Epilogue
Gabriella
I adjusted the delicate, small flower crown that rested on top of Melodie’s head. Her dark curls wrapped around the leaves making her look like a fairy princess. I held back my tears for fear of ruining my makeup, and gave her rosy cheeks a little pinch with my fingers.
“You look beautiful, baby girl,” I said softly.
“She is like the miniature version of you and Chandler,” said my mother, scooping Melodie up into her arms.
And she was. With his green eyes and my light skin, his dark hair with my curls.
I couldn’t get over how beautiful our daughter was, and how much more beautiful she grew with each day that passed.
At six months old, she was really starting to look more and more like us, coming into her features.
Coming into her vivacious personality. We were going to have our hands full if she also inherited our stubbornness.
“Are you ready, honey?” asked Sandy, approaching with a bouquet of white and blush roses.
“More than ever,” I said with a smile.
I was about to marry the man of my dreams. I couldn’t wait to see Chandler.
“It’s time,” said the wedding planner, popping her head in the doorway with an excited grin. I thanked her and smoothed out the train of my dress, feeling my nerves creep up from my stomach to my throat.
How she had pulled off such a beautiful wedding at a highly coveted hotel in just under six months was beyond me.
She really was a miracle worker. I knew I had wanted to wait until Melodie was born to get married to Chandler, wanting her to be a part of the day.
But I also knew I couldn’t wait to marry him.
The day after she was born we found our wedding planner.
Some called us crazy, juggling parenthood, being the CEOs of a company, and planning a wedding, but we were determined. And stubborn. Always stubborn.
I followed my mother, who carried Melodie, and Sandy, who carried a small basket of flower petals, out the door and down the ornate carpeted hall of the hotel toward the ceremony space. It warmed my heart to see them walking in front of me holding my daughter. She was loved by many.
“We’ll see you in there,” said my mother, leaning in and planting a kiss on my cheek. I could tell she was holding back tears by the way she quickly turned toward the door and began fussing with Melodie’s tulle pink dress.
“Love you, honey,” said Sandy, leaning and planting a kiss on my other cheek.
The doors opened, and I heard the soft music of the string quartet trickle into my ears as I watched the three of them step inside. I could feel my father’s presence before I even saw him, the tears pricking at my eyes already.
“Gabriella,” he said softly as he walked up beside me. “You look so beautiful.” His voice broke and it was all over. A quiet sob erupted out of me as he pulled me into his arms. After a moment, he pulled out handkerchief and gently blotted at the tears that ran down my cheeks.
“My makeup…” I said worriedly.
“Is perfect,” he reassured me. “You look perfect. I’m so proud of you, honey.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I whispered.
“Now, no more of this,” he said, straightening and clearing his throat. “We’ve got to get you down that aisle.”
I laughed and linked my arm with his. Just then, the doors opened and we stepped forward, turning and taking our first steps into the large room that was strewn with crystals and roses and candles.
But I barely saw any of it because at the end of the aisle stood Chandler holding Melodie, waiting for me.
He wiped a tear from his cheek as he stood up there looking so handsome in his tuxedo, a shaky smile across his lips as he did his best to hold it together.
My heart felt like it might explode out of my chest and I didn’t know if I wanted to sprint toward them or was about to buckle at the knees, but my father steadied me as we walked down the aisle to my forever.
THE END