Epilogue
Late April
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“D ude, stop. You’re wrecking it with your numb fingers.” Gavin batted his hands away and fiddled with the bow tie.
“Only the back of my hand is numb,” Tristan argued. He still had a big gouge in the back of his triceps from the exit wound, but he’d worked hard to maintain his strength and counted himself lucky that the nerve damage wasn’t worse. “Good now?”
Gavin gave it one last tug and stepped back with a nod. “I gotta say it, man. Honestly? I didn’t think this day would happen.”
“Wow. Good to know my own twin had such faith in me settling down one day.”
Gavin chuckled and finished straightening the bow tie. “I had faith in you. Just never thought you’d find someone who deserved you, is all.”
Tristan glanced away. His emotions were running high, just under the surface. Gavin saying sentimental shit like that threatened to set him off, and he’d never live that down. “Never thought I’d find her, until Cassie. Then I knew.”
All his life he’d been searching for stability. For the solid feeling of permanency he’d never had as a kid. He’d been lucky that his siblings had given him that to a large degree throughout his life. But Cassie...
She was his home.
Gavin stepped back, gave him a critical once-over, and nodded. “You nervous?”
“No.” Calm. A hundred percent certain that Cassie was the only one for him.
“That’s good. You look great, by the way.” He smoothed a hand down the front of his own identical suit. The only difference was Gavin wore a different colored bow tie.
“You too.”
“Yeah? Thanks.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “Okay, so when do we get this show on the road?”
Carly came in, stopped in the doorway and gasped, staring at him. “Oh, you look so good.”
“Thanks, cutie. You look absolutely beautiful.” And way too grown up in her pale violet flower girl gown, her red-gold hair done up with flowers and a matching ribbon.
Carly blushed. “Thank—”
Gavin cleared his throat. Blinked fast.
Carly’s eyes widened. “Dad, are you crying ?”
“No.” He blinked harder. Cleared his throat again. “It’s just... God, you’re growing up too fast on me.”
She grinned and went over to slide an arm around him, resting her cheek on his chest as she patted his back. “Doesn’t matter how old I get, Dad. I’ll always be your little girl.”
Gavin made a strangled sound and shot Tristan a tortured look. Tristan would be lying if he didn’t admit to feeling choked up himself.
“Gonna wait outside,” Gavin said in a strangled voice, dropping a kiss on the top of Carly’s head before walking for the door. “See you out there.”
Carly watched him go, shook her head, and gave Tristan a rueful grin. “He’s so funny.”
“Isn’t he?” Gavin wasn’t the only one dismayed by how fast their little girl was maturing. “How’s it looking out there?”
“All the guests are in their seats. And wait until you see Cassie. She looks amazing .”
“I’ll bet she does.” He checked his tie in the mirror. Fiddled with it even though he knew it was fine. “Is this thing straight?”
Carly stepped up beside him, examining it critically in the mirror. “It’s perfect.”
“Not as perfect as you.” He kissed the top of her head too, smiled at the way she flushed. God help the first boy who showed up to take her on a date. He’d have to contend with him, Gavin, and Decker all at once.
“Auntie Marley and Teagan told me to come get you. Are you ready?” Her eyes shone with excitement.
Tristan bent his arm at the elbow and offered it to her. “Let’s go.”
Smiling, Carly tucked her arm into his, and they walked through the door together.
The small church was packed, all the pews full. He smiled and nodded at everyone as he walked by. The entire CPS crew was here, management, office staff, and agents, along with their significant others.
Cassie’s mom and stepdad were up front on the left. He nodded at them and gave them a smile. Cassie’s mom looked like she might burst with excitement, her husband smiling indulgently.
Gavin was waiting for him up at the altar with the minister. The rest of their family was lined up on the right side, filling the entire front pew.
Marley took one look at him, blurted a clear “Oh, shit” and started dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Warwick grinned and put his arm around her.
On her other side, Autumn gave him a thumbs up and blew him a kiss, holding up her phone to record him. Teagan was grinning in clear anticipation. Next to her on the aisle, Decker gave him a smile that almost stopped him in his tracks and an approving nod he felt deep in his chest.
Gavin winked at him as he came to stand beside him in front of the altar. “If you faint and keel over, don’t worry, bro,” he whispered. “I got you.”
Ignoring him, Tristan faced the guests as he looked toward the back of the church. The music started. His heart rate kicked up.
Carly appeared in the archway, clutching her bouquet in front of her, looking nervous but beautiful as she made her way up the aisle at a dignified pace. The rest of their family all leaned over eagerly toward the aisle to catch every moment.
Bristol appeared next, also in a violet gown. She grinned the entire way down the aisle, shooting TJ a big smile before sweeping to the other side of the altar. She all but bounced on her toes in excitement as she watched Tristan, beaming.
At a swish of cream-colored fabric near the archway, a hush fell over the congregation. Tristan watched with a pounding heart as Cassie stepped into view. Her long, soft gown flowed around her tall, trim frame, the long train sweeping across the floor behind her as she started toward him.
She didn’t look left or right as she came toward him, her gaze remaining fixed on him the entire way down the aisle.
He swallowed against the rush of love so powerful it made his eyes sting. Something touched his hand. He glanced down to see Carly discreetly trying to press a tissue into it.
Grinning, he took it, unashamedly wiped his eyes as Cassie took the last few steps toward him. Before she’d stopped, Carly took the tissue from him and stepped back.
He reached a hand toward Cassie. His beautiful bride.
She took it, her grip sure and solid, her smile so gorgeous he couldn’t breathe.
“Hi,” she whispered, quietly enough for his ears only.
Her eyes twinkled with joy and a hint of mischief.
“You sure you wanna go through with this? Still not too late to change your mind. It’d be hella awkward with all these people watching, but I won’t hold it against you. ”
He smothered a laugh, shook his head. “Was too late for me a long time ago.” He squeezed her hand, stared into her beautiful silver eyes, and saw their future written there. “You and me, Cass.”
She nodded. Squeezed back, her loving, confident smile everything. “You and me. Forever.”
—The End—