EPILOGUE - TARA
I stared at myself in the mirror, taking in the sight of my white dress and long veil. My hair was shorter than it had ever been. I lost it during the first couple rounds of chemo, and now, a year later, it had finally grown back in. It didn’t quite reach my shoulders, but with the veil in place, you could barely tell. I’d been nervous about this day for a long time. When I was so sick I couldn’t leave the hospital, I thought it would never happen.
I still couldn’t believe I was about to walk down the aisle and marry Caleb. My cancer was still refusing to give way, but things were starting to change for the better. My last scan showed less activity, and Dr. Young was hopeful that, after two more rounds, I would be in the clear.
It hadn’t been an easy road. The last year of my life was both the happiest and the hardest. I was sick more often than not, but Caleb never left my side. He even took a leave of absence from the station to be there for me. I knew it wasn’t easy for him. He loved his job, but he did it. I knew that more than anything, was what finally convinced my dad to give him a real chance.
“You about ready?” Cathy asked from the doorway.
I turned to face her with a smile on my face. Her eyes instantly filled with tears as she took in the sight of me in my dress.
“You’re gorgeous,” she said. She ran over to kiss my cheek. She adjusted my veil and then wiped her eyes frantically. “Let’s go before I dissolve into a puddle of tears.”
I laughed and followed her into the hallway. Stephanie was already waiting for me with my bouquet. She grinned at me and handed over my flowers. The ceremony was about to start, and we all had to get in place.
Cathy waved and disappeared through the double doors. I stood back with Stephanie, my heart racing in my chest. I was ready for this moment and I had been for months. The second Caleb proposed, I knew my answer would always be yes. He was the love my life. That would never change.
“Okay kiddo,” my dad said, walking up behind me. “It’s show time.”
The music began to play inside the church, and I felt my stomach clench. Stephanie stepped out in front of the doors and waited for her cue while my father and I lined up behind her.
“How are you feeling?” he asked softly. “Any weakness?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I feel amazing.”
He smiled and kissed my cheek. His eyes were full of tears as he turned to face me.
“Watching you go through chemo has been so hard,” he said. “I’ve never been so proud of you.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” I said, my voice weak.
“And the way Caleb took care of you.” He paused. “I can’t imagine a better man for you. He was everything you needed. I know now that I was wrong about him and about your relationship. He’s perfect for you.”
“I know,” I said. Dad smiled and kissed my cheek again. The music was slowly approaching our cue so we took a couple steps forward and waited.
I wrapped my hand around my dad’s arm and felt butterflies rise in my stomach. When it was time to walk, I felt like I was floating. My head felt light, and my feet barely touched the ground.
When I saw Caleb standing at the end of the aisle, I couldn’t wait another second. My dad had to hold me back so I wouldn’t run forward. The music was impossibly slow, and the entire walk down the aisle was torturous. I just wanted to get to Caleb’s arms.
“Take care of her, kid,” Dad said as he placed my hand in Caleb’s.
“Always,” Caleb said.
Dad smiled and walked down to sit beside Cathy. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and they both smiled up at us.
Turning to face Caleb, I felt happier than I’d ever been.
***
The reception was a blur of music and laughter. Caleb’s firemen buddies kept everyone entertained well into the night. Stephanie snuck off with Tyler sometime after we cut the cake, and Dad and Cathy were both so happy they couldn’t sit still. They never left the dance floor, whirling each other around like two teenagers in love.
I only had eyes for Caleb. We went through the traditional dances and toasts. We cut the cake and danced some more. By the time the night was over, I was exhausted and ready to be alone with my new husband.
“Will you be upset if I tear that dress off you?” Caleb asked, whispering in my ear while we waited for the limo to pull up.
“I’d be upset if you didn’t,” I said with a mischievous glint in my eyes.
Caleb grinned down at me just as the limo pulled up. All our guests lined up outside to blow bubbles on us as we ran toward the car. I laughed as Caleb threw open the door and practically shoved me inside.
We barely got the door closed before his lips were on mine. I melted into him, losing myself in the feel of his lips and the taste of his tongue. We could barely wait to tear into each other.
“Are you feeling okay?” Caleb asked, suddenly pulling away. “Are you tired?”
“I’m all right,” I said. “Better than fine. I’m so happy.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to exhaust yourself.”
“That’s what wedding nights are for,” I said with a grin.
“I’m serious, Tara.” His eyes were dark. I sighed and kissed him softly.
“I feel great,” I said. “I’m a little tired, but it’s not chemo related.”
“Okay,” he said. Relief flooded his features, and he claimed my lips again.
With my chemo schedule, we couldn’t take a honeymoon anytime soon. Caleb wanted to plan something far away and exotic, but Dr. Young said no. She wanted me to stay in town until my therapies were completely over. If something happened, I needed to have access to my doctors immediately.
We were both upset, but Caleb didn’t want to risk anything that might hurt me. Instead, he reserved the honeymoon suite at a hotel downtown. We would have the entire place to ourselves for four days. I was so excited that I was shaking by the time the limo pulled up outside the hotel.
Caleb couldn’t keep his hands off me. He kissed me in the elevator, sliding his hands under my dress and cupping my ass in his strong hands. I moaned and pressed the button for our floor repeatedly.
We barely made it inside the room before Caleb ripped the wedding dress off my body. He tore the zipper down the back, but I didn’t care. I needed to feel him inside of me. My bra and panties flew off in an instant, and soon, Caleb was stepping out of his tux and throwing me on the bed.
He devoured my body with his, kissing and licking every inch of me. I writhed beneath him while he brought me to orgasm over and over again. Our bodies melted into each other before he even slid himself inside of me. And when he did, the entire world melted away.
He held onto me tightly while he rocked our bodies back and forth. His dick filled me up completely, pressing deeper and deeper with each thrust. I was panting and clawing at his back, hungry for more.
“I love you,” he said, his voice a deep growl.
“I love you so much,” I said between moans.
I couldn’t tell where Caleb ended and I began. He was inside of me, on top of me, and all over me.
He thrust his hips harder and faster, grunting with need and taking me as his own. I threw my head back and let waves of pleasure wash over my body. I shook and cried out, moaning Caleb’s name and clinging to him.
My pussy clenched around him, and he came fast. He grunted and growled, biting at my neck and kissing my lips. We held onto each other, still locked together. Our bodies shook, and we dripped with sweat, but we didn’t care. As we kissed, the entire world melted away.
I slept peacefully that night, wrapped in Caleb’s arms. Neither of us said a word until the next morning. We didn’t have to. Everything between us was perfect. Our entire lives felt like they’d finally fallen into place. That night, I didn’t feel sick. I felt whole.
We woke the next morning and stayed in bed. Caleb stroked my skin, and I kissed his chest. We didn’t want to move for fear of popping our little bubble. Instead, we stayed hidden in that room for four days, alternating between making love and dreaming about our future.
On our last day in the honeymoon suite, he held me close while we lied naked in bed. His body felt like part of my own. We’d spent so much time locked together that I didn’t think I would survive when we finally had to break apart.