25. Epilogue Part Two
Epilogue: Part Two
Lizzie
April
“Who would’ve thought that I’d be getting married in my own backyard?”
I link arms with Papa before he walks me down the makeshift aisle Jane and Nic set up with pale pink and purple flowers and decor to match the wedding colors I picked the night I got engaged.
“Who would’ve thought you’d be getting married so soon?” Papa asks, and we both laugh.
He’s right. It all happened so fast. I got engaged six months ago in November.
Now it’s mid-April, and I’m officially going to be Mrs. Darcy. Six months of planning for this moment have come and gone. But Will and I are ready.
We have a successful business together, more money than we know what to do with thanks to his inheritance, and he has a beautiful estate with five bedrooms on the East Side.
We had to wait for the house to be remodeled and for a few updates to be made to the cafe, but once everything was ready, we knew we were ready to say I do, so a spring wedding just made sense.
And, the cherry blossoms blooming all around us only make the day even more beautiful.
Nic, Jane, and I started planning the wedding soon after the engagement. Three of my sisters, who now work for me, helped prepare the self-serve drinks and desserts and secured catering for the reception.
They plan to check on the setup and the extra staff we hired for the day to make sure everything is running smoothly, so Will and I don’t have to. My sisters also helped me find a gorgeous, white, sparkly ball gown wedding dress. Mama even loved it. So I’m not complaining.
Jane and Nic, my maids of honor, blow me kisses as they walk ahead of us. Nic walks with Jay, and Jane walks with Edward. My sisters follow behind them as my other maids of honor. I couldn’t make my sisters bridesmaids, or they would be upset. Everyone is happier this way.
Will’s sister is his best woman, and Edward and Jay are his best men.
It’s not an even wedding party, but we have everyone standing in a semicircle around us to make it feel full.
His parents walk out with my mom after the wedding party, smiling at me before taking their places.
I’m so happy his dad is doing much better and that his family has been able to visit us a couple of times here in Selah Falls since he was released from the hospital and cleared to travel.
They aren’t just Will’s family anymore. They’re family to me too.
Then it’s just Papa and me. We walk out to an instrumental version of “When You Look Me in the Eyes” by the Jonas Brothers, played by the same keyboardist from Nic and Jay’s wedding ceremony.
As if it were destined, Will and I lock eyes. He’s wearing a white tux, and I swear he was born to wear one. I can feel his love radiating through his smile. I hope he can feel mine too.
I can’t believe it. I can’t believe I’m getting married here, and after today’s ceremony and celebration, I’ll finally get to officially move into this big house on the East Side with Will and out of the small home I share with my sisters.
I spent so much time trying not to fall in love with Will. Now look at us. Maybe he can read my mind because he shakes his head in disbelief as he watches me, tears filling his eyes while I walk down the aisle toward him on this unseasonably warm April day in our new backyard.
The sun shines down on us as we say I do, like God is smiling down on us too.
And I think I’ve caught a tiny glimpse of heaven when Will kisses me softly.
I hold on to him like I never want to let go.