Epilogue Asia
The day of our wedding ceremony dawned with perfect spring weather—a soft blue sky, gentle sunshine, and just enough breeze to rustle the cherry blossoms that decorated the garden venue.
Six months pregnant, I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bridal suite, hardly recognizing the woman who stared back at me.
My dress was not what I'd envisioned when I used to daydream about my wedding as a girl.
Instead of a traditional white gown, I'd chosen an elegant champagne-colored silk that draped beautifully over my rounded belly.
My makeup artist had created a look that enhanced my natural glow, and my hair was adorned with small white flowers that matched my bouquet.
"You look stunning," Bella said, coming up behind me. As my bridesmaid, she was wearing a sage green dress that complemented her complexion perfectly.
I turned to her, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. "I can't believe this is happening."
She smiled, squeezing my hand. "Believe it, honey. You've earned this happiness."
A soft knock at the door interrupted us. When Bella opened it, my mother stood there, breathtaking in a silver-blue ensemble that made her look ten years younger.
"Oh, Asia," she breathed, her eyes filling with tears. "My beautiful girl."
I opened my arms and she hugged me, careful not to disturb my dress as we embraced each other. The familiar scent of the perfume she'd worn all my life caused a fresh wave of emotions to travel through me.
"Don't make me cry," I warned, laughing even as I blinked back tears. "They spent an hour on this makeup."
My mother pulled back, dabbing at her eyes. "I won't, I promise. I just had to see you before the ceremony." She looked radiant, more at peace than I'd seen her in years. Her new husband, Dexter, had brought a lightness to her that I barely remembered from my childhood.
"Is Dexter keeping Dad in check?" I asked, only half-joking.
She rolled her eyes, but there was no real irritation behind it. "Your father is being perfectly civil. The divorce seems to have humbled him a bit."
That was one way of putting it. My father's wife had left him after he slept with my mother. He'd shown up to the rehearsal dinner alone, subdued but supportive. It was the most mature I'd seen him act in years.
"It's almost time," Bella said, checking her watch. "I'm going to go see if everyone's seated."
After she left, my mother helped me with my final preparations—adjusting my dress, securing a loose hairpin, and making sure everything was in place.
I hugged her. "I love you."
"I love you too, Asia. More than you'll ever know."
Another knock came, and this time it was my father, handsome in his tuxedo despite the new lines on his face.
"It's time," he said, his voice thick with emotion when he saw me. "You look beautiful, Asia."
My mother gave me one last kiss on the cheek before leaving to take her seat. My father offered his arm, and I took it, feeling steady despite the enormity of the moment.
"Ready?" he asked.
I nodded. "More than ready."
The garden looked like something from a fairy tale as we stepped outside.
Rows of white chairs lined a grassy aisle, and an arch of flowers stood at the end where Nyree was waiting.
Our guests—a small gathering of family and close friends—turned to watch as the music began and I started my walk with my father.
But I barely noticed them. All I could see was Nyree.
He stood tall and straight in his charcoal suit, his eyes fixed on me with such love and wonder that it took my breath away.
Beside him, his groomsmen, Blake and Jamel, were grinning broadly, but Nyree's expression was solemn.
As I drew closer, I could see the sheen of tears in his eyes, and my own vision blurred in response.
When we reached the arch, my father placed my hand in Nyree's, kissed my cheek, and stepped away. Nyree's fingers tightened around mine.
"You are breathtaking," he whispered, so only I could hear.
The ceremony itself passed in a blur of emotion.
We had written our own vows, and Nyree's words—honest, vulnerable, and deeply loving—moved not just me but many of our guests to tears.
When my turn came, I was surprised by my own steadiness, by the certainty I felt as I promised myself to this man who had changed my life in ways I never could have imagined.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," our officiant said at last. "You may kiss the bride."
Nyree cupped my face with gentle hands and kissed me with such tenderness that I felt it in my soul. The baby chose that exact moment to kick vigorously, as if joining in the celebration, and I couldn't help but laugh against Nyree's lips.
"Someone's excited," I murmured, and he placed a hand on my belly, his smile widening when he felt another kick.
"That's my girl," he said proudly, convinced we were having a daughter despite our decision not to find out until birth.
The reception was held in a beautifully decorated tent adjacent to the garden.
As we entered, introduced to the world for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, I caught sight of our families mingled together—my mother and Dexter chatting animatedly with Nyree's mother; Isis sitting with Jayden, who looked adorable in his little suit; Bella and Blake dancing slowly.
"Happy?" Nyree asked as we took our seats at the head table.
I leaned against him, overwhelmed with contentment. "More than I ever thought possible."
After we ate, it was time to dance.
As we swayed together under the soft lights, surrounded by the people who mattered most to us, I felt a profound sense of rightness. The path that had brought us here had been chaotic, messy, and often painful, but standing in Nyree's arms, I couldn't regret a single step of it.
This wasn't the life I had planned. It was better. It was real. It was ours.