Epilogue

Rebecca smoothed out the train of Layne's dress after they both stepped out of the white limousine in front of the Cathedral of St. Mary, the catholic church where Layne had grown up attending Sunday School. Her bestie made up the entirety of the bridal party as Layne's Maid of Honor. Rebecca was done up in a simple pale green dress, with her light blonde locks cascading down in loose curls.

Layne stood there staring at the steps laid out before her leading up into the religious institution. Given all the egregious sins she committed on any given week, it was rather ironic that she was about to step foot inside a church and have a priest bless her union with Joey in any shape or form. By all morals and religious standards, both of them were destined for an afterlife full of fire and brimstone.

Already she could feel her heart picking up its pace, she knew the two men whom she loved unconditionally were waiting just beyond the doors for her. A part of her wanted to run straight into both their arms.

She looked up at the clear blue sky, seeing a few birds soar on by careless and free. Everything about today felt peaceful, calm, and perfect. All the worries about having a rainy day were behind her.

Her bestie placed a hand on her bare shoulder. "You can do this. He loves you, Layne, and I know you'll spend every day loving one another for the rest of your lives. Just take a deep breath and let everything and everyone else fade away."

A soft smile crossed her face as Layne gave a small nod in response to the encouragement. Rebecca was right. Once she was on the other side of those doors, there were only going to be two points of focus pulling at her heart. She was going to pledge her life to loving both of them with all she had.

Holding tight onto the bundled stems of her bouquet's mixture of traditional white roses and the less traditional green hue of Bells of Ireland, Layne took the first step towards the stone steps that led the way to the entrance.

Once inside the church, the large and ornate double doors leading into the nave where all the guests were gathered were shut, blocking her view of what awaited her. Those doors were separating her from the two most important men in her life.

She swallowed hard, feeling the nerves vibrating all over her body with anxiety. Irrational thoughts flooded her mind. What if he hadn't shown? What if she couldn't say the words? What if this was all a dream?

Rebecca gave another fluff of the short lace train of Layne's dress before coming around to stand in front of her with a smile full of love and eyes glistening with proud tears. "You look absolutely gorgeous and deserve every bit of this happiness. I will be upfront cheering you on. Just one foot in front of the other, okay?" She leaned over and hugged Layne.

Moments later, Rebecca disappeared beyond the doors. Layne knew there was classical music playing just inside, but she couldn't hear it over her thoughts. She wondered if her dad would have been proud and walked her down the aisle to give her away to commit her life and love to a man like Joey. She knew Liam wouldn't have.

Breaking free of her thoughts, she noticed a little old woman had her frail hand on one of the doors and was waiting for Layne to indicate she was ready. After getting a small smile from Layne, the elderly woman nodded to the man standing behind the other door. Simultaneously, they drew the doors open revealing the sight down the length of the path she was about to walk.

The aisle was lined with flowers in various shades of green. Light poured in through the massive stained glass windows. The rows upon rows of pews filled with guests all on their feet with their eyes all looking at her. Layne could have sworn the church was void of any guests at all because her eyes immediately found her entire universe standing up by the altar. The pianist began to play a romantically slow version of Wherever You Will Go by The Calling.

Joey stood tall, his hands clasped in front of him. The rich hues of his brown eyes stared at her. His dirty blonde hair was neatly styled and locked into place and his scruff precisely trimmed. He was wearing a black tux that fit against each of his muscles, and paired with a white shirt and black tie just underneath the jacket. The wings of his neck tattoos playing peekaboo just above the edge of his shirt's collar.

At his side was the other half of her heart, Gage—Joey's Best Man. His tux mirrored Joey's except instead of a white shirt it was all black. Gage had a hand holding onto the top of Joey's shoulder supportively, and to perhaps prevent him from running to Layne to scoop her up into his arms halfway down the aisle.

The first thing Joey saw when he saw those doors open was a goddamn Irish angel. He was pretty sure that if he was ever allowed to pass through the Pearly Gates, this was exactly what he would see waiting for him. His heart damn near stopped for what felt like hours as he drank in the stunning sight slowly walking down the aisle, moving closer and closer to him.

