EPILOGUE

PIERS

The groomsmen have already walked out to take their places, and now that I’m alone, I remove the letter from my jacket pocket and read it one last time.

Piers,

I trust that you will get this, because Wendy is someone who I trust with my life and in turn, I’ve entrusted her with yours. I’m sorry that this is goodbye. I don’t know when you’ll be reading this? Maybe when you’re sixteen and learning to drive, or going away to college, or possibly on your wedding day, marrying the girl of your dreams.

I hope I’m around to see all those things, but in case I’m not, know that I’ll be there in spirit. I’m going back out to sea, and I don’t know when I’ll be back. It can be a dangerous place, but it will afford me a way to build a better for life for you, for us.

I’ve always been an adventurer at heart. I think that’s part of the reason why Wendy fell in love with me. You see, she was kept locked up tight, like a caged bird or a butterfly. They need to be free or they lose the ability to fly. I wanted to be the one who freed her, but it was she who freed me. Showed me about happiness and love. She shined light into my dark existence.

We fell in love long before I met your mother. James, Wendy and I were the best of friends. I used to hang out on the dock where James’ grandfather’s shipyard was. Wendy’s father’s office was nearby, and we often played together there. At night, they went home to sleep in warm beds in sprawling estates. And I slept wherever I could find a safe place. For a long time, they didn’t realize I was a homeless orphan, but one morning, Wendy found me sleeping in the alley behind the shipyard. She asked if I was lost. She had no idea. I was embarrassed, and we quarreled.

All this time I knew I wasn’t good enough for her, and now she would know it too. I loved her and was dangerously close to falling in love with her. Things were already tense because James was in love with her too. And their families were old friends, of the wealthy kind. I would have to make my way to prove myself.

I decided to get a job on one of the boats. The night before I was to ship off, I went out and had a few drinks with James and then a few more. He helped me get the job. He said Wendy would come around. One thing led to another, and I woke up in the bed of a lovely young woman named Lucy, your mother.

The next day, I shipped out. When I came back, your mum was nearly ready to give birth to you, so I did the right thing and married her. Well, I thought it was the right thing. Turns out, I was wrong. Wendy couldn’t look at me. She waited for me, but it was too late. I wasn’t many things, but I was a man of honor. So I married Lucille and broke Wendy’s heart. Her and James were married within the year, and you were born.

I loved you from the first time you looked up at me with those big green eyes. Most babies are born with blue eyes, and they turn later, but not you Piers Andrew Nichols. You came out, screaming your way into the world, with two big emeralds shining above your chubby little cheeks. I never doubted you were mine, but seeing my eyes as I held you, it shifted something inside me. It was like looking in the mirror. I messed up and made a lot of mistakes, but you were my second chance, my hope.

I tried to be the best Dad I could, but your Mum never could get past the love I had for Wendy. So one day, I returned home from a two week stint at sea to find Wendy at our flat, watching you. Your mum had called her and took off suddenly, leaving you with her. It was not your fault. It was mine. And for that I’m sorry.

Wendy took care of you when your mother couldn’t. In my eyes, she’s always been your mother. You were just a toddler, and in the short time you spent with her, you formed a bond. It was heartbreaking because I loved you both, and you loved each other, but we couldn’t be a family, not in the traditional sense.

Wendy confided in me that she couldn’t have children, and so she offered to look out for you when I had to be away at sea. James wasn’t thrilled about the idea, but he’s an honorable man. He also made a lot of mistakes. Love makes you do that sometimes. He agreed you could stay with them at the new estate Wendy’s father had purchased. It was to be a home for wayward children, for lost boys like me. Everlend, sounds like something from a fairytale. And that’s what I wish for you son, a life of fairytales and a happy ending.

I hope you never have to read this, but in case you do, I know she will give it to you when you’re ready. I’m writing because this next haul will be the longest I’ve ever been on. I want you to have something to remember me by, even if it’s only words. I wish I could give you the world, but all I have is my love.

Your Loving father,

Peter

I blink back tears as the music starts. I knew my father loved me, but to hear it in his own words, to know I wasn’t really an orphan, fills a void I’ve been carrying for a long time.

Stepping out to take my place, I watch as my happy ending walks her way slowly to me, covered in ivory lace that hugs her body and on the arm of our dashing son. My whole world walks down that aisle, coming to me through a bed of roses.

The last line of my dad’s letter sticks with me – all I have is my love. I wish I could see him, if only to tell him it’s more than enough.

My beautiful bride holds my gaze. Tears threaten to fall, and just like always, she knows what I need. She throws me a wink, and I shoot her a smile.

I believe in fairytales, because of her.

§

WILLOW

I hear the sounds of strings playing as I carefully unfold the heavy linen paper from the gold embossed envelope Anna just handed me moments before. The one that was sealed with Wendy’s signature emerald wax and addressed to me in her elegant script.

My dearest Willow,

What I would give to be standing next to you in this moment. If I close my eyes, I can imagine how your lovely auburn hair will be falling in waves of curls down your back, glowing almost golden in the sunlight.

