Epilogue

Barrett

Two weeks later…

The backyard islit with fairy lights in the trees, and candles in mason jars light the path that Genevieve will walk down to meet me. It’s all simple but beautiful, and everyone pitched in to make it a perfect day for us.
Hay bales make up the seats and everyone is getting into place because it’s almost time. Soft music comes from a guitar being played close by, and I can see movement in the house. Genevieve’s father is walking her down the aisle and I can see him holding the door open to wait on her.
She hid in our bedroom and I had to get ready in the nursery so I wouldn’t see her. It was the only thing she asked for, so of course I had to reluctantly give in. I love her so much that I can’t deny her anything. Even if it’s been driving me crazy.
My sisters are standing in the front with Gabi as we all wait for her to walk out. Steph’s husband John and their two kids are sitting close and he can’t keep his eyes off of Steph. She told me today that they’re moving back home, and I nearly gave my mother a heart attack when I yelled with excitement and picked her up and spun her around. After all that’s happened she said she’s finally at peace and just wants to be closer to all of us. Especially since Genevieve and I are expecting.
My mom and dad haven’t stopped smiling since they came into the hospital and found out everyone was okay. They love Genevieve and her parents and they’ve all loved fussing over us and helping plan the wedding.
This home is where Genevieve and I fell in love, and we knew this was the place we wanted to get married. When we got back from the hospital she didn’t seem surprised that I wanted to move the wedding up. In fact, she seemed just as ready as I was. If anything, this whole thing made us realize just how short and precious life really is. I’m ready to fill this house with a family and begin our lives as husband and wife.
When she walks out onto the back porch her smile lights up the whole night. She’s got her hair pulled to one side with flowers in it. Her dress is a simple slip that hugs her body and flows down to her bare feet. She steps onto the soft grass and clutches her bouquet of lilies in one hand and her dad’s arm in the other. I can only stare at her, at how utterly beautiful she is, as she gets closer.
Her dad approaches, and the minister begins to speak, but all I can concentrate on is how breathtaking she is. The moonlight shines on her pale skin, and I can still see her blush up at me. Her dad puts her hand in mine and I pull her close to me before I reach up and run my thumb along her cheek. I whisper to her how perfect she looks and how much I love her as the ceremony begins around us. I’m prompted to say words and I repeat what I’m supposed to. But all I can think is how lucky I am that I get to marry my best friend—the woman I love and want to spend every moment of every day with for the rest of our lives.
When Genevieve slides the wedding band on my finger it finally feels real. To have her mark on me, just like the one I have on her. I can’t help it when my hand goes to her belly and I say my vows. Because in this moment I promise it not only to her, but to our child as well, and I want our witnesses to see it.
“I will love you until my last breath and beyond. You will be my soulmate for all eternity. This I vow,” I say, and Genevieve begins to cry.
I wipe her tears away and pull her close as I press my lips to hers. They’re so soft and sweet, and nothing in my life has ever felt so perfect.
Cheers from the crowd erupt around us as I reach down and scoop her up in my arms. I hold her there as the minister announces us and I’m so proud I could practically float.
The rest of the night is a blur, but I try to hold on to every memory I can. We dance and eat cake, and we laugh all through the night. Our wedding is everything we dreamed it could be and so much more. I’ve given Genevieve all that she wanted and made her dreams come true. But this is only the beginning. Our days will begin again and this time there’s nothing standing in our way.
“I love you, wife,” I whisper in her ear as I pull her close.
“I love you, husband,” she says, resting her head on my chest as we sway to the music.
I’ll never get tired of hearing those words.