Epilogue
EPILOGUE
T he gentle lapping of waves against the shore provided a soothing backdrop as I stood before the full-length mirror, smoothing down the front of my dress. The ivory silk flowed over my curves, I couldn’t help but smile as I smoothed a hand over it.
“You look absolutely radiant,” my dad said from the doorway, his eyes misty with unshed tears.
I turned to face him, my own eyes welling up. “Don’t you dare make me cry, old man. Rebecca will kill me if I ruin my makeup.”
Dad chuckled, crossing the room to pull me into a gentle hug. “She wouldn’t dare. Not on your wedding day.”
As if summoned by her name, there was a soft knock on the door. “Everything okay in there?” Rebecca called.
“We’re fine.”
‘Well, I have someone who isn’t. He wants in.”
I exchanged an amused glance with Dad. “Let me guess, Aiden?”
“Nope,” Finn called. “Try again.”
I snorted.
The doorknob wiggled. “Let me in.”
“No! No peeking!” I laughed. “It’s bad luck!”
“If there’s two grooms in this part does that cancel out the bad luck or double it?” Aiden asked from the other side of the door.”
I rolled my eyes. “Nice try, boys. You’ll see me when everyone else does.”
Their grumbling was audible even through the closed door, making me giggle. Dad shook his head, a fond smile on his face.
“Those two really are something else.”
“They’re perfect,” I said softly. “Are you happy, Dad?”
He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. “Of course, Ry. I’m proud of you, baby. And you couldn’t have chosen better—those boys are the kind of men I’ve always wanted for you.” He pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. “Your mother would be so happy for you, sweetheart.”
I blinked back tears, pulling him in for another hug. “Thank you, Dad. For everything.”
A commotion outside broke the moment, and I heard the mayor’s voice rise above the others. “Alright, you two. Back to your places. It’s almost time!”
Dad offered me his arm. “Ready to get married?”
I took a deep breath, smoothing down my dress one last time. “More than ready.”
The beach was a vision of beauty as we stepped out of the small cottage. Rows of chairs had been set up on the sand, decorated with flowing white fabric and bouquets of wildflowers. An arch made of driftwood stood at the end of the aisle, twined with more flowers and twinkling fairy lights.
As the music began to play - a soft, melodic tune that spoke of love and new beginnings - I saw Aiden and Finn take their places under the arch. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of them.
Aiden looked dashing in a light grey suit, his dark hair tousled by the sea breeze, while Finn stood tall and proud beside him in a matching suit, his blue eyes trained on me.
They were love personified.
Dad squeezed my arm gently, and we began our walk down the aisle. Friends and family from both on and off the island filled the seats, their faces beaming with joy and support.
I saw Mrs. Murdock dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, while her husbands each had an arm around her shoulders.
As we reached the arch, Dad placed my hand in Finn’s, then took Aiden’s as well, joining the three of us together. “Take care of each other,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“Always,” Finn promised.
“We will,” Aiden agreed.
The mayor stepped forward, a warm smile on her face as she addressed the gathering. “Friends, family, honored guests. We are gathered here today to witness the union of three souls in the sacred bond of marriage.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Our island has long recognized that love knows no bounds, that it can encompass more than just two hearts. Today, we celebrate a union that embodies this belief—a triad of love, respect, and commitment.”
I felt Aiden’s hand squeeze mine gently, while Finn’s thumb traced soothing circles on my other palm.
“In our oldest traditions,” the mayor continued, “the number three has always held special significance. It represents the phases of life—past, present, and future. The cycles of nature—birth, life, and death. And in a marriage such as this, it symbolizes a union filled with more life, more love, and more strength than any could achieve alone.”
She turned to us. “Riley, Aiden, and Finn. You have chosen to forge this bond together, to face life’s joys and challenges as one. Do you vow to love, honor, and cherish each other, in sickness and in health, for as long as you all shall live?”
“We do,” we said together, our voices strong and sure.
“Then please, share your personal vows with each other.”
Aiden went first, his green eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and deep emotion. “Riley, Finn. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to find one perfect partner, let alone two. You balance me, challenge me, and make me want to be a better man every single day. I vow to always be your rock, your safe harbor, and your partner in crime. I promise to always make you laugh, even on the darkest days, and to love you both with every fiber of my being.”
