Epilogue Emma
“How do I look?” Turning toward Talia, Ruth, and Harlow, I lower both hands down at my sides. Their eyes fill with tears as they look at me.
“Oh, honey, you look so beautiful!” Talia exclaims, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
“The picture of beauty,” Ruth agrees.
Harlow steps forward and smiles. “She would have loved to see you like this.”
“Wearing white?”
“Happy,” Harlow counters. Reaching into the pocket of her dress slacks, she withdraws a single silver cross on a chain and offers it to me.
“This was hers. She gave it to me on one of the worst nights of my life, and told me that, even when things got rocky, I needed to cling to Him. I didn’t listen, but I’m learning.
” She moves around behind me and drapes the cross around my neck, then fastens it.
My eyes fill as I reach up and touch it.
Neither my mother nor my birth mother could be here, but I believe they’re both watching. Just like my father is. I hope they’re standing there, staring down, proud of who I am today.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re welcome.” She takes a deep breath. “Now, I’m going to go sit out there before I lose all of my makeup, okay?”
“Okay.”
She takes my hand and squeezes a moment, then turns to leave.
“Whew, I am going to be red-faced when I walk down that aisle if I’m not careful.”
“You’re beautiful,” Talia says.
“I’ll go let Connor know we’re ready,” Ruth whispers, then kisses my cheek and leaves the room.
“Are you happy?”
“So happy.”
It’s been six months since I last wore a white dress. Then, I’d been terrified of what was coming. Today, there’s not an ounce of fear in my heart. Because I know who’s waiting for me at the end of that aisle.
Dylan Hunt.
A man I’ve loved since childhood.
Someone I thought I’d lost forever.
Who reminded me of God’s love even as we faced certain death.
“Good. You deserve happy.”
“Thank you, Talia. Thank you for always being there.”
Talia cups my cheeks and rests her forehead against mine. “You are so welcome, my darling. I love you as my own, Emmaline. I hope you always know that.”
“I do.”
Someone knocks gently on the door.
“Come in,” Talia calls out as she releases me and wipes the tears from her cheeks.
Connor’s eyes mist the moment he sees me. Dressed in a black tux, he’s beyond handsome, his silver hair styled expertly on his head. “Emma, you are a dream.”
“Thank you.”
“Dylan might pass out when he sees you. We should have some ice water handy.”
Talia playfully smacks him. “Get the girl to the aisle; she’s wanted to marry that boy since they were kids.”
Connor chuckles as he crosses over to me and loops my arm through his. “You ready?”
“More than.”
“Then let’s go get him.”
Music drifts toward us the closer we get to the door that will lead us to the sanctuary of the church. Mr. Peterson, the man who runs our post office, grins at me as he opens the door.
“Bridal Chorus” begins playing as I step out into the church.
Everyone stands.
My heart is so full when I reach the end and see Dylan standing at the altar, flanked by Tucker, Riley, Elliot, and Bradyn. On my side, Lani stands beside a very pregnant Alice, with Jules, Nova, and Kennedy lined up beside her.
My gaze shifts to Dylan.
His mouth falls slack, his eyes shimmering as he stares at me. I’m unable to tear my gaze from him, even as we reach the altar and Connor kisses my cheek before placing my hands into Dylan’s.
Pastor Ford clears his throat. “We are gathered here today to witness the wonderous union of Dylan Hunt and Emma Franklin. I think we can all agree that these two have truly fought for each other through everything this life has thrown at them.”
I keep my gaze locked on Dylan, like we’re the only two people in this room.
“Lord, we ask that You bless this union. Be with Emma and Dylan, and guide them through the storms as they face this life together. Thank You, Lord, for bringing them to this day, where they can pledge their lives to each other. In Your Holy Name. Amen.”
“Amen,” I whisper as I open my eyes again.
“Do you, Dylan Hunt, want to marry Emma?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Emma Franklin, wish to marry Dylan?”
“I do.”
Dylan’s grin steals my breath.
“They have prepared their own vows and will speak those now. Dylan, lead us.”
Dylan clears his throat. “I agonized over these vows because nothing felt good enough. How do I tell you just how much you mean to me? How, in the darkest moments of my life, it was you who brought me peace? I know now that it was God reminding me why I needed to hang on. He’s the reason I’m standing here today, and I will do my best to honor Him by loving you with everything that I am, Emma.
I’ve loved you since we were kids, and I’ll love you until the day I draw my last breath. God willing, even longer.”
Tears stream down my cheeks, my heart so full I’m sure it’s going to burst.
“Emma?” Pastor Ford gently nudges.
“Dylan Hunt, there hasn’t been a day that has gone by where I didn’t think about you.
I knew from the moment we met that you were special to me.
I just couldn’t have imagined how special.
You are my rock, my best friend, and life is better because you’re in it.
” Emotion burns in my throat, but I push forward. “I’m so glad you’re mine.”
Dylan smiles, and a tear rolls down his cheek.
“Rings, please, Delta.”
“Hier, Delta,” Dylan calls.
Delta leaves Tommy’s side and trots toward the altar.
“Sitz,” he says, and Delta sits. Quickly, Dylan undoes the chain holding both rings onto Delta’s collar. Then, he straightens and hands them to Pastor Ford.
“With this ring, I vow to love you forever, Emma,” Dylan says as he slides the band around my finger.
I smile through my tears as Pastor Ford hands me Dylan’s wedding band. “With this ring, I vow to love you forever.” I repeat Dylan’s words as I slide his band onto his ring finger.
“Then, by the power vested in me by the state of Texas, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Dylan wraps a hand around the back of my neck and pulls me in. Our lips meet, and love surges through my body like lightning. I fling both arms around his neck as he deepens the kiss.
I still remember wading into that ocean and Dylan promising that he wouldn’t let me drown. Now, six months later, here I am. Sinking beneath the surface as my feelings for him carry me down into wonderful yet uncharted depths.
Cheers erupt around us.
But it might as well just be the two of us.
Him and me.
Me and him.
Until death do us part.
Which, God willing, will be a long, long, long time from now.