22. Epilogue
Epilogue
Jake
I 'm sitting at the reception table, my fingers drumming against the linen as I try to focus on anything but Ellie. She's off at a distance chatting with a few women, her laugh carrying. Charlotte is at the kids' table, having fun with Sophia.
I smile at how happy both my girls are. But damned if I can’t shift my focus to anything or anyone except Ellie.
Ellie’s dress clings to her in all the right places, a soft pink fabric that complements her caramel eyes and the loose tendrils of brown hair. Every time she shifts or turns, the light catches on her glasses, and it's like a damn signal beacon reminding me she's there. I feel guilty for the thoughts running through my head—thoughts about getting her alone, away from this crowd, out of that stunning dress.
The reception hall is alive, pulsating with energy as guests mingle. But none of it compares to the way Ellie blushes when she catches me staring. It's not like I can help it, and hell, now I don’t have to pretend I’m not looking.
She says something to the women she’s talking to and then walks over to me. I catch her around the waist, pulling her close and gazing up at her with what’s probably a heated look.
She taps lightly on my chest. “Jake, stop. You look like a dog in heat and we’re at a wedding.” But her coy smile betrays her, color rising in her cheeks.
I pull her down onto my lap, murmuring in her ear, “Later, I hope to hear my name on your lips again, only you’ll be begging me to keep going.”
She gasps, her cheeks turning even more pink. “Jake!”
My hand slides up her thigh, squeezing gently. “What? Just being honest.” It doesn’t matter what’s happening around us; all I see is Ellie. We’ve been through hell to get here. And now, I get to love her openly. Best feeling in the world.
Before things can escalate and I carry her off to a secluded area—because I would—Marcus stands up, clinking his fork against his glass with a grin that says he's about to put on a show. The room quiets down, everyone's attention drawn to the best man. I brace myself. Here we go.
After he opens by thanking everyone and talking about the great ceremony, he starts to get into the meat of his speech. "First off," Marcus says, a mischievous glint in his eye, "let's talk about the time Asher broke his leg.”
“Let’s not,” Asher cut in, and everyone laughs.
Marcus looks appalled. “You don’t want me to tell everyone how you broke your leg in junior year of high school in the most lame way possible?”
Asher only gives him a menacing look.
Marcus turns back to the crowd. “Well, it was because he tried to impress a girl by jumping off the school roof onto a trampoline. Only, he missed and landed on the grass. You can’t make this stuff up.”
Asher groans while Olivia gives him a look like she hadn’t realized Asher had ever been a dumb teenager.
"But in all seriousness," Marcus continues, "I've seen Asher go through a lot. We've been through thick and thin, but nothing changed him quite like meeting Olivia. To see someone as gruff as him turn into putty whenever she walks into the room...it's something special. Olivia saw beyond Asher’s prickly exterior to the caring man inside. And over the years, I’ve watched as their love transformed Asher into a better man, a man capable of profound joy and tenderness. You two are made for each other, and I know you’ll have a lifetime of happiness together.” "
He scans the crowd, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than the rest. "Just a side note before my big send off: as I was writing this speech and reflecting on my relationship with Asher, I realized that brotherhood comes in many forms. I know another brother of mine who knows a thing or two about tough exteriors hiding big hearts. This man has been through hell and back, yet here he is, standing strong. Him and Asher are a testament to what love and family can do. And family has to stick by one another, even through arguments and differences. As I stand here, I’m immensely thankful to Asher and to all of my brothers."
Marcus looks at me, his eyes misty, and I know he means every word. Damn. I blink back the sting in my eyes, offering Marcus a nod. Our friendship means everything, a lifeline that pulled me from darkness. I’m as thankful as he is that we made it through the challenges.
"Here's to love that transforms us, to family that holds us together, and to friendships that become as solid as blood ties." The room erupts in applause as Marcus raises his glass. “To Asher and Olivia. May you support each other, learn from one another, and find new reasons to fall in love every day. Cheers!”
“Cheers!” The crowd echoes.
And there it is—the weight on my chest fully lifts.
I glance over to Ellie, her eyes glistening. She's dabbing at them with a delicate napkin. "I never knew he could be so... eloquent,” she says. “Seriously, who kidnapped my brother and replaced him with this new version?”
The corner of my mouth tugs up in a half-smile. "Guess he saves it for special occasions."
My thumb brushes over the back of her hand, and I'm struck by how right it feels to just be here with her—this woman who's seen me at my worst and is still sticking around. The music shifts, a slow, melodic tune filling the space.
"May I have this dance?" I ask, standing and offering my hand.
"Of course," Ellie replies, placing her hand in mine, and we make our way to the dance floor.
Ellie rests her head on my shoulder, her body molding to mine as we sway to the music.
"That was beautiful," she whispers. "Marcus cares for you, and I’m so glad he finally got past his stubbornness."
"I know."A lump forms in my throat, gratitude and love and joy tangled into an ache. I press a kiss to Ellie's hair, breathing in the sweet scent of her. "I love you."
She tilts her head up, eyes shining. "Jake."
I kiss her then, a soft, lingering kiss.
The music shifts to something lively, and Charlotte barrels into us, grabbing our hands. "Dance with me!"
Laughter spills out as we spin Charlotte between us, the three of us twirling and moving to the beat. Charlotte's joy is contagious, wiping away the last shadows of grief and pain, leaving only light. And I grin at my future wife.
My family.
We pile into my truck when it’s close to nine, Charlotte half-asleep in Ellie's arms. I drive us home through the dark, familiar curves of the road unwinding before me.
Home. The word settles in my chest, warm and bright.
When we pull up to the house, golden light spills from the windows into the night. Ellie stirs beside me, her hand finding mine over the center console. I give it a squeeze, then I hop out, circling around to help Ellie, but she's already opening the door.
"Jake, I can waddle inside by myself," she teases.
Charlotte yawns from the backseat and mindlessly climbs out, walking toward the house, probably to her room, like a zombie.
I turn my attention back to Ellie. "Indulge me," I grumble, though the truth is, I need this—need to carry her over the threshold, to stake my claim on this new life that's still so hard to believe is mine. So before she can protest further, I scoop her up in my arms.
"Practicing?" she asks, laughter in her voice as I stride up the porch steps.
"Got to be prepared for every scenario," I say, deadpan. But as I cross the threshold and set her down gently, the symbolism isn't lost on either of us.
"Good practice," she approves, standing on tiptoe to press a soft kiss to my lips.
Ellie and I read Charlotte a story and then tuck her into bed. After that, it’s time to finally retreat to our own bedroom.
Once behind the closed door, I make good on what I mentioned earlier, easing Ellie out of her dress and doing things to her that bring my name to her lips, again and again.
After, as I’m falling asleep with my arm draped protectively over Ellie, my thoughts are only of our future.