Epilogue #4
Slim’s brother, Jack, stood by his side, along with Slim’s two young nephews, who’d wanted to help their dad be their uncle’s best man. Slim’s parents were there, as were several of his half siblings and cousins, some of whom Erin had met for the first time the day before.
Everyone from Gansett had come, or so it seemed, including the entire McCarthy clan, the Martinez family, Slim’s friend Seamus O’Grady and his wife, Carolina.
So many people had become family, first to Jenny when she’d come to Gansett to be the lighthouse keeper and then to Erin when she took over for Jenny.
The two women owed that beautiful beacon so much for providing a place for them to finally heal amid the wild beauty of Gansett Island.
Erin and her parents reached the spot where Slim stood waiting for her. Mary Beth and Tom kissed Erin and hugged Slim. It meant so much to her that they adored him. Although, how could they not? He was perfect for her, and they’d seen that even before she’d been willing to admit it to herself.
She handed her bouquet to Jenny and took the hands her groom extended to her.
He kissed her cheek. “You’re simply breathtaking.”
“Likewise.”
They shared a warm, loving smile that filled her with elation. She’d gone years without experiencing a fraction of what he made her feel simply by existing.
Frank welcomed them and their guests and led them through the traditional recitation of vows before turning to Slim, giving him the floor.
They’d debated about whether they wanted to write their own vows. Slim had insisted on it. “I have things I need to tell you,” he’d said.
Now that the moment was upon them, he gazed down at her with his heart in his eyes and a smile on his face. “I’ll never forget the night I picked you up by the side of the road.”
“Slim!”
He laughed, as he did every time he said it that way.
“My beautiful bride will want me to clarify that she’d sprained her ankle, and I was the lucky one who found her, along with her bike, which had a flat tire.
I picked up her and the bike, drove her home and stayed with her that night so she wouldn’t be alone.
I’ve wanted to be wherever she is ever since. ”
He took a pause to wipe away the tears that spilled down her cheeks.
“My beautiful, sweet, brave Erin, I admire you more than anyone I’ve ever known. You’ve survived things that would’ve ruined a lesser person. I never had the chance to know your beloved Toby, but I have no doubt that you’ve made him so proud with your fortitude, your resilience and your grace.”
Oh Lord. He’s bringing the big guns.
After he’d wiped away more tears, Slim cupped her cheek.
“I promise to never use semicolons and to overuse exclamation marks every chance I get. I promise to never use the word moist unless I absolutely have to. I promise to occasionally eat a veggie pizza, even though that goes against everything I believe in as a carnivore, and I promise to keep you in Thin Mints year-round.”
Erin laughed even as more tears filled her eyes as she recalled discussing their likes and dislikes for the first time.
Slim wiped away her tears. “More than anything, I promise to love you forever.”
Judge McCarthy turned to her. “Erin?”
“How am I supposed to follow that?”
Everyone laughed, including her beloved.
“You did good.”
His broad smile lit up the kind eyes that looked at her with so much love.
“You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, Tobias Fitzgerald Jackson Junior.
For the rest of my life, I’ll never forget the night you told me your real name.
The realization that my Toby had sent a new Toby to me is something that’s meant so much to me, especially because I know, without a doubt, that he would’ve loved you as much as I do.
He once told me that I was with the wrong man, and oh, how that made me mad.
That was the last time I ever saw him, and I left angry with him, even if he’d tried to fix it by telling me someday I’d know what he meant.
It wasn’t until I met you that I figured out what he was trying to tell me and that he was right, as always.
There was someone better waiting for me, and that someone was you. ”
Now Slim had tears in his eyes as he listened to her.
“I once told you how I’d been spinning for years by the time I met you, and only after we were together did the spinning finally stop.
Before I met you, I would’ve said I was perfectly content with the life I’d figured out for myself after everything went sideways.
But I would’ve been so wrong. I was merely existing before I had you and your love and your laughter and the joy you bring to each day.
Not only did you get me back in an airplane after fifteen years, but you’ve also taught me how to fly so I won’t be scared.
You’ve taught me to fly in so many ways.
Thank you for being just what I need and more than I ever allowed myself to dream possible.
I love you and our life together more than anything, and as long as you forsake the word moist and semicolons, I can’t wait to spend forever with you. ”
Slim laughed and kissed her, his tears mingling with hers.
“Not quite yet, folks,” Frank said, making everyone laugh. “Jack, could we have the rings, please?”
Slim’s brother handed over the rings, which they exchanged.
“Now I can pronounce you husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and Slim, you may kiss your bride—again.”
Slim wrapped his arms around her and kissed her face off. Erin kissed him right back as their guests cheered and whistled and cried right along with them.
He held her for the longest time, mindless of the guests and the photographer and the party that awaited them. “We did it,” he whispered.
“Yes, we did.”
He extended his arm to her.
She hooked her hand through his arm and stepped with him into their new life as Mr. and Mrs.
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