Finn spoke next, his usual calm demeanor softened by the love in his eyes. “Aiden, Riley. You two crashed into my life like a hurricane, turning everything upside down in the best possible way. Aiden, you bring light and laughter to our lives. Riley, you bring strength and passion, setting the example for how to live. Together, you make me whole in a way I never knew I could be. I vow to always be your strength, your comfort, and your biggest supporter. I promise to lead our family with love and understanding, and to cherish every moment we have together.”
Finally, it was my turn. I took a deep breath, looking at the two incredible men before me.
“Finn and Aiden. I spent so long feeling like I didn’t quite fit, like there was a piece of me missing. Then I found you, and suddenly everything made sense. You complement each other, and together, you complete me. I vow to always be your partner, your lover, and your friend. I promise to face every challenge by your side, to celebrate every victory as if it were my own, and to love you both more fiercely with each passing day.”
There wasn’t a dry eye on the beach as we finished our vows. The mayor stepped forward again, her voice ringing out clear and strong.
“By the power vested in me by the Royal House, I now pronounce you o’ech heomei . You may seal your union with a kiss.”
Your forever home.
The ancient phrase seared our souls, binding us together. We were each other’s home. Forever.
Aiden pulled me in first, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was equal parts sweet and passionate. Then Finn’s hand cupped my cheek, turning me towards him for a kiss that left me breathless. Finally, they kissed each other, a tender moment that ended with Aiden attempting to playfully lick Finn’s cheek. I laughed with the crowd, my heart swelling with love.
As we turned to face our cheering friends and family, the mayor raised her hands for silence. “I present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mr. and Mrs. Bronze-Sullivan-O’Connor!”
The reception was a joyous affair held under a large tent on the beach. Tables groaned under the weight of local delicacies, while the bar flowed freely with the island’s famous spirits.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the proceedings, Aiden clinked his glass for attention.
“Friends, family, lovely people who are just here for the free booze,” he began, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “On behalf of my husband, wife, and myself, I want to thank you all for celebrating with us today.”
He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at Finn and me. “I can honestly say I’ve never been happier or more content.”
Finn stood next, wrapping an arm around Aiden’s waist. “We’ve been incredibly blessed, not just in finding each other, but in having such a supportive community around us. Your love means more than we can ever express.”
“And speaking of blessings,” I said, grinning, “we have one more announcement to make.”
A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned to us.
“As some of you may have noticed,” I continued, “we’re expecting a little addition to our family in about five months.”
The tent erupted in cheers and congratulations. As the noise died down, someone called out, “who’s the father?”
Aiden’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “No idea. Shall we take bets?”
There was good natured laughter at his question.
Finn rolled his eyes, though I could see his amusement. “What my delightfully tactless husband means to say is that it doesn’t matter. This child will have three parents who love them unconditionally, regardless of biology.”
“Besides,” I added, unable to resist joining in on the joke, “we figure we’ll know soon enough. If the baby comes out with Aiden’s smart mouth or Finn’s brooding scowl, we’ll have our answer!”
Laughter filled the tent, and I felt a wave of love and contentment wash over me. This was my family - unconventional, perhaps, but perfect in every way that mattered.
As the party continued around us, Finn pulled Aiden and me close.
“Happy?” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“Ecstatic,” I replied, leaning into his embrace.
Aiden’s hand found mine, intertwining our fingers. “Good. Because you’re stuck with us now, Mrs. Bronze-O’Connor-Sullivan.”
I laughed, squeezing his hand. “Promises, promises.”
As the night wore on, we danced and laughed, savoring every moment of our perfect day. And when it came time to cut the cake—a beautiful three-tiered creation decorated with cars, whisks, and beer bottles—we did it together, three hands on the knife, three hearts beating as one.
Later, after the party had died down and the guests had left, we sat together under the stars, sharing a quiet moment on the beach.
“What are you thinking about?” Finn asked softly, his hand warm on the small of my back.
I smiled, looking up at him and then at Aiden. “Just how lucky I am. How lucky we all are.”
Aiden pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Luck had nothing to do with it, oeh’uru pahlke . We were meant to be.”
As I sat there, wrapped in the arms of the two men I loved more than life itself, our child growing strong beneath my heart, I knew he was right. This was always where we were meant to end up—together, bound by love, facing whatever the future might hold as one unbreakable unit.
Three hearts, one love.
And our greatest adventures were yet to come.
I couldn’t wait.