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Tatum comes back into the room and tells us that once the music starts playing, we’ll begin. I do my best to compose my emotions. Just as the sound of the piano comes from the other room, the front doors burst open. Ivy squeals and I whirl around to see Colton standing here, breathing heavily.
“What are you doing here?! I thought you were getting on a plane today.”
“I am.” He pants. “Unless you can give me a reason to stay.”
“Colton…” I say unsurely, but he cuts me off.
“No, just hear me out.” He steps toward me. “I have made more than my fair share of mistakes when it comes to you. I’ve been reckless, and I’ve hurt you, and I thought I ruined any chance we had together, but what if I didn’t? For the last two weeks, I’ve been convincing myself that you’re better off with him. God knows he’s the better man for you. He’s the one you should choose, but I’m standing here anyway, asking you to pick me. I may not be the better man, but if you give me the chance, I will spend every single day proving that I can be deserving of you. Be with me, Princess. Grow old with me, because he may be able to make you happy, but he will never love you like I do.”
The music goes quiet as I stand there, gaping at him and willing myself to say something, anything.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” I tell him.
“Then don’t.”
The familiarity in the words is not lost on me. My heart is pounding inside my chest as the room stays quiet. It’s all too much, too fast. I take a deep breath when behind me, the door opens and my fiancé’s British accent fills the room.
“McKenna? Is everything alright?”
I look at Parker and then back at Colton – speechless as they both wait for an answer.
Epilogue
MCKENNA
FIVE YEARS LATER
I wake up to the feeling of a tiny human jumping on my bed. Peeking my eyes open, I see Tanner, my three-year-old son, excitedly staring down at me. I reach up and grab him, wrapping him tightly in my arms as he giggles happily.
“Wake up, Mommy.”
I groan and pretend to still be asleep. “Mmm. Cuddle with my teddy.”
“I’m not a teddy, I’m Tanner!”
“Tanner teddy.” I grumble, trying not to smile as he peels my eyelids open.
“You have to wake up, Mommy. Grandma’s downstairs and she says you need to get out of bed or you lazy.”
I sigh and rub my hand over my eyes. “Okay, okay. I’m up.”
Throwing on a pair of my favorite sweats, I scoop up my son and carry him down the stairs. My mom is sitting at the table, reading the newspaper with two cups of coffee – one for me and one for her. I put Tanner down and tell him to go play with Grandpa, smiling as he runs over to my dad.
“Good morning, honey.” My mother greets me.
“Morning.” I murmur, mentally thanking her for the caffeine dose. Who knew children could be so tiresome?
She hands me the newspaper turned to the front page. “Have you seen this?”
I look down at the marriage announcement that covers most of the page. My ex’s face is front and center with his new bride. I knew it was coming, having heard from Tatum that they were planning their wedding. I honestly thought it would sting, seeing him married to someone else, but looking at this picture, it only assures me that I made the right choice all those years ago. He’s content and in a good place. That’s all I ever wanted.
“I’m happy for him.” I smile.
Taking the coffee mug in my hands, I walk out the back door and over to the swing. The ring on my finger glistens in the sunlight, matching the one on the man next to me. I lay my head on his shoulder as we watch our son run around with my dad.
“Thank you.” I tell him.
“For what?”
