Epilogue
Mia got married at the Terranea Resort. It was one of those places in California I had heard of but never so much as dreamt of being in.
The ceremony took place by the beach cove overlooking the rolling mountains that gave way to a panoramic view of the sea.
I was even more awed to see how they had turned it into the fairytale every girl dreamed of.
The four pillar altar was decorated in red roses all around the roof—a befitting color for the month—with green branches curling around each pillar to the root.
Red rose petals arranged in large cursive hearts littered the aisle leading to the altar, and golden candle lanterns were lit on either side.
Even the seats were dressed in pink fabrics and red bows attached behind.
It was like an early valentine's day, only more magical.
The day became even more magical when Mia arrived in a carriage, yes a frigging carriage. As I got to my feet along with everyone else in attendance, I watched with the same awe and fascination with which I had watched both the princess and the pauper get married to their prince charming.
She looked absolutely stunning as she walked down the aisle in a spaghetti strap, mermaid dress, with a plunging v neck line.
The soft white chiffon was accented with a satiny red running all the way from the cowl back to the layers upon layers of fabric of her train.
Instead of a veil her hair was done in an elegant updo and topped off with a tiara.
Maybe my opinion was terribly biased because well I loved Mia, but she was the most beautiful bride I'd ever seen.
Still, it wasn't so much as her beauty as it was the glow of happiness surrounding her, it radiated with the same energy as a light bulb lit in a dark room.
The smile on her face in the brief moment her eyes roamed the guests before landing on Mason who was already waiting on the Altar with a beaming smile.
My heart squeezed even harder with joy when he mouthed what looked like, "you look amazing," to Mia.
Abby once again led the way, clearly excited to be a junior bridesmaid and I felt Lucas lace his fingers through mine as Calvin walked Mia to the altar.
As they said their vows to each other, I looked to Lucas, reminded of the vows we had made to each other just a few months ago. His eyes were focused on his sister and her groom but from the way he squeezed my fingers, I knew he was thinking the same thing.
I took a second to glance at the other members of the family.
It was not surprising to see Martha soak her handkerchief in tears as Mason said his vows to Mia but I was a little shocked to see the fight to hold back tears on Calvin's part.
I did get it though, they had raised three beautiful humans and just like her older siblings, Mia had found someone who would give her just as much love as they had given her. It was enough to cause joyful tears.
After the exchange of rings and the "you may kiss the bride" moment, the crowd erupted into cheers and applauds as the officiant declared them husband and wife.
The music picked up as Mia and Mason made their way down the aisle, grins wide enough to crack their lips and emotions bubbling in the air. I turned to watch them go but tilted my head back when I felt Lucas' arms around me.
It was almost like reliving my wedding day and I realized for the first time that this was how it was going to be for many years to come. And I could not wait to see what more had to come for me and my family.
"I love you," he whispered, loud enough for me to hear over the buzz around us, and kissed my temple.
"And I am crazy about you," I said as I leaned back, letting my body slump on his chest and dropping one hand on his.
I wanted so badly to give him the present I'd been keeping all day at that moment, but I had spent the last two weeks waiting for the perfect time and it was not right now.
So I did my second favorite thing, (the first was too depraved for such an occasion.) With one hand on his, I reached for his clean-shaven chin and gave a gentle stroke that was both ticklish and soothing.
The reception was even bigger, guests mingled, the bouquet toss was quite amazing—Celine had caught it and the look on Alexander's face was both encouraging and wild— and as expected everyone congratulated the newest couple with many hugs and good wishes.
While I loved Mia and Mason and was excited for them, the eventful day was starting to take a toll on me.
I was thankful when dinner time came around.
I wasn't particularly hungry, a fact I would owe to my fourth plate of cake—don't judge me for my cravings—but my extreme excitement mixed with exhaustion and the strong urge to throw my heels away was not exactly the perfect combination.
Thankfully, it was hard to notice me pushing my food around when everyone gave their speech.
Mason's brother was his best man and while his speech had the framework of "roasting the groom," it also gave insights to the wonderful man Mia had married and it even became teary—okay the only person crying was me but still.
"Are you okay Muffin?" Lucas asked, his hands rubbing my knee as everyone gave a toast to the new couple.
"Just emotional," I admitted, wiping my eyes carefully.
"Would you like some wine?" he was already signaling from the server, but I placed my hand over his and gave a small shake of my head.
"I promise I'm fine."
The last course of dinner came in as I spoke and despite my best efforts, I frowned when a familiar scent hit my nose. Garlic. Resisting the urge to puke, I reached for a glass on the table. After confirming its contents was water, I took a sip.
"You look pale Muffin," Lucas who had not taken his eyes off me said and I could see the worry on his face.
"I think I need some air, I do feel quite exhausted," I reached for a napkin to wipe my mouth.
He pushed his chair back, and I knew he was going to come with me, "You don't have to come with me, I'll be right back."
The look on his face told me he was not buying it. With a chuckle, I added, "you're not allowed in the lady's room anyway."
That seemed to make him stay. After placing a small kiss on his cheeks, I excused myself.
