30. Epilogue
One Year Later…
“Hello there, my little girl,” I coo at Sienna, my darling little angel. My daughter, who has transformed my life in a way that I didn’t even know was possible. I thought that I had it all once Petra and I got engaged, but the moment my daughter was born, my life became even more fulfilled. Sienna has shown me that my love is boundless, that it’s endless, that I will do anything for her. “How are you today? I am very good. Very happy. Actually, I’m pretty nervous today because I’m getting married to your mommy. Can you believe that? It’s taken us a while to get ready for this moment. It’s been a long time coming… but we’re finally here, at our house on our island, ready to say ‘I do’.” I smile at my baby some more. She’s the loveliest mix of me and Petra. “I can’t wait for us to finally be married. And here, of all places, where it all began. You don’t even know yet, do you? That this is where we first met? I’m sure you’ll hear it a lot.”
Benji slides into the room behind me. I turn to see him smiling at me. “That little girl is a doll.”
“I know.” I chuckle. “She has me wrapped around her little finger already and she isn’t even talking yet.”
“Oh, wow, I can’t even begin to imagine what Sienna will be like when she’s talking.” Benji laughs. “I dread to think. She’s going to be a force to be reckoned with, a bit like your wife. Mind you, if she does the good in the world that Petra has with her charity, then it will all be for the best, won’t it?”
Everyone is impressed with Petra, and I don’t know how they can’t be. She’s an incredible woman. The number of people that she has already helped is phenomenal. It even leaves me emotional when I see how many lives she’s improved. The people that she helps deserve every part of it. Without it, they might not be able to get back on their feet, and I’m so proud of Petra for turning a horrible situation into a positive one.
Sierra is going to be so proud of her mother as well. I just know it. Growing up with someone so amazing to look up to will be an absolute blessing. I can’t wait to see her life progress, to watch all the most important moments in her life and to do it with Petra. The love of my life.
“Well, I have come to collect the pair of you now,” Benji continues, “because it’s wedding time.”
“Already?” My eyes nearly pop out of my head in surprise. “This day has gone so fast.”
“Well, I’ve been given word that your wife-to-be is ready for you. She’s supposed to be the one keeping you waiting, not the other way around. I don’t think you want that hanging over you for the rest of your life.”
“Yeah.” I chuckle. “You’re right about that one. Come on, then, let’s get going.”
The island has been decorated perfectly for the day. It’s a little like the hall in which I proposed, all covered in flowers to make it special, and there is a lovely arch at the end of the aisle which has the officiant standing and waiting for the pair of us. I can already feel the romance of the day surging through me and Petra isn’t even here yet. This is even more magical than I thought it would be. This island really is a stunning place when the threat of death isn’t hanging over anyone’s head.
“Wow, this is really is something else, don’t you think, Benji?” I say to my best friend, who is of course my best man, even though Max insisted it should have been him. Instead, he’s babysitter for the day.
“Yeah, you did a really great job. Petra is going to absolutely love it.”
I head over to the end of the aisle and stand in wait for Petra to join me. I glance around at the faces of family and friends whom we have had join us for today. We didn’t want a massive affair, so we only invited the most important people to us. It fills me warmth to see all their happiness for us.
The music kicks up, making my heart skip a beat. There’s no time for messing around. Petra isn’t making me wait. She’s just as eager for this to happen as I am, which makes me grin. Within seconds, she comes into view in the most stunning ivory mermaid tail gown that I have ever seen in my life. She always strips the air from my lungs, but today, Petra makes my head spin with breathlessness. I can’t believe how stunning she is and how she’s going to be mine. I can’t even wrap my head around it.
“Wow,” I whisper to myself as she glides toward me. Petra is my angel. Some might have referred to me as her hero in the past, but that isn’t the case. She’s saved me in so many ways. “Beautiful.”
Our eyes lock as she walks down the aisle, and immediately, we lock into our own little bubble. When we are together, it’s as if the rest of the world simply melts away into nothingness. It’s a challenge for me to even remember that we have guests because the most important woman is in front of me.
“You scrub up well,” she teases as soon as she gets close enough for me to hear her. “That suit… nice!”
I can’t help but laugh. “You can’t say that to me looking like that. You’re a freaking dream come true. That dress as absolutely stunning on you. I just want to touch it all over. Especially those lacy bits.”
“We have plenty of time for that.” The wink she gives me sends an excitable shudder down my spine. I know Petra well enough to know what that look means. A night of fun, for sure. “But now we kinda have something a little more important to focus on, don’t we? You know, getting married and all that.”
God, she’s funny. I can’t resist leaning across and giving her a little kiss. I know that the officiant hasn’t given us the ‘you may now kiss the bride’ line, but Petra is the love of my life, damn it, and I want to feel her deliciously juicy lips pressed against mine. We can kiss again. As many times as he likes!
Petra’s hands slip into mine and the officiant begins talking. His words might be lovely and full of joy, but it’s hard for me to focus on any of them while I’m swimming in Petra’s eyes. I get caught up in the same wide range of emotions that she’s clearly feeling, and soon, I feel the love getting to me.
I can’t break and cry yet. Not when we decided to write our own vows. Maybe after I talk, but definitely not before. I suck in a couple of breaths to contain myself and thankfully, just about hold it together in time for me to tell Petra just how I feel about her and this incredible day.
“Petra, you know that I’m going to be there through everything. Sickness, health, richer, poorer, in good times and in bad… I don’t need to tell you that I will always be faithful to you and care for you because I hope that’s something you have already seen in me.” She wipes a stray tear away and nods with a happy-looking smile. “So, what I will tell you is that ever since you gate crashed into my life and turned everything upside-down in the craziest way, I’ve been in love with you, fascinated by you, and now, you are to be my wife, and you’re already the mother of my child. I will always love you. I will always make your life amazing. Whatever you need, whatever you want, I will make it happen. I want to make you as happy as you do me.”
I had more. A lot more, but my brain has gone blank. It’s hard to remember anything when she’s grinning at me like she is. Petra has taken the air out of my lungs once more.
“I… I will spend the rest of my life telling you how much I love you, Petra, and I hope that’s enough.”
“Harry.” Petra barely even gives me time to finish talking before she grabs my hands and presses them to her stomach. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t my proper vows. I had a really nice speech to say to you, which I will do later on. But I’m too excited to hold it in any longer. I just found out, literally just before I came down the aisle, and I want you to know right away. We’re having another baby, Harry. I’m pregnant again!”
“What?” I stagger backward in surprise. “You are? Oh, my God, for real?”
Sure, that’s something we’ve discussed a couple of times, but I didn’t know that it was going to happen already. Life has thrown another amazing curveball at me and Petra, and as always, we will love every single second of it. As Petra nods eagerly with happy tears streaming down her face, I grab onto her cheeks and kiss her once more. I can’t wait for another adventure with Petra.
“Er, so I might as well say you can now kiss the bride, then?” the officiant declares. “And congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Norman. We are all very happy for you.”
I can’t stop kissing Petra, even to join in with the joyous laughter surrounding us. I’m absolutely obsessed with her lips right now, even more than usual. This is the happily ever after that neither of us got before, that we both deserve, and I just know that we’re going to make the most of it.
I can’t wait.