Epilogue
CORA
Whew.
I was jittery, like I’d thrown back every Mountain Dew ever made.
In less than twenty minutes, I would be walking down the aisle toward the man of my dreams. A man who loved me so thoroughly that I don’t think my cup would ever run empty.
We’d found another venue. A beautiful little church with a large piece of property. I’d still wanted an outside wedding, and Kane had even shown up with his guys to offer extra security. A wedding gift to Jason and me.
“You look incredible.” Anna pressed the comb into my hair that was attached to the veil. “I don’t blame you for changing dresses either. This one is even better than the last one.”
After what Daisy pulled, there was no way I was wearing that dress. I’d flown to Chicago with Anna and found a dress there. It’d been a wild day trip. I could have stayed longer, but I still couldn’t take Elias out of the county. I couldn’t be away from him any longer than that.
Not after what we’d been through. As it was, Jason sent text updates and pictures the entire time I was gone. I had met with a therapist too. I wasn’t one hundred percent yet, but I was better.
She’d suggested that we postpone the wedding given the circumstances. She’d even offered to write a letter to the judge for the custody hearing. I had politely turned her down.
Daisy had taken my son and my peace, and she wasn’t taking my wedding. Jason was mine. Unbridled possessiveness had filled me. He was mine. I was going to look him in the eyes, say my vows, and then spend the rest of my life with him.
No one was taking that from me, especially that woman.
Finding out that Beau was no longer in the land of the living helped with my peace being restored. His wife had met the same fate, along with all of the staff at her supposed adoption agency.
Kane had given the city a cleansing.
Thea Kalantzis, leaned against the far corner of the room, pushed off and approached me.
When she reached me, her eyes roamed over me and she smiled.
She pulled a knife from her purse. “It’s become tradition in our family, and while you may not be direct family,” she said, her gaze drifting to Anna and swept down to her belly for a moment before returning to me.
“You’re close enough. I wish you all the happiness that love can bring. ”
When I’d traveled to Chicago to find a dress, I’d had no idea I’d return to Texas with a few more family members and my bridesmaids. Thea, Claire, and their aunt.
I’d been by myself for so long, I’d welcomed it. My family was so small, and I’d wanted more for my own children.
“Thank you, Thea.” I took the knife.
“I used to give out smaller knives, but after what happened with Anna the first time, I rethought the size. Aim for between the ribs. It’s long enough to puncture a lung.” She smiled.
Funny. Before Daisy took my baby, I would have been horrified. Now, I felt strangely touched by the gesture. “Good to know.”
The door to my room opened and Aunt Helen walked in with Elias on her shoulder. “It’s time.”
Anna handed me my bouquet, and I followed Helen out.
I reached the entrance of the sanctuary and gasped in surprise. “Thomas?”
He shrugged. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to walk you down the aisle.”
“I’d be okay with that,” I grinned and slipped my arm through his. “Thank you.”
“You look incredible.”
“You just want to see my brother cry,” Anna said, spreading out the train of my dress.
Thomas glanced over his shoulder. “Yes, I do.” He laughed.
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.
His gaze caught mine and all levity was gone.
“He loves you. He’s loved you from the moment he saw you.
He’d had no intention of hiring anyone that day.
And there was no bonus. He’d never done that before.
I knew that day he’d found his soulmate.
Please take care of my friend’s heart. It’s been broken enough. ”
The doors opened just as he finished and I snapped my gaze to Jason, standing at the front of the church.
My breath caught. There’d been no bonus.
The world blurred as I walked down the aisle. Nothing seemed to penetrate the bubble Jason and I were in. When I reached him, I barely even registered Thomas giving me away.
“There was no bonus.” I whispered.
Jason shook his head and smiled. “No. I’ve loved you for a very long time, Cora Williams.”
“Then why…?”
“Because, my love, you deserve better than me. Better than the shadows I live in, but I can’t live without you. I won’t. I have chosen to accept the mercy, and love you as long as I can.”
The world faded as the pastor began to speak. The ceremony was brief and beautiful. The vows. The ring exchange…
And finally…
“I pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Georgiou. You may kiss—”
Jason’s lips were on mine before the sentence finished. It wasn’t a marathon kiss. Just sweet and wonderful.
Elias began fussing and Anna brought him to us. Jason took him and kissed his cheek.
“I love you, Jason. More than I’ll ever be able to show or express.”
He passed Elias to me, then wrapped his arms around both of us. “I love both of you. Immeasurably.”