Page 101

Epilogue

Quinn

My heart was in my throat, beating against the lump I couldn't swallow. The collar of my suit was contracting around my neck, squeezing like a fucking boa constrictor. I wanted to take in a large breath of air, but I couldn't.

Jamming a finger into the ring, I tugged the material away, trying to loosen its grip.

“You alright, man?” my cousin, James, asked. The suit he wore was identical to mine, except his vest was teal.

Mine was charcoal black, over a black button-up with a bright white Calla lily pinned in the small breast pocket.

“Is your suit tight too? I swear this one's out to suffocate me.”

“Relax, you're just nervous.”

“Nervous? I don't get nervous, you know that.” Chuckling under my breath, my eyes shifted awkwardly around us, never meeting his full on.

“Oh no?So the fact you're sweating like a damn pig right now, and moving your hands around like you're coming down from a drug-induced high means what?”

“Fuck you,” I said with a grin, jabbing him in the arm with an elbow.

The music began to play, everyone's heads turning to follow the song to the arch at the end of the garden.

Okay, so I lied. I was nervous as fuck.

The flower girl skipped down the aisle, tossing handfuls of white petals. The guests all cooed at her, giggling softly at how she threw the petals like she was throwing a ball.

Smiling, I couldn't stop from laughing myself.

The bridesmaids followed her, their teal gowns flowing like water up the path. Mia winked at me as she took her place opposite of James, the best man.

It was the perfect day for a wedding. The sun was shining brightly, not a cloud in the sky. Birds were chirping to their own music in the trees, the occasional one dive bombing the crowd, and gliding into the bushes that lined the edges.

Did I say it was a perfect day?

Because it was, it was my wedding day.

Watching the aisle, I waited anxiously to see Cadence. The whole wedding thing had been another nightmare. Nothing like what we had been through, but bad enough.

There were a few times I had to reel her in, and remind her that nothing could ruin our day, because it was ours.

And that was all that mattered. It would be Cadence and I, it would be us and the people we loved. That was the only thing we needed to think about.

The music faded, reappearing in soft violins. The guests rose on cue, and that was when my heart went into overdrive.

I could hear it thumping, jumping around my chest, hitting each rib like it was playing along with the music. My heart was providing the bass in my head.

Rounding the corner, I caught Riley first. His tiny feet stumbled around in the dress shoes, taking steps like his feet were three times as big as they actually were. His face was eyeing all the people, any signs of a smile washed away with all the happy moans sent in his direction.

I'm not the only one who's nervous. My poor little man.

Riley's eyes met mine, his taut lips finally growing in an excited smile. Attempting to run, his small arm was tugged back, holding him in place.

Following his gaze, my chest stopped. The world around me fizzled out, every face turning fuzzy and melting away.

Cadence was gripping Riley's hand, her other holding a large bouquet of flowers. My son was giving her away to me, and it was the most incredible thing to watch. The two loves of my life, walking slowly into my arms.

She looked amazing, gorgeous, more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. I was frozen, completely blown away by the woman I called mine.