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"Then yes," she finally says, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, yet still laughing. "Yes, I'll marry you."
And just like that, she launches herself into my arms first, her kiss a promise of storms to come. I can't help but laugh against her lips, the sound lost in the warmth of her mouth as I slip the ring on her finger without looking. When we part, she turns to Emrys, giving him a kiss that's equal parts love and gratitude. Then, to Wilder, whose kiss she seals with a playful smack to his cheek, earning a whoop of delight from him.
The Sharpe Clan doesn't need any more cues; they explode into cheers and applause, their joyous noise drowning out the crackle of the fire. They swarm us, a tidal wave of hugs and hearty pats on the back. Evelyn, Kat’s mom, is crying happy tears, Roger is clapping so hard I worry he might dislocate something, and Ethan and the cousins are already planning outlandish bachelor parties.
"Y'all are crazy if you think you're getting away without a celebration tonight!" Annabelle calls out, and the sentiment is echoed by everyone present.
"Looks like we're in for a long night," I whisper to Kat, as another round of congratulations makes the rounds.
"Best kind of long night," she whispers back, her eyes meeting mine with that fierce intensity that promises everything and then some.
The bonfire crackles and pops, throwing sparks high into the night sky, as if joining in the celebration. The air is electric with happiness, thick with the scent of woodsmoke and the undercurrents of new beginnings. Together, the four of us stand amidst the chaos, a united front ready to take on whatever comes next. And as I look at Kat, flanked by Emrys and Wilder, I know deep in my bones that together, we can face anything.
Epilogue
ONE YEAR AFTER CANCUN
Standing at the threshold of forever, I squint against the sun's glare, its rays a loving caress on the sublime New Zealand panorama unfurling before me. This isn't just any venue; it's the kind of place you'd expect to find in the dog-eared pages of a glossy travel magazine, not the backdrop of your own wedding. My heart races, a wild drumbeat echoing the untamed beauty of this corner of the world.
"It’s perfect," I murmur to myself, my voice a mere whisper carried away by the wind.
The colors around me are riotous, an artist's palette gone delightfully mad. Flowers, bold and unapologetic, festoon every surface, their petals a kaleidoscope that rivals the most lucid of dreams. Magenta peonies bump shoulders with fiery orange lilies, while indigo irises wink from their beds like sapphires nestled in green velvet. It's as if nature itself is celebrating—throwing its own little party in honor of the occasion.
A soft breeze flirts with the tendrils of hair framing my face, the air warm and scented with the heady perfume of blossoms and the fresh tang of nearby sea. Leaves rustle in the trees, whispering secrets and adding a soundtrack to the scenery that's more soothing than any string quartet could ever hope to be.
"Kat, you ready?" The voice is both familiar and reassuring, my dad is ready to walk with me into the most important moment of my life.
"Born ready," I shoot back, the assertive quip a buoyant raft on my sea of nerves.
"Cheeky as ever," comes the affectionate retort as he offers me his arm, face soft and eyes red-rimmed.
With a deep breath that feels like it reaches down to my toes, I step forward, leaving the realm of what if behind, and stepping confidently into what will be. The romance of the moment isn't lost on me, as cliché as it sounds. Every cell in my body is abuzz with anticipation, each step a declaration: I am here, I am theirs, we are one.
"Let's do this," I whisper to no one and everyone, to the wind, the sky, and to the loves of my life waiting somewhere beyond my line of sight. And just like that, I walk toward my future, one empowered, exhilarating step at a time.
The aisle stretches before me like a ribbon of destiny, its ivory petals a stark contrast to the lush green that cradles it. My heart is doing this funny little dance, half-cha-cha, half-waltz, as my eyes find them—Wyatt, Emrys, and Wilder. They are my pillars, my fierce loves, standing together at the altar, awaiting my approach.
Emrys' jaw clenches–the stoic beast, always trying to be the protector. But his eyes betray him, shimmering with unshed tears that glisten like morning dew. His love is a fortress, steadfast and sure, and seeing him vulnerable unravels me in the best way.
Beside him, Wyatt, the chivalrous gentlemen with a soul as deep as the ocean, lets a single tear escape. It carves a path down his cheek, a silent testament to the intensity of his emotions. He's never been one to hide his heart, and the raw honesty in his gaze sends a surge of warmth through me.
And then there's Wilder, the untamed spirit, who's unabashedly weeping. His tears are a river, unrestrained and fierce, just like his passion. The sight of him–so open, so unguarded–stirs something primal within me.
Each step I take down the aisle is a promise whispered to the wind. My dress, a cascade of lace and dreams, flutters gently around me. I can feel every eye on me, but it's their gazes that anchor me, that pull me forward with an invisible thread tied to my very essence.
As I reach the altar, my breath catches. This is it. The moment where everything converges—the past, present, and future. My eyes meet theirs, one by one.
Emrys, with his quiet strength.
Wyatt, with his protective soul.
Wilder, with his wild intensity.
Each look speaks volumes, promising a lifetime of tomorrows filled with love and shared adventures. Tears well up, spilling over in a joyous cascade. They're tears for the journey that brought us here, for the challenges we've faced and the triumphs we've savored. They're tears for the love that's as vast as the sky above us, limitless and all-encompassing.
"Damn it," I murmur, half-laughing, half-sobbing, as I swipe at the wetness on my cheeks. "Who knew happily ever after would be so...soggy?"
Their chuckles mingle with my own, a symphony of shared mirth that dances on the breeze. We stand together, four hearts entwined, ready to leap into forever, and I've never felt more alive. I stand here, my heart pounding like a drumline in my chest, flanked by Wyatt, Emrys, and Wilder—three pillars of strength, love, and undeniable sex appeal. I can't help but think, Girl, you hit the jackpot.
