12. Epilogue
Kaitlyn
Despite not having seen Gray all day, having my hair tugged at, people putting makeup on me, and my dress being way too tight, I forget about all of it the moment the door opens, and I see Gray, standing at the end of the aisle, waiting on me.
"Just breathe, baby." Daddy says, as he walks me down the aisle towards my soon to be husband.
Life over the last year couldn't have been any better. Like promised, Gray took things slow, but the moment he proposed, and I said yes, things went at a breakneck speed. He said it was because he didn't want to wait to start our lives together.
A week after I said yes, he had me moved into the house he bought for us, and a wedding planner at my beck and call, so I didn't have to worry about planning the wedding and balancing work. I personally think it’s so he didn't lose any time with me on my days off.
My dad is officially retired and divorced. It came out Helen had not only been cheating on my dad, but she had been stashing away money my dad didn't know about. We aren't sure where she was getting it, and I'm not sure my dad really wants to know.
Needless to say, my dad is free of them and ended up with a nice chunk of change in the process. Unfortunately, we did get a call from Child Services last month that Zion had been removed from Linda's custody, and they asked if we wanted to be his temporary guardians, being her closest family.
We all three talked about it, and in the end, said no. We didn't want to be dragged back into their life, plus, that kid needs someone who can be there for him way more than we can. He needs serious help.
After we said no, I started to feel guilty. It wasn't his fault for what his mom did to us, but Grayson and my dad were both right there saying we made the right choice.
Last week, I found out that I'm pregnant, and I instantly knew it was best Zion wasn't around, as I want to focus on my new little family.
I haven't told my dad, or even Gray that I'm pregnant, and that's their surprise today.
When my eyes meet with Gray’s, and he has that look of awe and wonder with tears running down his face, I fall for him just a little bit more, if that's possible. That’s the look every girl hopes to see on her wedding day.
My dad places my hand in Gray's.
"You take care of her," Dad says to him.
"Always." Gray nods.
"You look stunning." He whispers just for me, as I face him.
"So do you in that suit."
The ceremony flies by, and the whole time, his eyes are one mine, and we both have big smiles on our faces. Every few minutes, he mouths 'I love you,' and I mouth it back.
When he slides the ring on my finger, and I do the same to him, something clicks. I know he says he's always been mine, but now I know he's mine, and this is an outward symbol of it.
"You may kiss the bride." The pastor says, breaking my thoughts.
Looking up at Grayson, the heat in his eyes is the same heat I get every day, when I get home. The moment I walk through the door, we are on each other, like we haven't seen each other in days.
The way he looks at me, makes me wet between my legs, and I have no idea how I'm going to wait, until tonight to have him.
When his lips land on mine, I forget about everyone watching, as I throw my arms around his neck. His tongue dances with mine, as he pulls me close, and we both come crashing back to earth, as everyone starts clapping.
The moment we’re out of the church, he pulls me into the bridal suite, where I got ready earlier and locks the door.
"I'm not going to last much longer without having you as my wife, Starshine, and judging by the look on your face earlier, neither are you."
I sigh, because he always knows what I need and is right there to give it to me.
Grayson
We have been back from our honeymoon for a few weeks now, and life has been perfect.
When she told me and her dad she was pregnant at our wedding, I'd never been happier. I've been without a family for so long, that gaining her and her dad was enough for me, but now, having a little one of my own? I'm still over the moon.
It was Lexi’s idea to let Kaitlyn cut down the amount of time she’s on her feet by taking over some of the paperwork. So, when I sneak in to visit her this afternoon, she’s already in the office with her feet up.
There’s something about seeing her in her scrubs that turns me on, like I never knew it could. When we get home, it never fails that we barely get in the door, before I have to have her.
"Hello, my wife," I say, walking into the office and leaning down to kiss her.
"Hello, my husband." She smiles up at me.
I love her working here at Oakside. When we got married, she made me promise to set up monthly donations to help the injured servicemen and women here, and I have.
Several times a month, I also volunteer, and even manned the grill, during the July fourth party this summer.
"So, I was thinking, since you have three days off, maybe, we could go away for the weekend," I tell her.
"You’re spoiling me. We were just gone for three weeks for our honeymoon."
"I know, but I want to make sure you aren't stressed, and you’re making a human, so I want you to relax. I was thinking we head down to Tybee Island for the weekend. I got us a place on the beach."
"Well, it's no French Riviera, but I guess it will do," she jokes.
"I knew taking you there on our honeymoon would spoil you." I kiss her neck.
"In the best possible way." She says, closing out the stuff on her computer.
"I already packed you a bag, so we can just head out."
"You always know what I need.”
Coming over to me, she hugs me and whispers, “I love you.”
Pulling her closer, I say, "I love you too, my Starshine, forever."