EPILOGUE #2
Javi looked chastened, pulling Lola close to peck her lips. “Fine, you’re right. I’ll make sure she stays out of the pig pens until after the reception. I want a dance with both my girls, and being covered in mud won’t do.” He pinched her hip and sauntered off to find Katie.
“And just when I thought I made the wrong choice, the man does something like that.” Lola huffed out a laugh.
“He’s an idiot, but he’s our idiot,” Malcolm agreed, reaching out and giving Lola a side hug. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Everything. Being our photographer, being such a good friend, and obviously putting up with Ortiz. I know he’s no picnic.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Lola blinked a few times, finding her voice.
“You’re welcome, but you know I should be thanking you.
You’re part of the reason Katie and I have settled in as well as we have, and I mean more than the Javi thing.
You welcomed me into your circle, and I really appreciate that.
” Clearly on the verge of more tears, Malcolm cleared his throat.
“Having said all that, you’re still paying me for this gig.
” She let out a watery laugh, and Malcolm gave her another quick hug.
“Yeah, but payment doesn’t include loving my friend.”
“It should. I think I deserve hazard pay.”
Malcolm’s head fell back as he laughed, and Lola took a quick picture of the carefree moment. “Let’s get you out there. Your girl is waiting. Besides, I don’t trust Katie and Javi not to let that damn pig out before it’s time.”
“Excellent point, let’s roll.” Malcolm and Lola exited the barn and headed toward the pond.
Dozens of white chairs were lined up in rows facing the water, the sun just starting to dip to the horizon.
They were approaching the magic hour, when the farm transformed into a wonderland bathed in purples and pinks.
If he had a dime for every time he and Jessie watched fireflies and stars on this land, he’d be a rich man.
But that wasn’t fair, he mused as he collected himself.
He was richer than any man here, because he finally had his girl.
Malcolm joined Javi at the front of the scene, hugging his parents on his walk to the altar. He was proud of his mother, as ridiculous as that was to say. She’d kept her theatrics mostly private, letting the bride shine like the diamond she was.
A moment later the string quartet started, the familiar wedding march floating around the guests.
The air smelled like juniper and a mix of perfumes and colognes from their guests.
A sea of happy faces beamed back at Malcolm, and he nearly pinched himself.
Everything was perfect; it was almost a dream.
He saw everyone from town whom he loved and respected, from his brothers—and sister—from the fire station to his friends and neighbors.
The chief was seated with Daisy, Gus at their feet.
His ears were splayed out, snout sniffing the grass.
He and Jessie had discussed which animals in their lives would help on their special day.
Since Gus had stolen the show at Trevor and Whitney’s wedding, it only seemed fair to give him the night off.
As the music grew louder, Whitney walked down the aisle, slowly in her heels and growing frame. When he and Jessie had picked the date, they never imagined Whitney and Trevor would be weeks from their due date.
Next he spied Katie, who held a leash for Oinks and had the biggest smile on her face.
Oinks had a harness on, topped with the box of rings.
As she walked down the aisle, Katie tossed rose petals on the ground, all the while keeping the pig from eating them.
If he wasn’t so eager to see JJ, he would have laughed at the adorable scene.
Judging from the sniffles beside him, Javi was losing the battle to stay composed.
Then the music changed, and he spied his captain and his girl at the end of the aisle. It was all he could do not to sprint to her—because he could thankfully do that now—but he stayed put. He wouldn’t do anything to ruin this perfect moment.
Jessie and Trevor walked toward him, her gaze never leaving Malcolm’s.
She was a vision in white, her eyes welling with tears.
It was only when she reached him at the altar that he realized his cheeks were damp.
She yanked a handkerchief from around her bouquet and patted his cheeks.
“Don’t cry,” she cooed. “I’ve already bawled enough for the both of us,” she teased, a tear escaping.
Malcolm snatched her hand before she could pull away, gently kissing her palm. “I love you, JJ.”
“I love you, too,” Jessie said, lip trembling.
Trevor leaned forward and said, “Can you two keep it together, please? My wife can’t stand in these heels for long.”
“Shh.” Whitney tsked behind him, and everyone laughed.
“If we can get started.” The pastor chuckled. “I think these two would like to get married.” Under his breath, he muttered, “And I wouldn’t mind a seat, too.”
Malcolm would love to say he remembered every moment after that, but he didn’t.
What he remembered, what he would cherish until his dying day, was the feeling of committing to not only Jessie, but to their life together.
He remembered the sensation of her hand in his as she slipped a ring onto his finger.
He remembered the feel of her in his arms as they twirled under the fairy lights to their song, the taste of the sweet sparkling Moscato as they toasted their nuptials.
He remembered their first moment alone after the wedding was over, the sight of her in her lingerie that will live rent-free in his mind.
Malcolm will remember the feeling of so much love from all the people he cared for, together to celebrate him and JJ.
As he rolled over in bed, cuddling his wife against him. He traced a finger over the cluster of stars she’d had tattooed after their engagement, right on the tender skin of her wrist. Malcolm had a matching set of his own, their own permanent constellation.
Malcolm whispered, “Good night, Mrs. Smith.”
“Good night, Mr. Smith,” JJ hummed. “Today was perfect.”
And Malcolm couldn’t agree more.