Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Canyon

Fifteen Years Later

The church is packed.

Friends, family, former teammates—they're all here.

It feels like a magical day, yet I'm nervous as fuck.

I straighten the jacket of my tuxedo and look around as Saylor peeks her head through the door.

"She's ready," she says softly, smiling. "Are you?"

"I don't know that I'll ever be ready," I admit, reaching for her.

She puts a hand on the side of my face, gently stroking my cheek with her thumb. "She's happy. In love. Like us."

I groan. "It's the ‘like us' part that freaks me out."

"Stop it," she says, shaking her head. "She's a grown woman. And Braden's a great guy. He adores her and will take care of her."

"He'd better," I mumble.

"Come on, we raised her better than to put up with any guy's shit."

"I know." I give her waist a squeeze. "Okay. I guess this is it, huh?"

"Go give our girl away," she whispers, her beautiful eyes filled with happy tears. She's still as beautiful as the day I met her, and I press a soft kiss to her lips.

"See you after."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

I walk down the hallway to the anteroom where Ally's waiting for me.

I open the door and momentarily catch my breath.

For a fraction of a second, it's like looking at Carly.

She's been gone for so long now, but I see bits and pieces of her every time I look at her gorgeous daughter.

My gorgeous, grown-up, about to get married daughter.

"You okay, Dad?" she asks, cocking her head slightly.

Saylor had been six months pregnant with our first child when Ally had asked if she could call us Mom and Dad. We'd said yes, of course, and never looked back.

And today she's getting married.

Not for the first time, I wonder what my sister would think if she could see her. Would she appreciate the amazing young woman she'd grown up to be? Ally had double majored in art and communication, and then went on to get a master's degree in art history. She's been working at a museum in New York, but Braden was just traded to the team in Las Vegas, so they decided to get married and give Ally a chance to focus on her art. Maybe have a baby.

Christ.

One of my babies is thinking about having a baby of her own.

How has this happened?

It's hard to wrap my head around how fast the last fifteen years have flown by. She went from a sad, scared kid who hated everything to the most amazing young woman, daughter, and soon-to-be wife I know. Other than my own wife, of course. I might be a little biased when it comes to Saylor, though.

"Dad?" Ally's watching me carefully.

"Sorry." I turn. "I took a short trip down memory lane."

She smiles, reaching out a hand to me. "We have a lot of great memories."

"We do."

"And we're going to have lots more. Promise. Just because I'm getting married… I mean, nothing has to change."

"Oh, honey." I shake my head. "Everything is going to change. But that's how it's supposed to be. This is your time. Yours and Braden's."

"Yeah, but you and Mom—I wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for you."

"We're your parents and that's what parents do. From the day I got custody of you, all I wanted was to give you the life you deserve. That any kid deserves."

"I love you!" she whispers, tears filling her eyes.

"Oh, baby, don't cry. You'll mess up your makeup." I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly. Mostly because I don't want her to see the tears in my eyes.

"Okay." She pulls away and quickly turns to grab a tissue, dabbing at her eyes. "it's time to do this. I'm about to become Mrs. Braden Wylde."

"Yes, you are." I bend my elbow and offer her my arm. "Let's do this."

* * *

Saylor

There isn't a dry eye in the house as Ally and Braden exchange vows.

I'm so proud of her and incredibly happy that she's found the same kind of love with Braden that I have with Canyon. Even now, after fifteen years of marriage, giving birth to two more children after we officially adopted Ally, and what felt like a lifetime of love, memories, family, and friendship, he's still my everything. We still live in the same house we bought together in Los Angeles, not too far from Harper and Gabe, Ivan and Chey, Jensen and Bailey, and Marty and Stevie.

Some of our friends have moved around a little, but we all keep in touch.

That team of guys that was part of Harper's inaugural year as owner of the Phantoms, well, most of them are here today helping us celebrate. They don't all live in L.A. anymore, but they're still just a phone call away.

Which is a good thing, because it's been hard on me since Ally moved to New York after college. I love watching her spread her wings, but I miss her. Raising her has been a privilege, one I've never taken for granted.

"…I now pronounce you…husband and wife." The minister smiles. "You may kiss your bride."

Braden and Ally kiss and tears flood my eyes.

Fuck fuck fuck.

I promised myself—and Ally—that I wouldn't cry and ruin my makeup for the pictures.

But it's too late.

"It's okay, baby." Canyon, always at my side, slides his arm around my waist. "She's not leaving us. She just added a son to our family."

I nod, though I'm too choked up to respond.

They break apart and turn to face the crowd.

Ally and Braden lift the hands linked between them and grin as the crowd breaks into applause and cheers.

"Mom! You promised!" Ally admonishes me as she drifts past.

"Hush!" I tell her, laughing.

"Mo-om!" Fourteen-year-old Chelsea, the first child I'd given birth to, drifts down the aisle after her older sister. "Stop crying, Mom!"

"Sorry!" I swipe at my eyes.

"Why is everyone crying?" Twelve-year-old Chance, the other child I'd given birth to, rolls his eyes.

"I'll explain it to you later, son." Canyon playfully cuffs him on the ear.

"Weddings are lame," Chance complains.

"Shush!" His sister nudges him.

They continue to bicker as they walk down the aisle after the bride and groom.

"We did good," I whisper to Canyon.

"We sure did."

He leans over and kisses me.

"Here's to the next fifteen."

"Here's to the next fifty."

He grabs my hand, and we head down the aisle after our children.

I can't wait to see what they all do next.

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