After what felt like only ten minutes later, Lucas found me sitting on a rock outside. Somehow, the night air along with the hypnotic sight of the ocean slamming into the rocks and receding was enough to make me feel better.
"There you are," he said with a tone that told me he had spent the last ten minutes looking for me.
"I knew you would follow me," I giggled as I tilted my head to look at him.
"Let's go inside, it's chilly out here," he held his hand out and I took it. But instead of letting him bring me up, I tugged on it.
"Five more minutes and we'll go inside."
"Chris—" he started to protest but eventually gave a defeated sigh when I pulled my lips into an exaggerated pout.
I patted the spot next to me and he gave in with an amused shake of his head. I reveled in the warmth radiating off him as he pulled me into him and placed my head on his sturdy chest.
I had not only found the man I would spend every minute for the rest of my life with, but also my rock and protector.
"Do you want to tell me what's really going on now?" he asked as his fingers raked through my hair in gentle strokes.
I wanted to lie to him or at least withhold some of the truth from him, but I also knew it was pointless trying to keep anything from Lucas right now.
It was like I was under his spell every time he touched me and it was easier to resist the urge to pour my heart out to him when we were not watching this view right now.
"The view is nice," I commented in a futile attempt to avoid his question.
"While that is true it does not hold a candle to the view I wake up to every morning," he said without missing a beat and my cheeks shamelessly flamed at his words.
Only Lucas had the power to make me feel such warmth on a chilly February night in front of the ocean. "Tell me what's on your mind Muffin."
"We got the permit to take ownership of the Foster care," I said quietly.
"That's great news!"
I gave a simple nod. It was great news. Two months ago, when Celine had brought up the idea to purchase the home where we had grown up, it had seemed like an impossible task.
Now with both Lucas and Alexander's help, Celine and I had 50 percent ownership each and we could fulfill our dream of making it a much better place than it was when we were kids.
But that was not the only reason I brought it up.
Digging through my purse, I produced two envelopes and handed Lucas the first one. He looked between both of them and I answered his question before he could ask. "You'll find out what's in this one after you open that one."
After giving me a curious nod, he opened the unsealed envelope. His eyes skimmed the information on the paper for a second and then he looked up at me. "It's a DNA test," he quirked his brows, "a negative test."
"For Sarah and I,"
I loved how understanding settled in his features. He looked down again and then his head snapped to me, "You know what this means Muffin."
"I do," I said, willing myself to not cry yet again, "she's not my sister, never was."
"Mia's engagement?"
"I know. I got into some digging while processing my purchase for the Foster home.
Turns out Sarah paid the Matron off to manipulate those documents in her favor.
" I was not surprised to learn that. The woman was a money-hungry, negligent bitch under the disguise of the holier than thou mother of all nations.
"But your looks, the resemblance."
"A coincidence and nothing more. We're nothing close to being related, much less sisters."
Lucas looks just as stunned as I did when I found out, but I knew behind that he was just as relieved as I felt too.
"I don't know how to feel about this except that I would like to keep the past where it belongs.
I hate that Sarah took advantage of your resemblance in that way, but I really would rather never speak about her again. "
"I would like that too," I said, placing my hand over his, "but I had to get that out of the way first." I was glad to get that out of the way because I had more important news to give Lucas.
"Remember how I didn't have a present for you last Christmas?" I started and almost instinctively reached for the present he had given me.
"No I don't," he chuckled, "but go on."
"Well, I've been working on something for a while now," I said as I held out the envelope to him. "I've wanted to give that to you since I found out."
"Is it not too late for a Christmas present?" he chuckled as he opened it.
"In my defense, it was supposed to be a valentine's day gift, but I can't work against your truth serum" I knew the grin on my face was definitely going to ruin the surprise, but I could not help it.
"Well, who am I to turn down an early valentine's day gift from my amazing wife?"
I held my breath as I counted the seconds silently and then Lucas blinked, once...twice...thrice. This time there was no confusion in his expression, just ecstatic shock.
When I had suspected it weeks ago, I had decided to keep it to myself.
After the incident with Baron at the hospital, the last thing I needed was to crush his hopes once again.
So I checked in with the doctors to make sure that this time would not end like the first. And sure enough, they assured me that it would not.
If I was not sitting so close to him, I would have missed the way his hands shook, or the emotions in his eyes when he turned to me and asked, "an ultrasound?"
The tears welling in my eyes rolled down my cheeks as I nodded, "our baby's first picture."
"You're pregnant," he whispered the words, but I knew they were more to him than to me. Like could not believe this was really happening and saying it out loud would make it more real.
Now my words came out through sobs, "The doctors were wrong, I can give birth. And I'm sorry I took so long to tell you, I just had to make sure..."
My words were caught short as he swept me into his arms, lifting me onto his lap. "Don't apologize," he whispered and dropped his forehead on mine. We sat like that for the next few seconds, breathing into each other, and letting the surreal moment wash through us.
"I love you, Christine," he said finally and pressed a long kiss on my forehead, "God I love you so much."