EPILOGUE
SYDNEY
TWO YEARS LATER
I stand in front of the mirror in the guest room in Koa’s parents house—after today, my in-laws’ house—and slip the small diamond stud earrings onto my ears that once belonged to my mom. She wore them on her wedding day too.
“You’re stunning,” Lauren says, from behind me as she fluffs my veil.
“Thank you, but you are the one who is glowing.” She’s currently five months pregnant with a little boy. I surprised her earlier this week with a little baby shower while we were all in town.
“I can’t wait to see Koa’s face when you walk down the aisle in this gown. He’s going to cry.”
“He’s not going to cry.” I shake my head. I do love my dress—it is white lace with a high slit and plunging neckline. The skirt and train flow freely when I walk. It’s the dress of my dreams.
“I will be crying enough for everyone,” she says, grabbing a tissue.
There is a light knock at the door. It clicks open and Wren pops her inside followed by Charlie.
“Everyone is settled outside. I think it’s time,” Wren says, checking the list on her phone. She planned most of the wedding along with the help of Wyatt’s sister-in-law.
“It’s gorgeous by the way. Not as gorgeous as you but I think you'll be happy with the way everything turned out.” Charlie applies another layer of gloss to her lips.
When Koa asked me to marry him last Christmas, I already had our entire wedding planned. It’s been planned since we had our first adventure together in his backyard. Maybe not in full detail, but I knew I wanted to get married to him here where it all began.
Our first date in college was my inspiration. I wanted to recreate the lights in the trees and all the magic I felt flowing through the air that night. We even have a face painting station setup for the kids. Wren already had to warn Wyatt once that he’s not allowed to paint his face—or anything else—until after we take formal pictures.
“I can’t wait to see it.” I helped with the planning and the layout, but the execution was all my family and friends.
“Do you have room for a few more in here?” my dad asks, stepping inside the room with Nash and my mom.
“We’ll wait for you outside,” Lauren says, gathering the flowers and exiting the room with Charlie and Wren .
“My God, if you aren’t as pretty as a picture,” he says, holding my hands and lifting them wide.
“Thank you, Dad.”
My mom embraces me and the tears begin to well. This is the woman I have looked up to all my life. She has taught me to be brave and strong. To always fight for what I believed in and do the right thing regardless of the cost.
“I’m so proud of you, Sydney,” she whispers into my ear.
“You sure you want to marry him? I’ve got my keys. We can get out of here. It’s not too late,” he says, smiling. My mom slaps his arm.
“You know I want this. I love him.”
He sighs. “I know you do. I was kind of hoping I could hold on to you a little longer.”
“You are the reason I know how I’m supposed to be loved and how a man should treat me. You love Mom so well.” I smile at both of them as they stand holding onto each other.
He takes the handkerchief out of his coat pocket and dabs his eyes. “You promise me he loves you as much as I love your mama?” He kisses the top of her head.
“I promise,” I say, kissing his cheek and wrapping my arms around both of them. I want to tell him I think Koa loves me more but then we will be here all night while he lists the ways he loves the woman standing beside him.
“We should get you married then. That boy of yours hasn’t stopped fidgeting since he got dressed,” Dad says.
I nod, but notice Nash over his shoulder leaning against the wall. “Give me a minute.” I nod towards my brother.
“We’ll be in the hall.” My dad leads my mom outside the room, squeezing Nash’s shoulder as he passes him.
“You look beautiful, Sis. Koa’s not going to be able to handle it.”
“That’s what I keep hearing but I think you underestimate my future husband.”
He walks over to me admiring the clips and jewels in my hair. “I don’t underestimate him. I know him. I’ve seen his face every time you’ve entered a room and every time you’ve left one since you were twelve years old. I’ve watched his fists clench more times than I can count because he was dying to touch you.” He smirks at the memories. “And I saw the way you completely altered his personality when you gave him a second chance.”
He picks up the box of tissues off the table and hands it to me. “I can say without a doubt that he is going to lose it because today he is marrying his dream girl.”
“I love you, Nash, but I’m kind of mad you’re making me cry.”
“I love you too. Let’s get you hitched,” he says, leading me out the door where Lauren and the girls are waiting.
They help carry my train and my dad takes my arm as we walk down the stairs. “Where’s Mom?” I ask, once we get downstairs.
