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Epilogue
Summer
The view from the archway was gorgeous. Rows of our friends and family had gathered to watch us marry, on a beach in Hawaii under the blue, blue sky and the sun. I stood across from my groom, my hands in his and my heart beating like crazy.
This was it. The first day of the rest of our lives.
In truth, the first day had been about a year ago, when our gorgeous little girl, Jessie, had been born. She sat on her Aunt Emilia’s lap now, laughing or clapping or making google noises once in a while.
“Mama,” she called, and the crowd of gathered folks laughed.
We’d decided that Emmy wouldn’t be the maid of honor but the one who looked after little Jessie during the ceremony.
“We’re gathered here today,” the reverend said, “to celebrate the joining of these two dear souls in marriage.”
Already, tears stuck in my throat.
Matt’s deep brown eyes glistened as well. He was tan and gorgeous in his wedding attire, a single white rose pinned to his lapel, and his hair worried by the salty ocean breeze. We’d considered going back to the Bahamas, but this felt right.
Especially since we’d decided to move out here together with baby Jessie.
“—proceed with the vows,” the reverend said.
I had been so focused on Matt that I’d forgotten he was talking at all.
Matt withdrew a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. “Summer,” he said, “from the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were special and that my life would be changed forever because of you. I hardly knew that it would be in such a drastic way, or that it would take years before my stupid butt recognized it.” He’d nearly stumbled over “butt” and said “ass” instead. Probably not the best thing to do when there were kids around. “Thankfully, I managed to get you into my life and arms before you were lost to me forever. I’m eternally grateful for you and the light you bring into my life. You’re sweet and warm, just like a summer breeze. I adore you as a mother and as a woman, as the person I’m meant to be with. I love you, and I swear, I will look after you for the rest of our lives.”
Tears streaked down my cheeks. I didn’t bother wiping them away.
Matt tucked his vows away.
I didn’t have any written down, just because I’d prefer not to have to pull out a folded piece of paper from the bustier of my crystal-dotted wedding dress.
“Matt.” I tried swallowing the lump in my throat. “You saved me without knowing it, in so many more ways than just one. When I was at the lowest point in my life, you were there to sweep me off my feet. I don’t think there was a chance I could’ve resisted you, baby, because the truth was, I always wanted this and you. I love you more than you’ll ever know, and I will spend the rest of my time on this earth showing you that, and raising our baby Jessie together.”
“Mama!” Jessie yelled and clapped her hands.
Everyone laughed. A few people dried their eyes.
The rest of the ceremony was a blur, until, finally, the reverend pronounced us man and wife. “You may now kiss the bride,” he said.
Matt swept toward me and folded me into his arms. He pressed a kiss to my lips, drawing patterns over my cheeks with his fingertips and giving me every type of shiver, every type of happiness.
God, I was overwhelmed. I went weak-kneed in his embrace.
The crowd laughed and cheered, Jessie cried out for attention, and Emilia came over and hugged us both then handed us our baby girl.
Together, we walked back down the aisle as a family.
Jessie had been put down in the crib upstairs, with our trusty babysitter watching over her, and a nanny cam to watch over her. I checked it on my phone every now and again.
“Hey, Mommy,” Matt said, leaning over to kiss me on the cheek. We were seated at the main table, enjoying the cake from the wedding with our friends.
People danced out on the dance floor—a makeshift wooden floor that had been erected on the sand. We had a view on the ocean, and for a second, I snapped back to the night Pamela had shoved a cloth over my mouth and dragged me into the trees along the beach.
It was almost funny, remembering it now. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
In fact, memories of times without Matt were so sparse now, they didn’t quite compute.
“Come on, gorgeous, let’s go dance.”
Oh god. Here we go. This is it.
My stomach did a flip. I followed him out onto the dance floor, barefoot now, my wedding dress swishing around my ankles.
Matt drew me to his chest and kissed me, swaying to the beat of the music. We slow-danced around, and my nerves built higher and higher.
