Epilogue
EVAN
Three months later
Today is the day Ava and Jaxon get married.
A day of love.
A day of celebration.
With all of my favourite people.
I adjust my black bowtie in the mirror as Caleb emerges from the bathroom behind me. My eyes follow him as he flicks down the collar of his shirt, and then does up the buttons on his cuffs with ease.
There’s no exaggeration when I say I stop breathing. He’s devastatingly beautiful. All filled-out muscle, with his tattoos peeking out of his collar and sleeves.
Caleb’s eyes eventually flick to mine in the reflection, and he smiles instantly. He reaches over to take his navy jacket off the hanger before sliding it onto his arms, and straightening it out at the front.
He takes slow steps towards me, leaning forward to kiss my temple as he stares at me in the mirror. “You look handsome,” he tells me, eyes wide with admiration.
“So do you,” I whisper. “You look…” I pause to find the right word. “Exquisite.”
He grins brightly. “Exquisite?”
I purse my lips and nod. “So handsome it’s honestly offending me.”
“Oh, no.” He buries his head into my neck, gently grazing my mark. “How do I stop offending you?”
My cheeks hurt from smiling so damn much. “Everyone is going to be looking at you.”
Caleb scoffs. “Like I give a fuck. I only have eyes for you.”
And I know it, too. In a room full of people, his eyes will gravitate to mine.
“How are you feeling?” he asks as he takes my hand in his.
I turn around to face him and nod. “Good.”
“You taken your medication today?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay,” he says before pecking my lips. “Come on. We'd better get going before we’re late.”
I chuckle. “It’s only in the garden.”
“I know, but someone took too long getting ready.”
My eyes roll. “Sorry, I want to look good.”
“You always look good, pups.” He gives me one last kiss before we head downstairs.
We greet Jaxon, who is standing with Kayden.
“Hey, man,” Caleb says as he approaches Jaxon.
He turns to us and grins, bringing him into a hug. “Hey, guys,” he says before slapping his hand down onto his back. “Thanks for coming.”
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” I smile.
“Let’s go through.” Kayden gestures towards the gazebo.
Jaxon nods at him as we head towards the chairs. Caleb’s hand finds mine as he gives me a soft squeeze. We sit down in the white, lilac-flowered chairs. Kayden stands beside Jaxon at the front with the celebrant.
Felix and Zara perch beside us as Zara places a hand on her very large stomach. She’s about to pop any day now, but she wouldn’t miss Jaxon and Ava’s wedding, not after how close we’ve become over the past few months.
“Please all stand for the bride,” the celebrant says before soft, stunning music starts to play.
Jaxon lets out a deep breath and faces the front. We all stand up and turn around as Ava walks down the aisle. Her brown hair is in loose waves around her face, and her wedding dress is sleek and clings to her petite figure.
She’s hand in hand with Aurora, who wears a purple princess dress with flowers. Kayleigh and Lucy follow close behind, wearing similar lilac dresses.
I turn back to Jaxon as he looks at her and their daughter, his eyes lighting up with nothing other than love and adoration.
Tears glisten in his eyes as he takes her in, and it chokes me up because there is no doubt how much that man worships the ground she walks on.
They were made for each other, and I’m glad she finally got her happy ever after.
Just as Ava approaches Jaxon, Lucy reaches down to take Aurora up into her arms.
“Fuck,” he curses, which makes Ava laugh as his eyes travel up and down her body before settling on her face. “So beautiful.”
“Not so shabby yourself,” she says before adjusting his collar.
They take each other's hands as their eyes reflect true love, and it makes me want to sob.
“You may now all be seated,” the celebrant says, and we take a seat. “Thank you all for being here to celebrate the marriage of Ava and Jaxon. A celebration of love, a celebration of life, a celebration of forever.”
Lucy reads a passage her and Jaxon’s parents left for them to read at their weddings, and nearly everyone tears up. Kayden, who is the keeper of the rings, steps forward to hold them out as they recite their vows, which has Ava in floods of tears as Jaxon speaks with love and affection.
She’s one of a kind, and I’m relieved she found a man who will love every part of her. Some seem to think I saved her, but really, she’s the one who saved me. I owe her my life in so many ways.
A single tear rolls down my cheek, and I don’t realise how much joy is inside my heart right now.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the celebrant declares after they exchange rings.
Jaxon immediately wraps his arms around Ava’s waist and pulls her into him, his lips capturing hers as she rests her hands on his face.
Everyone stands up to clap, and my hands hurt from how quickly I slap my palms against one another. They pull apart before grinning. Jaxon takes her hand as they begin walking down the aisle, with everyone throwing confetti over them.
