Epilogue
RONNIE
I watched my beautiful wife dance and laugh with her friends across the dance floor.
“Shouldn’t you be rushing off to some honeymoon?” I heard a deep voice behind me.
“Babymoon,” I corrected before glancing over my shoulder to see Nate come and stand next to me.
“Babymoon.” He smirked. “No honeymoon?” he asked with a know-it-all brow raised high.
“Every day is our honeymoon,” I answered, and my buddy chuckled just as Logan strode up beside him.
“Happy for you, man.” Nate patted my back, and I nodded, unable to say a word since so many damn emotions rolled through me.
“Same, Ron.” I glanced over at Logan, and we both nodded before my attention moved back to my wife and her baby belly.
A baby belly that had popped in the last two weeks. Our little cupcake or muffin was about three months out from making his or her grand appearance into our life. I couldn’t wait.
I looked around our backyard and smiled at the friends and family who had joined us to witness us say I do . Evie didn’t want anything fancy. She’d insisted on something homy and comfortable, and when I’d suggested having it in the backyard, she had jumped at making all the plans.
My woman was crazy smart and organized.
Not only did she run her business, but I swear Eveyln could have easily started a side gig as an event planner with how fast she pulled this together. I could only imagine the great birthday parties she would plan for our little one. Or little ones, god willing.
“Happy?” Logan asked. I nodded.
“Never knew it could be like this,” I rasped and heard the rough grunt he made. It wasn’t any shade on Sara or what we had, but we’d been kids back then. We’d been happy, but I’d lived decades alone after she passed away. This thing with Evie felt so different.
“Look!” Kylie said with a giggle. The other girls ooed and awed, and my attention moved to my bride.
Right on her shoulder sat a beautiful, bright blue butterfly. Just the sight of it made my shoulders lighter. The photographer rushed over and took a couple of shots. My bride smiled, and I swear to god she glowed.
I didn’t have to wonder to know it was Sara stopping by to make sure she gave me a sign that she was okay. Not just from wherever she was but with this, with my life. I blinked tears away and smiled.
“I better go see my wife,” I muttered, not giving the two guys a glance as I moved through the crowd and straight to the dance floor. When I reached her, I swear the butterfly made eye contact with me before it flew off.
“Hey, handsome. Did you see that?” Evie’s eyes were wide and bright.
“I did. You okay? Need anything? Something to drink or eat or maybe?—“
“Just my husband,” she cut me off. “And for him to dance with me,” she requested. I felt my face turn warm.
There was a lot I could do and not blink an eye over.
Walk onto a scene with blood and guts, no problem.
But dancing? I had two left feet. Luckily, the DJ turned on something slow.
A soft Spanish song about loving someone for a hundred years and it not being enough.
My hand wrapped around her waist. Her baby bump was steady and cozy between us as she leaned forward and rested her head on my shoulder. We slow-danced the night away.
I couldn’t believe this was my life. I felt so damn lucky. Like I’d won the lottery somehow. I’d given up on the idea of my own happily ever after. Thankfully, love hadn’t given up on me.