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Epilogue

One month later, Iwalked down the aisle in a dusty rose bridesmaid dress at Lara’s wedding, but I wasn’t looking at anyone in the crowd. I had my eyes locked with one person. Emma, who had walked down (with a massive boot on her leg that the dress couldn’t hide) just before me. I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle to her again, and be sober this time. We had a celebration planned in six months, and we decided that we wanted to renew our vows in Vegas every year for the rest of our lives. This time we were going to bring the dog.

Her parents had stopped flipping out about us being married, just in time for me to tell my parents about us being married. I got the mother of all lectures, but I didn't care. Somehow their words didn’t sting like they usually did. I even got congratulated by my sister, which was a complete shock. We ended up chatting on the phone for over an hour, and I had some hope that maybe we could start a relationship.

Vegas was killing it at puppy school, and I was so proud of him and glad he was in our life, even if I had to get up and take him out at all hours.

My new job was amazing, and Emma was killing it at vet tech school. Financially we weren’t in the best situation, but Emma wanted to get a part time job for a few hours a week to help, and I was flirting with the idea of going back to school after she’d graduated. Still wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I wanted to do it. I wanted to give myself a new challenge and see what I could really do with my brain and my talents if I was given a shot and not constantly told that I shouldn’t or couldn’t.

When I reached Emma, I used the hand that wasn’t holding my bouquet to twist our fingers together in the folds of our dresses.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you,” she whispered back, as Lara and Asa said their vows. Next time we got married, I was going to write my own vows and pour out my heart to her in front of everyone we cared about. I felt this strange need to prove to everyone that our marriage wasn’t a mistake that we were just going along with because divorcing was too much work. I wanted our love to be legitimate. Emma said that was bullshit, and I loved her for it.

Lara and Asa kissed while everyone cheered and then we were walking back down the aisle, but Emma and I walked together, instead of single file. I hoped Lara wouldn’t be mad, but I wanted to walk down the aisle with my wife. Again.