Epilogue
It’s the twenty-first of June, and today is the day my childhood crush becomes my husband.
We decided on a short engagement and a small ceremony at my parent’s cabin on Lake Mille Lacs. Only family and a few of each of our close teammates and friends were invited.
I know today is bittersweet for Griffin and me. We both mourn not having Katie and Catherine here today, but I can feel their presence, and I know Griff will, too, if he doesn’t already.
I’ve just stepped into the dressing room of our suite with my mom to put my dress on.
“Here you go, honey,” Mom says as she takes the dress off the hanger.
Untying my robe, I try to be as modest as I can by quickly stepping into my dress. But there’s not really a way around my mom getting an eye full of my bare chest and the scraps of lace I have on for later tonight.
Once I’ve stepped into the dress, I slide my arms through the delicate straps of the dress, and my mom zips me in before working on the buttons with a crochet hook.
The white trumpet wedding dress has a square neckline in the front with a plunging back enclosed by buttons that run along the curve of my ass. I know Griffin will appreciate the way the dress clings to and highlights his favorite feature of mine. The dress is made of crepe fabric, making it timeless and chic.
After the buttons are hooked, my mom helps put my cathedral-length veil encrusted with tiny pearls into my hair. I decided to keep my hair pinned half up, curled into loose waves down my back.
My makeup is natural, yet I feel more glamorous than I ever have.
I spin around and face my mom, taking her hands in mine.
“Oh, hun, you look so beautiful. I can’t believe this day has already come. I just wish Catherine were here to see her dream come true. She always said you and Griffin would end up together, and here we are!” my mom says as she brings me in for a hug.
“She’s with us today, I can feel it. She and Katie are both here.” Taking a few steadying breaths, I pull back and swipe my tear ducts before any can fall.
“You’re right, they are,” my mom says, bringing a small jewelry box from the pocket of her dress. “These were Catherine’s. Jack asked me this morning if I would give these to you.”
Inside the box is a pair of pearl drop earrings that match my veil perfectly. Tears flood my vision again, and the ache in my heart that comes with missing Katie pangs. These would have been hers to wear on her wedding day. I gasp. “They’re stunning.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I was also supposed to give you this.” My mom hands me an envelope addressed: To my son’s bride on the day of your wedding.
“What is this?” I question.
“I’m not sure. Jack gave it to me when he handed me the jewelry box.”
Turning the envelope over, I open it assuming it is from Jack. My breath hitches as I realize I was wrong. The letter is written in Catherine’s delicate handwriting.
To my dearest daughter-in-law on your wedding day,
I feel as if I know who you are as I’m writing this, or at least I hope I do.
Even though he’s still young, I know my son will choose a wonderful woman to be by his side one day.
How lucky are you to have found the one in my sweetest boy? And how lucky is he to have found a forever teammate in you?
I know as I write this that I will not be there with you on this special day, but you best believe I will be there in spirit, watching over the two of you.
I am at peace knowing my son has found his future in you.
Here are my hopes for the two of you: I hope you dance in the kitchen every chance you get—from a young age, my boy has always loved to cook. I hope you can cheer each other on from near and far, no matter where life takes you. I hope you give my dearest husband, Jack, as many grandkids as possible—I know he will spoil them rotten, but he does it out of pure love. I hope you are able to grow old together—and learn to fall in love again over and over at each new stage of life. There will be hard times, heartbreak, and devastation, but you’re stronger together. I hope you’re tender with my son’s loving heart, and I hope he is unwavering in his devotion to you. But most of all, I hope you can find peace in each other’s arms like I have with Jack.
I may not know you, but I love you for loving my son. Today you will be surrounded by love, including mine. Happy wedding day, my sweet daughter-in-law.
Love always,
Catherine
My mother stands beside me, tears streaming down her cheeks, matching my own.
“Knock knock,” the photographer says as she peeks inside the door. “Are you ready for the first look?”
Nodding my head, I say, “I think we need to touch up our makeup quick, but then we will be.”
I bring my mom in for another embrace—I hold on to her longer than usual, needing her warmth to help me through this moment.
After touching up my makeup, I grab my bouquet and follow the photographer outside to the gardens where we’ve planned to do the first look.
He’s standing there in his black tux with his back to me, holding Cadence in his arms, and I can’t help but smile. Walking up to them, I tap him on the shoulder. Carson turns around and matches my smile as tears fill his eyes.
“Holy shit, Mack. Griff is going to die on the spot when he sees you walking down the aisle. And Dad is going to weep like a baby. Look at your mama, Cadey Cat!”
“Mama so pwetty!” Cadence exclaims.
“Thank you, baby! Look at you—you’re so beautiful, baby girl!” I tell her as I take in her blonde hair pulled back with a pearl headband and the crepe dress embellished with pearls to match my own.
We pose for a few portraits together before Carson tells me it’s time to meet my dad and walk down the aisle. I follow the two of them inside to where my dad is waiting for me.
