Epilogue

EPILOGUE

ZAYN

H udson stood in front of me, adjusting the bow tie currently strangling me.

"Stop," I muttered. "My bride does not want to see me with blue lips. You're cutting off the circulation."

"You're fine," he said and slapped my hands away. "Your bride doesn't want you to have a crooked bow tie. There are going to be no less than a million pictures of you today. You don't want to look like a dumbass with a crooked bow tie."

"I think you're exaggerating the importance of this tie," I huffed but let Hudson continue to fiddle with it. He finally seemed satisfied and took a step back, scanning me critically.

"There," he stated triumphantly. "Now you look like a man who's got it together. A man ready to be a husband… and a father."

His words sent a thrill of excitement through me. Father. In six months, that was what I would be. I could hardly believe it.

"Wow," I murmured, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. "I'm going to be a dad."

Hudson clapped me on the shoulder with a big grin. "And you're going to kill it. Now, are you ready to do this or do you need a drink?"

I gave him a look. "You're not supposed to offer me a drink."

"I'm on the wagon, not you," he said with a shrug.

I was so damn proud of my brother. He managed to stay sober even when others drank around him. I wasn't sure I would have that same kind of self-control.

"Well, I am on the wagon for the next six months," I told him. "I'm standing in solidarity with my wife."

"She's not going to be your wife if you don't get your ass down the aisle," he said with a hint of a smile.

The door opened and Hayes walked in. "What the hell are you doing in here? Do you need more time to do your makeup? I think this is the first wedding I've ever been to that the bride is ready before the groom."

I laughed, nudging my brother's shoulder. "Just making sure I don't trip over a shoelace or something. You know, ruin the wedding by faceplanting on my way to the altar."

Hayes rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his grin. "That would make for some memorable photos."

Hudson looked at his watch. "We have a bride waiting."

The three of us made our way to the chapel, my heart pounding with nerves and excitement. I could hear the faint hum of music and chatter as we neared. Hayes, Hudson, Dane, and Kameron were all part of the wedding party. Reese, Jett, and Liam were attending, but with their schedules and them living out of town, they opted not to be a part of the wedding. There were no hard feelings. We all understood the demands of life and it wasn't like there weren't enough of us to be a part of the next wedding.

My best man was my dad. When it came time to make the decision, I knew right away who I wanted standing beside me.

When I asked him, I remembered the conversation very well. "Don't think this means I'm automatically asking you to be my best man," he'd said.

I had chuckled, shaking my head. "It's alright, Dad. You can ask Hudson or Hayes. I don't want to crush their fragile egos. I'm just glad to have you standing beside me. Hudson would give me shit and I'm sure Hayes would be cracking jokes."

But the truth was, having him stand beside me today felt right. He was the one who'd always been in my corner, the one who pushed me back toward Marigold when I'd been too blind to see what was right in front of me. He'd guided me through this relationship, offering advice and wisdom—some of which was useful, some less so. Hudson helped too, of course, but Dad was the anchor.

"Just breathe, son," Dad whispered from behind me.

I stood at the end of the aisle, hands clasped in front of me, trying not to fidget. My father's solid presence helped calm me. I could hear his breathing and focused on that while I waited for Marigold. The sun was shining through the stained-glass windows, casting pretty colors around the chapel.

It was a perfect day. I should've been nervous. People got nervous on their wedding day. I'd heard horror stories of guys sweating through their suits, hearts pounding like jackhammers, legs shaking so badly they couldn't even manage a smile for the cameras. But here I was, feeling calm. Relaxed, even.

Hopeful.

And then the music started.

I glanced down the aisle, and there she was—Marigold, my Marigold—gliding toward me in the most breathtaking gown I'd ever seen on the arm of her dad, Jay. The dress was simple but elegant and hugged her in all the right places. She looked radiant. Truly, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her eyes locked on mine, a little smile on her lips like we had a secret.

Which we did.

My stomach flipped, not because of nerves but because of the sheer joy of it all. This wasn't just our wedding day—it was the day I married the woman carrying our child. That secret made everything feel even more special. No one else knew, except for Elaine, of course, who had picked up on it with her Sherlock Holmes-level pregnancy radar. And Hudson, who had caught me looking at a nursery supply website. He had been sworn to secrecy.

Marigold walked closer, her smile growing. My heart swelled in my chest to the point it felt like it might bust right through my sternum. God, she looked incredible. I could hardly believe she was mine. And not just for today. For always.

"Breathe, son," Dad muttered beside me, nudging me with his elbow.

