Epilogue
Jude
The cool air from the open door breathes its way towards us. I’m stood with my brothers at the altar of a church. My youngest brother is shuffling from foot to foot. It’s one of the only times in his life that I can tell he’s nervous. But then, it is his wedding day.
I grin at him as he goes to move yet again, peeking at his son, who is being cuddled by our mother.
“Leave him there, Jonno. It’ll not be long now, and you can take him back.”
He glares at me, pulling at his white shirt collar as if it’s too tight for him. His suit is identical to mine, but his waistcoat is patterned in dark burnished gold and black. He claims it’s the same colour as the whiskey his wife-to-be’s family distills.
“Looks like the family is here, brother.” He nudges me, and I turn, expecting to see my sister and her brood of kids and husbands. But it isn’t.
My heart stops beating as the woman who entranced me from the moment I met her in an Italian restaurant walks stately down the aisle towards us, her sons flanking her. The youngest is waving maniacally up at me. As if I could ever not see them.
Long dark hair, a shy smile, but the most stunning turquoise eyes I have ever seen.
Her strawberry and cream complexion, rosy and glowing in the warm light from inside the church.
I can’t breathe. It’s as if time has stood still, the birds have stopped chirping.
I know I make a growling sound as Jonno turns to me, his eyes widening.
“Brother, take it easy. She’s here. They’re here. Nobody is coming to take them away.”
“They wouldn’t go anyway,” Jake states knowingly, placing a calming hand on my back. “I thought it might be him we had to pull off the ceiling.” He prods Jonno, who glares at him, then comically rolls his eyes. “Go get them seated.” He gives me a little push, as my feet seem to have taken root.
I watch them all come towards me, and pull myself together. My family is here. They came to me, she came to me. For help, for support. And I love her. I will move heaven and earth for them. Never let them go again. Emma Lincoln and her boys. They are the air that I breathe.