Epilogue #2
Evan battled his emotions to find the words he needed.
“I’ve always known I was lucky to be born into our family, but after seeing what Grace has been through with hers, I appreciate it so much more than I ever have before.
You and Mom are the heart of us, and I hope to be able to give my kids a fraction of what you’ve given me. ”
“And you thought I’d make you cry.”
Evan hugged him, holding on tight to the man who’d been his true north his entire life.
“Let’s go get you married, shall we?”
After putting Evan in charge of the music, Grace had been prepared for just about anything, but listening to him and Owen on the ukuleles singing a song he knew she loved, Grace couldn’t contain her smile or the tears that filled her eyes. It was perfect, just the way he’d said it would be.
They sang that song as their guests were seated and as the wedding party came together in couples, Mac and Maddie, Joe and Janey, Grant and Stephanie, Adam and Abby, Tiffany and Blaine, and Laura as her matron of honor, who’d join Owen as Evan’s best man.
While waiting to hear if Laura would be able to convince Owen to come to the wedding, Grace had held off on asking anyone else to be her honor attendant.
As Laura headed down the sandy path to the spot they’d chosen for their wedding, Grace was so happy everything had worked out and they’d been able to come.
Even the location was perfect after being moved from the resort they’d originally chosen in Turks and Caicos, which had been damaged in a storm.
“Ready, honey?” Big Mac asked, extending his arm to her.
Grace slid her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Ready.”
Through highs and lows and ups and downs, through his absences on the tour and everything else they’d been through together, she and Evan had become closer than ever.
And as she took Big Mac’s arm and heard Evan switch to a solo version of “My Amazing Grace,” she followed the sound of his voice down the path just as the sun touched the horizon, firing the sky with brilliant colors, the same way Evan had filled her life with magic.
He locked his gaze on her as he sang the song he’d written for her, and never looked away as she made her way toward him on the arm of his father.
When Evan’s voice faltered, Owen picked up the slack, finishing the song while Evan put down his guitar and stepped forward to meet her, hugging his dad as he delivered her to him.
Grace handed her flowers to Laura as Owen took his place next to Evan.
Grace would never forget the way Evan looked at her when he took her hands and brought them to his lips, kissing the back of each one. “You take my breath away,” he said softly.
This man, this extraordinarily handsome, sexy, talented, sweet man, was going to be her husband. He’d shown her his heart the first night she met him, and nothing she’d seen since then had altered that unforgettable first impression.
The resort had provided a celebrant who led them through the recitation of traditional vows and the exchange of rings. Then he turned to the groom. “Evan?”
Evan smiled down on her and gave her hands a reassuring squeeze.
“From the first time I saw you in the crowd at the marina, I couldn’t look away.
While I was having a blast playing with Owen, you’d had a rough night.
Something drew me to you, and that same thing has been drawing me to you ever since.
You are the sweetest, sassiest, sexiest woman I’ve ever known, and I can’t wait to hit the road with you and see where life takes us.
I can’t wait to see you pregnant with our babies.
I can’t wait for everything with you. Thank you for taking this amazing ride with me. I promise you’ll never be bored.”
Grace laughed as she cried and tried to collect herself so she could respond.
Evan released her hands long enough to wipe the tears off her face and then reclaimed her hands.
“You’ve been my hero since that first night when you came to my rescue at one of the lowest points in my life and showed me that decent men still exist. You took care of me that night, and you’ve been taking care of me ever since.
The best thing I ever did in my life was return to the island to reimburse you for the ferry ticket you bought me—money you’ve consistently refused to take from me, I might add.
It took me about five minutes to fall head over heels in love with you, your amazing family and your beautiful island.
I can’t wait to hit the road with you, to be with you every day, no matter where life may take us, and then return home to the island we both love to raise our family.
” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I love you so much.”
Evan leaned his forehead into hers. “I love you just as much.”
The celebrant declared them husband and wife and told Evan to kiss his bride. But he didn’t need to be told.
Their friends and family cheered as he kissed her with the same desperate passion he’d shown her from the beginning.
As she held on to her gorgeous new husband, Grace didn’t care who might be watching or what they might be thinking.
For once, she had everything she’d ever wanted, and Evan by her side for the rest of their lives.
Thank you for reading Desire After Dark! I hope you enjoyed it. Turn the page to read A Gansett Island Christmas…
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