Harlan scooped me up in his arms, with the biggest smile I had ever seen on his face. "Let's eat ice cream in bed and look up baby names."
I laughed and nodded, tucking my head into his neck as he navigated us through our home.
Breathing him in, I let myself dream of our future, of our tomorrow and every tomorrow after that. Because in this moment, in the arms of the man I loved everything in the world felt right.
EPILOGUE - HARLAN
The sun dipped low over the ranch, painting the sky in hues of honey and fire. Summer wind stirred the tall grass in the meadow, and laughter drifted from the crowd gathered under the open archway Kane had built himself out of reclaimed wood.
Our daughter toddled barefoot through the meadow aisle, curls bouncing, a daisy crown slipping sideways on her head.
And right beside her, steady and barefoot as always, walked Remi.
One tiny hand gripped Remi’s finger like it was the only anchor she needed in the world. Her other hand clutched the hem of Remi’s dress, dragging it slightly through the grass as they walked.
Remi leaned down and whispered something in her ear that made her squeal with laughter. The kind that always hit me straight in the chest.
My little girl had been her shadow from the moment she could walk. She followed Remi through the clinic, across porch boards, through barns and gardens like she was tethered by a thread only they could see.
Remi looked up, met my gaze, and smiled.
There was a ring on her finger now, subtle, but there. We had been at the dinner table when he proposed to her, and I was barely able to hold Ava back and keep our little one from climbing the walls in the same breath. But something about seeing the ring in the light, catching the faintest glint as she walked my daughter down the aisle, it hit me all over again.
She was healing. Whole. Starting her own forever.
Everyone waited on bated breaths as the two walked together... a happy quiet only interrupted by the subtle sound of wind chimes inthe background. Well, until a loud, "Up, me," caused chuckles to fill the quiet. Remi didn't hesitate; she scooped my daughter up in her arms and just like that, you could see the small swell under the flowing blue dress she wore. Barely there, but there.
Something we feared may never happen for her... not after everything.
I swallowed hard. “You did good, kiddo,” I whispered to the wind, voice thick. “Damn good.”
Remi made her way up towards Kane and me.
Then the music shifted, and my focus snapped forward.
Because walking through the arch now, radiant as I’d ever seen her, was Ava.
My soon-to-be wife.
Her dress wasn’t extravagant, simple ivory lace, off the shoulder. Her hair loose, curls trailing down her back. She glowed. God, she glowed.
She caught my eye and grinned, mouthing something only I could read.About damn time.
She made it up to me, and I couldn't help but reach for her hands, needing to anchor myself to her in this moment.
Kane stood at the front, wearing a suit with boots and a scowl like he couldn’t believe we’d dragged him into this.
“Believe it or not,” he said as the music faded, “I’m legally allowed to do this.”
The crowd laughed.
Ava rolled her eyes fondly. “Don’t make me regret this already.”
“Too late,” I muttered, earning a soft elbow to the ribs.
The ceremony wasn’t long, just enough to say what was needed. Our vows weren’t traditional. Some were whispered. Some cracked mid-sentence. Ava cried first. I cried harder.
We’d fought like hell to get here. Through fire and ash, through secrets, guilt, wreckage and hard-earned healing. Somehow, we’d made it out.
