AFTER THE EPILOGUE
ESTE
We have a rousing round of sex to break in the bedroom, and then jump in the shower.
After I wash my hair, we soap each other up and rub ourselves against one another, moaning and kissing wildly.
I clutch Dom tight and squirm against him, and he finally hooks two fingers inside of me, makes a “come hither” motion, and sends me into another dizzying orgasm, so hard my knees quake and my whole body shudders.
I come undone in Dom’s arms the way I always do, though I’m stunned every time we make love that I’m able to feel this level of affection and passion for another human being.
Never thought that this type of love was something I could have.
Something I deserved.
I melt against Dom’s chest and kiss him beneath the water, putting my whole heart into it, communicating my love and total devotion to him as he strokes my face with his thumbs.
I send a prayer skyward to Cole, hoping he can hear me.
I thank him for saving Dom’s life and bringing him into mine.
He had to have had something to do with it, of that I’m certain.
Cole would approve of this union; I know it deep in my heart.
“How about a New Year’s wedding? We can do it here on the property, with Reed and Daisy and your nieces as my bridesmaids,” I whisper against Dom’s lips.
“The sooner the better. I can’t wait to make you my wife, baby.” Dom crushes me against his chest as my eyes drip happy tears.
We say our vows two weeks later, moments after the sun has set behind us over the creek.
Mallory and Dom had joined forces to ensure our small, backyard wedding was as magical as possible.
There are twinkly lights everywhere, a long pink aisle runner that matches the bridesmaid dresses, which all five of my girls were able to find off the rack last week, and candles surrounding the flower arch Daisy and Reed had created together.
I’d sent them to Costco’s flower section, and they’d nearly bought it out.
The flowers are all bright pink, purple, orange, and yellow, which seem to blend with the sunset colors streaking the sky behind us.
It’s been a waiting game, the wedding on pause until the sun drops below the skyline behind us, which it has finally done.
I’m eager to make my way down the aisle to Dom, but his young DJ friend is having trouble finding the track we’d picked out for this occasion, so I’m impatiently waiting on the covered back porch with my bridesmaids.
I tap my foot, sighing as the blood rushes in my ears.
Anticipation squeezes my heart, and it thumps intensely within my ribs.
Reed, Daisy, Charlie, Dani, and Amelia eagerly wait with me, and Charlie launches into an adorable version of I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith.
She spins around with her arms up in the air during the chorus, giving quite a performance in her party dress.
Her celebrity crush is an old-school version of Ben Affleck from Armageddon , and nobody has the heart to break it to her that Ben has aged since the film.
Eventually, we’ll show her the other, less-appropriate movies he did in his youth, but today is not that day.
She sings so beautifully, I pause to wonder if we should let her sing us down the aisle. There would be fewer technical difficulties, and she’s got a hell of a set of lungs on her.
“You ready, Mom?” Reed asks, tears filling her eyes as she embraces me. “You look perfect. And impatient.”
“Ha, you could say that.” I harumph.
“You’ve wanted to marry Dom since the second you met him,” my daughter accurately assesses.
“I’ve been waiting for this all my life. I couldn’t be readier to put that ring on Dom’s finger. And I’m so glad you’re a part of my big day.” My cheeks hurt from the smile that’s been pasted on my face since I woke up this morning. “And you couldn’t look more beautiful today. All of you girls.”
They surround me, and we share a huge group hug as I blink back my unshed tears. This wedding day just feels right. We’re on our property, with most of our closest friends present, and it’s a small New Year's Eve affair.
I’m wearing a cream-colored dress with more tulle than I expected to like, but it’s my first time in a bridal gown.
When I married Cole at twenty-one, I’d been in a tight white prom dress dotted with cheap silver rhinestones and a tight up-do that was all the rage back then.
I’d felt like I was playing dress up, like an impostor at the age of twenty-one.
Today, I wear my long waves down, framing my face, and an expensive tiara on my head with an attached veil that reaches my waist. I can’t wait for Dom to see me dressed up in the prettiest thing I’ve ever worn, with a bouquet of stargazer lilies in my hands, as I walk down this lovely pink, rose-covered aisle and greet him.
