She looks more radiant than ever.
“Come on, Cinderella. Time to go before you turn into a pumpkin.”
She throws her arms around my neck, giggling. “That’s not how the story ends, silly.”
I take two measured steps toward her. “Is this the ending?”
She wraps her arms around my neck. “For them, it is. For Callie Cooper and Jaxon Hayes—two broken people who found each other long before they were supposed to. Today, we start writing a new story.”
“And what is it you want from this new story of ours?”
“It’s a lot, do you really want to know?”
“Tell me.”
Her fingers twist in the hair at my nape.
“I want your kisses, all of them until the very last one. I want to grow old together on this ranch, in the house that started it all. I want your heart beating next to mine until we take our last breath. But more than anything, I want our daughter to have your eyes.”
“Daughter?”
She nods. “I’m pregnant. There’s another princess on the way to take my place.”
“I’m going to be a dad?”
I let out an unsteady breath as I sway us back and forth. There’s no music left to dance to, only the sound of my heart beating in time with hers like it was always meant to. I dip her backward and seal my mouth over hers, kissing her softly. Slowly. Reverently.
“Have I told you how much I love you?”
“I love you, too, Cowboy.”
“Mm. Say it again.”
She brings her lips to the shell of my ear. “I love you, Cowboy.”
“That’s my girl. Hold on tight.”
She squeals as I sweep my arm behind her knees and lift her into my arms. “Let’s go home, Bluebird.”