Epilogue
Brynlee
The wedding has been set up in the backyard of our house, and I stand in the bedroom as Darla finishes buttoning up the back of my dress. The lace along the bodice looks both elegant and timeless, and it was the first and only dress I tried on.
Strapless, it hangs just off the ground in my wedges in the slight A-line skirt.
Compared to the dress Mary picked for my wedding to Kevin, this is simple.
But I love it. I also love the changes in my body no one but Rhett and I notice.
My boobs have begun to fill out—finally—and I swear my stomach protrudes just a bit.
“This is a beautiful dress, Brynlee,” Darla says.
I look at her through the mirror and smile. The deep red dress she wears works well with her curled hair tied up in a simple updo. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad you didn’t want a train. This is perfect.”
My grandmother’s pearls compliment the dress beautifully, and I like the way my curls hang loose over my shoulders. Nothing is over-the-top, and it’s not uncomfortable. It’s perfect.
“How are you doing?” I ask, taking her hands. It’s hard not to notice the lack of wedding ring on her finger.
Right after Rhett and I announced our engagement, we learned Carter and Darla split up. The day after Christmas. I hate how guilty I feel knowing I played a part in it. If I knew going into business with Darla would end her marriage, I wouldn’t have even offered.
Carter moved into Rhett’s old house with Everett, and Darla’s still in the house. The only time she doesn’t stay there is when Carter has the girls. They decided to be the ones to shift rather than make the girls uproot their lives every other week.
Darla shakes her head at me. “This is your day.”
“And you’re my friend. My best friend. And my business partner.”
Licking her lips, she nods. “I’m gettin’ through.”
At least business is going really well. “Have you talked to him?”
“Only when we make the swap for the girls. It’s hard, but I think it’s what we both need. I can tell he feels it, too.”
From what Rhett tells me, this isn’t true. Carter hates being separated from his wife, but I’m not going to upset Darla with that. Not today, anyway.
“And you’re sure this is what you want?”
“I won’t lie and say I’m happy, but I’m relieved. You know better than anyone else how tirin’ it is to pretend nothin’ is wrong. You did it with your old life, and I’ve been doin’ it for years in my marriage.”
My heart breaks for her because no matter how tough she seems, I know how much she loves Carter. “I’m sorry, Darla.”
“It’s okay. I think it happens with a lot of people who marry too young. You miss out on life and dreams you didn’t chase. It’s now comin’ back and bitin’ me in the ass.”
“Ready?” Martin calls from the hallway.
Darla hands me a bouquet of wildflowers, and I smile. “Ready.”
We walk out, and my father-in-law gasps as his eyes widen. He wears a dashing suit, and he looks like a Southern James Bond. “You look like an angel.”
“Thank you,” I say, the tears already springing to my eyes. Today will be filled with moments of fighting back the happy tears. A day I never knew would be this joyful.
Following Darla to the back door, we hear the music start, and she walks out first. Martin turns to me and offers his arm. “We’re so happy to have you in the family, Brynlee.”
“Me, too,” I say and take his arm.
It hasn’t been a year since Rhett and I met each other, but I’ve known from the very beginning he’s the one for me. And I truly believe Mama and Daddy brought us together. They saw what they couldn’t have down here, and they made it happen.
“Jensen and Kathleen would be tickled pink that you chose the family home to get married. And raise a family.”
Sniffling, I nod. “That’s enough of that. I’m already having a difficult time not crying.”
“You’re happy?”
“I’m happier than I ever thought I would be,” I say and look at him. “You raised the man of my dreams, and I can’t wait to start our life together.”
He wipes his eyes and chuckles. “You know, I think you’re the perfect match for Rhett. We couldn’t have picked out anyone better than you. We love you, sweetheart.”
Blinking rapidly, I do my best to stop the tears as we step out to walk down the aisle. I can’t ruin my makeup yet because we decided to do pictures after the ceremony.
The moment we step on the fabric aisle leading to my future husband, every member of Rhett’s family turns to face us. Darla and Carter stand at the altar with Rhett, and Everett and Dr. Mackle sit in the front across from Lydia.
