EPILOGUE
Riley
My fingers trembled as I held the bouquet in front of me, the scent of roses and calla lilies wafting up to me as I took the slow, measured steps I’d been instructed. Music soared throughout the room, compliments of the string quartet in the corner, the cello making my heart melt with its beauty.
My heart melted even further when I saw Xavier standing on the raised dais, the halo of lights decorating the focus of the room making him appear to be lit from within. Our eyes met, and it was no longer my heart that drew my attention. Something low and deep in my belly twisted at the look on Xavier’s face as he took me in. A slow, sexy grin grew wider the closer I got to him.
Giving him a saucy wink, I veered to the left and took my place beside the minister, turning just in time to see Ann-Marie’s smiling face midway up the aisle. But she wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were on Davis, and after a quick peek, I could see that Davis’ eyes were firmly on her. Tears burned my sinuses as I witnessed the growing love blossoming between them.
So much had changed in the past year. It was as if destroying the list had opened up new possibilities for Xavier and his friends. Well, not Seth. Seth was still a douche we avoided at all costs. Even Davis’ family ties were not strong enough to hold together their relationship, but he didn’t seem to mind. Because the day I’d introduced him to Ann-Marie, Davis had been focused on only one thing… her.
The music shifted, and I refocused my gaze to the back of the room as the quartet began playing “A Thousand Years,” and Summer appeared in the doorway. She looked like an angel, her veil billowing behind her as if a light wind swirled inside the Cipriani just for her. I glanced over at Julian and tears stung my eyes as I witnessed the pure love shining on his face. My gaze slid from the groom to Xavier, the man who held my heart so tenderly. I smiled. There was pure love on his face too. For me.
On the day we destroyed the list, Julian had hinted at having found someone he cared about, and a week later, we’d all gone to dinner together. I liked Summer right away, and she seemed to like me too. Like mine and Xavier’s, their relationship evolved quickly, but they had vowed to wait a year to make sure the immediate attraction could stand the test of time.
It did.
A year to the day later, they would be man and wife, but Summer wasn’t taking this important walk alone. Beside her, riding in an electric wheelchair, was her mother, a frail-looking woman who was beaming with pride as she rolled up the aisle beside her glorious daughter. They stopped in front of the minister, and tears pricked my eyes as Mrs. Shaw placed Summer’s hand in Julian’s before gliding her chair next to where Xavier’s mother sat.
That was yet another change that happened in our life. Mrs. Fields’ visit became a permanent relocation once she became brave enough to divorce Xavier’s abusive father. When Mrs. Shaw learned of Summer’s mother’s predicament, she offered the disabled woman a room in her apartment. The two had been thick as thieves ever since.
“We are here on this magnificent and beautiful evening to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments — to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love — and to publicly witness the creation of an outward marriage bond that Julian and Summer have already created inwardly.”
I looked past the couple to find Xavier still watching me, the minister’s words floating around us like an embrace.
“We share with them their delight in finding love with each other, and support their decision to be together from this moment until the end of time. As this lovely couple enters into marriage, they do so with thought and reverence. They give thanks for the past that brought them to this place, and look forward to what the future will bring.”
I love you, I mouth to Xavier.
His dimple appeared as his lips curved into the sexy grin that made my toes curl. I love you more, those lips said.
“Marriage is like a great umbrella that shelters love from the elements and provides a safe environment to share your lives together, standing as one to face life and the world, hand in hand. Marriage will expand you as individuals, define you as a couple, and deepen your love for one another. To be successful, you will need strength, courage, patience, and a really good sense of humor.”
All two-hundred guests laughed.
Looking up at the canopy of lights intertwined in the gold branches over our heads, I blinked back my tears. I’d promised Summer I wouldn’t cry and ruin the pictures. And I didn’t completely trust the waterproof makeup to do its job perfectly.
Composed once again, I witnessed the joining of two beautiful lives, clapping when Julian dipped Summer for a long, lingering kiss. It was a fairytale wedding in a fairytale setting.
And the reception was just as beautiful.
“Tired?” Xavier said as we all watched Summer and Julian drive away many hours later, the rose petals we’d tossed still floating through the air. I was holding the bridal bouquet. I had no choice. Instead of delicately tossing the gorgeous arrangement over her head to a gaggle of single women, Summer had grinned and thrown it directly at my face. It was either catch it or have a mouthful of roses.
I caught it.
I leaned back into him, surrendering to his embrace, lifting the flowers to my nose. “Beautifully tired,” I murmured and turned in his arms. “Want to take me to bed and wake me up?”
“Let’s walk first,” he said and pressed his lips to mine before pulling me around the building and to a small garden. It was lovely, strings of lights providing a romantic glow.
“This is gorgeous.”
A weeping willow took center stage, its long branches sweeping the ground. Xavier brushed the branches aside and stepped through, pulling me after him. I couldn’t speak. Underneath the canopy was just as lovely. Lights were strung up the trunk, creating an almost magical effect. There was even a blanket spread upon the grass. And a bucket of ice. And champagne.
I grinned over at Xavier. He grinned back, looking pretty pleased with himself. He’d clearly set this up.
“There’s something important I want to talk to you about.”
My heart started beating harder, the force of the blood whooshing in my ears. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m no longer happy with our living arrangement.”
The beating stopped, and the edges of my vision turned white. Panic and hurt seized my throat. Not trusting myself to speak, or not punch him in the face, I whirled around, intent on not crying until I was way out of his hearing range.
He pulled me back with a laugh. “Actually, that sounded better in my head. What I’m trying, badly, to say is that I no longer just want us to live together. I want us to be forever together.”
He sank to one knee, and my own knees became so weak, I almost sank with him. “Oh…” I managed to breathe.
“Marry me.”
As if by some magician’s trick, a little black box appeared in his hand. When he opened it, I gasped. The princess cut diamond was as big as a button, surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds that trailed down the band. It was exquisite. And Xavier was taking it out of the little box. He was holding it out, looking up at me expectantly.
“Will you marry me, Riley?”
A thousand emotions clogged my throat, blocking the important little word I wanted to say. Instead, tears started flooding my cheeks.
Xavier laughed, a nervous-sounding chuckle. “Riley?” He took my left hand and pressed his lips to it, right where the ring would be if I could make my mouth work.
“Yes.”
The word burst out of me on a sob that was also a laugh.
“Yes.”
My answer was more forceful that time, and we were both laughing as he slid the ring in place.
Tears fell on his face as I bent to kiss him, then I was being swept off my feet and swirled in circles, the lights around us blurring.
“I love you, Riley Carson almost Fields.”
I smiled, holding him tighter. “I love you too. And I really like the sound of my new almost name.”
As he set me on my feet again, I felt as if I were in a dream, but the love shining in Xavier’s eyes was proof as to how very real it was.
And I knew I could never ask for anything more.
THE END
Curious as to how Julian and Summer’s relationship evolved? Then enjoy this complimentary short story featuring the couple. Simply
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