Layne's long chestnut locks were drawn back from her face and off of her bare shoulders. Her hair was all pulled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck with a couple of small decorative white roses tucked into the top of the bun. The scripted letters of her tattoo, 'Luck' on the back of her neck, was on full display. Her sparkling emerald eyes left the window to her soul wide open for him to see right into everything that made her the woman Joey adored.

Her strapless white dress was a seamless blend of lace with a sweetheart neckline. Scallop-edged lace arm bands hung loosely around her trim biceps, the body of the dress hugged her petite figure and perfectly clung against the curves of her hips. Across her mid back was a band of matching lace in a design similar to the pattern of butterfly wings.

Around her throat was the thin gold chain Gage had given her just last week. She had refused to take off his discreet collar, keeping it on served as a reminder of all his promises to her. While he wasn't the man being recognized by church or state as Layne's soon-to-be husband, that necklace was his vow to have and to hold her all the same.

Joey was rendered breathless, his heart swelling so much he swore it would burst through his chest. Next to him, Gage was grinning like a damn fool at the beauty nearly at their end of the aisle. He nudged Joey to go get their girl as she reached the steps that led up to the space where they stood in front of the altar.

Layne's eyes never left Joey's face as her heart moved her feet down that aisle. Rebecca had come to ease the bouquet out of Layne's hands before Joey joined her at her side, extending his hand to her. She placed her hand in his, watching as his tattooed fingers curled over her hand as he guided her up the steps where they could turn and face one another.

The priest began to speak and the ceremony commenced, Joey's hold on her hands being a constant reassurance of his devotion to her happiness. Soon they were exchanging rings and saying their vows out loud to one another. Layne shifted her eyes to Gage every so often so he knew he was included in every promise she was making.

The man cloaked in holy robes addressed Layne, "Do you, Layne Nicole O'Reilly, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

She gave the widest smile at Joey. "I absolutely do."

The priest then shifted to look at Joey. "And do you, Joseph Elliot De Luca, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Joey squeezed Layne's hands tightly in both of his. "I do. She's mine, always and forever."

Before the officiant could complete his statement declaring them both joined in holy matrimony, Joey jumped the gun and immediately pulled Layne into his arms crashing his lips onto hers. Layne's hands held onto the sides of his face as her mouth welcomed him, her tongue eagerly pushing past his lips to sensually dance with his. It most definitely was not a chaste kiss that most couples engaged in before such an audience.

Several drawn-out moments passed before there was a stern clearing of a throat from the priest, prompting the newlyweds to separate themselves just enough to regain their composure while they both donned giddy smiles.

"I now present Mr. and Mrs. De Luca."

Layne looked over at Gage giving him a subtle wink. Joey wasn't the only Mr. De Luca she was tied to.

After Layne and Joey walked back down the aisle together, the formalities continued at the front of the church. Greeting all the guests on their exit from the holy building, they shook hands and shared hugs with some of New York's wealthiest and some of its most corrupt.

Once everyone cleared out, Gage nodded at them both. "I will tell the driver to meet us out front so we can get this party started." He smirked before heading out the front doors.

Joey grinned at Layne as he wrapped his hand around hers. "C'mon." He began leading her back into the expanse of the empty nave now that everyone had gone on their way.

She giggled as she had to quickly move her feet to keep up with him. "What are you doing? We have to get to the reception."

"I'm not waiting for tonight." He pulled her toward the altar.

Layne couldn't help but wrinkle her nose in confusion at the nonsense he was spouting off. "For what?"

He turned her around and pressed her back against the altar in what was probably going to be either the most holy of acts or the most unimaginable sin. Feverishly, he kissed her, bringing his body up tight against hers. His hands began bunching up her dress in his hands exposing the lean length of her legs.

She gasped as he made it suddenly clear what his intentions were. If he was willing to go to hell, she would dive off that cliff with him any day of the week. Hell or high water, right? Overcome with desire for him, her hands pulled at the belt of his pants, her fingers going to quick work to open up his pants that were already under tension from his stiff cock.

Layne switched to helping gather all the fabric of her dress for him while Joey pulled his length out of his underwear.