“Wyatt escorted her to her seat. She’s in the front row waiting for you,” Wren informs me. I nod and swallow back tears.
“You can keep crying if you want,” Lauren says, fixing a few of my curls that have migrated out of place. “Your makeup is top of the line. It’s completely waterproof. Trust me. I put it to the test every day.” She winks.
We’re all wearing my brand Glamour & Grace. I named it after my love of fantasy and all things fae. Their ability to glamour themselves is similar to the magic of makeup.
We walk outside and wait off to the side out of sight. The sun has set and the backyard is lit up with hundreds, if not thousands, of fairy lights. We have put them in every tree and along the fence line.
Guests sit at round tables strategically placed around the back yard with a walkway of white rose petals down the center leading to the altar.
One by one Charlie, Wren, and Lauren make their way down the aisle. The instrumental version of one of our songs begins to play. “That’s our cue,” I tell my dad. He locks his arm with mine.
Step by step I walk toward my future husband.
Koa stands in front of our willow tree. We’ve pulled back the branches and added white hydrangeas to an arch to create a whimsical backdrop.
His gray suit is fitted over his broad shoulders and the purple tie is the perfect pop of color. I can’t take my eyes off of him. He shamelessly wipes at his eyes, and one of my own tears manages to escape. I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold it together much longer.
I didn’t think walking toward him would make me so emotional. We’ve been living together for two years but there’s something about having him promise to love me forever in front of all of our family and friends that has me disintegrating.
“Hi,” Koa greets me we’re close enough to touch.
“Hi,” I whisper back.
“Take care of my little girl,” my dad says, shaking his hand. He kisses me on the cheek, then he takes my bouquet and passes it to Lauren before placing my trembling hands in Koa’s.
The officiant addresses our guests and welcomes all of our family. We decided against a traditional ceremony. That has never been our style.
“Koa and Sydney have both prepared their own vows. Koa, if you’d like to go first.”
He squeezes my hands and exhales a deep breath.
“You look beautiful, baby,” he murmurs, making me smile. “I thought a lot about this moment and what I wanted to say. Nothing seemed like enough. Do I promise to love you? Until my last breath. Protect you? With everything that I have. Cherish you? I will get on my knees every day and show you how much,” he says, making Wyatt snicker. I shake my head. “I love you more today than I did yesterday and I will love you even more tomorrow. That isn’t a promise but a guarantee.”
“I love you too. I have since the moment we met. Even when I didn’t want to love you, I loved you with all my heart.” I squeeze his hands to let him know I’m teasing. It isn’t often we bring up the time we weren’t together but we both know it’s a part of our story and it got us where we are now.
“The kind of love we have doesn’t just exist in this world. There is no beginning and no end. It transcends other dimensions and realms. We were always going to find each other again because you are my best friend, my other half, my fated mate,” I tell him.
Koa tightens his grip on my hands and smiles. A lot of our friends may not understand why I would mention realms and dimensions but he does. Because he knows me. He understands me. He always has.
With shaky hands we exchange rings and say I do .
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Mahina. You may kiss your bride,” the officiant announces.
Koa wraps a hand around my waist and cups my cheek. He pulls me tight against his chest and presses his lips into mine. My hands wrap around his neck and I push my fingers into the hair at his neck. This kiss brings me back to our first kiss in the photobooth but this time he's claiming me as his wife.
Our friends and family clapping and cheering brings us back to reality. I break the kiss and giggle at his disappointment.
Music starts back up again and we walk down the aisle hand in hand. This time as husband and wife. Koa doesn’t stop walking until we are completely out of view from our guests .
“My wife,” he says, pulling close to him again. “You are absolutely stunning. This dress…” his voice trails off as he kisses down my neck and over my cleavage.
“You like it, husband?”
“Say that again.” His eyes snap to mine.
“My husband,” I repeat. He slams his mouth over mine so hard I have to hold onto his forearms to steady myself.
“How long do we have to stay here? I want to be alone with you.” He drops his head against mine.
“Only a few hours and then I’m yours for the rest of your life,” I say.
“I like the sound of that, Mrs. Mahina,” he says, with a smirk.
“Me too, Mr. Mahina,” I tease, as I walk away. He growls then chases me back toward all of our wedding guests.