AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Soph, I didn’t give you the letter expecting you to reciprocate.”
“I know. I’m not giving it to you for any other reason than I trust you, Gage. In this book are some of the rawest moments of my life. The scariest and happiest. You were part of it all. It only seemed fitting for you to have this.”
With the book set to my side, I slip my hand to the back of her neck and pull her in for a kiss. This woman will never understand how completely she changed my life. I came to this town a broken man. My soul was damaged and I didn’t believe it would ever heal. Then, along came this incredible woman who breathed life back into me.
I told her from the beginning that she would save herself. What neither of us knew was that she would also save me.
Epilogue
Sophia
2 years later...
It took about a month before I could step through these doors. It was another three before I could spend time here. The Bluebird is such a big part of our lives and I hate that there was a time when being here gave me nightmares. Thanks to a lot of therapy and Joan’s insistence she redecorate the bottom floor, I’ve been able to incorporate this house back into my life.
Thank goodness because Joan and I partnered up and are co-owners now. I can’t exactly run a bed and breakfast and never step foot in the house. We make a good team. She loves the hospitality part of things while I prefer the business planning and financials. Over the last year we’ve had a steady increase in reservations and her dream is finally coming true.
This is our first wedding, and so far things are going off without a hitch. Except that the groom’s family has pushed our capacity to its limit. I can’t complain though, because as of an hour ago, they officially became my family too.
I am officially Sophia Castillo, and just saying that name in my head makes my heart flutter in the best of ways. As I watch my husband sock his cousin and best man in the shoulder while they stand at the bar, I smile and lift the flute of champagne to my lips.
“They are ridiculous. I’m not sure how someone hasn’t been seriously injured with their roughhousing.”
Turning to face Aubrey, I say, “Your brother has a scar. It can’t be all fun and games.”
“Eh, most of them have been punched by Estella. That doesn’t count. Are you sure you want to be part of this family?”
“Absolutely. Are you having fun?”
She takes a sip from her straw. I learned early on that Aubrey had a bad encounter in college after a night of drinking and gave it up. It was important to Gage that we have mocktails at the reception so nobody, especially his sister, feels out of place. Morgan was thrilled too since she and Leo are expecting my first godchild and she thought her only drink choices would be sparkling cider or water.
“I am.”
We stand talking for a few minutes, including family members and friends as they walk by. It isn’t long before Gage and Blake, one of his groomsmen, join us. Blake is a little intimidating. Handsome and serious, there’s something about the way he looks at you that leaves you feeling like you missed something. It’s no wonder he’s so good at his job.
“Hey kiddo, are you having fun?”
“Gage, I’m not a kid,” Aubrey scolds her brother. Blake and I smirk at one another as they bicker for a few minutes.
Turning to his attention, Gage asks, “Blake, what do you say?”
“About?”
“It’s fine to call my little sister, kid.”
Blake turns his attention to Aubrey. I catch his eyes lingering a little on my beautiful new sister-in-law before saying, “She doesn’t look like a kid.”
Gage scoffs and grabs my hand. “I’m going to dance with my wife.”
I let him guide me to the makeshift dance floor and spin me out and back before pulling me flush to his body. Tonight has been everything I hoped for as we professed our love and commitment to one another before our family and friends. Seeing Maribel and Jeremiah again feels a like the final piece to putting all the bad memories of college to bed.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are, Mrs. Castillo?”
“Yes you have, Mr. Castillo. Wait you’ve always been Mr. Castillo. How aboutmy husband?”
He laughs and places a quick kiss to my lips and pulls me closer to him, our hearts beating in rhythm. I’ll never tire of being this close to him. Letting him hold me and tell me he loves me are the best parts of my day.
The End