There isn’t a second I stop crying. Every time I wipe away my tears, fresh ones start to fall. Caleb wraps his arm around me and kisses my head. I smile at him through my glassy eyes.
“I’m so happy for them,” I whisper.
“Me, too,” he says sincerely.
After waiting for Ava and Jaxon to have their photos with Aurora and family, we gather in the garden with pretty tables and flowers all around the marquee, where there’s a DJ and a dancefloor.
The speeches are sweet and nothing short of pure emotion. We watch as they cut their cake, and then it’s their first dance. Once they invite others onto the dancefloor, I reach for Caleb, and he comes willingly.
We sway to the music as I wrap my arms around his neck and stare up at him.
“A perfect day,” I whisper.
He hums in agreement. “Perfect indeed.”
CALEB
Aurora clings to Kayden’s leg as she demands, “Up, up, up!”
Kayden chuckles and draws her into his arms. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Daddy said I can have cake.”
Kayden’s eyes widen. “Oh, did he now?”
“Yeah. Pretty please!”
“Come here, Rory,” Evan says as he pats his lap. “I still have plenty left over.”
Aurora’s eyes widen as Kayden hands her over to Evan, and she settles in his hold as he wraps his arm around her so she doesn’t fall.
“Have you got it?” Evan asks as he helps her take the fork and cut off a piece from his plate.
“I’m not a baby,” she responds.
But she is, in fact, a baby.
Evan chuckles. “Alright, sassypants. You’re not a baby.”
Aurora hums as she eats the Victoria sponge cake and claps her hands together. “So yummy.”
“You’re the cutest, Rory.” Kayleigh beams at her as she plays with the ends of her curly hair. “You look beautiful today.”
“Thank you,” she says before taking more cake.
A waiter comes around and offers us more champagne, which we all take, but Kayleigh. Evan watches her as she rests a hand on her stomach, and their eyes meet.
“Unlike you not to have a drink, Kayleigh,” Evan jokes, lightheartedly.
Kayleigh buries her teeth into her bottom lip as she attempts to hide her smile, but Kayden takes her hand, and I flick my gaze between them. “It’s still early days, but I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, Goddess,” Evan squeals as he claps a hand over his mouth. “Oh, guys. I’m so happy for you. Congratulations.”
“Please keep it to yourself. I don’t want to go one-upping Jaxon and Ava at their wedding,” she whispers. “Our time and place will come. It’s just not yet. I want to hold onto it for a little while longer.”
Evan nods eagerly. “Of course. Such amazing news.”
“Wanna go dance?” Kayleigh asks, darting her gaze to Evan and Aurora.
I watch as the three of them step up to the dancefloor, and I take the seat beside Kayden. “Congratulations,” I say sincerely. “You will both make great parents.”
Kayden grins at me. “Kayleigh will definitely be an incredible mother. It’s so good to see her happy. To know we’re going to have a family. It’s insane.”
“I’m sure it is,” I state. “You guys deserve this.”
“Thanks, Caleb. I appreciate it.”
My eyes move to Evan on the dancefloor as he dances between Ava, Kayleigh, Lucy, and Aurora. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, his arms on full display, scars and all, and he’s glowing. The entire room lights up, I’m sure of it.
Brightness radiates through him as he sings along to the words—eyes wide and alive, cheeks slightly flushed, and a permanent smile. I can’t take my gaze off him as he moves his body to the upbeat, funky song. So carefree and relaxed.
My heart bursts at the sight of him smiling like nothing in this world could ruin his mood, surrounded by the closest people in his life and the directions they’re moving with their lives.
Evan spins towards me, and our eyes lock. He pants, trying to catch his breath, then shoots me a wink as he grins.
I shake my head and exhale sharply, standing up to walk across the marquee to meet him. My arm slides around his back as I tug him towards me, and he chuckles.
“What are you doing?”
“Couldn’t help myself,” I confess.
His mouth swishes to the side. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Because I want to rip your clothes off.
Evan’s eyes nearly bulge out of his head. You cannot say that to me in public.
I bite back a grin at the adorable twist of his face.
Weddings are incredibly romantic, and seeing you dance? Yeah, that makes me happy and turns me the fuck on.
I’m not doing anything.
Baby, you’re doing everything.
I take his wrists gently and wrap them around my waist before placing mine around his neck. His face presses up against my chest, and I exhale a long breath.
One day, this will be us. I whisper. One day, I’ll get to call you my husband.
Evan shifts his head to peek those gorgeous blue eyes up at me.
A day I thought I’d never get to experience.
I cup his cheek. Well, good thing we’re destined, huh?