Epilogue
KENDRA - ONE YEAR LATER
Kendra stood behind the curtain, her heart beating a quick rhythm in her chest. Beside her, her father squeezed her arm warmly.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
Kendra looked up at him, joy washing over her like ocean waves. “I can’t believe this day is finally here.”
“Me neither.” Her father smiled. “But here we are again, ready to walk you down the aisle.”
Kendra bounced on her toes. She’d opted for flats instead of heels like last time, though hopefully she wouldn’t need to do any running this time.
Her dress was lacy and white and stopped just above her knee in the front while falling to the ground in the back.
Her auburn hair was woven with flowers, and her freckles weren’t covered by makeup. Lucas had made sure of that.
The processional music began, a classical piece that both Kendra and Lucas loved. Her three best friends and bridesmaids waved at her as they stepped onto the aisle along with Lucas’s groomsmen. The ring bearer went next, then the flower girl, and then it was Kendra’s turn.
As she stepped out from behind the curtain, the view opened up in front of her.
There was the ocean cliff. There was the sunset, all vibrant reds and purples and oranges.
There were the chairs, just enough for her and Lucas’s nearest and dearest. There was the aisle, lined with fairy lights, and there, at the end of the aisle, was Lucas.
He looked unbelievably handsome in his tuxedo, his blue eyes full of warmth as he waited. When he caught sight of her, his face lit up, and it was as if they were the only two people there. She took one step closer, then another.
It was hard to believe that she was actually marrying Lucas Chambers.
At the airport, when he’d whisked her away for a gorgeous week on Crete — her destination of choice since neither of them had been there before — she’d already known that she loved him.
But there had still been so many unknowns: he loved his company and had never wanted a serious relationship, for starters, and Kendra had just been engaged to another man.
The week in Crete, though, had shown them both that the future was far clearer than they’d expected.
Lucas found trustworthy staff to help him run Omegron so that he could work shorter hours and take more vacations.
And Kendra finally got the fairy-tale love story she’d always dreamed of but never had.
The last year had been spent getting to know each other, finding an apartment to share, and traveling.
Six months ago, in the Bahamas, Lucas had proposed to her, and Kendra hadn’t hesitated to say yes.
Now, though, she was nervous. She couldn’t wait to marry Lucas, but there was something he didn’t know — something she’d only found out this morning. Focus on your wedding, she told herself sternly. Worry about that later.
Kendra reached the end of the aisle. She kissed her father’s cheek before crossing to Lucas. Her groom took both her hands and squeezed them, one thumb brushing over the back of her hand and sending shivers up her arm. Even after a year together, his touch still made Kendra’s knees weak.
“So, we’re doing this, huh?” he asked, winking.
“It sure looks like it.” Kendra smiled at him. Behind them, the officiant cleared her throat.
“We are gathered here today to join Lucas Chambers and Kendra Moran in marriage. Kendra, Lucas, I believe you’ve prepared your own vows.”
They both nodded, and Kendra met Lucas’s eyes.
“Lucas, I want to say I fell for you the moment I saw you, but we both know that’s not true.
” He laughed. “No, the first time we met, we fought, and I thought there was no guy in the world who was more annoying. On paper, we just don’t match.
” She shrugged. “But none of that matters, because when I’m with you, I feel complete.
We bring out the best in each other. We challenge each other.
We laugh together. You swept me off my feet, Lucas, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. ”
“Kendra,” Lucas said, “the more I get to know you, the more certain I am that there’s no one else in the world like you.
You’re the kind of person who actually listens to classical music, who has a unique view of everything — which comes out in your photography — and who believes in true love.
Before I met you, I didn’t believe in love at all, not really.
I only believed in work. But you showed me that there’s so much more to life than work.
You invited me on vacation with you and brought me into the greatest love story I could ever imagine.
Whatever happens next, I can’t wait to experience it with you. I love you, milady.”
The officiant spoke a little more, talking about the importance of standing by each other and falling more in love every day. Then, with a smile, she said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Lucas swept Kendra into a knee-weakening kiss. It felt like the hundreds of kisses they’d shared over the last year, but this one was different. This was their first kiss as a married couple. When they separated, Kendra was blushing, and their guests were cheering.
“On to the reception!” Kendra said. More cheers erupted as Lucas and Kendra, hand in hand, led the way to the reception area.
There was a dance floor set up, as well as food and drinks.
Already, people were lining up behind them to offer congratulations, but Kendra squeezed Lucas’s hand and led him away from the crowd.
“What’s up?” he asked as they found a spot out of earshot of their celebrating guests. Before she could answer, he gave her a quick kiss. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
“Lucas, listen up.” Kendra’s heart was racing. “There’s something I haven’t told you.”
“A bit late for secrets, isn’t it?” Lucas asked. His blue eyes were full of warmth as he nudged her hip with his own. “Tell me.”
Kendra hesitated. She’d gotten caught up in the romance of the perfect wedding they’d planned together, so much so that she’d almost forgotten about this part.
She was excited and nervous in equal measure, and she could predict how Lucas was going to react.
She hoped he’d be as over the moon as she was.
“When you said you couldn’t wait to find out what comes next, as long as you were with me, did you mean that?” she asked.
“Of course.” He frowned, squeezing her hands. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” Kendra smiled. “Everything is more than okay. You see, this morning, I was feeling a little sick. I thought it was pre-wedding jitters, but Annalise ran to the pharmacy…” She met his eyes. “I’m pregnant. We’re going to have a baby.”
Lucas’s eyes lit up with pure joy as he scooped her into his arms and spun her around. Kendra’s skirt twirled around them, and she laughed. As quickly as he’d lifted her, Lucas set her down, holding her hands again.
“Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t want to hurt the baby.”
He looked so adorably nervous that Kendra’s heart melted all over again. “Don’t worry. The baby’s safe. And it won’t be making an appearance for quite a few months still. We have time to get ready.”
“Good.” Lucas smiled. “Because being a husband and a father is the most important job of my life, and I want to get it right.”
Kendra lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed him once, softly, on his lips. “You already have.”
“What should we name it?” Lucas asked. “Is it a boy or a girl? Do we need a bigger house?”
Kendra laughed. “We have time to think about all of that. But for now, we should go back to the reception. I think there are a lot of people who want to say hello.”
Lucas glanced back at the small groups of people standing, talking, eating, and dancing. “I suppose you’re right. But Kendra? This is amazing. I can’t wait to become a parent with you.”
“Me neither.” She bounced lightly on her toes. “This is going to be a great adventure.”
“With you, everything is a great adventure.”
With that, Lucas took her hand, and they returned to the wedding party and to the waiting arms of their friends and family.
Just as Kendra had imagined when she’d described their imaginary wedding, they danced until late in the night under the stars, sharing delicious food and drinks (though no alcohol for Kendra).
And the next morning, when they headed to LAX for their second honeymoon, Kendra couldn’t stop smiling.
At last, she was going on a honeymoon with her husband.
She couldn’t be happier.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Kendra and Lucas’ story!