Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Three months later
Rafael stood outside the door to the boat factory, dressed in a black suit and sapphire blue tie and a white rose pinned to his lapel.
Gisele stood beside him, wearing a matching sapphire blue dress that hugged the upper half of her body like a second skin. The skirt flared out from below her hips in billowing drifts of shimmering sapphire chiffon.
She’d worn her hair down in loose, soft curls with a white rose tucked behind her ear, in stark contrast to her dark tresses. She was the most beautiful woman he could ever have dreamed of loving and an even lovelier bride .
Rafael shook his head, aware that he hadn’t stopped smiling since he’d woken that morning.
Today was their wedding day.
They’d decided on non-traditional clothing and a non-traditional venue at the boat factory. Gisele had asked Shelby to officiate, even though she was a very plump, eight-month pregnant woman. She was happy, healthy and glad she’d been wrong about Rafael not being the right man for Gisele.
The entire contingent of Bayou Brotherhood Protectors were seated with their women folk.
The music started. Remy and Gerard opened the double doors and stood back for the bride and groom to walk together down the aisle.
Rafael wouldn’t have to stand and wait for his bride to come to him. He would be by her side now and forever.
Gisele’s friends and her cousin Bianca had decorated the boat factory with lush greenery and white roses.
Rafael had worked with his buddies to arrange a special surprise, bringing Johnny and his cage to the ceremony. The ladies had even decorated his stand.
When Gisele saw the cage, she laughed and squeezed Rafael’s hand. “Thank you.”
Grand-mère Gautier stood by in a multi-colored kaftan, a serene smile gracing her lips. The day before she’d attended the grand opening of the new women’s shelter built with Ronald Caney’s bag of money.
As Gisele walked alongside Rafael, she leaned close and whispered, “Did I tell you I’d promised Bianca that I would make you fall in love with me and then dump you to teach you a lesson in love?”
Rafael shot a glance her way, his brow puckered. “Please tell me I’m not about to be pranked.”
Gisele laughed. “No. I told her that at least I got it half-right.”
“You got me to fall in love with you,” he said, squeezing her hand gently. “And you taught me a lesson on love. I’m glad you didn’t dump me.”
“So am I,” Gisele said.
They came to stand in front of Shelby, with Johnny entertaining the crowd with,
You break it, you buy it, asshole.
and
Get me a beer, woman.
As Rafael approached, Johnny had other words to say.
Cheeky Bastard.
and
He’s a Keeper.
Rafael knew Gisele had been working with him on a new phrase, but he had yet to hear it.
They read their own vows and promised to love and respect each other. When it came time to say their I dos, Johnny had his two seconds of fame when he added his sentiment…
Just say I do.
Rafael, fully recovered from his wounds, hugged and kissed his wife, happy he’d found the one for him.