Epilogue
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER: NOAH
T he music began to play and all of the heads in the room, including Noah's, turned towards the door.
Sophie stepped through the door, and Noah swore his heart stopped. She looked more beautiful than ever. She had chosen to wear the gown he'd picked out for her two years ago, and her smile brightened the entire room as Mike guided her down the aisle.
Bradley patted Noah's shoulder. And he knew he had made it.
Noah had spent the last two years bettering himself for his family. For Sophie and their son Mason. His family was his entire world and Noah didn't want it any other way. He was so grateful that he let Sophie into his life and that he was able to become a man that she could count on.
Sophie reached him and Mike placed her hand in his. He felt like he could read Mike's mind in that moment. Take care of her. Noah nodded and helped Sophie step onto the dias.
"You look beautiful," he whispered as the officiator began to speak. "Is it everything you dreamed of?
"It's perfect, everything is perfect," she told him.
Noah could hardly hear a word; he was so caught up in the moment that he didn't register anything but her face. It was a day he never thought would come. He was finally going to marry the woman of his dreams. The mother of his child.
They held hands as Sophie read her vows.
"Noah, after everything we've been through, I'm so happy to be standing in front of you today. As everyone here knows, we tried this once before and it didn't work out." There were laughs from the crowd. "I'm so happy we took the chance to settle into each other and begin to raise our family before this day. Because now there are no doubts in my mind that this marriage will last for a lifetime. You are everything that I have ever wanted in a partner."
Noah blinked back tears as she went on.
"I promise that I will remain your support person, that I will stick by you in sickness and in health, and that I will never take our family for granted. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
It was Noah's turn now. He cleared his throat.
"Sophie, I want to thank you for giving me the chance to prove myself. And for inspiring me to become a better man. I want to thank you for our beautiful son, Mason. Without you, my life had no connection, no meaning. And I know that sounds dramatic, but it's true. You showed me that love was possible, that I was capable of being someone you could depend on. I love you so much. And I promise to always protect our family and to be the man you need me to be every single day for the rest of our lives."
Sophie squeezed his hand, a tear running down her face. He had never loved anyone this much in his entire life.
The moment came when they were finally pronounced husband and wife. Noah pulled her in, kissing her with every fiber of his being.
"I love you," he told her as the crowd exploded with applause and tears of joy.
"I love you," she repeated, pulling him in for another kiss.
They took a few minutes alone before meeting everyone outside for pictures. Their friends and family waited in the garden. Richard was holding Mason in his arms, then he set Mason down, holding his hand as they walked towards them.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Mason yelled, his brown hair flopping onto his forehead as he started to run.
Noah scooped Mason into his arms and tossed him in the air before catching him.
Mason laughed and Noah handed him off to Sophie's wide-open arms.
Richard brought Noah in for a hug. "I'm proud of you, Noah."
"Thanks."
"Not just for today but for standing up to me two years ago. If you hadn't, I don't know where either of us would be today. Thank you for giving me a second chance and for allowing me to be a part of Mason's life."
"Of course."
Shortly after Mason was born, Richard had apologized to both Noah and Sophie. He'd told them that he saw the errors in his ways and that he wanted to be better. That he wanted to be a part of their family, if they would let him. It had taken some time, but Noah was getting used to having him around. And watching him be a committed grandfather to Mason has been a healing experience.
"There's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you."
"What's up?"
"I know you said you weren't interested anymore, but I wanted to offer you the official CEO position at Birch Industries."
Noah was shocked. "Are you serious?"
"Yes. You earned it. As long as you promised me that you don't let it get in the way of your family. I want them to remain your first priority."
"I don't know what to say,"
"Just say yes." His father grinned.
"I have to discuss it with Sophie first but yes. Thank you." He couldn't believe he had just been named CEO after everything he had gone through to get it.
"All right, then. Let's go take some pictures."
Richard walked back to the group and Noah observed them.
This entire thing was a dream come true, a picture-perfect moment. Something that Noah had once thought impossible.
Sophie was holding Mason on her hip, laughing at something her mother had said. Bradley and Keira clung together as they talked to Amy and her husband. Richard was now discussing golf with Mike.
Everything Noah had ever needed was standing ten feet in front of him.
He had never been filled with so much joy, so much love.
"Are you coming?" Sophie called to him.
"I'm coming, Mrs. Birch," he replied with a smile.
The End