Epilogue
BECKETT ~ EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER…
I’ve never been more nervous for anything in my life. I stand in front of all of our closest friends and family. This has probably been the craziest two years of my entire life. So many things that I never even thought would happen have.
As I look out over the crowd, I know that it’s all worth it. That there’s no way that I would change anything about this moment, or about my life in general, because if I did, it would have never led me to her.
My beautiful Sloane, who should be walking down the aisle any minute now.
We’re getting married today. April 19th, exactly two years ago, she took my life and completely flipped it upside down in the best way possible.
The crowd stands, and my heart stutters in my chest when I see her standing at the end of the aisle.
I’ve never seen anyone look as beautiful as she does.
The white gown, her hair falling down her back in loose waves, her eyes shine with tears.
Kaden stands on her left, Mocha on her right, as they walk her down the aisle.
Briar, Monica, Chanel, and Lottie sit in the front row next to Mason, because Sloane didn’t want groomsmen or bridesmaids. She wanted it to just be us, and I am totally ok with that.
When she gets to the altar, Kaden kisses her cheek and takes Mocha’s leash before offering me her hand so she can step up and stand in front of me.
I take her hands in mine and stare at her. I don’t hear the officiant, or the applause, or anything that is said, as I just stare at her. She reaches her hand out and brushes a tear away. I hadn’t even realized that I was crying.
“Do you, Sloane Isabelle Derwin-Monroe, take Beckett James Hayes, to be your lawful wedded husband, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health?” the priest asks.
“I do.” She whispers.
“And do you, Beckett James Hayes, take Sloane Isabelle Derwin-Monroe to be your lawful wedded wife, to love and hold, in sickness and in health?”
“I do.”
“Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
I don’t need permission anymore as I pull her into my arms, cupping her cheeks and pressing our lips together.
She clutches my suit jacket as our lips move softly together; the noise of the cheers gets drowned out as I kiss her.
She pulls away first, and it’s probably a good thing because I’m not sure I would have.
“Mr. And Mrs. Beckett Derwin-Hayes.”
The crowd cheers louder, and Mocha barks. Kaden lets go of his leash, and our little ball of chaos runs over and all but tackles us to the ground.
Sloane laughs as she picks him up, not caring about her dress or her hair. Mocha kisses her face and whimpers as he nuzzles his face into her neck, acting like he’s just a small lap dog and not fifty pounds of muscle and fur.
Sloane sets him down, taking his leash into her hand and mine in the other, and we walk down the aisle together, disappearing into the venue.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur. A million faces, a million forced smiles, and a million other things that make me want to get out of here. By the looks of it, Sloane’s social battery depleted about an hour ago.
“Hey, how about we sneak away for a few minutes?” I whisper, taking her hand in mine, and she nods eagerly.
We slip through a back door and up the small staircase to a private suite, food, and white wine for just the two of us, so we can have a minute to unwind.
“Let me help you undress,” I whisper, pulling her to me. Since the after-party is just getting started, she wanted us to wear matching Mr. and Mrs. Sweatsuits.
She nods, and I press a kiss into the crook of her neck. “You look absolutely gorgeous, baby,” I whisper, lightly sucking on her ear.
“Ahh…” She gasps as my fingers tug on her zipper, kissing down her neck and back as I free her from the silk fabric.
“Shhhh, baby, let me take care of you,” I whisper as she steps out of the dress and turns to face me, my pupils dilating as I stare at her in the white lace set.
“So fucking gorgeous, and so fucking mine,” I growl, pulling her to me by her hips.
“Beckett… we can’t,” She whispers as I leave a trail of open-mouth kisses down her neck.
“Why not? Who’s going to stop us?” I whisper as her hands clutch my suit coat.
“No… No one,” she gasps as her head falls back while I suck on the tender skin below her ear.
“I want to pleasure my wife. I want to make you feel so good, to forget about everyone but me. I want to bury myself inside you and remind you that you’re all fucking mine.”
“I’m yours, Beck.”
“Good girl,” I whisper, as she stops fighting, melting into my touch.
“Let me kneel before my queen and worship her,” I say, massaging her skin as I kiss down her body, slowly dropping to my knees.
“Beckett,” she moans as I kiss below her belly button.
I look up at her, and her cheeks are flushed, and her pupils dilated. She looks like an angel, all dressed in white.
She pushes me back so that I’m sitting. “It’s our day, not just mine,” she whispers, nibbling on my ear, her fingers nimbly undoing the buttons of my dress shirt.
“Are you sure, baby?”
She nods, kissing the underside of my jaw and then down my neck.
I lay us down on the floor once she gets my shirt undone, rolling us so that I’m on top.
This is it for me, her, and whatever comes next.
I’ve spent my whole life searching for someone like her, and I think I would’ve kept searching because it was always supposed to be her.
I just never knew it. I love her, and I love our life, and every day I will continue to prove my worth to her, because she’s mine, and I’ll be damned if anyone ever comes and tries to take my sweet girl.
I always thought that home was four walls and a roof, who would’ve thought that it’s actually just wherever she is.
“I love you, Beckett,” she says with a small smile.
“I love you, too.” I press our lips together and slide into her. Home. No matter what comes next, I’ll always be by her side, because that’s where I belong.