The music finally plays, and my four bridesmaids walk down the aisle, slowly carrying their bouquets, then take their seats in the front row.
When it’s my turn, Reed holds out her elbow to walk me down the aisle.
The look that passes between us is one of pure love.
Having her here by my side means everything to me.
A slight breeze rustles my wavy hair and the tree-dotted property as our guests turn and smile my way.
My father had already given me away once, and it had made my skin crawl.
I’d hated the patriarchal throwback of being “given” from one man to another the first time, so it seemed right for my daughter to walk me down to Dom and recite a short blessing she’d found online that meant a lot to her.
Besides, I’d given my heart to Dom long ago, all on my own. This was only us making it official.
I’m already sniffling by the time Dom sets his sights on me, both at the awe that dances across his face and how dapper he looks in his handsome black suit as he grins at me.
It’s a little warm to be so fancily dressed—nearly eighty—but he’s a picture of perfection as he waits beneath the flower arch beside a pastor I’d found online only a week prior.
I stare at Dom as I walk with purpose down the aisle. He shakes his head side-to-side as if to say, “I can’t believe my luck.” I gaze dreamily at my forever beau as my skin tingles, tempted to reach out and press my fingertips into the adorable indents of his dimples, but I resist the urge.
Dom radiates a sense of calm and an inner glow that helps settle the fleeting nerves dancing through my stomach before this moment, though his eyes sparkle with fire. He leans forward and then takes a few steps toward me as his hand covers his heart.
My mind flies back through my memories, thinking of all the things that had to happen just so to lead us both here, to one another. The dominoes of our past had to be lined up perfectly for things to fall into place like this.
Reed walks me to Dom, and she sets my hands in his sweetly. This is no patriarchal transaction. She’s willingly inviting Dom into our family, welcoming him with a warm smile.
“Finally,” Dom whispers, as if our slow walk had taken ages.
We face Reed and our audience as she recites a blessing about second chances and found family, which touches both of us so much that we’re in tears by the time she presses her lips to both of our cheeks and tells us decisively, “Now, go do this thing.”
Dom sucks in a quick breath. He takes my hands in his as candles glimmer all around us in the dwindling sun.
Dark blue invades the tangerine swirls in the sky beyond us, though there’s still enough light to see one another.
I fix my eyes on my lover’s shining green ones, and he sends me a tender smile.
All is right with the world as I slowly inhale the scent of flowers surrounding me and stare at Dom. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. A feeling of peace like nothing I’ve experienced descends upon me as the pastor speaks.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God, in the company of these finely dressed witnesses, to join Dominic Davis and Celeste Evans in a lifelong commitment of love to one another. Finding one’s life partner is no small feat.
It’s a great triumph that the universe conspired to bring these two individuals and their lives and families together.
Their love has already accomplished so much, and today, we witness them make this lifelong commitment to each other with pure hearts and clear eyes. ”
The minutes blur. I focus entirely on Dom and his loving smile.
He’s my home and everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner.
He builds me up and supports me endlessly, shares in my joy and sorrow, and he’s my biggest cheerleader, too.
His love had inspired me to return to one of my other great loves—writing.
As I watch Dom watch me, I know we’re going to have the most wonderful life together—our love has been tested and proven stronger than hard times, lunatics with knives, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and my grief for Cole.
This is the kind of love and trust you confidently build a lifetime on. That you stake everything on.
“I love you,” I mouth, unable to contain the words as the officiant continues to speak, overcome with emotion.
“I love you more,” Dom mouths.
We recite traditional vows to a chorus of sniffling, crying friends and family.
Mallory is in tears, sitting in the front row beside Jamie, having let the kids be my bridesmaids while she simply enjoys the event. I send a smile her way as I spot Jamie holding her tight. They’ll be the next ones down the aisle to pledge their undying love and devotion to each other.
Gwen is on her other side—God, I love my sister-in-law so much. She’s independent, fierce, and protective, and she’s the best mother imaginable to my nieces, who are three big balls of cuteness, love, and a touch of crazy.