Epilogue

Epilogue

Everly

T his morning, Elizabeth, the bridal consultant, arrived with racks of dresses. Harrison left shortly after, saying he was taking Wren to the parks.

As much as I wanted to enjoy the parks, I was excited to get to try on dresses with my friends. Something I never thought I’d do.

A three-hundred-sixty-degree mirror was set up in front of a couple of chaises. My friends, Abby, Lily, Aria, Harper, and Gia, were waiting for the show to begin as they sipped champagne.

I followed the consultant into my bedroom where she pulled ballgowns for me to try first.

“I’m going to caution you ahead of time. Not everyone looks the best in a ballgown, but I have a feeling you were made for one,” Elizabeth said with a smile.

Excitement bubbled alongside the champagne in my stomach as I stepped into the first one. She buttoned the back while I took in the dress in the full-length mirror.

Elizabeth beamed at me. “You are radiant in this dress. It’s beautiful.”

It was tight in the waist and ballooned out like a traditional ballgown. There was so much volume and material that I felt a little swallowed up by it.

“Do you have something with a little less—” I gestured at the material threatening to overtake me.

She smiled. “Do you want to show your friends this one first? After all, they came here for a show.”

I gathered the dress in my hands so I could walk. “Let’s give them one then.”

When I appeared, several women covered their mouths with their hands, and others cried out about how beautiful I looked in it.

Gia walked up to me. “You don’t love it?”

“I think the skirt is too much.”

“You can pull it off, but I can tell by your posture that it’s not the one for you,” Elizabeth said.

This time, Elizabeth pulled a different dress with less volume, hanging it on the door for me to see. “This one has a romantic, sweetheart neckline, dreamy lace, and tulle, with a delicate crystal belt at the waist.”

My breath stuck in my throat. “It’s gorgeous.”

“You want to try it on?” Elizabeth asked.

“Definitely.” This one felt different going on. I felt a little light-headed as I stepped into it and waited for her to fasten the delicate buttons on the back.

“I can tell you like this one,” Elizabeth said as she looked at me in the mirror.

I sucked in a breath, feeling a little panicked. “I think this is it. But it can’t be. We’ve only tried on two dresses.”

“Most brides pick one of the first three dresses they try on.”

“Really?” I asked her.

“They might try them on for hours and over several days, but they always come back to it. Ready to show your friends?”

I hesitated, wondering what was bothering me. “It’s missing something.”

Elizabeth brightened. “Let’s give them the full package. Shall we?”

She fixed a sparkly tiara in my hair and attached a long veil. She added dangling crystal earrings to match the belt and heels.

I pressed a hand to my chest when she was finished, tears stinging my eyes.

“Are you ready to show your friends?” Elizabeth asked after she’d given me a few seconds to take it in.

“Let’s do this.” I lifted the skirt and walked behind Elizabeth to the living room.

This time, the room was quiet as I moved to face the mirror. I only had eyes for the dress in the mirror. It was perfect for me. It was delicate and beautiful, and I felt like a bride.

“This is the one,” Gia said as she approached me and rested a hand on my arm.

I nodded as tears collected in my eyes. I couldn’t believe I was standing in this luxury suite overlooking a lake, trying on dresses like a princess. I wiped away the tears and turned to face my friends. I held out my arms and squealed, “I’m getting married.”

Everyone approached, hugging me and oohing and ahhing over the dress as they got a better look.

“This is gorgeous on you,” Lily said.

“You look radiant in it. It’s the one,” Gia added.

“But what do you think?” Abby held her camera in her hand. I wondered if she’d gotten candid photographs of me coming out with my dress. I hadn’t even thought of asking her to do that.

I lifted the skirt and twirled around to face the mirror again. “This is it. I’m sorry I didn’t put on more of a show for you.”

Elizabeth tipped her head slightly. “You can try on dresses all day. That’s what I’m here for. Some brides want to try on every style before they make a final decision.”

“Let’s do that,” I said, needing to make sure I wasn’t overlooking something else. Besides, Harrison had set this up for me, and we should enjoy it.

When I was in my bedroom, Elizabeth carefully set the dress, veil, and shoes aside and explained each style of dress. I dutifully tried on one of each and paraded them in front of my friends. Everyone agreed I’d already found my princess dress.