He reached down and hoisted her up, separating her legs to wrap around his waist. "Hold on tight, Layney. I'm going to make sure that with God as my witness, you're screaming out His name while I fully make you my wife." Joey sinfully smirked at her as he lodged her back against the altar for support.

Her hands held onto the back of his neck as her breaths grew heavy with anticipation. She leaned over and stole a kiss from him, breaking it for a moment to whisper, "You better make it worth at least ten Hail Marys." She grinned at him, closing the gap between their lips once again.

Joey growled against her mouth as he lined up and sank himself fully inside of her. Hearing her decadent moan into their kiss, he began to hastily thrust himself inside of her. Every fiber of him needed to feel her cunt clenching around him.

Grasping onto him tightly, Layne moaned out at the movements as he needily shoved his cock into her. His arm tightly wrapped around her waist with his other around her back. He began to lay kisses along her throat with his labored breath heating her skin while he worshiped her body.

Layne's fingers dug into the back of his neck as he furiously continued to lay his claim on her tight pussy. "God, Joey, yes!" Her body was already hanging by a thread knowing they could be discovered at any moment.

His mouth dragged over the front of her chest, giving a bite to the top of her cleavage that was threatening to spill over the top of her dress. Layne tilted her head back as she panted hard, trying to suck in oxygen between her moans of pleasure.

His gravelly voice spoke against the tops of her mounds, "I never want to forget this moment, Layney. You'll always be my good girl, no matter what." He groaned as he felt the swell of his cock began to throb, his release threatening to explode into her.

She cried out as suddenly she was overcome with the surge of pleasure that burst from her core. Right as her body squeezed down around Joey, he shuddered as he drove himself even deeper into her. He yelled out against her neck as he shot his cum far into the depths of her body.

They both remained there in each other's arms for several minutes. Layne provided him with several delicate kisses as they both tried to find some level of composure. After gathering themselves, they walked back out of the church to the top of the stone steps hand in hand. Layne's cheeks still flushed from their consummation, her eyes shimmering with boundless love.

Gage was at the curb, leaning back against the side of the limo with his arms crossed in front of his chest shaking his head. He knew that look of satisfaction from a mile away. He muttered to himself with a smirk, "Horny motherfuckers." He fully intended to get his fill of Layne in the limo on the way to the reception. His cock hardened in his pants imagining her dripping with their cum for the rest of the night.

There were still some guests lingering and chatting on the sidewalk who hadn't made it back to their vehicles yet. The reception didn't start for at least another forty-five minutes, leaving everyone a little time to get where they needed to be.

Layne smiled as she used one hand to lift the front of her dress as she began walking down the steps with Joey's skull-tatted hand firmly holding onto her other. She had never expected to ever be filled with this much love in one lifetime, and she was looking forward to basking in all of it for years to come.

"Hey, Layne!" A voice shouted out to her while she and Joey were midway down the steps. The familiar voice of her brother was recognized before she even saw his face. Liam stepped past a few of the guests, his face full of a deadly cold calm. He raised his hand and at the end of it was a forty-five caliber pistol.

Crack!

Time stood still.

Gage began to push off the side of the limo.

Joey instinctively stepped in front of Layne.

Before there was any time to comprehend what was occurring, Layne felt the impact of the hard stone steps against her back. Joey's weight was on top of her, his back against her chest. She squirmed underneath him, struggling to get out from his expansive body that had shielded her own.

Liam paused with an evil smirk smeared across his face. He may not have struck his intended target, but he had hit the next best thing. Upon seeing Gage reaching into his jacket for a weapon of his own, Layne's brother shoved the nearest wedding guest out in front of him before turning and darting down the street. There was no hesitation as Gage took up chase after him.

Squeezing out from underneath Joey, Layne sat on the step as he lay there at her side. His hand clutched onto his chest. Panic rose in Layne's throat, the stark contrast of red quickly spreading across his white shirt. Joey winced as he gasped for a breath of air.