After learning more about Daddy from Dr. Mackle, I knew I needed him here on this special day. A way to have Daddy with me. And he gives me a knowing smile, which makes me smirk. He’s the only other person to know my little secret.
The moment Rhett turns and lays eyes on me, he covers his mouth as his eyes glisten. He looks so handsome in his tux, and I can’t help it. The waterworks have started, and we’ll just have to accept the pictures as they are.
This is what I always wanted. To marry a man so in love with me that he can’t keep his emotions in check when he sees me in my wedding dress. A man who can’t wait to start our lives together, and I remind myself not to run down to him.
Everything about this wedding was planned by us. What we wanted. It’s small, especially considering my wedding to Kevin was supposed to have seven hundred guests. It’s intimate, and it’s perfect. The colors I want, the cake we loved, and nothing flashy or over-the-top. Simple and magical.
The date we picked worked for everyone. The dress needed no alterations.
The flowers were free since we picked them ourselves yesterday.
The pastor gave us his blessing after one meeting.
The photographer had a last-minute cancelation.
Everything just fell into place like this was supposed to happen. We were supposed to be here.
The ceremony itself is a blur, and I struggle to keep myself together. Before I know it, Rhett’s lips are on mine as we’re pronounced husband and wife.
The pictures don’t take long, and Rhett pulls me inside and away from everyone for a few moments alone in the bedroom. Our bedroom, now. “You look amazin’,” he whispers and kisses me.
“I couldn’t keep it together when I saw your reaction to my dress,” I say and kiss him back, my hands in his hair as he hikes up my skirt. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
His rough hands scratch at the sensitive skin of my thighs. “I can’t wait to make love to my wife for the first time,” he says with a smile. “Don’t get upset with me if I keep callin’ you Mrs. Dillon. It feels like a dream. One I wasn’t sure would ever come true.”
My panties are soaked, but a familiar wave of heat overcomes me as I push him back. “Oh, no!”
I race to the bathroom and kneel in front of the toilet as gracefully as I can, my stomach lurching.
Rhett’s right beside me in a flash to hold my hair back as I empty the small amount of food I’ve eaten today.
The morning sickness started about a week ago, and I start crying knowing I couldn’t make it through my wedding without vomiting.
“Oh, baby,” he says and rubs my bare back. “I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not.”
I flush and let him help me to my feet. Swishing mouthwash, I lean against the counter and fan myself. It feels like a heater has been blowing on me for days. “You can be sorry I’m sick.”
“You’re sick because you’re carryin’ my baby. I can’t be all that sorry.”
Laughing, I look down at my belly. “Now, I’m not asking for a lot here, but I need you to let me enjoy my wedding night, okay? Mama needs to spend uninterrupted time with your daddy to repeat how we made you.”
Rhett kneels down and kisses my belly. “Daddy seconds that. I’ll buy you a pony one day if you do.”
The image of Rhett holding a baby in his arms makes me smile. He’s going to be an incredible father. “We better get out there before they accuse us of doing something indecent.”
“I planned to do somethin’ indecent with my blushin’ bride, but our child had other plans. Must be a girl because a boy would never stop me from lovin’ up on his mama.”
Giggling, I kiss his cheek and take his hand. “Let’s get out there, Mr. Dillon.”
“Whatever you want, Mrs. Dillon.”
I love the way it sounds, and I don’t even care we get knowing looks from people who think we had a quickie inside. “Oh, get your minds out of the gutter,” I joke. “Nothing happened.”
“We need somethin’ to happen,” Gemma calls out. “Rhett’s not gettin’ any younger, and we want more babies!”
“And from my sister, no less,” Rhett says. “Who else would have the gall to call me old on my weddin’ day?”
“You’re not a spring chicken like Brynlee,” Hardy agrees. “Gotta get goin’ as soon as possible.”
If only they knew.
Carter walks up with two beers, and he offers one to Rhett. “I think you should have just one, man. I know you’re on your sober streak, but it’s your weddin’.”
His wedding band is still on his finger, and I feel sadness wash over me.
The downside to being pregnant right now is the raging hormones.
