32. Extended Epilogue
Addy
Four months later…
“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. ” I can barely breathe as Penny finishes lacing up the back of my white gown. I stare at myself in front of a full-length mirror, my hair in perfect beach waves and my flowy, beachy gown hitting in all the right places.
Blaze hasn’t seen it yet.
In fact, he hasn’t even seen me in over twenty-four hours, and I’m itching to see him. No, I’m dying to see him.
“You look gorgeous, sweetheart.” Mom places her hands on my shoulders.
“He’s going to be shocked,” Aurora adds with a smile, adjusting the last few tendrils of hair falling around my face.
“You think?” I choke out, dabbing at my mascara again. “What if he changes his mind?”
“Ha, I don’t think there’s a chance of that happening.” Penny laughs, looking at me through the mirror. “He’s been in love with you since the day he laid eyes on you, remember?”
“Plus, he’s been with Dad and all his teammates, ready to go long before you were even in this dress.” As the words leave Aurora’s lips, my phone buzzes.
Blaze: See you at the altar in five, baby.
I heart the text and then slip my phone into my bag, turning to my mom with a smile. “It’s time.”
She nods.
Dad comes into the small bridal room at the Hawaiian resort. Unlike Aurora, I’m choosing to get married right out on the beach.
“You know there’s rain moving in,” Dad says. “We need to get a move on unless we all want to end up soaked.”
I squeeze my eyes shut for a split second, trying not to smile too hard. “It’s like God just knows exactly what I want,” I say under my breath, taking my dad’s arm. “I’m ready.”
Mom slips away to go take her seat. Penny and Aurora line up just outside, alongside the rest of the wedding party. I stand by the sliding glass door that leads right to the ocean. It’s not that far of a walk, and out of the glass, I can just catch sight of the top of Blaze’s head.
“You look beautiful.” Dad nudges me. “Blaze is a lucky guy.”
“Yeah?” I look over at him.
“Absolutely.”
The wedding coordinator nods to us and opens the door. Dad leads me out under overcast skies, and I smile wide as our friends and family stand for my entrance. My eyes immediately find Blaze, who’s wiping away moisture from his cheeks.
I blink away tears as my dad leads me all the way down the aisle.
“Welcome to the family, son. Now take good care of her,” Dad says before handing me off to Blaze.
Blaze’s grip is strong and steady, just like the way he’s loved me for the last decade—never mind our little hiccup. It took that to get here.
“You’re stunning,” Blaze says, sniffling. “And I’m being so weak right now.”
“Stop.” I swat him just as a raindrop hits my cheek.
His eyes widen as the minister starts the ceremony. “It’s going to rain,” he mouths.
I stifle my giggle, tipping my head back as the Hawaiian sky opens up, raindrops tickling my skin. The minister keeps going, and I glance over to see my mom shielding her eyes with a mortified look.
But I can’t stop smiling.
Blaze’s amber eyes hold mine as his white dress shirt starts to be speckled, and the minister picks up his pace, spitting out the traditional vows faster than ever.
“This rain,” the minister mutters in between as the sprinkles turn to a steady shower.
“It’s perfect,” I say softly, squeezing Blaze’s hands as we make it to the final few parts of the ceremony.
“Addy, do you take Blaze to be your lawful wedded husband?”
“I do,” I say, holding his gaze. And just like that, the steady rain turns into a torrential downpour, sending the whole audience jumping from their chairs. Our bridesmaids and groomsmen join the chaotic crowd to find shelter.
The arch blows in the wind, and my dress whips around my legs, but even as the minister has to shout to finish Blaze’s question, the two of us stay right here in the moment, becoming more and more drenched by the second.
“Blaze, do you take Addy to be your lawful wedded wife?”
“I do!” Blaze shouts over the rain—and to no one left, the chairs are now empty.
“Great.” The minister holds onto his flapping paper as he finishes. “I now pronounce you husband and wife! I’m getting out of here! You may now kiss the bride!” He ducks out and makes a mad dash for the resort.
Blaze leans forward, wrapping me up in his arms and leaning in for a kiss. His lips lock with mine, and I thread my fingers through his hair, the rain soaking the two of us. His tongue grazes my bottom lip, and I let him deepen the kiss as he dips me back in a dramatic swoop, the rain pouring down on us like a blessing. It’s chaotic and beautiful, the sound of the storm drowning out everything but the pounding of our hearts.
We stay wrapped up in each other for another few moments. The rain thoroughly soaks our clothes and leaves my hair flattened and drenched. Finally, we break apart, both of us laughing.
“I guess God didn’t forget that conversation we had the last time we were here.” Blaze presses his forehead to mine. “Did you?”
I shake my head, flinging warm water as I do. “Nope, and I think this might be the exact scenario I pictured in my head. It’s perfect .”
“ You’re perfect, Mrs. Adeline Harris,” Blaze says, his voice husky with emotions and desire. “This is by far the best wedding I’ve ever gone to.”
“The chairs are empty.” I gesture to them, bursting into a giggle.
“I like it better this way.” He claims my lips again, and just like that, I’m lost all over again.
Just the way it was meant to be.