Chapter Twenty-Eight
Epilogue
GRANDMA JUNE
One year later
T he late-day sun reflected off the surface of Glass Lake as I sat in the front row of chairs and watched my handsome grandson, staring down the aisle, waiting for his bride to join him. I glanced over at Hal beside me, and he smiled lovingly. I never expected to marry again, but like I said before, love can surprise you. Our friendship grew to something deeper, and I knew God had given me another great love for this stage of my life. And bonus, I got extra family to love in Hal’s son Jake, his wife Tally, and their kids. What more could an old lady ask for?
Penny was the first bridesmaid to begin the processional. She and Lucas were happily married, working at his family’s business, and they had a sweet little eight-month-old daughter, Cora. She was the light of their lives and the most adorable little thing with red hair like her mother.
Ellie was next to grace the aisle, and my heart overflowed with love for my beautiful granddaughter. She had blossomed into an amazing woman, strong and smart, and Cooper was her perfect match. They were busy and happy in their home in Nashville. He was writing and performing songs, remaining a fan-favorite around the world, and giving back through various charities and mission opportunities, while Ellie oversaw it all and continued on as his tour manager and his partner in life.
Tally came next. She winked at Jake and waved at their five-month-old son, Finn, who was seated on his lap, and the baby reacted with a happy little coo. Being a stepmom and now a mother of her own child looked good on her. She had always been the shyest of the bunch of Ellie’s friends, but she’d really come out of her shell with Jake’s help and come into her own since her marriage. It was a blessing to see her thrive in life and have her so changed by the surprise of love where she hadn’t expected it.
Jake’s daughters, Nora, Ava, and Piper, came down the aisle next and took their places at the front next to Penny. They had grown up so much over the past few years. Little Piper was now six and finishing her first year in school. She was a social butterfly and had more play dates than her sisters ever had. Ava was eight and very into gymnastics. She was certain she would become the next Simone Biles. And Nora was about to turn thirteen, and all she wanted was to start her own YouTube channel. I did not envy Jake and Tally for the angst-filled teen years ahead. They were all sweet, beautiful girls, and I was blessed to be their Great Gram.
The music changed to Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” signaling everyone to stand. I would never tire of hearing that song at weddings. It was lovely and serene and set the stage beautifully for the bride’s entrance.
Jessa’s dad escorted her down the aisle, and while everyone’s eyes were on her, I watched Ethan. My sweet boy had waited for this moment for so long. I think the biggest surprise for Ethan wasn’t his love for Jessa, but that she finally returned those feelings. His love for her had grown from a young boy’s crush to the deepest kind of love there was for another person. And once she got past being blindsided by her feelings for him, her love for him grew just as deep. It was a beautiful blessing to watch it all unfold.
I looked across the aisle as Jessa’s father took his seat next to his girlfriend Pamela. Jessa’s brothers were there too. And at the end of the row, sat her mother. It had taken a lot for Jessa to get to the point where she was willing to let her mother in, even a little, but over the past year, there had been such healing happening there. To see Jessa include her mother at her wedding warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Wounds can heal if you let love in.
The ceremony was simple and sweet with traditional vows. It was no surprise that love showed up today. So strong, and rich, and beautiful. Like a buzz of electricity, flowing in the air around us. And all because love snuck up on a girl who had closed herself off to the possibility.
We moved to the outdoor pavilion for the reception, and they shared their first dance right away to a lovely song called “A Thousand Years.” I couldn’t help but think the lyrics fit them so well. The first verse was so Jessa, especially the part about being afraid to fall, and the chorus and second verse were all Ethan. They were completely lost in each other’s eyes, and I couldn’t have been happier for them.
Once we were seated for the meal, the clinking of glasses began. Their friends kept it up all night, barely letting them enjoy their dinner.
“Let us up for air, guys,” Ethan declared after two clinking sessions in a row.
“Speak for yourself,” Jessa said before pulling him in for another kiss.
We laughed and cheered. It was wonderful to see their happiness and affection for each other.
After speeches by the Best Man, Lucas, and the Matron of Honor, Tally, the couple stood to address their guests.
“Thank you all so much for coming and sharing this night with us,” Ethan said. “You are the most important people in our lives. You’ve been there for us from the beginning, and we can’t express how much you mean to us.” He paused to look at me then Ellie and pressed his lips together as he got a little choked up. “I wish my mom and dad could’ve been here tonight to share this with us, too, but I know they’re watching over us.” He blew a kiss up to Heaven then blew me a kiss, which brought tears to my eyes.
Jessa swiped at a tear of her own as she took the mic from Ethan. “I would also like to thank each of you who stuck by me through the years, who put up with my … moods.” She looked at me and at her dad and brothers then turned her attention to her friends. “Nine years ago, my friends and I made a pact.” The girls started laughing. “After college, we vowed to take the time to get to know ourselves and what we really wanted out of life rather than jumping into serious relationships and marrying young when, as my grandma used to say, our brains aren’t finished developing until our late twenties.”
The space filled with laughter.
“We vowed not to get married until we turned thirty.” She looked over at the girls again. “Fat lot of good that did. These three were all married before then.”
Penny held out her hand to show off her wedding ring, and the other two followed, which elicited more laughter from the crowd.
“But I do feel the need to remind you all that I’m the only one of us who actually stuck to our original pact and waited to get married until after thirty. I should win some kind of prize for that.”
Ethan wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close. “You did. Me.”
The clinking of glasses rang out, and the happy couple kissed again to loud applause.
Jessa looked a little flushed when Ethan let her go. “What was I saying?”
“Thirty,” Penny said.
“Right. I win the pact.”
The girls laughed and exchanged comments that were clearly inside jokes.
“But seriously, you girls are my world,” Jessa continued. “I would be nowhere and nothing without your love and support over the years. You are truly my sisters, and I love you all so much.”
The girls all let out aww s and stood to hug her.
True friendship. One of the most beautiful displays of love.
Jessa gazed at Ethan then, and it was as if the adoration between them radiated light. “I never expected to end up with you.”
Ethan smirked. “Gee, thanks.”
That got plenty of chuckles.
“What I mean is, you were the one I never knew I was waiting for. Our love was surprising and unexpected, and it turned out you were everything I needed.” Her eyes found mine for a moment before she continued, and I gave her a little smile. “Someone very wise once told me that marriage is beautiful, but it’s not easy. It’s choosing to commit no matter what and deciding to love the other person every day, even when you’re trying not to kill each other.”
Jessa raised her glass and smiled brightly at Ethan. “Here’s to fighting for love.”
Ethan grinned from ear to ear and clinked his glass against hers. “We’ve always been so good at it.”