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EPILOGUE ONE

WILLIAM AND TAYLOR'S WEDDING DAY

After more than a year of planning my wedding, one might expect me to want to follow every tradition—just as I once told Jackie I would.

But the moment I reach the church doors and the first chords of the wedding march begin, I realize it isn’t the ceremony itself that matters to me—it’s the people who are here.

I look around the church and, for a few seconds, allow myself a small pang of sadness at not seeing Mom and Dad among my friends. Then, almost at once, I recognize how generous God has been in bringing wonderful people into my life.

I look toward the front and see some of the Kostanidis children, along with Athanasios and Brooklyn’s kids, ready to lead me down the aisle.

Betina, as restless as I am, has been placed in a little wagon which is the perfect size for her, with a basket of rose petals at her side. Even before we start moving, she’s already giggling and waving at the guests, who smile right back.

“What’s wrong?” Jackie asks, standing beside me.

“Will you walk me down the aisle?”

“What?”

“I’ve realized I don’t want a magazine-cover wedding in the photos I’ll look at in the future. I want to look back on this day and know I was surrounded by love.”

She smiles and gives me a nod.

When I crouch to pick up my daughter, the wedding planner looks like she’s about to have a heart attack.

“She knows what she’s doing,” Jackie practically growls at the woman. Then she tells the children, “Go ahead, everyone.”

They don’t need to be asked twice, following the plan we rehearsed.

I take my best friend’s hand and start walking toward the altar.

I see William smiling, too, though his face shows a flicker of confusion.

When we finally reach him and he wraps his strong arms around us, I know no woman in this world has ever had a more perfect wedding.

“Breaking your own rules, my ? Wasn’t a formal wedding your dream?”

“My dream was always you. The wedding is just the crowning moment. I have you and our daughter. Nothing could be more perfect than that.”