Epilogue
COLT
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Five months. One hundred and fifty two days since Savannah ran out of that courthouse. Since she told me she actually loved me. And today, finally, I get to make her my wife for real.
I adjust my tie in the mirror of the chapel's back room, still not entirely comfortable in the formal suit Ridge insisted I buy rather than rent.
"You only get married once," he'd said with surprising sentimentality. "At least if you do it right."
A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. Jax pokes his head in, grinning. "Almost time, little brother. You ready?"
"Been ready for months." I check my pocket for the twentieth time, ensuring the wedding band is still there. A simple platinum band I forged myself, matching the one I'll be wearing, and completing her 3-piece set. "How's it looking out there?"
"Packed." He steps fully into the room, closing the door behind him. "Half the town showed up. Turns out marrying the sheriff's daughter makes you respectable."
Riley slips in behind him, elegant in a deep blue dress that matches Sylvie's bridesmaid gown. "More like half the town wants to see if you actually go through with it this time," she teases, straightening Jax's tie with practiced ease.
I've grown fond of my soon-to-be sister-in-law these past months. Her no nonsense attitude reminds me of Savannah, which probably explains why the two became fast friends after Jax finally introduced us properly.
"How's Savannah doing?" I ask her.
"Calm as can be." Riley smiles. "Says she's already done the hard part by running out the first time. Everything after that is easy."
I snort. "Not why I'm marrying her."
"No." Jax's expression softens as he wraps an arm around Riley's waist. "That much is obvious to anyone with eyes."
The past five months have been the happiest of my life.
Moving into Savannah's grandmother's house together.
Renovating room by room, my skills with metal and wood complementing her eye for design.
Watching her launch her catering business from the kitchen we rebuilt together.
Making love in every room once we finished it.
Creating a life neither of us expected but both of us wanted desperately.
"Sheriff Parker is actually smiling," Riley reports. "Might be the first time I've seen that."
That relationship has been the biggest surprise. Tom Parker, who once saw me as nothing but an ex-con, now invites me for coffee. Asks my opinion on town matters. Calls me son with only minimal hesitation. All because I love his daughter and make her happy.
Another knock, more insistent this time. Ridge enters without waiting for a response, tension evident in his normally stoic features.
"We have a problem."
My heart stutters. "Savannah?"
"She's fine," he assures me quickly. "It's the minister. Car broke down twenty miles out. Won't make it in time."
Relief that Savannah hasn't changed her mind quickly gives way to frustration. "Can we find someone else?"
"Already on it," Riley says. "Sheriff Parker is calling Judge Martinez. He can perform the ceremony."
I nod, anxiety easing. Nothing will stop this wedding. Not after everything we've been through.
"Nervous?" Ridge asks, studying me with unusual perceptiveness.
"Not about marrying her." And it's true. I've never been more certain of anything. "Just want everything to be perfect for her."
"It will be." He claps my shoulder. "Because it's real this time."
Riley gives my arm a gentle squeeze. "I should get back to Savannah. She asked me to fix her veil right before we start." She rises on tiptoes to kiss Jax's cheek. "See you out there."
Those words stay with me as we make our way to the front of the chapel. Real. Not an arrangement, or a contract, or a business deal. Just two people who found each other against all odds, who built something true from the most unlikely beginning.
I take my place at the altar, brothers flanking me as groomsmen.
The chapel is indeed packed, faces turning toward me with expressions ranging from approval to lingering suspicion.
Mrs. Jenkins from the coffee shop gives me a thumbs up from the third row.
Some of the kids I teach welding to are scattered throughout, cleaned up for the occasion, but still fidgety in formal clothes.
Judge Martinez arrives, slightly breathless but composed. He shakes my hand warmly. "Never thought I'd be doing this for you, Reeves."
"That makes two of us, Your Honor."
The music changes, signaling the start of the ceremony.
The doors at the back of the chapel open.
Sylvie enters first in a deep blue dress that matches the color scheme Savannah chose.
Riley follows, carrying a small bouquet that complements Sylvie's larger one.
She catches Jax's eye as she takes her position, the love between them obvious even from across the altar.
Then everyone stands, turning toward the entrance. And there she is.
Savannah on her father's arm, in a dress that makes my breath catch.
Not the simple one from the courthouse. This one is all lace and subtle sparkle, hugging her curves before flaring at her hips.
Her hair is up with tendrils framing her face, and her smile when our eyes meet is bright enough to light the whole town.
This is what I was missing five months ago. Not just the formal ceremony or the guests or the traditional trappings. But this certainty. This rightness. The knowledge that the woman walking toward me loves me as completely as I love her.
Sheriff Parker places Savannah's hand in mine when they reach the altar. "Keep taking care of my little girl," he says, voice gruff with emotion.
"Always," I promise, meaning it more than any vow I'll make today.
Savannah squeezes my hand, tears already glistening in her eyes. "Hi," she whispers.
"Hi yourself," I whisper back. "You look incredible."
"So do you." Her gaze travels appreciatively over my suit. "Worth the wait."
Judge Martinez clears his throat, beginning the ceremony. I hear the words dimly, focused on Savannah's face, on our joined hands, on the future spreading before us like an open road.
