Epilogue
Saint
Christmas Eve - The Next Year
We get ready in a small room, normally used for storage, but was cleaned out for today. It smells like cedar and has a warm lighting that sets me at ease about what’s about to happen.
A hand comes down roughly on my shoulder as Cypress says, “Final chance to run.”
I shove him off of me. “Not a chance.”
He chuckles good-naturedly. Honestly, if there was a time to call things off, it would have been last year after Winter moved in with me.
That was a transition that took us both a lot of time to get used to, filled with ups and downs along the way.
But even then, the rough patches were better than the highs of life without Winter.
I wouldn’t change a single second of the last year.
She signed with a new agent within a month of moving in with me, and thankfully, she only has to travel to New York on occasion to meet with her new publishing house, since most of it can be handled virtually.
I’ve done a few gallery showings as well, which her friend set up.
They went better than expected, so each time we travel back, I deliver some of my newest work to their gallery.
I finish the Trinity knot on my tie and step back from the mirror. In the reflection, I can see Douglas struggling with his tie.
Cypress starts to tease him about it, but he’s still young. I don’t think I knew how to knot a tie properly as a young high schooler either.
“You need a hand, Dougie?” I offer.
“Yes, please,” he groans. “This is like my fourth attempt.”
While I work, he says, “You’re my new favorite brother.”
“What the hell, Dougie?” Cypress cries in outrage, setting off Dougie’s hysterical laughter.
“We can be co-best brothers,” I reassure Cypress. “I’ll only be the favorite until he comes to you asking you to cover for him when he gets in trouble.”
“Deal,” he agrees.
As I finish a basic Windsor knot for Dougie, a knock sounds on the wooden door.
Evaline pokes her head inside the room and asks the boys to give us a minute. She also gives them each an assignment, which I assume is to keep them out of trouble in the ten minutes we have until the ceremony.
The door closes as they leave, and Evaline launches herself at me.
“Your mom and I always hoped this day would come. I’m so happy,” she admits.
“I’ve loved Winnie my whole life. Nothing would make me happier than I am today.”
Evaline gives me a final hug after telling me how proud she is of the man I’ve grown into and that my mother would feel the same, before she leaves to go meet Winter. Since her dad is still struggling a bit with his mobility, her mom is going to walk her down the aisle.
I leave the room and go stand on the small riser that was set up on one side of the barn and look out at all the people who are seated in white folding chairs, to witness our union.
As my best friend, Royal was the easy choice to be my best man, and he comes to stand beside me. Cypress and Dougie flank him on the other side.
We tried working out the walk-up, but with Reign being Winter’s maid of honor, the twins didn’t want to walk the aisle together, because, according to them, that would be awkward. So Winter’s group lines up on her side, awaiting her arrival.
Reign looks at me with innocence before saying, “If you break my bestie’s heart, I’ll break your face.”
Someone different might be offended, but knowing Reign for as long as I’ve known Royal, I know that this warning comes from a place of love.
“You have nothing to worry about,” I assure her.
“I know. I just wanted to say it.” She winks.
Ella Mae stands next to Reign, with Nora on the other side.
Winter wanted Augustine to stand with her as well, but he pointed out that doing so would give us uneven numbers in our wedding party and that would look bad in the photos.
After he reassured Winter multiple times that he was fine sitting it out, she asked him to walk in with her dad to keep him company, which he enthusiastically agreed to.
Her dad, Augustine, and Harley have seats of honor in the front row, leaving a seat empty for Evaline to sit in after she walks Winter down the aisle.
“One down, man,” Royal jokes.
“Are you going to be next?” I tease.
He’s about to reply, but the opening notes of the wedding march trickle through the sound system, alerting us that it’s time.
My heart beats triple speed as I watch my bride walk down the row of trees strung with white lights.
With the long, flowing gown covering her feet, she looks more like she’s floating as she walks on the white runner to the barn.
Everyone stands as they reach the open double doors.
Her mom openly weeps happy tears as they get closer, but I can’t take my eyes off Winter.
She’s always the most beautiful woman in the world to me, but today she looks otherworldly. She looks like the ice queen that some of the news reports had dubbed her, but not because she is cruel or cold, but because her beauty is so ethereal.
She stops before her dad and kisses him on the cheek before turning and finishing her march.
Her mom hugs me before putting Winter’s hand in mine.
“Hi,” she whispers nervously as she smiles at me.
“Hi,” I whisper back.
Everyone around us chuckles, so apparently, we weren’t as quiet as we thought we were.
Sandy approaches and stands behind us on the small stage. She was thrilled when we asked her if she would get ordained and officiate our wedding. One short online class and fifty dollars later, here we are.
The ceremony passes in a blur. This morning, we privately exchanged our personal written vows before reciting the standard vows now. Before I know it, Sandy says, “Kiss your bride!” and I do.