Epilogue Savannah
Epilogue
Savannah
“Savvie, it’s time,” Alyssa calls from the hallway. She knocks on the bathroom door. “Do you need help getting your dress zipped up?”
“No,” I moan weakly. Tears spring to my eyes. I clutch the sides of the toilet seat, my stomach ready to revolt for the third time today.
The knob turns, the door creaking open. Alyssa gasps. “Oh, sweetie.” She rushes over and drops down next to me. “It’s just nerves. Everyone gets them. I mean, I got sick at my sister’s wedding, and I wasn’t even the one getting married.”
“I don’t think it’s nerves,” I rasp, swiping my fingers under my eyes, but I’m sure the damage to my makeup is already done.
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“I’m late. Like, two weeks late. I’ve been nauseous all week, and I figured it was all the stress about the wedding, but . . .” I let out a shuddering sigh.
She pauses, and I slowly turn my head toward her, the evidence plain as day. “Oh my God! You’re pregnant?”
Pulling myself to a seated position, I nod and lean back against the side of the bathtub. “Three positive tests say I am. I’d been on antibiotics for a throat infection about six weeks ago, and I didn’t even think about how it’d affect my birth control pills,” I moan.
“Does Blaze know?” she asks.
“No, I wanted to wait. Today should be about us, not about—”
“A baby.” Alyssa breathes, clapping her hands, an elated smile spreading across her face. “You guys are having a baby!”
“Yes,” I say, the fluttery feeling of seeing those double pink lines returning to my belly. Our real second chance, literally brought to life. The tears threaten to fall again, but I blink them back. “I can’t believe it, but I am so happy. Happier than I’ve ever been.”
She squeals and gives me a quick hug. “I am so excited for you guys. And privileged to be the first to find out.” She winks at me. “But don’t worry, I won’t gloat.”
I roll my eyes, struggling to pull myself to my feet. “Thanks.”
Alyssa jumps up and loops an arm around me for support. “Brush your teeth so I can fix your makeup. You kind of look like a raccoon.”
I stare at my reflection in the mirror and giggle. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. You spent so much time on it this morning.”
“I’m not upset at all. Your news totally makes up for it. When are you going to tell him?” she asks, pulling out some makeup brushes. “I think you should tell him as soon as you’re announced husband and wife. How adorable and romantic would that be?”
“I’ll see,” I say, rubbing a hand over my flat midsection. “What feels right.”
I quickly brush my teeth, and Alyssa reapplies my lipliner and lipstick before fixing my runny eye makeup.
“You’re glowing, and I didn’t even use highlighter.” She takes a step back and beams at me. “Now let’s get you downstairs. You’ve got a wedding to costar in. And the wedding gift of a lifetime for your hubby-to-be.”
Alyssa helps me down the stairs, the train of my dress tucked under her arm. Nash waits for us in the foyer, his eyes misty as he steps toward me.
“Savvie . . .” he says. “You look beautiful. Just like Mom.”
“Thank you.” I hug him tight. “I love you so much, Nash. It means so much to have you here with me today.”
“Every day,” he says, his voice catching a bit. “I’ll always be here for you.”
Alyssa smiles and slides past Nash, giving us a minute of privacy.
I put my hand on the side of Nash’s face. “I know. And I’m so grateful to have you.”
His lips lift. “Blaze is a lucky guy. Speaking of, he’s jumpin’ out of his skin out there.” He holds out his arm. “Shall we?”
I gather my train in my arms, and we walk out of the house together.
He escorts me down the stairs and onto the white runner laid out in front of us.
The springtime sun catches the arch that Blaze built with the guys.
It’s made of wood from the old barn and strung with wildflowers and the grasses we spent so much time restoring.
White chairs are set up on either side of the aisle, our closest friends and family here to celebrate this magical day with us.
Alyssa walks down first, and we follow.
My eyes latch onto Blaze’s. The caramel pools singe my soul from where he stands under the arch, Colt by his side.
Wyatt grins at us from his spot as the officiant.
We’d wanted all of the guys to be part of our special day, so having Wyatt marry us was the perfect way to make sure we incorporated everyone in the ceremony.
My heart flip-flops faster and faster as we approach. My husband-to-be is breathtakingly gorgeous in his navy blue suit, dark hair slicked back, beard neatly trimmed, and I can’t tear my gaze away from him.
But it’s not because of how delicious he looks.
It’s because of the way he looks at me.
I’ve never seen him more elated. The sheer joy in his expression makes me simultaneously want to sing, scream, and cry.
He truly is the man of my dreams, my soulmate, my forever.
The ceremony passes in a blur of words and promises, our vows written by us.
Blaze takes my hands in his. “I promise to work beside you every day, to always be honest and true, and to love, cherish, and respect you. My partner, my love, my life.”
Okay, raccoon eyes are definitely in my future again.
I take a second to swallow hard, the lump lodged in my throat making it difficult to squeeze out a single syllable.
But when I gaze up at Blaze, everything melts away, freeing my words the way he freed my heart.
“I promise to choose you, to choose us, every single day, and to build a beautiful life with you by my side. You are my everything. My forever.”
We exchange rings, and then Blaze pulls me close, kissing me like he’s waited his entire life for this exact second.
Maybe he has. Maybe we both have.
And now it’s finally here.
He grasps my hand to lead me back down the aisle, but I give it a little tug.
“One second,” I murmur, leaning in close. “I have to tell you something.”
He furrows his brow. “Right now?”
I nod. “Yes. I’m pregnant.”
His eyebrows fly up, jaw nearly hitting the ground. “You’re . . . what?”
My lips quirk upward. “Pregnant. With a baby. Our baby.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I took three tests yesterday.” I cup his face. “We’re having a baby, Blaze.”
He wraps his arms around me and crushes his lips against mine in a kiss that’s deep and desperate and full of everything that has brought us to this exact point in our lives. Then he drops to the ground in front of me and brings his forehead to my belly.
“A baby,” he says, tilting his head back to look up at me.
A tear slips down my cheek. “Are you happy?”
He stands up, his own eyes shining with tears. “Happy doesn’t even come close to describing how I feel right now.”
He kisses me again, and our guests, led by Alyssa and Nash, whoop and cheer. White rose petals are tossed in our direction as Blaze takes my hand and kisses it, and we walk back down the aisle together as husband and wife, as partners, as parents to be.
This is home.