EPILOGUE
ZANDER
Three months later
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It was no surprise to any of us when the girls adopted Courtney into our group with open arms. Riley gave birth to a baby girl, Tyler, and they’re like one big mom’s group. I don’t know why Mason hasn’t popped the question yet, but Lexi doesn’t seem fazed.
Initially, Court and I discussed having just one best man and bridesmaid because Kylie was her obvious and only choice, but then she wanted Emily and Gemma in the bridal party. So today, standing beside me as I wait for my beautiful bride are Drew, Sebastian, and Mason.
Why those three?
Short straws. No joke. We stood around my kitchen counter, and the guys pulled straws. I couldn’t choose; they’re all important to me.
Dereck, Colt and Damon walk over carrying a silver hipflask and set of shot glasses.
“Dudes, I’m about to get married.” I laugh. “Always happy for a drink, but maybe later.”
“The girls are delayed another ten minutes,” Colt says. “So, I’m helping your nerves.”
“No nerves,” I tug my collar, and Dereck laughs as they pour out a shot of the whisky.
“Let’s raise a glass to Jack,” Sebastian says. “We pledged to let only women we love into our worlds, and so far I think we’re doing a good job.”
The moment hangs heavy in the air as we glance at one another, lift our shot glasses, and toss them back.
The memories and grief of our youth are never far away. Jack didn’t deserve to lose his life over money. Over greed.
“I only met him once,” Dereck lowers his glass. “Good guy.”
“Yeah, he was. Think he truly loved her?” I ask the guys now that we are older and have experienced what love is.
“I dunno.” Mason rubs his jaw. “Jack never had a girlfriend before Sandy. She was pushy and didn’t give him a chance to think for himself.”
“I think he loved her.” Drew shares. “He was infatuated with her.”
“Bet he didn’t feel like that when he took his last breath.” I growl, then before I can stop myself I add, “I have a confession.”
I glance at the doorway, waiting for my bride and hoping she doesn’t appear right in this moment.
The superyacht we’re getting married on is floating on the Hudson River; the weather perfect with a light breeze and sun high in the sky.
The deck is laid out with white chairs, green topiary plants, and pink roses.
All I know is that the bridesmaids are wearing rose pink.
I’m dying to see Courtney in her dress. She has a little bump now, and while she’s spent three months trying to hide it, I hope it's on show for our world to see today.
I’m proud as hell of her as a mother already.
“Are we burying Sandy?” Drew asks. “I have the shoes.”
“Seriously worried about you, man.” Sebastian shoots him a look while we all laugh.
“She’s alive.” I share. “I found her.”
Four sets of darkly intense eyes meet mine.
“Where?” Mason grinds out, and before I can answer, the music starts.
“Motherfucker,” Colt curses. “Enjoy your day, my friend, then later we need to hear everything.”
It’s time.
They need to hear everything I’ve learned.
“I promise,” I turn back to the entrance where Courtney is about to step through as Colt, Dereck, and Damon take their seats.
The soft breeze brushes my face as I wait.
Then suddenly she’s there, looking like an angel, and my heart soars into the heavens. My God, I love this woman more than I thought possible.
In the seats before me, my mother and father sit in witness of our marriage. Yes, they had opinions on this match, knowing the history of Courtney’s past, but once they had time to process the fact they were having a grandbaby, a softness I’d never seen from them sank in.
She won their hearts. She and Mom chat almost daily, and Courtney brought her into the wedding planning. Dad offered to walk her down the aisle, but she declined.
“Thank you, but I want to walk alone. Sad as that sounds, life for me has always been a solo journey. That ends now, so it feels poignant that I walk into my husband’s arms on my own.”
God, I’d nearly shed a tear.
Mom had glanced at me, her own eyes filled with emotion, then walked over to Courtney and gave her a hug. “My son has chosen an incredible woman. You are going to be a wonderful mother. I can’t wait to get to know you more.”
Then I did fucking cry.
Courtney chose not to invite her parents, which I supported after learning everything about her upbringing. While I wanted our baby to know their family, not if they were still addicts. No way.
It was something we would work through as we made our way through life.
With each step, the delicate sheer netting of Courtney’s champagne-colored gown billows and sways. The bodice is cinched at the waist with a gold belt. She smiles as she gets closer, holding the white and pink rose bouquet close to her body.
When she stops before me, I glance into her eyes, then reach out and place my hand on our baby. The dress is perfect. It neither hides it nor reveals it.
“You’re stunning,” I rasp.
Her eyes sparkle, and I want to pull her into my arms.
“Okay, tiger.” Sebastian clears his throat. “Vows first.”
Courtney smirks, then turns to smile at her bridesmaids, Kylie, Emily, and Gemma. The latter is due to marry Drew one day soon.
I spot Kylie shoot Dereck one of her dark glares; the one I’ve seen her give him a dozen times in the past three months. They both claim it’s fine on a regular basis and are civil with one another, but that’s about as much as we can get out of them.
“We are gathered here today...” I drown the woman out as I stare down into my almost-wife’s face.
I love you, I mouth.
Love you, too, Courtney mouths back as we grin at one another.
I don’t know what I thought love was going to be, but I never expected it to be a best friend beyond what I already had.
In female form. One I want to stay up all night talking to as if we were kids.
About adult things. Then the desire to make love to her so passionately I almost molded us into one person.
But that’s how it feels.
In the past three months we’d loved, fought, disagreed, agreed, and fallen asleep in each other’s arms.
I’ve had nightmares that she was taken from me, and that our baby was born without a head. I’ve dreamed of moving to the Hamptons, where our family can have a better life than in the city. With a yard, swimming pool and playground.
It’s beautiful, terrifying, and wonderful.
“I do,” she says, and my heart beats a million happy miles an hour.
“I do,” I rasp, wanting so fucking bad to kiss her.
When I slide the wedding band onto her finger, I feel the first lock snap into place inside my soul. But when she nudges mine over my fat knuckle, I’m running out of patience.
I’m kissing her in ten, nine, eight, seven...
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss—”
I lift Courtney into my arms and slam my mouth down on hers as she giggles.
Yes.
She’s mine.
Forever.
When I release her, the love pouring from her is beyond anything I’ve ever seen.
“My wife.”
“Zander, you were always the only man for me.” She cups my face.
“Don’t you forget it.” I kiss her again. “How long until I can take you to bed?”
Courtney loops her arms around my neck. “Hours, but I’m not wearing panties, so—”
In one swell move, I toss my bride over my shoulder as she lets out a squeal. “Back in ten. Make that twenty.”
I march down the aisle, caveman style, ignoring all the hollas and laughter, and Sebastian calling out my name.
“You’re crazy, Zander Sterling.”
I smack her bottom. “Get used to it, Mrs. Sterling. Especially if you’re going to walk around without panties on.”
I kick open the door and drop her to her feet. We both stand there smiling at each other like idiots.
“We just left our wedding,” Courtney giggles.
“Do you want to go back?” I probably was an idiot, but I’m a man in love, and that’s apparently on brand now.
“No. I’ll always choose you.” She steps closer, sliding her hands up over my white shirt. “But you are not taking this dress off me.”
“Then bend over, wife.” I nip her lips. “I want to hear you say I do over and over and over.”
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THE END