Epilogue
Beck
Today is the day I ask Sloan if she wants to spend the rest of our lives together.
Sloan and I have melded our lives together in a way that I never expected to come as easy as it has.
Marriage had never been something I thought of. After watching my parents’ marriage crash and burn, it never felt like something that was in the cards for me.
But living day to day, moment to moment with Sloan, made me realize that the right person had to come along.
Our lives had just easily entwined as one, flowing from one transition to the next so effortlessly.
We went from two untrusting, heartbroken humans, to learning about each other.
Growing with each other. All I envision when I look at her is a woman that I’d be lucky to have as a partner and wife for the rest of my life.
I recruited Quinn and Sutton to help me plan the perfect day to surprise Sloan.
Quinn worked behind the scenes to get Sloan’s best friends from Boston, Kailey and Maria, in to visit for a long weekend.
Quinn planned an entire morning for all of the girls to get them out of the house. By doing this, Ash, August, Knox and I are able to get the backyard set up. Even Beau and Ty are helping out.
The girls started the morning getting mani pedis.
Sutton and Quinn have been texting the guys with photos to give us updates without making it obvious.
Sutton sent August a photo earlier of all the girls making funny faces with their nails done. Her caption reading, “New nails, who dis?”
Quinn sent a picture to Knox of all of the girls sipping tea, at a local tea shoppe. Her caption reads: Who says adults can’t have tea parties too?
Sutton told Sloan they’re doing a small charity at the café tonight and the theme is “fairy core.” So, the girls are currently at the store picking out fairy dresses and then going to get their hair braided and flower crowns directly after.
Sloan has turned our backyard into her own little haven. It’s almost like entering a fairy tale back here.
So, tonight, I’m really going to make it a fairy tale come true for her.
Since the girls left early this morning with iced lattes in hand, the guys and I have been working hard to make it perfect.
A wooden arch, draped in blush pink peonies and roses, baby’s breath and greenery, sits toward the end of the backyard. Rustic lanterns with candles inside sit just next to it to offer some ambient lighting for this evening.
Flower petals create an aisle for Sloan to walk down, as soon as she steps off of our back patio. Tiki torches line the walkway, softly illuminating the path. Fairy lights hang in several of the trees in the backyard carrying on into the white tent that fits about 15 people.
A burlap table runner with lace trim is draped over a large farmhouse-like picnic table in the center of the tent.
Three beautiful arrangements of blush pink peonies, baby’s breath and greenery fill gold vases that sit perfectly placed on the table.
Two small bouquets of peonies and baby’s breath are tied together with burlap string lying at the end of the table for Sloan to carry as she walks down the aisle.
Beau has a sound system set up, just outside of the tent and will be our DJ for the evening. Two microphones ready for Sutton and August to sing as Sloan walks down the aisle.
Ash and Knox have been in the kitchen the past few hours whipping up a taco bar.
While Sloan was in the shower, Sutton and Quinn dropped off carafes of lavender and hibiscus margaritas this morning as well as several different types of pastries from the café. We did everything we could to keep her out of the refrigerator.
Standing on our back patio, I just take it all in. This picturesque backyard I never pictured for myself but now I can’t picture myself without it.
Two years ago, I thought I had been in love with my best friend, who was already in love with the man standing next to me.
Now, I realize that love isn’t just talking to someone 24/7, hanging out, going on a date, or just partying with someone.
I adored Sutton as my best friend. I cherished and still cherish our friendship and easy companionship.
The quiet comfort she offered me by never pushing me.
But loving, Sloan. Being in love with Sloan, she opened my eyes to what true love really is.
It’s allowing someone in and letting them see the darkest parts of you.
The parts of you, you try to hide from the world.
The parts of you, you sometimes are even too afraid to look at yourself and loving them anyways.
Loving them even more because that’s when they need you to love them most.
Love is someone just being there for you and holding space for you when your world feels like it’s falling apart. It’s someone giving you space to fight your own demons but coming back and taking you by the hand so you don’t let them consume you.
I’m not sure I knew what love was until Sloan allowed me to see her darkness even if they triggered her fears, and she allowed me to show her mine. Sloan fought for her life—for me. Now I will always fight my life—for her.
