Epilogue

Clara

Mrs. Ethan Gray, that's me. After a long engagement, I'm finally a married woman. I wasn't sure if we were ever going to get to this day.

First, there were the arguments about where we should get married. My mom wanted Star Mountain, which I agreed with, but Ethan's mom wanted his hometown. Guess who won? Me, the bride.

That brings us to the second argument. I wanted a small wedding with a reception in Wilder and Ivy's backyard. No one with the last name St. James believes in the word small. Ethan and I have made friends all over the world in the last two years, and we didn't want anyone to feel like we were leaving them out, so I wanted the wedding to be family only. Guess who won? Me, the bride.

The last delay? Well, she has blue eyes like her dad and was born one week after our original wedding date. I wanted to be able to wear the wedding dress I bought for our original date in Paris, and I couldn't do that when pregnant or for several months after. Guess who won? Me, the bride.

How did I win all these arguments, you might ask. The gorgeous man in the tux dancing with his baby girl. He made sure everything was what I wanted and wouldn't budge a single inch. When we found out about our little surprise, Imogen, we were shocked but so very happy. Delaying the wedding didn't matter to us, we were already as solid as we could be. Plus, we had already gotten married in Scotland a week after Ethan proposed. No one knows but us – I'm good at keeping secrets, just ask my big brothers. Technically, I'm an old married woman on my wedding day.

"Can I have this dance?" My favorite voice asks from behind me.

I turn, and there he is. "I thought you already had a partner?" I look around for our daughter. She's a year old and loves being the center of attention.

"She's dancing with Uncle Miles. He came and whisked her away."

"Well, I hope I'll do as a replacement."

"Oh, angel, you're perfect."

The song is slow and being in his arms feels like heaven. We've gone on lots of adventures together and have become parents in the last two years. We thought we would put down roots when we started our family, but so far, we've decided to keep traveling. Maybe when Imogen is older and ready for school, we'll stay in Star Mountain for good, but who knows what the future will bring?

"I have a wedding present for you," my husband says into my ear as we dance.

"You do? I thought we weren't doing those."

"Well, this one is actually for both of us."

"Now I'm intrigued. What could it be?" We keep dancing and he twirls me around faster.

"Imogen is having a sleepover tonight with her uncles."

"Uncles?"

"Yes. Hunter and Miles are having a sleepover with all the nieces and nephews tonight. It's going to be madness and I can't wait to hear about it tomorrow. Your mom will be on call if they need help."

"So, we'll be alone tonight?"

"Yes, my angel, we will."

"Can we leave now?"

Not waiting to ask permission, Ethan grabs my hand, and we make a run for it, making a quick stop to kiss and tell our daughter that we love her. The cake has been cut, pictures have been taken, and we danced our first dance. We've ticked all the boxes.

We get into the car and head toward our house. Since we're leaving with Imogen for another trip in the morning and skipping a conventional honeymoon, we'd planned on just staying home as a family tonight.

Ethan carries me over the threshold and into our home.

"You're my favorite adventure," he says with a smile.

"I can't wait to see what happens next."