Epilogue #3
Last year my brother’s name was splashed on the front page of every paper, not for the reasons he’d hoped for either. He was embroiled in some kind of sex scandal with his secretary and another politician’s wife, and subsequently forced to step down from his position in parliament.
Even though Brent was the golden child in my parent’s eyes, I know them well enough to realise they would’ve distanced themselves from him after that—possibly even disowning him, as they did me.
Even Brent’s wife left him after a few other women came forward—one even claimed to be carrying his child.
I felt bad for him, but you reap what you sow. Karma’s a bitch.
“Can we change the subject?” I ask. Today is my wedding day, and I refuse to let those fuckers put a dampener on it.
I didn’t anticipate feeling this nervous.
I shake out my hands as I try to calm the hell down.
I need a damn cigarette, but I promised Candice I wouldn’t smoke anymore.
The night I planned on proposing to her, I was a mess.
While the girls were inside getting ready for our dinner date, I snuck out the back to have a quick smoke.
I needed something to take the edge off.
She wasn’t angry when she busted me, just upset.
She asked me to stop, and I haven’t had one since.
She’s never been one to tell me what to do, but her reasons made perfect sense: she wants me around for her and the kids.
I tug at the bowtie around my neck. “I feel like a fucking penguin in this getup.”
“You look like one too,” Carter chuckles. Does he not realise he’s also wearing a tux?
“Jax,” I hear someone say from behind me. Without even looking I know who it is. It’s been a while, but I’d recognise that voice anywhere.
“Beau,” I say as I spin around. I can’t believe he’s here. How?
I guess the look on my face says it all. “Your little lady called me.” Of course, she did. My pink-haired angel.
Beau looks great—so much younger than the scruffy homeless man I remember. Life in Perth has been good to him. Words can’t convey how happy I am to see him again. I’ve missed this man.
“I’m so glad you came.”
He ignores my extended hand, opting to pull me into a hug instead.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Son.”
A knot rises to the back of my throat. Why would I need my family here? Everyone important to me is present. This is all the family I’ll ever need.
As we stand there and chat, a pretty blonde approaches. She’s short even in her sky-high heels.
“Hi,” she says, coming to a stop in front of us.
“Hi.” I have no clue who she is.
“Which one of you is Jax?” She has an English accent, but all I can think is, how the fuck does she know my name? I have a mini freak out, as my eyes accusingly dart to Carter. He better not have ordered me a damn stripper on my wedding day. I’ll knock him out if he does.
She doesn’t exactly look like a stripper, but she has that sexy secretary/librarian thing going on. “My name is Michelle … Michelle McGinty.” Her green eyes sparkle as her gaze ping-pongs between me and Carter. It only seems to heighten my concerns. “I’m the marriage celebrant.”
“Oh.” Relief floods through me. Of course, that’s who she is. “I’m Jax,” I say, stepping forward and shaking her hand. I’m not up to speed on every detail of today—I only played a part in choosing the venue. The rest of the details were left to Candice and Sophia.
“And I’m Carter, the best man,” he adds with a wink. “The good-looking one.” I shake my head. He’s such an idiot.
Carter leaves us when Indi and the kids arrive, and Michelle spends the next fifteen minutes going over the details of the service with me. She’s already discussed it at length with Candice when they met. I couldn’t make it, because I had some issues at work.
My future wife gave me a rundown when I got home from work that night, but I’m pretty sure I tuned out after a few minutes. The only words that were important to me were the I dos.
“Hey, boss.”
I spin around when someone clasps my shoulder. “Gus,” I say, smiling. I’m glad he’s here. He’s the only guest we invited, other than our family.
“This is Gina.” He puts his arm proudly around a brunette, puffing out his chest. “Gina, this is my boss, Jax.”
Did he bring a date? Wow.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hey. It’s nice to meet you,” I reply.
When I shake Gus’s hand, I lean in and whisper, “How much did you pay her to be your date today?”
He chuckles, playfully punching my arm. “Very funny. She’s my girlfriend, Pinkie set us up.”
“Really?” How come I didn’t know anything about that?
When the time comes, Carter, Michelle and I move into place. I rub my sweaty palms down the front of my trousers as the nerves kick in.
A red carpet has been laid out for the girls to walk down. A few chairs have been placed on either side for our handful of guests: Sophia, Brendan, Carter, Indi and the kids, Beau, Gus and his date, Gina.
There’s a small piano set up left of the chairs, with a woman sitting in front of it. I guess she’s in charge of the music. As soon as she starts playing, Maddie comes into view. Candice is right behind her. My girls . Seeing them both chokes me up.
I hate to think of how miserable my life would be without them by my side. When our son finally arrives, our family will be complete. I can’t wait to experience all the things I missed with Maddie.
