Epilogue

EPILOGUE

ONE YEAR LATER: BILLIE

" W ell? What do you think?" Turning around, I spin in my princess wedding dress.

Quinn gasps and claps her hands with delight. "It looks even better than when you tried it on in the store!"

I laugh and spin in a circle again. The dress is big and bouncy, and I certainly feel like a princess in it. A veil covers my face, and my hair flows in waves over my shoulders. The sound of my heels clicking against the marble makes me feel ready to take on the world.

"You're so beautiful I'm gonna cry." Monica dabs at her eyes.

I laugh some more. "Don't, please!"

"I'm just so happy for you, sweetie."

I take her hands in mine. With Monica as my one bridesmaid and Quinn as the flower girl, it's a small wedding party, but it's intimate. Perfect.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Thank you, Mon. For everything. You've been there for me when I needed you most, and I couldn't be happier."

"Neither could I. Wow. You're getting married."

I smile and nod. I can't believe it either.

A year ago, my life was so different. I was living most days on repeat, working and taking care of Quinn. I never expected for a man like James to enter my life.

But he did, and I can't imagine marrying anyone else.

There's a knock on the door, and the wedding planner pokes her head in. "How is everything in here? We ready to go?"

I take a deep breath. This is it. Showtime.

Everything is about to change.

Not that things haven't already been in motion. Over the past year, James has been working fewer hours and encouraging a better work-life balance for all of his employees. By all accounts, the toxic environment at GarrisTech has shifted to a more harmonious, relaxed one, and the company has even seen increased profits because of it.

Yet despite the paradigm shift at GarrisTech, and the fact that Quinn and I have been living with James for the last six months, today will be the biggest step we take.

We're officially becoming a family, and I couldn't be more excited.

"Ready," I say.

The wedding planner claps her hands and smiles. "Okay, then. Let's get you lovebirds married!"

With that, she marches out, and Quinn, Monica and I follow down the stairs and to the back room of the event space.

Through the windows, I see the garden filled with folding chairs and guests — friends I've known for years and new ones we've made together. All of them are here to support us.

A new life. A new chapter.

And at the front of it all, at the altar, is James.

He looks so handsome in his tuxedo. His hair is combed back, and his smile is so bright it lights up the whole garden.

Quinn clutches her basket full of rose petals tightly. She's been taking her role seriously and practicing throwing flowers around the last few weeks.

"You okay?" I ask her, kneeling next to her in my dress.

"Yeah! I'm… I can't believe this. My daddy and my mommy are getting married!"

I start tearing up. "You're going to make me cry, too."

She looks up at me with big eyes and grins. The look of pride on her face is all I need to know that today is gonna be perfect. The music starts, and I stand.

"Okay, Quinn," the wedding planner says. "You first."

Through a crack in the curtains, I watch as Quinn walks through the open door and into the yard.

She looks like an angel. The perfect flower girl.

She tosses the petals down and they scatter everywhere. She darts to the left and right, smiling and giggling. Of course, everyone thinks she's the cutest thing, and there are plenty of smiles to go around.

"Now you, Monica." The wedding planner ushers her forward.

Monica looks stunning in her purple dress. She's shed a few tears already, but now she's beaming.

She struts through the garden like a model, smiling and waving at the guests. When she reaches the end of the aisle, she takes her place under the altar, across from James and his best man Carlos.

The band starts playing a new song, and all the guests stand. I suck in a deep breath, suddenly lightheaded.

"It's your big moment." The wedding planner hands me my bouquet. "Now, close your eyes. Take a deep breath, and walk forward."

It's like I'm walking through a dream. The music sounds magical and light, and the light breeze caresses my skin.

I feel the curtains brush against my arm, and then I'm outside, in the sun.

I take a deep breath, and after a few seconds, I open my eyes.

The garden is a sea of people, smiling and crying. I scan the crowd but all the faces look blurry. There's only one that's in focus.

His.

James.

Clutching the flowers, I slowly walk towards the man I love. Our gazes are locked the whole time, his eyes misty with tears.

"You look beautiful," he whispers as I approach the altar.

I want to tell him he looks the sexiest he ever has, to tell him that I'm more in love with him now than I ever have been. But the wedding officiate is already speaking.

"We are gathered here today for the union of James and Billie," she says. "They have been through many ups and downs, and they have persevered, and in doing so learned the meaning of love. Today, they take another step forward, as they commit to spend the rest of their lives together. May their union be blessed with love and everything that is good in this world."

James reaches over to take my hands, and I blink up at him. Can this really be happening?

"Billie?" the officiate prompts, looking at me. "Do you have vows you would like to share?"

"Yes," I say, nodding.

I look around at all the people listening. I can't believe we have so many friends here to witness our wedding. And most of them are from GarrisTech!

"James," I start, meeting his gaze. "You are my soulmate. I promise to be there for you no matter what, even when things get tough. I promise to be your partner in life, and to never give up on us. I think you know this already, but I will love you forever."

His eyes fill with tears. He looks like he's trying his hardest to not break down.

"James?" the officiate asks.

He clears his throat. "I'm not good with speeches, so I'll just say this. I love you, Billie. You've breathed new life into me. You've brought Quinn into my life, and I can't think of anything better than having her as my daughter. Everything in my life has changed for the better because of you. I promise to take care of you, to love you and protect you. I promise to be your rock and your haven, to be there for you and to make you happy. I will be the best husband I can be, and the best father. I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you."

