EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
MEADOW
“You all are being ridiculous,” I gripe to my friends. “You’ve kept me out all day and I’m tired.”
Even though I’ve enjoyed the spa day and all the pampering, I’m antsy to get home. I want to see my husband. There’s something I need to tell him and keeping it a secret while surrounded by my best friends, the only sisters I’ve ever known, is almost impossible.
I think they know I’m keeping something from them because they’ve been acting kind of weird all day. Then again, I might just be paranoid because keeping a secret is not easy for me.
I look down at the dress I’m wearing, it’s white and covered with gorgeous floral embroidery. They encouraged me to buy it when we did a little shopping before our spa experience. Then they insisted that I put it on after we were done.
“It’s your anniversary,” Gemma reminded me as mischief danced in her eyes. “Rook’s mouth is going to fall open, and his tongue is going to roll out of his mouth like a cartoon when he sees you.”
She was teasing me, but I also know she wasn’t wrong. It’s the only reason I agreed to put on the dress. It’s not often I get the chance to dress up, but I think my anniversary is a damn good reason.
I’m not paying attention until I feel us turn off the road and onto the drive at the farm. It’s Rook’s now, well, ours. Officially. All the paperwork has been signed, and no one can take it away from my husband.
His father tried to fight it, but he lost. I’m glad he did and now he’s disappeared. Again.
Good. The last thing Rook needs is that man in his life. The fact that he threw his son away, just abandoned him, makes my stomach clench and anger surge through me. Even now, it’s impossible for me to understand.
My hand presses against my lower abdomen and I breathe out slowly. That’ll never happen to our kids, I’ll make sure of it and Rook will too.
When I look at the farmhouse, the one we’ve slowly been turning into our home over the last year, I catch a glimpse of something around the side. I blink a few times and then my eyebrows pull together.
“Why is there a floral arbor over there?”
We come to a stop, and Mayer turns from where she’s driving to look at me. Gemma’s hand comes forward from the backseat, and she gives my shoulder a squeeze. Greylin is grinning from ear to ear and practically bouncing in her seat.
Mayer’s voice is cryptic, “It’s a surprise.”
I scoff, “A surprise which is about to be revealed, apparently, so how about you just tell me what is going on?”
Instead of answering me, they all climb out of the car. I scramble behind them and whine, “Come on. I thought we were sisters.”
Greylin wraps her arm around my shoulders and squeezes. “We are, which is why we’re not talking.”
When we walk around the corner of the house, the entire set-up comes into view. There are rows of chairs in front of the arch, and every chair is filled. Everyone turns toward me and I freeze.
Rook is standing underneath the arch with a huge smile on his face. And I know.
Tears fill my eyes and when one falls, Mayer is there to wipe it away with a serious look on her face. “None of that,” she hisses. “At least not until after pictures.”
“This is a wedding,” I state the obvious, my voice a mixture of awe and confusion.
Mayer’s eyes soften and she nods. “It’s your wedding,” she says the words with weight, with importance.
My wedding.
“I’m already married,” I insist with a shake of my head.
“Rook wanted to give you a real ceremony, one where you could say your vows in front of everyone who matters, not just a select few. He wanted everyone to witness your love and commitment,” Greylin gushes, her hands clasped together and held up in front of her chest. “Isn’t it romantic?”
Before I can answer, Rook lets out an impatient huff and then he’s stalking down the aisle in my direction. He nods at my best friends, but then his brown eyes lock on me and my knees go a little weak.
“I’ve got it from here,” his voice is rough as he offers me his hand. “I’ll escort my wife down the aisle.”
None of my friends protest, which just goes to show you how much Rook has earned their trust and respect. My hand slides into his and he squeezes, grounding both of us in this moment.
A wedding.
A ceremony.
Even though we’re already married.
My girls each kiss my cheek and then Rook’s before going to find their seats. But I don’t look away from his eyes. I can’t.
His voice drops low to ensure that only I can hear him, “Is this okay?” I swallow hard and nod slowly, still processing what is about to happen.
A ceremony.
In front of everyone who matters.
My heart starts to pound behind my sternum, but his hand is gripping mine and it’s enough. It’s more than enough.
“I didn’t hire an officiant since we’re already married, but after living with you and loving you for the last year, I wanted a do-over on the vows and to give everyone a chance to witness them,” his voice is hesitant like he’s not sure how I’m going to react to his surprise.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out the words and my eyes go wide.
Everything slows around us and Rook stops breathing for what feels like a hell of a long time but is really only seconds. The longer it lasts, the more worried I get. I bite my lower lip and try not to cry.
Before I can spiral any further, he’s there and I’m in his arms and pressed up against him. Then he’s kissing me, not giving a fuck that people are waiting for us to get this thing going. I melt into him and can almost taste his happiness on my tongue.
“I love you, Wildflower,” he rasps against my lips.
“I love you, Rook.”
He presses his forehead against mine and takes a breath before standing to his full height with tears shining in his eyes and his hand sliding along my belly even though I’m not showing at all. His voice is husky, “Let’s get married. Again.”
My head tips back and my laughter floats across the land which has been in Rook’s family for generations, land we’ll pass down to our kids.
“Yeah, let’s get married again, husband,” I tease him.
I expect him to lead me down the aisle, but he surprises me by sweeping me up into his arms and striding back toward the arbor. His steps are quick and sure, like he can’t wait to say his vows while ensuring my safety.
That’s my husband and I love it for him.
As he says his vows, I feel every word land and wrap around my heart to remind me that the bounty of life is love. Always has been, always will be.