Epilogue #2
“Almost certainly. I think they all do at this point, right? It’s like a legal requirement for Vegas wedding chapels.
” I laugh. “But it got me thinking about how everyone’s going to ask us tomorrow about actual wedding plans and we literally have none.
Like, not even vague ideas or a general timeline.
We’re just going to have to shrug and say we haven’t figured any of it out yet. ”
“We’ve both been busy.” He’s playing with my hair now, completely unbothered by this lack of planning.
And to be honest, I’m not worried either. Planning the tour has been its own full-time job.
“You’ve been finishing the album,” he continues, “and working with the team on tour logistics. I’ve been racing all over the world basically nonstop. We’ll figure it out eventually when things calm down.”
“I know we will,” I say, “but ‘eventually’ might legitimately be like two years from now at the rate we’re going.
” I’m thinking out loud now, the idea that’s been bouncing around my head all day starting to solidify.
“When are we actually going to have time to sit down and plan some big traditional wedding? You’re going to be traveling constantly for the racing season, I’m about to be on tour for months, and trying to coordinate everyone’s schedules is essentially impossible.
I mean, this weekend is the first time all of these specific people have ever been in the same place at the exact same time. ”
“That’s actually a really valid point,” he says, and he’s smiling now like he already knows where this is going. “What exactly are you saying?”
“What if we didn’t wait?” I say it before I can second-guess myself. “What if we just got married this weekend while everyone’s already here?”
“You want to get married this weekend,” he says, his hand stroking my arm.
“Yes, I really do.” I’m getting more and more excited as I work through it out loud. “I mean, really think about it for a second. Everyone we love is already here in Vegas. Your brothers, my parents, Maren and Calvin, even Chloe. When is that ever going to happen again?”
He cocks his head, gives me a wry smile. “I’m liking where this is going.”
“Right? We’re already engaged. We already know we want to get married.
And we specifically told each other we didn’t want some huge traditional wedding with like three hundred people, remember?
We said we wanted something small and intimate and us.
” I’m talking faster now, getting more excited as the idea gains momentum.
“And this is Vegas. The city where everything changed for us. Where you won that insane race. Where we figured everything out. And now everyone’s here… it feels kind of meant to be!”
He laughs. “You know what’s funny? I was thinking the exact same thing today at the track. Looking around at everyone together and thinking how perfect it would be if we could just do it now.”
“See, that’s a sign!” I’m bouncing slightly now, unable to contain the excitement building in my chest. “We could find a venue tomorrow while you’re doing all your final prep stuff with the team.
Somewhere actually nice and beautiful, not some tacky chapel with plastic flowers and questionable carpeting.
We tell everyone to get dressed up for a fancy celebration dinner after the race.
And then surprise, plot twist, you’re actually at our wedding instead. ”
His smile is wicked. “They’re going to completely and utterly lose their minds.”
“Absolutely, and in the best possible way.”
“But your parents though…” He pauses. “They’re going to want the whole big traditional thing, aren’t they?”
“Oh my mom is definitely going to have opinions about this decision.” I laugh, tapping my fingers against his chest. “But we can totally do something else later if we want to. Something bigger with all the extended family and all your racing world friends and everyone else.”
His smile gets even wider. “Maybe in Mexico with the rest of your extended family?”
I light up. “Oh yes! We do this intimate one with just our immediate family, then a bigger celebration after the tour, in Mexico with all my aunts and uncles and cousins.” My brain is already spinning with possibilities.
My family would love that. A whole weekend celebration with everyone.
“What do you think?” I ask, searching his face.
He looks at me and pulls me tightly into his arms. “I think I can’t fucking stand not being married to you for one more second.”
Then he’s kissing me and I’m kissing him back just as fiercely. His hands slide into my hair and I pull him closer, both of us pouring everything into this kiss. Every yes, every this is right, every I choose you.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard. We look into each other’s eyes and then, suddenly, I’m laughing out loud, the reality of what we just decided hitting me. “We’re going to plan an entire secret wedding in three days.”
“We better get started then.” He’s grinning, completely unfazed by the insanity of what we’re about to pull off. “I’ll handle the venue tomorrow between track sessions. You figure out what you want to wear.”
“Deal.” I’m already buzzing with excitement. “We tell everyone it’s just a fancy celebration dinner after your race. They’re going to completely lose it when they figure out what’s happening.”
“That’s the best part,” he says.
I look up at him and my heart does that thing it always does when I realize this is my life now.
Him. Us. This love that’s bigger than anything I ever imagined.
“Vegas wedding with everyone we love.” I say it one last time, knowing now that it’s real, that this is actually going to happen.
“Then Mexico later for the huge celebration with all the extended family.”
He nods and kisses me again, and I sink into it completely.
We sit there wrapped up in each other, Vegas glittering outside the windows, our families sleeping nearby with no idea what we’re about to pull off.
A year ago we came back to each other in this city. And now we’re getting married here, surrounded by everyone who matters most.
And as I fall asleep, safe in his arms, I’m almost sure he’s humming the melody to the song I wrote just for him, Until You Say Stay.
—The End—
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed Jack and Lark’s story, check out the whole Midnight Men series.