Epilogue
Cliff
If anyone would have told me six weeks ago that I would have been called to save Charlotte, gain a son and have her back in my life, I would have told them that they were crazy as hell. But here we are. Finally, we are getting married.
She turned over the day to day running of the business to Jim and moved to Las Vegas and in with me.
Today, my son, I still get tears in my eyes when I say that, is my best man, and Charles is my groomsman.
Thomas didn’t have any bad feelings towards me.
He took some vacation time off from the CIA after his assignment ended, so we could spend time getting to know each other and building a bond.
He is still trying to deal with the fact that Charlotte and Ryan lied to him his whole life, but he loves his mother so much and is putting forth the effort needed to move forward.
All of our lives changed because of the kidnapping. I like to think for the better.
When the music started and the guests stood up, I knew that my life was really now just beginning.
I had been just going through life since graduation so many years ago but looking at Charlotte walk down the isle to finally become my wife, I knew that I was not only the happiest man in the world, but the happiest I have ever been in my entire life.
When the minister finished and told me to kiss my bride, I looked in her eyes and said, “I love you so much, Mrs. Shepherd, with all of my heart.”