EPILOGUE ONE YEAR LATER
I DON’T KNOW WHEN I STOPPED BEING A VICTIM.
It wasn’t something that happened over night.
It took time.
A long time.
All I know, is eventually, I stopped living because of my past, and started living for my future.
“Are you ready, Katy?” Karlie bounced into the room.
I took a deep breath.
Was I ready?
I was most definitely ready; there wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in my body as I strode forward.
I nodded and met her at the door.
“You look beautiful,” I smiled, fingering the purple fabric of her dress.
“Not as beautiful as you. You’re a stunning bride, Katy,” she led me out of the room and down the hallway.
Rollo met us halfway. “Ready, baby cakes?” he asked.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything in all my life,” I answered without hesitation.
“I can’t believe you asked me to give you away,” Rollo said, tearing up.
“I wouldn’t want anyone else to do it,” I kissed his cheek.
We stepped outside, into the windy beach air.
Jared and I had both agreed that it was the perfect place for us to get married.
I could see the wedding party straight ahead of us, the aisle a sheet of white sand. Even at this distance, I could make out Jared, standing underneath an arch of flowers.
Karlie was my maid of honor, and Holden was Jared’s best man, so she gripped his elbow as they prepared to walk ahead of Rollo and me.
“Don’t forget to breathe,” she said, over her shoulder.
The music played and they started walking. Left, right, left right… or was it right, left, right left?
Oh, crap.
“Stop freaking out, baby cakes,” Rollo took my hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “This is your day. Remember it.”
Rollo and I started forward, stepping onto the aisle.
I took in the faces of our guests staring back at me.
Dan and Patsy smiled proudly, tears shimmering in both of their eyes. They were two of the greatest people I had ever had the pleasure to know. I was happy to finally become a member of their family.
I met Piper’s eyes. She winked, giving me a thumb’s up.
Eva and Jason were both smiling widely at me.
Kane grinned, proudly holding his daughter in his arms, while Lacey scolded him about something.
Jay was smiling, but adjusting his suit, clearly uncomfortable.
It was unconventional, but this was our family.
My gaze flicked away from the guests and met Jared’s. The smile on his face mirrored my own.
I couldn’t believe this was happening.
We stopped in front of Jared and the pastor.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” The pastor asked.
“I do,” Rollo said, kissing my cheek and placing my hand in Jared’s. “And I couldn’t be giving her to a better man.”
Jared smiled at Rollo and took both of my hands in his.
I barely knew what the pastor was saying, my focus riveted on Jared.
My heart raced as the pastor spoke the vows.
This was really happening.
I was getting married.
This was it.
I would forever belong to Jared and him to me.
I took a deep breath to steady myself as I spoke those two simple words. “I do.”
“I do,” Jared said, love reflected in his eyes, and we slid our wedding bands over each other’s ring fingers.
I didn’t hear the pastor saying anything about kissing the bride, but he must have, because suddenly Jared’s hands were cupping my cheeks as his mouth consumed mine.
He pulled away, kissing my nose.
“You’re stuck with me now,” he grinned.
“I’m not stuck,” I beamed at him, “I’m right where I want to be.”
The End