I know you’re going to be outdoors. How, you might ask? Because I know if you’re reading this, then you and Piers have found your way back together, and all is right in the world. You’re about to walk down a rose filled pathway to join him under the willow tree, your tree. The same tree with your initials carved into it. The same sacred place that you vowed to be best friends with a blood oath. (Yes, I saw when you thought no one was watching. It’s how I snapped that photo.) I also know, based on what you told me, you shared your first kiss there, lost your innocence there and conceived your firstborn there. I can’t think of a more perfect place in all the world than your secret garden. By now you know the garden isn’t the only thing that kept secrets.

I know there were things I withheld from you both, and like the garden, I had a few secrets. Though you were my blood and the daughter I never had, I tried to treat all my kids at Everlend the same, and that included keeping all the secrets. The ones that were not mine to tell.

Since you’re a wonderful mother, I know you can understand this. I loved being there for you when Drew was born. I wish I could have seen him grow up. But I’m thankful for the time I got with you and Piers as children and young adults, and I’d say Drew will be the perfect blend of the two of you. I wish the blessing of many more children for you both. And when you do have more, you’ll see how you don’t...how you can’t...love one more than another.

It’s how I know I’m leaving the Estate in good hands because it’s as special to you both as it is to me. And there was never any real chance of it going to charity. I knew, being the smart businessman Piers is, that he would figure out the loophole that wouldn’t require you to move back and jointly inherit it. But just in case you needed more time to be reminded why you belonged together, it was my little insurance policy. I wasn’t taking any chances with your second chance, which in a way was also my second chance at a happy ending.

I bet you’ll look breathtaking walking down that path, adorned in pale lace, head held high, towards the man you’ve been gravitating to since the first time you visited Everlend. The romantic in me can hardly believe the fates could have such a humorous sense of irony. Watching you and Piers’ story unfold gave me the greatest joy, and not just because I love you both so much. But because it felt like watching myself and Peter. You know by now that Peter was my one true love, the kind they write books about. The kind ballads are sung about. But unfortunately, our story had a tragic ending.

Seeing your story unfold was like a second chance for us. Even the sad parts, because sad moments are still that, moments, and should be treasured...never forget that. You were destined to be together. Up until now, history was in a way repeating itself, but after today, you’re writing your own destiny. Rewrite the stars! I’ll be watching.

Piers will be reading a letter of his own. I hope you’ll share them with each other and start off this next chapter in your lives with no secrets between you. He’s an honorable man, one who loves you more than life itself. I see so much of his father in him, and that’s how I know he will always love, honor and cherish you. Saying the words before witnesses is just a beautiful ceremony, your hearts have been pledged to each other since long before today.

Here’s to your Happily Ever After All,

Aunty Wen

XoXo

I take deep, even breaths. Careful not to cry and mess up my makeup, I blot the corners of my eyes with an old handkerchief that was my father’s. I brush my fingers over the pearls that belonged to my mum.

I hear the first few chords of our wedding song and turn to Drew.

“Ready, Drew?” I look at little my man, all decked out in his tux, complete with a black bow tie.

“Ready, Mum.” He nods and holds out his tiny hand for me to take. “I’m still sad Pete couldn’t walk with us, but he will be at the party, right?”

“Right, and he will look so nice in his little bow tie too,” I remind him to cheer him up.

The strings get louder in the song as we round the corner and step up to the aisle runner.

As my satin slipper covered feet step on the pale blush petals, I look up and see Piers. Our eyes connect as the song’s lyrics fill the air.

Talking about waiting a hundred years, and waiting a million more for someone you love. And that’s how I feel about Piers. My heart so full as I walk towards him; each step closer, my heart grows more full.

The music enchants the air around us, the singer tells how nothing could have prepared him for the privilege of being someone’s, and I feel it in my soul.

My hazel eyes stay locked on Piers’ emerald ones, and I think about the words as I get closer to him, step by step. My ivory lace train fluttering over thousands of petals, and I say the words in my mind, not realizing what you’ve been living for has been right in front of you all along. I try not to be sad for all the years that we lost and instead, focus on our happily ever after.

He looks like he’s getting a little choked up, so I wink at him, and that earns me a smile. A smile that melts my heart every time it’s directed at me. I think about how lucky we are to have found our way back to each other. I think about how our story really is a fairytale. The song I’m walking to is the most fitting because it compares a love story to a book.

“Every kiss is a cursive line, every touch is a redefining phrase.” My eyes never leaving him, I keep walking toward my future. Our story hasn’t always been a happy one. It’s had heartache, anger and sadness, but that’s what makes it so special. Overcoming the lows makes the highs so much higher.

So I take the last few steps, and I prepare to join my life with that of my best friend, my soul mate, my compass. Like the song says, I’ll surrender who I’ve been to who you are. And now that I know what it feels like to be his, there is no going back.

We reach the end of the aisle where he stands as the final strings play out...we truly are tethered to each other and to the story we must tell.

He takes my hand from Drew and places a kiss to my palm before joining it with his own. We bend down to hug Drew before taking our place under the floral canopy beneath the willow tree. We step forward and turn to face one another, hands joined between us, and he places his thumb to mine.

“With a whisper, we will tame the viscous seas. Like a feather, bringing kingdoms to their knees.” Piers says the ending line, as he gently runs the pad of his thumb against mine.

The song fades out as our story begins.

“Dearly beloved we are gathered here today...”

Happily Ever After All