Epilogue #2
I know that this wasn’t planned, Mona writes. But it happened, and now we have the opportunity to create an even better life than we had before. A life where we will choose to love our baby, give him or her the best life that we can, teach them how to love unconditionally and how to be smart.
I truly believe in my heart that the best is yet to come for us.
My love for you has only gotten stronger over the years.
You have given me the life I always dreamed of.
I want you to be in this with me, but only because you want to be there.
I want you to want this as much as I do, but I will never force it upon you.
I will never doubt your love for me, but I will always respect your wishes.
I love you, and I love our baby. I love us.
Mona
I fold the letter and put it back in the envelope. I then slide it into the inside pocket of my tux, resting it right over my heart.
I stand up and walk over to the door, which I open with no hesitation.
I step into the narrow hallway, making my way to the small chapel where our wedding ceremony will be held.
The closer I get, I can hear people talking and laughing.
It’s a joyous event for everyone here. It’s something I never imagined for myself, not while I attended all my friends’ wedding, not ever.
I enter the room from a side door and step over to where I was told to wait for Mona. The pastor smiles at me.
“Are you ready, son?”
My eyes fly to the back of the chapel where I find my father sitting in the very last row. His face looks just as stern as ever when our eyes connect. But there’s something else there. I watch as he stands up and makes his way toward me. If he’s here to talk me out of marrying Mona…
“Alex.”
He puts his hand out for me to shake. I stare at it like I don’t know basic manners, but then I snap out of it and do as directed.
“I am not here to cause trouble,” he says. “Just to show my appreciation for you inviting me.”
“Mona invited you, not me.”
I have no idea why I felt compelled to clarify that. My father seems to be surprised by the revelation.
“I ran a background check on her.” His tone is straight and to the point. Anger rises inside of me, but I don’t have time to react when he continues. “I looked really hard for something I should hate her for.” He watches me thoughtfully. “I found nothing.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered anyway,” I tell him. “She is it for me. Forever.”
He watches me intently, confusion clear on his face. He’s most likely wondering where he went wrong with me that I don’t hate love like he does. He reaches inside his coat and pulls out two envelopes, handing them to me.
“What’s this?”
I turn them over, only to find a different name written on each one. One reads Miranda, the other Zach.
“Your siblings,” my father informs me. “I thought about it, and I think it’s probably time for you to meet them. I ran a background check on them both. All their information is inside these envelopes.”
I am speechless as I continue staring at the envelopes. Never in a million years did I think that he would encourage me to meet with my mother’s other children.
“Thank you,” I finally say, and that’s all I can manage.
He nods and turns to walk away but stops halfway. “I will leave as soon as the ceremony ends. But I hope to visit with you both in the near future.”
He waits for me to respond, but I’m not quite sure what to say.
It’s been over a year since the last time we interacted, and this is plain weird.
I slide the two envelopes into the inside pocket of my tux, right next to the letter from Mona, remaining otherwise quiet.
My father nods again and walks back to his spot in the back.
Just then, Kyle rushes over to my side. He is my best man for the day. In fact, he’s my best man no matter what. I am fortunate to have him by my side. Zara takes her place on the other side of us as Mona’s maid of honor. We don’t have anyone else in the wedding party, so this is it.
The music changes, and my heart beats just a tad faster when it’s finally time for Mona to walk down the aisle. I feel overcome with emotion, my eyes getting teary, and my hands trembling as I wait. And then… she’s finally coming to me.
I swear I could sob as I watch her coming down slowly, looking more beautiful than ever in the white dress she’s wearing. The closer she gets, I notice the way she stares at me, like she’s trying to communicate something without words.
As soon as she reaches me, I lift the veil covering her face and plant a kiss on her lips.
“Son,” the pastor chuckles. “We’re not there yet. We have to start with the beginning.” Everyone inside the chapel laughs along.
“She hasn’t said yes yet,” someone calls out.
Mona seems to be as emotional as I feel. Her lips tremble under mine, and her entire body is like a live wire.
“I hope it’s a girl,” I whisper as I place another soft kiss onto her mouth.
The relief on her face is instant. “We can name her Julia,” she whispers back.
My mouth splits into a grin. I pull back and drop the veil down before we both turn to face the pastor officiating our ceremony.
By the time he is done, I am allowed to kiss her again. We are now tied for life, in all the ways.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.