Epilogue （Oliver）

T oday is the day—our wedding day. Nothing could have ever prepared me for the way that my hands are trembling as I think of starting forever with my favorite person. It's a mix of emotions, and I am somehow the happiest I've ever been and yet simultaneously so scared. We had both made decisions regarding the wedding, although Hunter wanted to keep the ceremony a surprise, refusing to let me make any decisions. In turn, I was in charge of the reception. It's nice to think of him surprising me with something this important. The only thing I had to do was write my vows, which was possibly the hardest thing I've ever done.

Jamie comes into the grooms' room and tells us that the ceremony is about to start, and my eyes immediately begin to sting. Hunter cups my face, his deep green eyes staring down at me with so much love. He kisses my forehead and grabs my hand tightly, directing me to the door leading us outside, where we will walk down the aisle.

Hunter and I decided to walk down the aisle together instead of him waiting for me at the end of it. It's not traditional, though nothing about us has ever been either. Our love story started early on, and we have been inseparable ever since. We came to the conclusion that we have spent enough time apart, and we want to start the rest of our lives together in every sense of the word.

He pulls the door open and bright light assaults my eyes, making me squint. We have to go through a patio in order to the ceremony, and he squeezes my hand once. "Close your eyes, Ollie baby." I grin and shake my head. "It's not a surprise unless you close your eyes."

I close my eyes and let him pull me to wherever he wants me to be. When we reach that place, he stops me with his hands on my shoulders, steadying me. His hands trail down my arms and toward my own hands until he laces his fingers with mine.

"Open your eyes," Hunter says softly, and I do, focusing on his face.

He's so handsome, and I decide to take him in one more time before walking down the aisle. His hair is styled, longer on top, and faded on the sides. And he looks incredible in a tux. I adjust his bowtie again before grabbing one of his hands and lacing our fingers together. Hunter leans in one more time and kisses me softly.

"Here's to forever, Ollie."

"Here's to us," I say softly.

I turn to the front, gasping as I take in my surroundings. The aisle flooring is stone, and on either side there are candles of various sizes leading down to the most beautiful green arch with white flowers on it. An officiant and Jamie, Dylan, and Connor are waiting for us at the end. There are seats on either side of the aisle, but it doesn't seem to be divided by guests for each groom. Instead, everyone is mixed in. A giant oak tree provides shade to our guests, and white flowers are attached to tree branches, looking as if they're raining down on us. It's absolutely perfect. And he did this—for me.

Hunt squeezes my hand once as the violin version of Enchanted by Taylor Swift plays, signaling the start of the ceremony. Hand in hand, we walk slowly down the aisle. I glance around and see the faces of my family, friends, and Hunter's friends from his team and college. My hands begin to shake the closer we get to the officiant, and he squeezes again in reassurance. My father sits in the front row, looking at us with a big smile on his face as we finally reach the front, turning to face each other. He goes for both my hands and holds them, waiting for the lady to speak.

"Welcome to the wedding of Hunter and Ollie," the blonde woman says, and I instantly relax at my nickname. "We are here today to celebrate their love and the crazy love story they have had."

She begins to retell a brief story about how we lost each other yet found our way back, the stars finally aligning for us. But I can barely hear her. Rather, I focus on how Hunter's hands are not trembling. His posture is relaxed, and he has a soft smile on his face, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He's so sure of this, of us, and it brings me peace.

"You may say your vows."

While we didn't practice this part, I know it's Hunter's turn. He's supposed to go first, and when his eyes connect with mine, everything else gets lost in the background. It's just the two of us now, surrounded by flowers, candles, and love.

"Ollie, baby, first, I want to take the time to tell you that I love you more than life. I must have done something right to find someone like you—special and one of a kind. I knew that from the time we were kids, and that's why I could never let you go. Your love is unlike any I have ever experienced. It's the most real thing I've ever had. Unquestionable." My throat tightens as Hunter's eyes begin to mist over, and he clears his throat. " I promise to say I'm sorry less and love you harder—the same way you love me. I promise to make sure you know how deep it runs. I'm so glad I never gave up on us." I squeeze his hands as tears trail down my face. "I love you. I got you. Forever and always."

I chuckle nervously and sniffle, trying not to focus on anyone else but him.

Clearing my throat, I begin to say my own vows. "Hunter, since we were kids, we've been inseparable. And all of these years later—we still are. You are my other half, the puzzle piece that fits perfectly with mine. With you, I can just be myself. I just belong. You are my home, my entire world, and my chosen family. And now you are my husband." I sniffle, and Hunter reaches up to brush away my tears with his thumb, then returns to holding my hands as tears trail down his cheeks. "It's a privilege to be by your side for the rest of my life. I love you. I got you back. Forever and always."

The officiant then says, "May you always create a light within each other and tend to the flame in each other's hearts." Jamie steps up to me with a lit candle, and Connor steps up to Hunter with another one while the officiant hands us one for us to both hold together.

"So, now, please share the light of your love and solidify your union."

We both light our candle together, smiling at each other and hand it back to the officiant. I can see the photographer and videographer from the corner of my eye, and I know this is the moment we've all been waiting for.

"You may kiss your husband."

A violin version of Love Story by Taylor Swift begins to play in the background, and butterflies flutter in my stomach as we lean into each other and our lips finally meet, sealing the deal. It's a soft kiss filled with love and emotion, and I beam as I hear the scraping of chairs and applause fill the air.

Hunter dips me, kissing me deeply, and everything begins to tingle. When he lets me back up, I have a flush on my cheeks and my heart is beating a little faster. This is it, we're married . I've been waiting for this moment for what feels like my entire life, and it's finally here.

We turn toward our family and friends, raising our clasped hands up in the air as we celebrate, and everyone begins to throw white rose petals as we walk back down the aisle. I see everyone smiling, but when I look at Hunter, he's smiling down at me—and that's when I know.

I know that it was always meant to be us, like this, together .