Epilogue

EPILOGUE

B ridget pulled back the blue cloth draped over the archway of the Great Hall and peered inside. The chatter was deafening as she scanned the crowd, hunting for familiar faces.

In the front of the hall, she watched Nora, Evelyn, and Alison chatting and laughing. A smile spread across her face, and her heart brimmed with joy as she witnessed their happy camaraderie.

"Are ye ready?" Martha asked as she stepped into the enclosed space.

Bridget didn't know what to say. Martha and Ava had been so generous to her ever since she'd arrived. Martha had happily taken up the role of a doting mother to Bridget.

"Ye look beautiful," she whispered in Bridget's ear.

"Do you think Ewan will like my embellishments?" Bridget asked as she glanced lovingly at the golden leaves embroidered into the hem of her dress. That little detail reminded her how she'd once run from Ewan but was now running to him.

"I dinnae think he'll be payin' attention to that, nae when ye're such a vision to behold," Martha said as she lovingly cupped Bridget's face in her hands and pressed her forehead against Bridget's. "Ye dinnae ken how long I've waited for me nephew to find someone worthy of his love. And now here ye are, in the flesh. May ye have enough wee bairns to fill the rooms twice over."

"Oh my," Bridget gasped as she leaned back from Martha. "That sounds more like a curse than a blessing."

"All children are blessings," Martha explained. "Ye'll see when ye have a few of yer own."

Bridget's smile widened as she heard the ringing of the bells. It was finally her time to walk down the aisle. Swallowing nervously, she watched as Martha pulled back the blue curtain, showcasing her to the guests in the room.

Their collective gasps made Bridget's heart flutter. But it was the look on Ewan's face, a look of absolute love and understanding, that pulled her to him. She felt like she couldn't walk down the aisle fast enough. She would readily relive all of her heartache and suffering if it meant she'd end up where she was this very minute.

"And who here gives this lass away?" the priest asked the room.

Alison, Nora, and Evelyn rose. "We do," they answered in unison.

Even though her parents were absent, Bridget couldn't have been happier. Everyone who ever cared about her was in the room, celebrating the moment with her, and that was all that mattered to her.

"Ye look stunnin'," Ewan whispered as he took her hand and they stood before God and their loved ones to make their vows.

The ceremony was a blur to her as she followed Ewan's lead and nicked her wrist with his dirk. The red cord bound their hands as the priest blessed their union. Bridget's heart swelled with pride and joy when Ewan was finally granted permission to kiss her.

"I will never leave ye or forsake ye. Ye're me world now, and I love ye," Ewan said as he cupped her face in his hands and pulled her in for a kiss.

Bridget wasn't going to let a mere chaste peck on the lips be how she sealed her wedding vows. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulled him to her and planted a deep, languorous kiss on his lips.

"Later," he mumbled seductively against her lips.

The cheers from the crowd echoed through the Great Hall. Bridget glanced at Ava and Martha. The smiles on their faces spoke volumes as Ewan led her from the altar to the dance floor.

"Do ye remember our first dance?" Ewan asked as he spun her around the dance floor.

"You promised you wouldn't let me fall."

"Aye, well, forgive me for breakin' that promise," Ewan said as he stared deep into her eyes.

"Is that all I get? A measly, little apology?" Bridget asked as she batted her eyelashes and pressed herself against him.

Ewan's lips curled into a crooked grin that made her want to swoon. His hands roamed down her back until they cupped her buttocks, making her giggle.

"Ye'll get what I give ye," he whispered as he pinched her butt.

Bridget jolted and promptly tripped. Before she could fall, Ewan grabbed her hand, spun her around, and dipped her. Breathless from his fancy moves, Bridget couldn't help but fall in love with him all over again.

"I'm sure that will be all I could ever want or need," she said as he leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. "You keep kissing me like that, and I just might have to pull you into an empty room and have my way with you, husband."

Ewan's crooked grin widened as he rubbed his nose against hers. "I like the sound of that. Say it again."

"What?" Bridget paused and arched an eyebrow playfully. Batting her eyelashes, she repeated, "Husband?"

"Aye," Ewan answered as he righted her on her feet, "wife."

"Doesn't have the same ring to it, My Laird."

"Well, perhaps ye'd rather be called ‘Me Lady'?"

Bridget shook her head as she pressed her hand against his chest to feel his heartbeat. "I don't care what you call me, as long as you call me yours."

"Ye have nothin' to worry about," Ewan said. "Or have ye nae noticed there hasnae been too many lasses fallin' over themselves to get to me?"

"That's because you closed yourself off. You must know by now that you really are handsome," Bridget said as she lifted her hand to his face and covered the leather mask. "Without this, you are handsome, and I'll run anyone who thinks otherwise through with a knife."

"Is that so? Seems I married a scrappy lass, indeed," Ewan said as he tickled her ribs.

Bridget's giggle filled the Great Hall as they continued to dance.

"I think I need to wet me whistle," Ewan said breathlessly as he led her off the dance floor. She couldn't remember a time when she had been so happy.

As she glanced around at all the joyous faces, Bridget couldn't help but smile, knowing her parents weren't there to ruin her day. The fact that she didn't have to see them ever again made her union with Ewan all the sweeter.

They had become a loving couple, united against the world, and she prayed that it would never end.

The End?