There are tears in my eyes. I reach for my veil and pull it up. "James," I whisper. "I love you so much."

Some more words are said, but I don't even hear them. I'm too busy drinking in everything about James's face, doing my best to commit this moment to memory so I can hold onto it for the rest of my life.

Carlos hands James the rings, and we exchange them with trembling fingers.

"Do you, Billie, take James to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for richer or for poorer?"

"I do," I say, my voice breaking.

"And do you, James, take Billie to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for richer or for poorer?"

"I do," James says.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

James leans in and kisses me tenderly, and I melt into his embrace. I feel so blessed to be here, to be marrying the love of my life in front of all our friends and coworkers.

As we walk back down the aisle, hand in hand, I can't help but feel like everything in my life has finally fallen into place. I never thought I would find love, let alone marry the man of my dreams and create a family with him. But here we are, embarking on the adventure of a lifetime together.

The reception is a blur of dancing and laughter, of speeches and toasts, and delicious food and drinks. James and I steal kisses whenever we can, reveling in the fact that we're finally together as husband and wife.

As the evening wears on and the guests start to drift away and Quinn is already at Monica's for the night, James takes my hand and leads me outside. We stand together, looking up at the stars and breathing in the cool night air.

"I can't believe we're married," James says, smiling down at me. "I love you so much, Billie."

"I love you too," I say, leaning up to kiss him. His lips are warm and soft against mine, and I feel my heart flutter with happiness.

He pulls me closer to him, his arms wrapping around me. I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. We stand there for a while, lost in each other's embrace, until he breaks the silence.

"I have a surprise for you," he says, a mischievous glint in his eye.

I look up at him, my curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box. My heart races as he opens it, revealing a delicate necklace with a sparkling diamond pendant.

"Oh, James," I breathe. "It's beautiful."

"I wanted to give you something special on our wedding day," he says, taking the necklace out of the box and fastening it around my neck. "Something aside from the ring. So you can always remember this moment, and how much I love you."

I turn around to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. Every fiber of my being is filled with love for this man, my husband, my soulmate. I never want this moment to end.

We break the kiss, and I look into his eyes, feeling a surge of desire that's been simmering all day. I want him. I need him.

Without a word, I pull him back inside, past the empty dance floor to a storage room. I lock the door behind us and turn to face him, desire filling me.

"I can't wait." I smooth my palms over his chest. "I want you now."

He steps closer, his eyes dark with passion. He cups my face in his hands and kisses me deeply, his tongue exploring my mouth. I moan into the kiss, my hands sliding down his chest and over the fabric of his suit jacket.

He breaks the kiss, and I look up at him, panting.

"Are you sure?" he asks, his voice husky with desire. "Right here?"

I don't answer with words. Instead, I take his hand and place it on my chest, over my heart. He feels the rapid beating of it and I know he understands. I need him just as much as he needs me.

We kiss hungrily, bodies pressed together with an urgency that borders on desperation. James lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist, wanting to be as close to him as possible. He carries me to a nearby table, laying me down gently and trailing kisses down my neck.

I moan softly as he unzips my wedding dress, his hands and lips teasing my skin.

"We're married now," he whispers. "You're mine."

I reach down to undo his belt, unzipping his pants and sliding my hands inside the opening. He feels so good in my hands. I inch my way down, feeling his shaft throbbing in my palm. I wrap my fingers around him, stroking him until he's fully erect.

My head swims as I unbutton my dress, exposing my breasts to his hungry eyes. James slips his boxers off, and my heart skips a beat as I take in his rock-hard cock. He takes my hand and returns it to his shaft, guiding me as I stroke him. He groans, his hips bucking against me.

Suddenly, he picks me up, my heels flying off the floor.

I squeal with delight as he turns me around and presses my back against the wall. Still holding me up, he kisses me fiercely, and I arch my back, silently begging him to take me completely,

He chuckles against my lips. "Thirsty, aren't you?" he murmurs.

He teases me with the tip of his cock, sliding it back and forth over my entrance.

I moan softly with need. If he keeps going like this, I'll lose my mind.

Luckily, I don't have to wait long. Gently, James lowers me onto his shaft, filling me.

I gasp at the intense pleasure that courses through me, my fingers digging into his back. His breath is hot, teeth raking down my neck.

I wrap my arms tightly around his shoulders, his cock so deep inside of me it's almost unbearably intense. I rock my hips against him, reveling in the friction.

He pulls out and thrusts back in, and I gasp with pleasure.

"God, Billie," he moans, his breath hot in my ear. "You feel so good. So tight."

I buck my hips against him, matching his rhythm. Our bodies move together like a well-oiled machine, completely in sync. His thrusts are deep and strong, and I can't hold back any longer.

I moan his name as I come, my body shuddering in his grip. His cock throbs deep inside of me, the waves of my orgasm subsiding with each pulse.

We kiss until our lips are raw, our bodies clinging to each other. There is no air between us, just skin.

Love.

The emotion is so powerful it takes my breath away.

"What's wrong?" Noting my silence, James lowers me to the ground.

I shake my head. "It's just… the best day of my life has always been when I brought Quinn home. But now I think I have two best days of my life." I look up at him. "I told you you're my family, and it's true. I love you, James."

He kisses me sweetly. "I love you, too, Billie."

He pulls me in close, and I feel safe. Secure. Loved. It's just as simple as that — I'm home.

We both are.

The End