I’m smiling as my little girl makes her way down the aisle towards us.
She has Snoopy on a leash, and I chuckle when I see the bowtie he’s wearing around his neck.
She looks so grown up in her long pink gown.
Her blonde curls are piled up on top of her head, and there’s a touch of makeup on her face—she looks beautiful.
She reminds me so much of Candice when we first met all those years ago.
It won’t be long before the boys come knocking.
I think I’ll need to invest in a shotgun when that happens.
“I love you, Daddy,” she murmurs as she comes to stand with me and Carter under the iconic smiling mouth of Luna Park. Candice and I chose this exact spot to exchange our vows because that’s all we seem to do these days—smile.
“I love you too, Peanut.”
The moment I get to see Candice in all her glory, I swear all the air leaves my body; she still takes my breath away after all this time. Her stepfather stands proudly beside her, ready to give her away.
My eyes drink her in, as I try to imprint this image in my mind forever. It’s another one of those moments I don’t want to forget.
Once upon a time, marrying this woman was something I only dreamt about.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think one day this would be my reality.
Her small belly is visible in the elegant white strapless gown she’s wearing, which only makes her look even more gorgeous to me.
I can’t tell you what an amazing feeling it is to go through this pregnancy with her.
Attending all the doctor’s appointments, and seeing the first ultrasound of our son.
Soon I’ll be able to feel him moving inside her.
I place my hand over my heart as I return her smile. She lifts her dress slightly, and I chuckle when I see she’s wearing pink Converse sneakers underneath. She looks every bit the beauty queen today, but the real Candice, the one I’m hopelessly in love with, is ever-present.
Tears fill my eyes, as she starts walking towards me. I’m surprised at how emotional I feel at this moment. For a long time, I never thought I’d get the one thing in life I always wanted— her . I’m glad I was wrong. She completes me.
“Here,” Carter says from beside me. When I briefly pull my gaze away from Candice and turn my head in his direction, I see he’s holding out a tissue. “You might need this.”
“Fuck off,” I mumble under my breath, pushing his hand away at the same time. “I’m not crying. A bug flew into my eye.”
“A bug. You’re such a liar,” he says, chuckling. He can be such a smug prick sometimes.
Ignoring him, I seek out my girl again. My heart thumps furiously against my ribcage when she’s within reaching distance. I extend my hand to her, and she takes it willingly. “You look stunning,” I whisper as I wrap her in my arms.
“And you look totally fuckable in that tux,” she growls, soft enough that only I can hear.
I cup her beautiful face in my hands before my lips bear down on hers. I hear the celebrant gasp from behind us. I know the kiss is supposed to come after, but like I said, we don’t do conventional. I need to taste her. It’s been almost twenty-four hours and I’m having withdrawals.
“Get a room, you two,” Carter leans over and whispers, so I flip him the bird.
When I finally pull out of the kiss, my eyes lock with Candice’s. She’s glowing. “Are you ready?”
“I’ve never been more ready.”
“Flight eight-two-nine to Tahiti is now boarding at gate sixty-three,” the flight attendant says over the loudspeaker.
I bring my wife’s hand up to my mouth, placing a chaste kiss on her knuckles. “That’s us.” The full smile she gives me hits me right in the chest. She looks as happy as I feel. Standing, I help her to her feet.
“As much as I’m going to miss Maddie, I’m looking forward to having you all to myself for a whole week,” she whispers in my ear as we line up behind the other passengers waiting to board.
Just the thought of it has my dick jumping in my pants.
Sliding my arms around her waist, I pull her to me. I inhale her apple scent as I place a soft kiss on her hair. My kryptonite . I’m suddenly doubting if I can wait until we get there to have her again. “Have you ever thought of joining the mile-high club?” I groan into her ear.
She doesn’t answer, but the look she gives me has all the blood in my body rushing straight to my cock.
“Do you have any idea how much I love you, Mrs Albright?” I say as my lips brush against hers.
“I love you more, Mr Albright.”
“Not possible,” I reply, smiling, and that’s the truth. I’m so fucking happy it’s ridiculous.
Our wedding day turned out to be everything I hoped it would be, and so much more.
There’s something pretty cool about getting married at a theme park.
For years our life was like a damn rollercoaster ride; way too many ups and downs to count.
We went through some pretty hard times, but when we finally stopped fighting the inevitable and let go of all the demons from our past, our lives became nothing short of majestic.
The heart wants what the heart wants, no ifs or buts. It’s as simple as that.
Apart we were hollow.
Together we are whole.
I look forward to my future with her by my side.
*KEEP READING FOR TWO BONUS CHAPTERS OF JAX AND CANDICE