Epilogue
EPILOGUE
2 MONTHS LATER
“ W e’re going to be late,” Jackson called.
Mia swiped the mascara over her eyelashes one last time before looking in the mirror at her reflection. Her hair was down in waves and her makeup was perfection. She rarely took the time to put this much effort into her appearance, but Jackson told her they were going to a surprise party at the resort where Noah would propose to Jessa. They hired a professional photographer to capture the moment, so everyone was dressing their best.
“Coming!” she called.
She came out of the bathroom—their bathroom—wearing a flowing yellow dress. It was hot out, the perfect temperature to not need a jacket. Summer was in full-swing at the resort, and tourists were flooding in to enjoy biking and hiking on the mountain.
“You look gorgeous,” Jackson said, pulling her into his arms and pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
“Thank you. You look sexy yourself.”
He wore tan slacks and a white button-up shirt. His hair was styled with gel, making him look so put together and perfect.
She wanted to ravish the man when they got back home.
They climbed into his truck and drove the short distance to the resort. Once they parked, Jackson took her hand, and they walked inside.
“Where is he proposing?” she whispered in case Jessa was around.
“He’s going to lead her into the ballroom, so we’re going to hide out in there.”
The doors to the ballroom were closed when they approached. Jackson took the handle and pulled the door open to a dark room. Mia looked back at Jackson.
“Are you sure we’re meeting in here?”
“SURPRISE!”
Mia jumped back into Jackson’s arms. He laughed lightly at her side. She looked around confused and was about to tell everyone they were yelling surprise to the wrong couple when she noticed Noah and Jessa standing among the crowd.
Jackson’s family was all there, the men were all wearing tuxes. His mom was wearing a beautiful satin dress. Then Mia noticed her family. Her mom was wearing a satin dress as well, while her dad was in a tux.
“I’m confused,” she whispered.
Emma came forward wearing a beautiful white gown, holding a basket of rose petals. She grabbed a handful and tossed them in the air. “Thank you for letting me be the flower girl for your wedding. I’m so excited!”
Mia turned toward Jackson to ask what she meant. But he wasn’t standing beside her anymore. He was down on one knee, holding a small box containing the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
“Mia, it took me far too long to realize you were the one for me. I think since you were in front of me and we were always together, I never considered us being together. It wasn’t until I saw you dating other people I realized we belonged together. I know I’m the only person in this world who can treat you with all the love and respect you deserve. And I would love it if you would let me try forever. Mia Thompson, you are the love of my life. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Tears sprang to her eyes, and she nodded. “Yes.”
Jackson stood, a smile beaming across his face as he placed the ring on her finger. “I have one more thing to ask.”
She looked up into his eyes, where tears gathered. “What is it?”
“Would you do the honor of marrying me today?”
Suddenly, it all made sense why everyone was dressed up so much. She looked around at the crowd. Everyone who was important to them was already standing in the room. Mia never pictured much for her wedding growing up. She assumed it would be at the resort, and as long as all her friends and family were there, she would be happy.
Emma bounced excitedly, holding the basket of flowers.
“Say ‘yes!’” she shouted.
Everyone in the room chuckled, and Mia couldn’t help the laugh that burst from her lips. She looked back at Jackson and nodded. “Yes. Let’s get married.”
Instantly, the crowd broke apart, the guys taking Jackson out of the room. The women took Mia to the elevator and up to one of the suites.
“What is going on?” Mia asked.
Jessa, Karen, Emma, and Jennifer stood off to the side as Mia looked around.
“You get to pick a wedding dress, honey,” Mia’s mom said.
A rack of several wedding dresses stood across from her in several styles. She ran her hand over the dresses.
“How did you do this?”
“I contacted the boutique and asked if we could have everything in your size, plus a few extras from another town over, in case you didn’t find something you liked.”
Mia turned toward her mom. “Thank you. This was so thoughtful.”
Jennifer pulled Mia into her arms. “Only the best for my little girl.”
When they pulled apart, Karen stepped forward and pulled Mia into a hug. “Now let’s get you married and make you my daughter officially.”
Tears sprang to Mia’s eyes. “I’d like that.”
With the help of everyone, Mia settled on a dress that was more than a dream come true. It hugged her body in all the right places before flowing down around her. The bodice was beaded and elegant. Jennifer then pulled out the veil she wore when she married Mia’s dad.
“You don’t have to wear this if you prefer a new one, but I thought I’d give you the option,” Jennifer said.
Mia hugged her. “It’s perfect, Mom. Thank you.”
The women pinned Mia’s hair back and tucked the veil into her hair. Then they touched up her makeup and handed her a bouquet of red roses and white calla lilies.
“This is gorgeous,” she breathed.
“Jackson put it together. He insisted it needed red roses,” Karen said.
Tears sprang to Mia’s eyes again. “That man.”
“Don’t cry! We just touched up your makeup,” Jessa said.
Mia giggled and blinked rapidly. “I think it’s going to be nearly impossible to avoid crying.”
“At least wait until the wedding starts, Aunt Mia,” Emma said.
Mia hugged Emma to her. While she was always Emma’s honorary aunt, now she was officially becoming one.
Mia made her way back down to the ballroom, staying put at the entrance while Karen, Jennifer, and Jessa stepped inside to take their seats. Mia’s dad, Matt, joined her and tucked her arm into the crook of his before they sent Emma down the aisle to drop the rose petals.
“You look gorgeous, honey.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“Are you ready for this? You aren’t being pressured?”
Mia burst out laughing before looking at her dad incredulously. “Seriously?”
“Just doing my fatherly duties.”
She kissed his cheek. “I promise this is what I want. What I’ve always wanted.”
He pat her on the hand just as the double doors swung open. She looked around at the smiling faces of their family and friends. This was perfect. Tears sprang to her eyes as she walked down the aisle, escorted by her dad, until she reached Jackson.
Matt kissed her cheek and passed her off to Jackson after shaking his hand. The ceremony went by in a blur as Mia got exactly as she had hoped for—marrying the man of her dreams—her best friend, her confidant, her soulmate.
After the ceremony, everyone immediately transitioned into party mode. A gorgeous white cake was carried out from the kitchen under Miles’s watchful gaze. Mia found out that Miles had spent the better part of a few days decorating it and making it absolutely perfect. She already considered the Blakes her family, and now it was official.
Jackson approached her carrying two champagne glasses and handed one to her. “How’s my gorgeous bride?”
“Absolutely perfect.”
Then they carried out another version of the wedding cake, but in the chocolate cake that she was obsessed with.
Mia’s eyes widened, and Jackson laughed. “I wasn’t sure if you’d want a traditional white cake since it’s our wedding. But you love that chocolate cake so much that I was conflicted, so Miles made both.”
“This is the best wedding ever.”
Jackson chuckled.
She stood back and watched everyone mingling with a permanent smile stretched across her face. He wrapped an arm around her waist and watched their friends and family with her.
“You know what’s even more perfect?”
She looked up at him. “Hmm?”
“We tied the knot two days before your birthday.”
She furrowed her eyebrows. “Okay?”
“Now you know I married you because you’re the love of my life and not because of a silly pact. We got married before you turned thirty.”
She giggled. “My hero.”
“That’s me. The best damn husband there is.”
“I concur,” she said as she pulled him down for a kiss.