Epilogue
Corine
Three Months Later
It was my wedding day. Again.
The irony didn't escape me-how different it all felt this time. My heart was still pounding with nerves, but not from fear. This time, it wasn't about expectations or broken promises. It was about love. Real, raw, soul-deep love.
I stood in front of the mirror in the bridal suite, adjusting the soft silk train of my dress. It was simple, just like I asked. No exaggerated sparkle or overwhelming lace. Just elegance, with soft satin hugging my waist and a delicate off-the-shoulder neckline. My veil was pinned loosely to my curls, cascading like mist down my back.
Mom stood beside me, tears already in her eyes. She reached out, smoothing a hand over my cheek like she used to when I was a little girl.
"You look like a dream, baby," she whispered.
I tried to smile, but emotion clogged my throat. "I hope Dad doesn't cry too much. His tux is already too tight."
She laughed softly. "Oh, he's been crying since breakfast. Your brothers have been teasing him nonstop."
A knock came on the door. Dylan peeked in, radiant in her dusty blush bridesmaid gown. "Time to go, sis."
Right behind her was Brit, holding my bouquet and beaming. "Are you ready to change your life again-but this time for real?"
I swallowed thickly and nodded. "With Jasper? Always."
Brit hugged me tightly, whispering, "This is your happy. You earned every second of it. And I'm so honored to be standing beside you today. I can't believe my best friend is my sister in law"
"You were always there. Even when I tried to shut the world out."
"Well, now the world gets to see what real love looks like."
As I walked down the long aisle with my father's trembling hand gripping mine, I locked eyes with the man who had changed my life-Jasper. His mouth parted slightly, his eyes glazed, and then he shook his head in disbelief like he couldn't believe I was really walking toward him. My knees nearly buckled under the weight of that look.
Kyle walked just ahead of me, carrying the ring box with a seriousness only a six-year-old could muster. His tiny tux was nearly drowning him, but he held his head high like this was the most important job in the world.
Astrid, in a puff of tulle and curls, scattered flower petals with enthusiasm and zero grace, pausing halfway to wave at Jasper and then give me a thumbs-up. I could hear her little voice say loudly, "You look like a princess, Mommy!"
I giggled through my tears. Jasper chuckled too, whispering something to Ace, who stood beside him in a sharp tux, grinning from ear to ear.
My father kissed my cheek before placing my hand in Jasper's, and for the first time all morning, I felt fully at peace.
"You're really here," Jasper murmured, his voice husky. "You're mine."
"Only took a lifetime," I whispered back.
The ceremony was beautiful-honest and stripped down. Jasper's vows had me weeping. He spoke of second chances, of falling for me not once, but a thousand times, in every moment we'd shared. I talked about healing, about finding home in his arms, about the children who made our lives feel fuller than we ever imagined.
When the minister said, "You may kiss the bride," Astrid let out a loud, "Eww!" followed by, "Can I get a ring too?"
The crowd burst into laughter. Jasper bent down and took a tiny gold-plated ring from his pocket, sliding it onto her small finger.
"There. Now my girls both have rings," he said.
Astrid beamed. "Now we're really a family."
As we walked back down the aisle hand in hand, Brit blew me a kiss with both hands, tears slipping down her cheeks. Ace gave Jasper a firm clap on the back and said, "About damn time," making everyone around them laugh.
-
The Reception
The reception was everything his parents wanted-extravagant, regal, and dripping in elegance. But within the opulence, Jasper made sure there was space just for us.
Our table was set apart from the political crowd, surrounded by close friends and family. Brit was dancing in her heels, trying to coax Dylan into joining her on the floor while Ace entertained Kyle and Astrid with napkin puppets at the kids' table.
Allen stood beside me during dinner, a glass of wine in one hand, his smile soft.
"You made it," I said, reaching for him.
He nodded, his eyes warm but distant. "You look incredible."
"Don't make me cry again," I whispered.
Allen gave me a small smile. "You've always deserved a love like this. I tried to be that man for you, but he was always waiting."
"I'll always care for you, Allen."
"I know." He leaned in, brushing a soft kiss to my forehead. "But now I can let go."
I hugged him tightly, a thousand unspoken memories shared in the silence between us.
"You'll find someone," I said against his chest. "Someone who lights up your life the way you lit up mine when everything was dark."
He chuckled. "If she makes half the trouble you did, I'll take it."
-
Later That Night
Kyle was already on his third cupcake and dancing wildly with Astrid, who twirled in her flower girl dress until she collapsed in giggles.
"Come here, you two," Jasper called, crouching down.
They ran to him. Kyle climbed into his arms, and Astrid wrapped herself around his waist.
"You know what today is?" he asked them.
"Our wedding day!" Astrid squealed.
"That's right. And now, Mommy and I are officially stuck with you."
"Forever?" Kyle asked.
"Forever and ever," Jasper said, planting kisses on both their foreheads.
"Do I still get pancakes on Saturdays?" Astrid asked seriously.
Jasper laughed. "Every Saturday."
"And movie night?" Kyle chimed in.
"Only if you let me pick next time. No more cartoons for at least one week."
Kyle groaned. "Fine."
"Deal." Jasper extended a pinky, and Kyle latched his own to it.
Brit came over then and crouched beside me, watching them. "You're glowing."
"I've never felt like this before," I said softly.
"That's because you've never been truly seen. And now you are."
"I still can't believe you planned half this wedding while I was panicking."
She laughed. "You panicked adorably. I just made sure you had your fairytale."
Ace passed by with two glasses of champagne. "You both deserve every bit of this. Especially you, Corine."
I clinked my glass to his. "You know, I think I do."
-
Later, in the Garden
As the sun dipped and golden light streamed through the windows, Jasper and I snuck out to the garden, hand in hand.
"I kept my promise," he said softly.
"Which one?"
"All of them."
We stood in silence for a moment, soaking in everything. The laughter echoing behind us. The kids. The rings. The forever.
"Do you ever think about how we got here?" I asked.
"All the time."
He turned to me, brushing his thumb along my cheekbone. "It wasn't easy. But I'd walk through every storm again if it meant ending up right here."
Tears welled in my eyes. "I didn't think I'd get a second chance."
"You didn't get one. You gave it."
He pulled me into him, resting his forehead against mine. "You gave me a reason to believe in love again."
"I think I loved you before I knew I did."
"You made me want to be better," he whispered. "You made me believe I could be more."
We kissed under the garden lights, the world quiet around us.
And for the first time in my life, I wasn't scared of the future.
I was ready for it.