Epilogue.
Phoenix “Phee” Preston - May 10th, 2027
I stood there, pacing as my heart beat hard against my chest. I can’t believe that in less than an hour, I will be marrying the love of my life. I’d never been so nervous about anything, so this feeling was brand new to me. Honestly, I didn’t know why I was stressing. Everything was beautiful.
Instead of the beach wedding that Angel initially wanted, we were having it in this really fancy event hall. I was serious about making sure that Angel had the wedding of her dreams, so I was prepared for her imagination to run wild. She wanted a wedding that was cottagecore yet cute and whimsical. She wanted it to feel magical. She wanted earth tones and cool pastels.
She also wanted to have the wedding in the same room where we were having the reception, which is why we ended up booking the hall. I saw it yesterday, and it turned out so beautiful. Even though her ideas were all over the place at first, our wedding planner had done everyth ing she could to bring it together, and I made sure to tip her extra after seeing Angel’s reaction to it yesterday. She cried for an hour straight because of how much she loved it.
Just thinking back to yesterday calmed me down, even for a second. I knew today would be amazing, and I needed to get that through my head. We had so many people here to see us take that next step. Our friends and family were out there patiently waiting. Hell, even that dude Nate was here.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry. We’re all cool now. It took him a while to get over his feelings for her, but he eventually came around and apologized once again. He’s actually a cool dude. I mean, we’re not the best of friends, and Angel’s brothers still aren’t as close with him as they used to be, but he hasn’t given them, or me, a reason to beat his ass yet. As long as he stayed in his lane, things would be fine.
On a more positive note, Angel was so happy when Autumn and a few of her other friends from college accepted the invitation to the wedding. It had been years since most of them had seen each other in person, thanks to them all living in different parts of the world, but they cried tears of joy when they finally met up a couple of days ago.
I was beyond excited for Angel.
I smile before taking another deep breath, doing my best to calm my nerves. I wanted to drink some water, but I was afraid I’d suddenly have to pee, and then I’d miss my cue to walk in. I just wanted everything to be perfect for Angel.
“Yo, ca n you please stop pacing, Phee?” Kentrell said as he placed his hands on my shoulder. “You’re stressing about nothing. Everything is gonna be fine, and soon you’ll be married to the love of your life.”
“I know. I know,” I sigh, finally sitting in one of the chairs. “I’m just really excited and nervous, and I kinda want to throw up. Oh, and I’m hot as hell. Is it hot in here to y’all? Can we turn on some damn AC-”
“You’re rambling again,” Emerson chuckles. “You’ve been around Angel so long that you’ve picked up some of her habits. It’s cute.”
“Only Angel and Raven get to call me that,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him. “None of you bums have that privilege.”
“You’re so mean when you’re anxious,” Jed laughs. “It’s so adorable, cuz!”
“Fuck you, Jed,” I laugh, pushing his hand away as he tries to pinch my cheek. “Y’all are so annoying…”
“We might be annoying, but how are you feeling now?” Kentrell asks with a smug look. I was gonna argue, but I noticed the laughter had calmed my anxiety. I roll my eyes and stand. “Exactly!”
“Man, whatever,” I laugh, waving them off right as Orion pops his head in to tell us it’s time to go. I thank him. “Well, it’s now or never, huh?”
“No, it’s just now,” Emerson said as he ushered me out of the room.
I could hear the faint sound of music as we entered the hall where the wedding was being held. As I made my way down to the altar, I couldn’t help but smile at all of the familiar faces in the crowd. It wasn’t until I got into my position that my anxiety started to bubble up again. However, I quickly closed my eyes and counted down from 10. When I opened them again, the wedding party started trickling in. One by one, they made their way toward me and took their places.
My heart beat fast as Angel’s song started to play, and I froze in place when the doors opened. She stood there with Orion and Chris on either side of her. Everyone in the crowd stood and watched in awe as the most gorgeous woman in the world began to walk down the aisle. I could tell from where I stood that she was already crying. All I could do was smile as my eyes tracked her every move.
She looked like a goddess in the dress she’d picked. Now, I don’t know shit about dresses, so I wasn’t sure about the specifics other than it fit her so well as it sparkled, easily making her look like the prettiest little fairy in the garden. It was a soft green color that complemented her complexion so well. Her hair was done in a bun with a few pieces hanging over her eyes.
As she finally made it to me, I caught a whiff of the fragrance she was wearing and almost lost my shit. I wanted to eat her right there, but I knew now was not the appropriate time. So, I took her hand and helped her up the two steps to stand with me a couple of feet from the officiant.
He began the ceremony, but my attention was elsewhere. I couldn’t take my eyes off Angel; the same was true for her. She tried her best to wipe the tears away, and I softly laughed through my own. I reached ov er and wiped her face gently, admiring her beauty and internally reveling that she was mine and all mine.
“You look so fucking beautiful, Sweets,” I whisper to her. She smiles, bringing my hand to her mouth to kiss lightly. “Fuck, I’m so lucky to have met you.”
“The feeling is and always will be mutual, baby,” she assures me.
We tune back into the officiant, and soon it’s time to say our vows. As she says hers, I break down. There was so much love in my heart for her; hearing her words was enough to send me over the edge. She had to stop a few times to cry and assure me everything would be okay. When it was my turn, the waterworks started all over again.
“Angel, I truly believe that you were sent to me in my lowest time,” I say as she smiles at me. “When I first ran into you, I was depressed as hell, but I forgot about my sadness the moment I laid eyes on you. When we ran into each other a year later, I was in a better place because whenever I had a bad day, I’d think about the angel that had come into my life, if only for a few seconds. Getting to know you will always be one of the greatest experiences I’ll ever have. I love you to the moon and back 3,000 times over. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Now, by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you Mrs. and Mrs. Savoie-Preston,” the officiant says as I’m wiping Angel’s tears. “You may now kiss your brides.”
“You ain’t gotta tell me twice,” I say as I cup her cheeks in my hand. The room erupts in laughter as we melt into each other’s embrace. We shared kiss after kiss until we were satisfied that we’d sealed the d eal. I could hear my friends cheering behind me. When I finally pulled away to look at Angel, she had the brightest smile on her face, her cheeks flushed. I pushed her glasses up and pressed my forehead against hers. “You ready for forever, Sweets?”
“I’m ready for whatever as long as I have you,” she assures me.
“And you always will,” I reply.
We share one last kiss, and then I take her hand in mine, walking her back down the aisle. Everyone cheered and congratulated us as we passed. I glanced over at Angel, and she looked like she was having the time of her life. My heart was full, and I looked forward to the future with her.
She was my forever, and I was hers.
And that was the way it would always be.
The End.