Epilogue
It’s the weekend before Christmas. There’s a crisp chill in the air.
Steven and Luke stand side by side in their tuxes beside a white three-tiered cake topped with two grooms. When Steven told me they were getting married, my heart filled with so much happiness for my best friend that I thought it would burst. And when they bought the A-frame house that we’d poured our sweat and love into, I was ecstatic about his new journey.
We’re gathered in the backyard beneath a grand white tent with heaters humming softly. Though this weather has cooperated and is comfortably sitting in the sixties.
Everything is white. And I mean everything possible. Steven wanted it to feel and look like a “white Christmas,” and he wasn’t kidding. Flowers, drapes, table runners—if it could be white, then it’s white. And honestly? I love it!
Maisie was the flower girl. Olivia stood next to Sam on Luke’s side while Kara was next to me and Steven.
We all have white dresses with pink sashes around our waist to match Steven’s pink tie and Luke’s pink vest. The ring bearer was Steven and Luke’s new golden retriever pup, Charley, they adopted last week.
He stole the show walking down the aisle with Maisie, trying to eat the rose petals she tossed.
There are about a hundred guests, and it’s easily the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever attended. Maybe I’m biased. Okay, I am biased, but even if I weren’t, I’d still think so.
The photographers work their magic with the happy couple as guests are distracted by drinks and photos.
No one is paying attention when Sam and I head inside to make sure everything’s ready for the reception.
The servers, dressed all in white, look like they’ve stepped out of a holiday movie.
Sam’s busy coordinating the timing of the champagne toast when I notice Kara peeking through the glass door at us.
“Everything good?” I ask Sam.
“Yes,” Sam says. Her radiant smile still makes my stomach flip.
It’s been a little over a year since Sam and I worked things out.
We haven’t spent many days without seeing each other.
She and Olivia stay at our house more than their own.
We cook together. We help the girls with their homework together.
She tackles the science while I handle math.
We share Maisie’s spelling. We’ve found an easy rhythm that feels so natural it’s hard to remember life before her.
We haven’t had any arguments. Maybe a silly disagreement here or there.
But the makeup sex is…well, let’s just say it’s one of the many perks of being in love.
Even Judy’s been around more lately, and surprisingly, I don’t mind. She takes the girls out on occasion, even Olivia, and the three of them even had a sleepover at Judy’s that went well.
Kara and I are closer than ever. I know that might not last throughout all of her teenage years.
But knowing Sam is with me, I feel the strength in us as a pair to handle our teenagers.
She’s been so caring and open. I’m soaking in every bit of peace and love that fills our home while feeling very lucky for each day we have together.
“Hey!” Kara greets us as she walks in with Maisie and Olivia in tow. “Is this fun or what?”
“Definitely fun.” I grin and wink at Kara. Our plan is on the way. “So…” I raise my brows at Sam, barely able to contain my excitement. “The girls have an early gift for you and Olivia.”
Sam laughs. “Oh? I can’t wait.”
“Olivia, stand by your mom,” Kara instructs, unfolding a piece of paper. Maisie stands beside her, clutching two small gift boxes wrapped in silver Christmas paper.
Kara takes a steady breath. I know she’s nervous, but I also know how much this means to her.
“Olivia, you’ve always been a constant in my life,” she begins.
“You’re not only my best friend, but like a sister to Maisie and me.
I know you’d always have her back the way you do mine.
And Sam”—Kara glances up at her—“you’re like another mother to us.
We love you both. You’ve changed our lives for the better.
Without you, every day would feel like something’s missing.
So…” She nods at Maisie, who drops down to one knee and holds out the two boxes in her little hands. “We give you this.”
Sam and Olivia unwrap the boxes at the same time. Inside each lies a single key. Sam looks at me, wide-eyed.
Maisie blurts, “Will you move in with us and make us whole?” The delivery is as dramatic as we practiced it, and the five of us burst into laughter.
