EPILOGUE
Fallat the winery was the perfect time of year for an outdoor wedding. The sycamore trees lining the driveway from the main road to the house were in full spectacular color. The bright yellows, oranges, and reds in the surrounding oak and aspen grove mixed with the changing grapevines and provided the perfect backdrop against the still lush green grass.
Devon stood with the pastor under the canopy, waiting for Elle to make her grand entrance. While he waited, he soaked in the features around him so he wouldn’t forget a single detail. The garden area was beautifully decorated with a variety of fall-colored planters and flowers. The October air was crisp and invigorating, the slight breeze gentle enough to be comfortable in the setting sun.
The path Elle would take to him was adorned with thick grass, manicured hedges, and white marble statues. The walking bridge over the reflection pool was what sealed the deal for Elle, but the reception area was a close second. Pergolas over linen-covered tables with hanging paper lanterns and candles in glass jars on the tables completed the ambiance. Knee-high hurricane candles were staggered along the pathway and around the pool. The guest chairs were draped in matching linens, completing her dream wedding theme.
Beth, Brianna, Chaise, and Heather emerged first, escorted by Jeff, Reaper, Bull, and Rebel. When the music changed to the wedding march, Shadow craned his neck to see Elle. She’d insisted on keeping her wedding gown a secret from him and had spent the night at her parents’ house, away from him, the night before. One night away from her was more than enough. Over the past year while they’d worked the movie junkets and planned their wedding, he hadn’t spent more than a few hours apart from her. The sudden change was not welcomed or appreciated.
Then she stepped into view, escorted by her father, and he forgot every other detail. All he could see was the most beautiful woman in the world walking to him. To stand by his side. For better or for worse. Through sickness and health. Till death claimed them both, for real this time.
She wore a floor-length gown, the train extending behind her only slightly. The top was sheer, with lace appliques strategically placed to give the illusion of much less fabric. The waist tapered in to show off her figure and elegance. Her hair was curled and piled high on her head in a perfectly messy heap. Small flowers and baby’s breath were secured inside the ringlets, giving her a graceful and carefree effect.
When she reached the last row of guest chairs, she smiled at him, and pride swelled in his chest. The moment he’d always said would never happen couldn’t happen soon enough. He was marrying the love of his life. He was giving her his name. She moved closer to him, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears of happiness.
Her father passed her hand to Devon, and she gripped his tightly. Her lifeline, her rock, her love—her everything. The demons of the past no longer plagued her because the life she’d built with Devon drove out all the wicked shadows. They lived every moment in the light, grateful for one more day together, thankful for every night in each other’s arms.
The pastor went through the usual verbiage found in a wedding, but they’d written their own vows to each other.
“Elle, I promise you will never regret agreeing to be my wife. My sole purpose in life is simultaneously to make you happy, give you more love than you’ve ever known, and fill our home with light and laughter. I promise to be the best husband, friend, confidant, and partner I can be. Your needs will come first, always. All I ask in return is that you’re my girl—forever.”
He slid the wedding band onto her finger and raised it to his lips.
“Devon, since the day I met you, you’ve owned my heart in one way or another. As a little kid, you were my hero. When I was a young adult, you were my love. Our love and relationship progressed, and you became so much more. My champion, my cheerleader, my savior, my best friend, my partner, my very heart. I promise I will be all these things and more for you. I promise to love you until my dying breath, and then take that love to the afterlife with me, where I’ll wait for you to join me again. I promise to be there when you wake in the morning and when you go to sleep at night, giving you whatever you need or want. I promise to love you and only you unconditionally for all time.”
She slid the wedding band onto his finger.
With a long, lingering kiss, they sealed their union in front of their family and friends. The bond had always been there—tried, tested, and true.
After the reception dinner, Mark turned on the lights around the dance floor and had the DJ fire up the sound system. Devon and Elle took the floor alone for their first dance as husband and wife. She melted into his arms, still eager for his embrace after having him at her beck and call for more than a solid year. She accepted and embraced she’d never grow tired of him. She’d never not want him with her.
The night she spent alone was proof of that. She awoke several times and picked up her phone, nearly calling him to her each time. She was amazed she’d been strong enough to resist.
“I missed you last night,” she admitted.
“Darlin’, I missed you too. I almost drove up here to climb in your window. I don’t know how I ever slept without you.”
“Same. I got no sleep last night.”
“You won’t get any sleep tonight either.”
“I don’t want to sleep tonight. I want you.”
“You have me—all night, every night, forever.”
“It’s a good thing we’re already packed for our honeymoon then, isn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m so looking forward to our two weeks in St. Lucia. Back to our spot. Our room. Our happy place.”
“I’ve found my happy place. It’s wherever you are.”
“That’s all I want. Because I’ll be wherever you are. You’re my girl—forever.”
And they lived…happily ever after.