The highs are ridiculously high, but the lows are extreme, too.
It’s hard not to burst into tears knowing how much he still loves Darla and doesn’t want this separation.
Rhett glances at me, and I nod. “I’m not drinkin’, bud. Sorry.”
“What? She just nodded. The wife gave you the green light.”
“Everyone!” Rhett shouts. “I need your attention!”
All eyes land on us, and I slip my hand into his, squeezing it as the anxiety washes over me. At least they want this as much as we do, but I feel a familiar wave a nausea hit. Luckily, it fades quickly.
“I’m not drinkin’, which I think we’ve all talked about recently. Not only do I want to respect Brynlee with the news about her pops comin’ to light, I have to admit the weight loss has been kind of nice.”
I giggle and shake my head. He’s lost about fifteen pounds, but I love him with a little padding. I made him promise never to get a six pack or become a gym rat. That just won’t work for me.
“I will, however, have a celebratory beer,” he says, but shakes his head when Carter offers him the beer again, “when my baby’s born.”
Jaws drop, and I smile. Lydia gapes at me, and I just nod.
“You’re pregnant?” Gemma asks. “I was half-kiddin’.”
“We’re goin’ to celebrate this pregnancy completely sober,” Rhett says.
“And while all of you had your minds in the gutter, well, let’s just say morning sickness has proven to be all day for me,” I say and rest a hand on my stomach. “And night.”
Lydia puts a hand over her heart. “Poor girl.”
“I do have a request, baby,” I say and smirk at Dr. Mackle before looking up at Rhett.
“Anythin’.”
“We didn’t exchange wedding presents because we talked about turning the room down the hall into the nursery. Well, I need to ask if you can make it a little bigger before I go into labor.”
Frowning, he nods. “Yeah, I can make that happen. You don’t think it’s big enough?”
“I know it’s not big enough. Um, remember when we learned that Grandpa Jensen was a twin?”
His jaw drops as he gasps. “No!”
“I found out this morning. We have two babies coming in about seven months.”
His arms wrap around me and lift me into the air. “I love you. God, I love you. You have never looked more beautiful than you do right now.”
The familiar heat rises, and I want to cry. “I have to go,” I whisper. “Now.”
Setting me down, he looks concerned as I run inside, making it to the kitchen sink just in time. He’s behind me in seconds, and I can’t help it. I begin to sob. As much as I want these babies, the morning sickness is ruining my happy day.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Lydia says as she walks in after us. “Here, eat these. They’ll help settle your stomach.”
She pulls out a sleeve of saltines from her purse, and Rhett continues rubbing my back. “Mom, did you know she was pregnant?”
“I keep them for your father. He gets heartburn somethin’ fierce, and these help in a pinch.”
Taking a bite of one, I lean against the sink. It works quickly, and I want to cry in relief. As it turns out, I just seem to want to cry.
I point to my purse on the hook beside her. “Ultrasound’s in there, if you want to see.”
Rhett abandons me to look at the image of our two little peanuts marked as Baby A and Baby B. “Wow,” he gasps.
“Look what you two did,” Lydia gushes. “Two grandbabies at once. Oh, we’re goin’ to need double of everythin’!”
“Why didn’t you tell me about the appointment this mornin’?” he asks and looks hurt. “I would’ve gone with you.”
“I had a suspicion, and I wanted to surprise you. You are a very difficult man to surprise, Mr. Dillon.”
The music begins to play outside, and a familiar song floats through the air. “Dance with me, Mrs. Dillon?”
“Always and forever,” I say and take his hand. “The crackers did help. We’re going to have to stock up on those.”
“And apples,” Lydia calls.
We walk out to applause, and I can’t stop the smile as he pulls me into his arms. We sway to the music, and I know this was all meant to be. I’ve never been happier in my life, and I cannot wait for this adventure. With him.
I feel my parents with us, and I vow to give us the happy ending they didn’t get. It’s hard not to believe they’ve finally found their happy ever after on the other side. I have to believe they got their second chance at love and happiness they should have had.
Thank you for understanding, Mama. And thank you for bringing Rhett to me. I love you both.