Sam’s eyes glisten as Olivia looks at her with hopeful anticipation.
My heart could melt right here. We didn’t plan to do this tonight.
The girls insisted—they pulled me aside earlier and made their case for why it had to happen now.
We are all dressed up, and they thought it felt special, like the right moment.
They wanted us to be a family before Christmas, their favorite holiday.
The keys were already in the Jag as we had just picked up the gift-wrapped boxes today.
I couldn’t say no. So, we found a quiet moment away from everyone.
“A hundred percent yes,” Sam says through a laugh, her voice thick with emotion. She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me as the girls pile in for a family hug. A family hug. That feels marvelous to say.
“Hey!” Steven calls out playfully. “My best woman has to give a speech!”
I turn to him, still grinning. “What about her?” I toss a thumb toward Sam.
“Nope,” Steven says with mock sternness. “Her shyness opted out. Come on, woman! I need my BFF.”
“You give speeches?” Sam teases before pressing her lips to mine again.
“I do what’s needed,” I whisper against her mouth.
I take her hand and walk out to the tent where all the guests are. The open bar gives me hope of a relaxed audience. The girls sit together at the front table as Luke steps up to the microphone, looking both nervous and deliriously happy.
“Hi, everyone,” Luke says, clearing his throat.
“Thank you all for being here to celebrate one of the best days of my life. Steven came into my life like a wrecking ball and turned everything upside down.” The crowd laughs as Steven gives him a sassy smirk.
“But in the best possible way. We were meant to meet. I’m the luckiest man alive to call him mine.
” He lifts his glass. “To us.” Cheers rise around the tent.
“And now,” Luke continues, “a few words from Steven’s best friend, and someone we both consider family. Allie Tatum.”
“Wish me luck,” I whisper in Sam’s ear as I stand to smooth my white sheath dress.
It hugs every inch of me and feels even tighter now that everyone’s watching.
I take the microphone from Luke, feeling a little nervous, though, very unlike me.
I usually don’t mind public speaking, but this is important and close to my heart.
“Hi, everyone.” I flash a smile. “I’m Allie, Steven’s best woman and apparently a woman brave enough to wear this very tight dress.
” Laughter breaks the tension. “Let’s be honest. Even if we don’t have a white Christmas, this is the next best thing.
” Clapping begins all around. I glance to see Steven and Luke holding hands as they smile.
“I didn’t really prepare a speech because honestly, no words could ever be good enough.
Steven, you’re my best friend and the brother I never had.
You’re the protector when life gets hard, and the comedian when I need to laugh.
You somehow know what everyone needs before they say it.
You’re the most deserving person I know.
And Luke, while I understand how lucky you are to have him, I know Steven’s just as lucky to have you.
You two are the definition of a true love story.
” I lift my glass. “To Steven and Luke.”
The crowd echoes the toast, glasses clinking as music swells for the first dance. I make my way back to Sam and the girls.
“That was beautiful,” Sam whispers, leaning close. “But not as beautiful as you are in that dress.”
I brush my lips against hers. “I can’t wait for you to take it off me.”
Her brow arches. “Oh, I can’t wait either.”
“I mean seriously. It’s way too tight.”
We both laugh as the DJ invites everyone to join the grooms on the dance floor. Sam takes my hand, leading me out next to the guys. She pulls me close as we begin to sway to the music.
“Wait for us!” the girls call out, joining hands beside us.
“You know,” Sam says with a chuckle. “I thought you were proposing to me earlier when Maisie got down on one knee.”
I smile playfully. “You never know what the future holds.”
Sam runs her fingers through the back of my hair, smiling back at me. “I love you so much,” she says softly. “And I love our family.”
I hold Sam’s gaze as I take in her words. They echo like a promise. “I love you the most.” I place a gentle kiss on her lips.
Family. The best thing I could hope for, and I have it, dancing around me to the beat of a classic Elvis love song.
Finally, life feels hopeful again.