Tears fill his eyes when he sees me. I loop my arm though my dad’s and give it a gentle squeeze. He brings his other hand up to clasp mine. “I can’t believe my little princess is getting married.”
“I love you so much, Dad.”
“I love you too, Princess. It’s not too late if you’ve changed your mind, I’ll grab the car and we’re out of here,” he teases; or at least I think he’s teasing.
“Dad, you know I love Griff with all my heart. I’d never dream of running from him.”
“And he better never dream of running from you again. I just about made him do a blood oath that he would never hurt you again before I gave him my blessing.”
“Dad!”
“What? You’re my only daughter, and Cadence is my only grandchild. I will protect the two of you for the rest of my life. Just because Griffin is vowing to protect you now too, doesn’t change the fact that you were my little girl first.”
“I’ll always have loved you first. Now let’s not make my groom wait any longer. I could hardly sleep last night in anticipation for today. Just don’t let me fall, Dad.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he says as he takes a shuddering breath. We walk hand in hand out the glass sliding doors of the walkout basement that leads to the backyard.
An acoustic cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” plays as we walk to the end of the aisle.
The moment my eyes meet Griffin’s, an audible gasp leaves his lips before his face crumbles into a beautiful quivering mess.
“So when’s the wedding?” Katie asks me.
“You’re hopeless,” I tease.
“Wrong. I’m actually full of hope. That’s how I just know this is going to end up just like I’ve always envisioned. Kenna, in a beautiful white dress, walking down the aisle to my amazing big brother, who will be bawling like a damn baby.”
Katie shakes her head and holds her hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll lay off for now. But promise me one thing.” She looks over at me expectantly.
“That depends,” I reply.
“Promise me I’ll have the best seat in the place. I don’t want to miss a single tear or snot bubble on Griff’s face.”
Griffin looks so devastatingly handsome in his black tux and crisp white dress shirt. His hair is cut shorter on the sides, and his face is clean-shaven. He’s standing beside Carson, who’s holding Cadence.
Once we’ve reached the end of the aisle, Griff still hasn’t composed himself and I’ve got matching tears streaming down my cheeks.
“You’re stunning, Sunshine. Can I kiss you yet?” he asks through hiccupping breaths.
Bennett, who’s officiating our wedding, cuts in, “No, you cannot. I haven’t told you to kiss the bride yet. That’s at the end, remember?”
“It’s our wedding, we can do whatever we want, right my love?” Griff asks as he holds his hand out to me.
I turn and give my dad the biggest squeeze and he kisses my forehead before shaking Griff’s hand and bringing him in for an embrace.
Before I turn to face Griff, I place my bouquet on the chair sitting beside me with Katie’s picture on it. I promised her she would have the best seat in the house, and I reserved my maid-of-honor spot for her.
I face my groom and want to pinch myself to be sure this is real. I’m holding hands at the end of an aisle with Griffin Turner, about to exchange vows to spend the rest of our lives together.
Bennett begins the ceremony, and before I know it, it’s my turn to exchange our vows. I look into Griffin’s eyes, which look more caramel than chocolate-brown in the summer sun.
“Griff, you told me once that you wanted all my truths.” I pause to take a deep breath.
He nods in response, giving my left hand a squeeze of encouragement.
“Here are the truths I know in my heart today. I don’t love you the same as I did when I told you my first, second, or third truths. And I won’t love you the same way I do today as I will when I tell you my last. I will never get over your devastating dimples. I will never get over seeing you with our daughter.”
“And our future babies,” he interrupts. Causing laughter to ring out amongst the guests.
“I want to continue to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders in every aspect of our lives. I have chosen the best lifelong teammate in you. There will be times when I’m sure you’ll push my buttons, and I won’t be able to put up with your antics. There will be hard times, but I know we can get through them together. We’ve weathered the hardest storms apart, but we’ve learned we’re stronger together. I love you endlessly, Griffin Owen Turner. Forever is just the start, baby.”
Griff’s megawatt smile is electric when he hears the term of endearment again. Unable to help himself, he leans in for a kiss before Bennett gives him a stern look.
He straightens up and begins his vows. “McKenna Marie almost-Turner.” I shake my head and chuckle at him. “To some, it may seem like we’ve jumped the gun—skipped a few important steps to get here today—but to those, I would say they don’t know a thing about us. Elvis may have been on to something, because I couldn’t help falling in love with you. I don’t think I could’ve resisted even if I wanted to. From the first time I chased after you when we were only kids, to watching you walk down the aisle today, it’s always been you, Sunshine. You’re woven into my soul—my innermost being. Without you, I was a shell of a man. With you and Cadence, I am home. Each day is brighter. Each breath is easier to breathe. Each night with you in my arms is the best night’s sleep. I love you today, I’ll love you tomorrow, and I’ll love you always.”
Tears fill my eyes. I know today is just the start of our next chapter, and I can’t wait to see what this life has in store for the three of us.