"I'm breathing," I shot back under my breath. "Barely."

"Good. We wouldn't want you passing out before she even makes it to the altar. I don't think I have the strength to hold you up and I have a feeling your brothers will let you fall on your face."

"I'm fine," I said, not taking my eyes off Marigold.

She made it to the end of the aisle. I reached for her hand as Jay whispered something to his daughter before she let go and the rest of the world faded. It was just us. I didn't hear my father or see the crowd that was mostly my family sitting out in the pews.

The ceremony went off without a hitch. We exchanged vows, the kind that made Marigold's eyes tear up and made me feel like I could take on the world. I couldn't even remember what the officiant said. I figured the only thing I needed to remember was the rest of my life. That was the part of our vows I was committed to.

By the time we kissed—the first of many as husband and wife—the crowd erupted into applause. Marigold and I practically floated down the aisle together, high-fiving my brothers and cousins and a few nephews as we passed.

After pictures, which I barely managed to survive without making too many dumb faces, we were announced as husband and wife for the first time by the DJ at our reception. The ballroom was set up with round tables under strings of fairy lights. Kathy had outdone herself with the planning. She had a knack for turning even the simplest event into something magical. She claimed it was the practice she had with her sons' weddings. I was happy to be the beneficiary of her experience.

Marigold and I took our seats at the head table, glancing around at our guests. Bancrofts filled most of the seats. It was a small wedding by Bancroft standards, just seventy-five people or so, but it was perfect. Personal. Cozy. Marigold didn't want anything over the top. We knew Dad and Kathy's wedding was going to be huge. We would get all the people in then.

The servers began bringing out the food. I stood up, clearing my throat as I picked up the mic. Marigold looked up at me with a huge smile. She knew what I was about to do—for the most part.

"I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for being here today," I started, looking out over the sea of faces. "You've all been a part of our journey, and we wouldn't be here without you."

I glanced down at Marigold, who was looking up at me with those bright, adoring eyes that made my heart skip a beat. "And to my beautiful wife." I paused for dramatic effect, relishing the sound of that word. "Wife. I think I'm going to enjoy saying that."

The room erupted into cheers and laughter. Marigold blushed, laughing along with them.

"Me too, husband ." She smiled.

"I couldn't be more thankful for you," I continued. "For everything we've been through. And for everything we've got ahead of us." I looked down at her, nodding for her to stand up beside me. She rose gracefully, her hand slipping into mine again.

"Now," I said, a grin spreading across my face. "We broke tradition a little bit tonight."

The room quieted down, everyone waiting to see what we were going to say.

"Instead of wedding favors, we're making you all something," I said.

A few chuckles from the audience.

"But it's not done yet," I added, shrugging dramatically. "It's a work in progress."

Marigold took the mic from me. "If you'll all look under your chairs."

There was a pause, and then suddenly, the sound of paper rustling filled the room as people reached beneath their chairs. And then, one by one, gasps of surprise.

Attached to the bottom of each chair was an ultrasound picture, with a small note that read, Baby Bancroft, due this Christmas.

There was a beat of silence, and then the room erupted into cheers, laughter, and more than a few squeals of excitement.

Elaine, seated next to Carlos, looked like she might burst with happiness. Kathy was fanning herself dramatically, looking between Marigold and me with tears in her eyes. Hudson stood up and pretended to faint into his chair, earning a smack from Hayes, who couldn't stop grinning.

I appreciated his acting skills.

I turned to Marigold, who was laughing, her face flushed with joy. "You're the sneakiest partner in crime I've ever had," I whispered, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"This was the most exciting crime I've ever been a part of," she replied.

The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of food, dancing, and speeches. Hayes's speech, as expected, was filled with hilarious digs at my expense. I knew it was coming and I didn't mind a bit.

Dad took the mic to deliver his speech. "I couldn't be prouder of the man Zayn has become," Dad said, looking directly at me. "And I know Marigold is the one who brought out the best in him. She's his compass, his rock, and now, she's given him the greatest gift of all—a family. I've enjoyed watching all of my sons grow up. I'm so proud of you, Zayn. I know you are going to be a great father. I love you, son."

I might've hugged him a little too hard after that, but hey, it wasn't every day your dad gave you a speech like that.

I found myself standing on the dance floor with Marigold in my arms as we swayed under the thousands of fairy lights. The music played softly, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses fading into the background.

"This has been the best night of my life," she murmured, her head resting on my chest.

I kissed the top of her head, holding her a little closer. "And it's only the beginning."

***