Finally, Elizabeth called a seamstress up to make the final alternations while Abby snapped photos of me in the mirror.

I couldn’t believe I was marrying my best friend. I used to think it was too good to be true, but now I knew I deserved every bit of happiness.

We spent the next few days at the parks with Wren and our friends, soaking up the magic and creating memories we’d cherish forever.

On Friday evening, I got ready with my bridesmaids and rode with my dad in the carriage to the small church where the ceremony would take place. The reception would be on the patio of a nearby restaurant.

On the way, Dad asked, “Are you happy?”

Overwhelmed with emotion, I said, “I have you in my life, Harrison, and Wren. I can’t even put into words how I feel. It wouldn’t do it justice.”

Dad patted my hand. “I’m just happy to not be missing any more of your moments, big and small.”

“I want you here through all of them.” I wanted my father to walk me down the aisle. I wanted him at the hospital when we delivered our first child. I wanted him there for everything. I couldn’t say the same for my mother.

I’d forgiven her, but I couldn’t say if she would have a place in my life going forward. It depended on her attitude. If she was negative, then she’d need to go. I didn’t hold any guilt around that. I created my reality, and the one I wanted was filled with light and happiness. I didn’t need anyone in my life weaving a different tale.

Dad got out of the carriage first, holding out a hand to assist me. Cynthia was there to adjust my dress and hand me the bouquet.

Gia approached me. “I might not have had a hand in planning this one, but it’s going to be amazing.”

I smiled. “I think so too.”

She hugged me tight. “To many more weddings.”

Lily and Abby had met their significant others, but the rest of our crew hadn’t. I wanted everyone to be as happy as I was, but first, I needed to marry my Prince Charming. Harrison. My best friend. The boy who’d been there for me since I was ten.

“I want to see my groom,” I said to Cynthia.

Cynthia gestured for the music to start, and the attendants started moving. I couldn’t wait to see Harrison’s expression when he saw me for the first time.

There was a pause in the music before I entered the church. My heart pounded in my chest, and it was only my father’s hand covering mine over the crook of his elbow that kept me from floating away.

Harrison’s gaze met mine, and everything faded away. The gorgeous flowers and quaint church. Our friends and family. There was nothing but me and him. And the love we shared.

It didn’t matter if my mother was here or not because she didn’t affect me or my mood anymore.

I was in a fog when Dad handed me off to Harrison, saying something that was too low for me to make out, but I assumed it was something like, Take care of my girl . It warmed me all over that I had family and friends looking out for me and my happiness. That I’d never feel alone again.

Then my hand was safely enclosed in Harrison’s, and the pastor was saying the words that would bind us together for eternity because there was no doubt in my mind that Harrison and I would always find each other. In the next lifetime or in any afterlife, it would always be us. Our souls would find each other again and again.

My chest burst with joy when the pastor declared us husband and wife and Harrison kissed me. We turned and faced the room to thunderous applause, Harrison lifting our joined hands as he smiled at me. Admitting our feelings for each other and taking this leap was a victory. Not everyone was this brave or made themselves this vulnerable.

We walked down the aisle, and my face felt like it was going to crack from the width of my smile.

Abby took photos, and then we moved to the restaurant for the reception. Tables were spread out on the patio, and a small bar and a band were off to the side. We ate at the same table as our friends. When it was time for our dance, Harrison held out his hand.

“How are you feeling, Mrs. Cain?” he asked as he led me to the dance floor.

“Incredible,” I said truthfully as he spun me in a circle before I settled into his arms. At first, we danced alone, and then one by one, more couples joined us. The lights overhead twinkled, creating a magical ambiance. We danced one song after the other, stopping only to talk to friends or sip champagne. I never wanted the night to end.

The patio faced the lake and the castle. When the fireworks started, everyone gathered to watch. Harrison wrapped his arms around me and settled his chin on my shoulder.

I nestled into his arms. “I can’t believe this is our wedding.”

“It’s our fairy tale,” he murmured into my ear, the tickle of his breath sending a tingle down my spine.

“And it’s perfect.” I turned in his arms so we could kiss with the fireworks erupting around us. Loving Harrison was more than I ever could have dreamed of, and I never wanted to let him go.