Epilogue
Kate
Five months later…
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
The guests cheer as Casey and Decker kiss. Bird seed is thrown in the air and bubbles are blown as they make their way down the dock—their dock—and into the large backyard of Casey’s mother’s house, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland.
There’s a huge party tent—complete with heaters—decorated to the max to represent Casey and Decker’s winter wedding. Well…as winter as a wedding can get in South Carolina seeing as today’s low is fifty degrees, despite it being December. White lights hang from the ceiling, bathing everything in a soft, romantic glow. Decorations in white and silver tastefully adorn the tables.
As Casey’s only bridesmaid, and maid of honor by default, I’m dressed in a floor-length silver gown with crystal beading around the neckline. Casey is wearing a gorgeous white, strapless ball gown with crystals sewn into the fabric. She looks like a princess. She’s beautiful. Decker and his dad, who is also his best man, are both wearing black tuxes with black shirts, only Decker’s tie and vest are white to match Casey’s dress, and Mr. Abrams’s are silver to match mine.
The wedding was beautiful, and who cares if the bride and groom were already married by a Justice of the Peace a couple months ago? I dare anyone to challenge Casey and Decker. They deserve happiness more than anyone I know. Except maybe Jay and me; we deserve lots of happiness, too.
There hadn’t been a dry eye in the house—err, yard—when Casey walked down to the dock to meet Decker, escorted by her mom and Decker’s parents. Casey was surely missing her dad today, but we all knew he was looking down on her for this very special moment. And, while she would have loved having her dad walk her down the aisle, the next best people where there in his place. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way, except to be there himself, of course.
It’s been a busy few months since I left California. I’ve just finished my first semester at the University of South Carolina, and I couldn’t be happier. I love it. The education program is amazing and just what my soul needed—aside from Jay. Jay is doing great running Sean’s shop. It was a little rough for him at first; Sean left behind some pretty big shoes to fill. But with Mac and Julia’s help, Jay got a handle on things.
I haven’t heard a word from my parents since I’d walked out of their house, and I’m not at all surprised. I thought I’d feel some kind of void, but I don’t. I have a new family now with Jay and Mac, and even Julia. I’ve spent a lot of time with her over the past few months, even attending some of her doctor’s appointments with her. She’s due to have her baby boy in February and wants to name him Sean Patrick after his daddy.
And, of course, I have Casey and Decker and their parents. I haven’t been able to visit Mrs. Evans as much as I’d like with school, but now that I’m on winter break and Casey and Decker are too, I plan to spend as much time in Charleston as I can.
I smile as Jay slides his hand into mine. “You look beautiful,” he whispers in my ear.
“Shh,” I tell him. “The bride is the only one you’re supposed to tell she looks beautiful.”
“She does,” he agrees, “but so do you.”
I lean against him, and we sway together as we watch Casey and Decker dance to their first dance, “Red on a Rose” by Alan Jackson.
“Think we’ll be as happy as they are some day?” I ask him.
“We already are, Sunshine. We already are.”
“I’m so happy my car broke down that day,” I say, looking into his eyes. He dips his head down and gives me a quick, but sensuous, kiss.
“And I’m so happy I was finally in the right place at the right time.”