August interrupts my thoughts. “Sutton just texted and said they’re leaving the hair salon. We have 30 minutes ’til they’re here. Should we go get suited up?”
Turning to face the man who has become a close friend and who couldn’t be more right for my best friend, I smile at August. “We shall.”
Dressed in a light blue linen suit, I’m standing under the archway at the end of the backyard waiting to officially make Sloan mine.
It’s a beautiful evening. The sun is starting to set, painting the sky like a canvas of deep reds and oranges, with a gorgeous golden hour glow.
There’s a gentle breeze but it’s still a warm summer night.
I’m a nervous wreck. I went back and forth on whether Sloan would love this idea or hate it.
I know she felt almost forced to marry James and had been so unsure about it.
I’m sort of springing this on her, but we’ve spent many mornings curled up together, talking about our future.
Sloan has said that she never thought she’d even get married once in her life, let alone twice, but as our relationship has grown, she can’t picture her life with anyone else and neither can I.
The girls start to make their way down the aisle easing my nerves slightly.
They are dressed as the perfect fairies.
They take their places to the right of the archway.
Quinn in a blush pink tutu dress, Kailey in a sage green, and Maria in a baby blue, with butterflies and flowers sewn into their dresses.
“I don’t think she was sus until we got back,” Quinn whispers.
“Great.” I grimace.
Knox, Beau and Ty stand to my left in sage green linen suits.
“It’s gonna be fine, man. Don’t worry.” Knox kneads my shoulders.
August and Sutton stand under a tree not far from us, ready to sing the second Sloan makes her entrance. August in a sage green linen suit and Sutton in a lavender tutu dress.
As the perfect, obedient ring bearers, Mayhem and Khaos stand just in front of me in the cutest baby blue bows with gold trim.
It feels like it’s taking an eternity for her to come outside.
Asher was supposed to be stalling her just to get everyone in position.
“What’s taking so long?” I huff. I’m getting so anxious.
“Sloan’s coming, Beck. It’s okay,” Sutton whispers.
I see Asher’s frame in the glass door first and then he’s sliding the door open.
Ash has his hand over Sloan’s eyes when she steps on to the patio.
I hold my breath.
I can’t hear him but he mouths something to Sloan before she nods.
Asher’s hand lifts from her face. He gently reaches for her hand, placing it around his arm as he walks her down the aisle to me.
Sloan’s eyes trace the entire backyard before they meet mine. Tears stream down her cheeks but Sloan’s smile takes my breath away.
August and Sutton start singing a haunting rendition of A Thousand Years by Christina Perri but I can’t hear a thing.
All I see is Sloan. My heart stops beating at her beauty. I’m not sure if it’s the perfect angle of the glow from the sunset hitting her or if it’s just her, but she’s radiant, ethereal, almost angelic.
Sloan’s dressed in a beautiful white corset tutu dress that’s longer than the girls. It’s grazing the grass, almost making it look like she’s floating on air as she walks toward me. White baby’s breath woven through her raven hair, braided in a crown on her head.
So fucking stunning. Breathtaking. So mine.
When they finally reach me, tears are streaming down my face.
Asher places Sloan’s hand in mine and kisses her cheek. He walks behind the archway, standing at the ready to marry us, if Sloan says yes.
Sloan reaches up to wipe my tears, as I reach up to wipe hers.
“Hi.” Sloan smiles.
“Hi, Little Dove,” I rasp.
Clearing my throat, I get down on one knee, holding Sloan’s hand in mine.
Sloan smiles so sweetly at me as I confess my love to her.
“Little Dove, I love you. I want to do life with you. When we wake up in bed together, I want to see those gorgeous sleepy eyes looking up at me every morning. I want to kiss each fingertip that you hold your iced toffee lattes with. I want to be the first person you share unbelievable news with and the person you reach for to hold you and calm you down when you feel like you’re falling apart.
I want to be the person who makes you laugh when you’re feeling low.
I want to taste your lips every second of every day and pleasure you every chance I get.
I want to cook together and laugh together and travel together.
Love on Mayhem together. I want to be partners in crime, taking on the world together.
“I vow to fight to protect your peace forever. With you, I feel like I could do anything. Reese Sloan Archer, would you do me the honor and make me the happiest and luckiest man and marry me? Right here, right now in front of our very best friends, our family?” I ask.