"Joey! Shit! God—No." Layne stammered out. Immediately, her hands pulled open his shirt and pulled his hand away from where it was clutching. Blood leaked from a hole in his chest, having torn right through the shamrock tattoo overtop his heart. Instead of inked blood leaking from the design etched into his skin, warm liquid seeped from his body. Her hands pressed down firmly over the wound despite the trembling in her body. It was all pouring out of him so quickly, her hands getting coated.

Tears spilled from her eyes, streaming down her cheeks until they fell off the edge of her face. Layne's lips quivered as she sobbed out while staring down into the pain-riddled chocolate hues looking back up at her.

"Layne…" His voice trying to provide her some comfort.

She shook her head fiercely. "No, don't you dare. Don't you fuckin' dare. Please." Layne's heart went from feeling like it could have burst from happiness now to feeling like it was imploding on itself.

Joey coughed lightly as he raised a hand to her face. "It's okay."

"It's not… It's not okay… I'm not okay…" Both of her cheeks shone with her flood of tears while her hands held steadfastly on his chest, getting covered in the deep crimson from his body.

He offered up a weak smile to her before swallowing hard at the pain radiating from his chest. It had all been worth it. She had been worth it. Even overcome with grief, Layne's beauty gave him comfort in those moments.

As Joey's eyelids grew heavy, Layne screamed out at him while laying herself down over his chest wishing she could pour all the love she had ever felt for him into his wounds to mend them. She would have given everything in that moment to trade places with the man who had always completed her soul.

"I love you. Always and forever, remember? I can't do this without you, I never could." Layne kissed him several times tasting the saltiness of her tears that were dripping over her lips. Those three words should have been enough, she desperately wanted them to be his salvation.

Heavy sobs wracked her body as she noticed his skin paling. She clung to him with every hope that she had. Her words were broken from her tears, unable to sound out any of the millions of words she wanted to say to him. Her repetitive professions of her love muffled against his chest. She didn't care that her dress would be forever stained with his blood. It all meant nothing without him.

His voice hardly above a whisper, "I'll always be yours, Layney." Joey's hand rested on the back of Layne's neck, holding her close while she clutched onto him repeating herself over and over.

"Don't leave me, please don't leave me." Her words overflowing with pain she wouldn't have wished on her worst enemy.

Gage had lost Liam fairly quickly after he hopped into a getaway car that had been waiting around the corner for him. Returning to the church, he was now jogging up the steps to the heartbreaking sight. Others had begun to gather around the tragedy, including Dr. Patty who was already working her way through the crowd to try to assist. "Layne, I need you to move," the physician said as she tried to gain access to Joey's body underneath his grief-stricken wife.

Despite Gage's own emotions stinging in his eyes, he ran over to Layne not caring who he knocked out of his path. "Baby, you need to let the doc do her work." The words pushed past the ache of his own heart. His hands tried to ease her from her position there on top of Joey. When Layne refused to budge, it took all of Gage's resolve to use his strength to pry her away from his brother's wounded body.

Layne unleashed a raw scream of protest, "NO! I'm not leaving him! No! No! No!" Her body fought against Gage's hands trying to stay there with Joey, wishing she could go wherever he went even if it meant the grave. Her tears never slowed their march down her face as she refused to take her eyes off of the man she so fiercely loved. That bullet had been for her and despite it physically striking Joey, it had still managed to assassinate her heart.

Her broken sobs interjected through her screams of the worst pain anyone could ever feel. Losing the battle with herself, her struggles in Gage's arms began to slow until she didn't even have the strength to stand on her legs. He lowered her down as he felt her weight grow heavier in his hold and sank down onto a nearby step, drawing her into his lap.

Gage rocked Layne in his arms doing what he could to be the cushion for her emotional blow. His eyes were wet with the tears he was struggling to hold back for her sake. He had promised to have and to hold her, and that meant being Layne's strength while she was in this state of utter devastation.

Joey had wanted to say so many things to her, but they got lost somewhere along the way as his pain began to ease and the world around him began to fade to black. Hearing Layne's voice replaying over and over in his mind until the final thing to linger across his senses was the faint scent of daisies after a warm summer rain. Maybe there would be a spot in Heaven for him after all.

How does it all come to an end?