"The couple has written their own vows," the judge announces. "Colt, if you'd like to begin."
Unlike five months ago, I have no paper to read from. These words are etched in my heart, needing no reminder.
"Savannah." I take both her hands in mine. "When you stormed up to me that day with your wild proposal, I thought you were crazy. I had no idea you were also the bravest, most amazing woman I'd ever meet."
She laughs softly through her tears, remembering.
"You saw something in me worth fighting for when most people only saw my past. You stood up to your father, to this town, to everyone who said we couldn't work.
" I take a steadying breath. "And when things got complicated, when we both realized what was happening between us was real, you had the courage to stop everything and demand truth. "
Her hands tighten in mine.
"I promise to love you with that same courage. To fight for us every day. To support your dreams as fiercely as you've defended mine." The words echo my courthouse vows, but carry new weight now. "I promise to be your partner in every sense. Your champion. Your safe harbor. Your home."
Tears spill freely down her cheeks now, but her smile never wavers.
"I promise that what began as an arrangement will continue as the greatest adventure of our lives. I love you, Savannah Parker. Today and always."
The chapel is silent when I finish, the emotion in the air palpable. Judge Martinez clears his throat again. "Savannah, your vows."
She takes a moment to compose herself, her smile wobbling with emotion. "Colt. My impossible man. The last person I ever expected to fall in love with."
Someone in the congregation chuckles. Probably Sylvie.
"Five months ago, I stood in a courthouse ready to marry you for all the wrong reasons. Today, I stand here for all the right ones." Her voice strengthens with each word. "Because you've shown me what real partnership looks like. What it means to be truly seen and accepted, flaws and all."
I swallow hard against the tightness in my throat.
"I promise to keep seeing the man you truly are, not the labels others have placed on you. To remind you of your worth when you forget it. To build our home and our future with the same care you put into everything you create."
Her thumb traces over my knuckles, a familiar gesture that never fails to center me.
"I promise to cook you meals that don't involve expired condiments." This draws laughter from those who know us well. "To challenge you when you need challenging and support you when you need supporting. To love you through whatever life throws at us."
She takes a deep breath, eyes never leaving mine. "What started as a business deal has become the greatest gift of my life. I love you, Colton Reeves. Today and always."
The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur. Rings exchanged. Pronouncements made. And finally, permission to kiss my bride. I cradle her face in my hands, pouring everything I feel into the kiss. Her arms wrap around my neck, holding me just as fiercely.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Judge Martinez announces as we break apart, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Reeves."
Cheers erupt throughout the chapel. Savannah laughs, radiant with joy as we turn to face our guests. Her hand finds mine again, our rings catching the light.
"We did it," she whispers. "For real this time."
"For real," I confirm, squeezing her hand. "And forever."
Later, at the reception in the community center, I hold my wife close as we sway to our first dance.
The renovated grandmother's house waits for us, our home already filled with memories and plans for the future.
Her catering business growing. My commissions increasing now that the town's perception has shifted.
Everything is falling into place in ways neither of us could have imagined almost six months ago when she proposed our arrangement.
Over Savannah's shoulder, I spot Jax and Riley slow dancing nearby, their foreheads touching as they move to the music.
My brother's wilderness program and Riley's social services background make them the perfect professional match, just as they're perfect for each other personally.
Their engagement last month surprised no one who'd seen them together.
"Happy?" I ask, though I can see the answer in Savannah's eyes.
"Beyond happy." She rests her head on my chest. "Who knew the best business deal of my life would turn out like this?"
I laugh, spinning her gently. "I think we both got more than we bargained for."
"No regrets?"
"Not a single one." I kiss her forehead. "Marrying you is the smartest thing I've ever done. Both times."
She looks up at me, love shining in her eyes. "I'm glad I ran that day. Glad we got to do this right."
"Me too." I pull her closer. "Though I would have married you any way I could get you. Business arrangement. Elopement. Whatever it took."
As the song ends, Riley and Jax dance over to us. "Mind if we steal the happy couple for a moment?" Riley asks.
"Did you see your cake yet?" Riley asks excitedly as she leads Savannah toward the dessert table. "I used that recipe you loved from the dinner last week."
I watch them go, these two strong women who've changed the Reeves brothers' lives so completely.
"Never thought we'd both end up here," Jax says, clapping my shoulder. "Committed men. Respected members of the community."
"Stranger things have happened," I reply. "Though not many."
He laughs. "You know, when Riley first showed up at my wilderness program with that clipboard and those regulations, I was sure she'd shut me down. Instead..."
"Instead, she saw the real you." I finish for him. "Funny how that works."
We share a moment of understanding, two brothers who found love in the most unexpected places.
When Savannah returns to my side, her eyes bright with joy, I pull her close again. "You have me now," I remind her. "Forever."
Forever. The word echoes through me, a promise I intend to keep. What started as a marriage of convenience has become the most inconvenient, challenging, wonderful thing in my life. And I wouldn't change a single moment of how we got here.
Because sometimes, the most unexpected beginnings lead to the most beautiful endings. Or rather, beginnings. Because this, our real wedding day, isn't an ending at all.
It's just the start of everything we were always meant to be.