“Am I supposed to say yes or I do?” Sloan smiles through her tears.
“Yes and I do are perfect.” I smile up at her.
“Yes, Beckett Scott. I will marry you, right here, right now. I love you.” Sloan pushes up on her toes pressing her lips to mine.
Asher clears his throat. “I didn’t get to that part yet guys.”
“Beck, I love you. I want to do life with you. I want you with me, by my side, for the rest of our lives. I want all of you. You have held my hand in silence, helped guide me through some of my darkest moments and have reminded me over and over again how strong I am.
“You have been a safe space for me from the moment I stepped into this city. I will forever be grateful that I literally crashed into your gym. You effortlessly became the other half of my soul. Helping me find balance in my life when I lost my way. Always encouraging me. Never letting me give up on myself or forget who I am at my core. You are forever making me laugh. With you, there is only happiness. Thank you for allowing me to rest in a love that doesn’t make me go to war.
This is our place but you quickly became my home and I don’t ever want to leave. ” Sloan smiles at me, tearfully.
“I think I’m supposed to say I do.” I chuckle, my voice gruff.
“Actually, if you guys would let me read. You did this in reverse. This is like your vows.” Asher comments.
“Okay, you don’t need to read. We did our vows. Just get to the I do part and the kiss already,” I huff. I just wanna kiss my damn bride.
“Always so impatient,” Ash rags.
“Do you, Beckett Scott, take Reese Sloan Archer to be your wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish—” Asher continues.
“Yes! ’Til death do us part. For as long as I live. Yes. I do!” I say, rushing Asher.
“Do you, Reese Sloan Archer, take Beckett Scott to be your husband? To have and to hold—” Asher says.
“Yes, Ash! I do! We do! Can we please kiss already?” Sloan asks exasperated. Making all of us chuckle.
“Damn, Little Dove, when did you get so impatient?” I pull Sloan to me, crashing my lips down on hers. Claiming her lips as mine. My wife. My Little Dove. Mine.
“You can now kiss the bride you pains in the asses! You two better not be this impatient at your wedding,” Asher shouts. I’m assuming pointing at August and Sutton, but I’m too busy kissing my bride to pay attention.
“I’m sure we will.” I hear August laugh.
Everyone cheers as Sloan and I pull away from each other.
“Now, let’s partaaaay!” Quinn shimmies, popping a bottle of champagne that came from who knows where.
We spend the rest of the night eating amazing tacos, drinking margaritas and dancing the night away.
When Sloan and I are getting ready to head in for bed, Maria grabs the bouquet wiggling it in the air. “No bouquet toss, Reese’s Pieces?”
Sloan takes the bouquet from Maria and stands on the edge of the patio facing the door. All of the girls stand a few feet away from her in the grass.
“Sunshine, you aren’t single. Get out of there!” August hollers at Sutton.
“Technically, we aren’t married yet, Auggie. So, I can stand here if I want to.” Sutton sticks her tongue out at August and we all start laughing.
“Neither are you, Blondie.” Knox hollers.
“Shut it, Knoxie,” Quinn sasses Knox.
“Okay, on three! And then we’re going to bed.” Sloan winks at me.
“One.”
“Two.”
“Three,” Sloan shouts and tosses the bouquet.
Quinn jumps up, snagging the bouquet from the air. She whoops in excitement.
Knox runs over to Quinn, pulling her in for a heated kiss.
“I think I’m too young to get married, Blondie, but you might be able to convince me.” Knox kisses her again.
Quinn’s cheeks are flushed and red when she pulls away from him.
“I’m not too young though, Sugar,” Asher says, turning Quinn around to face him, gently grabbing her by the throat and slamming his lips down on hers.
That kiss could melt steel, it’s so hot.
All of us stand in the backyard staring at the three of them with our jaws dropped.
Everyone is standing, waiting with bated breath..
We are waiting for a brawl to break out. Except Knox is standing there, watching with a glint in his eye.
He bites his lip and says, “Sugar…I like it!”
There is never a dull moment with those three. Sure enough, it looks as if something intriguing and exciting is about to unfold.
Today is the start of our forever but the fight to our happily ever after was brutal, ruthless—like a blood sport—and isn’t for the weak.
We survived, we’re thriving and winning at love.