Page 105 of Jessica's Hero

“Oh, Jess. You deserve everything good. And I’ll spend my life making sure you have it.”

“I love you.” I kiss Kane again. “And I’ll spend my life making sure you get everything good, too.”

“Baby.” His expression goes soft. “I have you. That’s all I need.”

Oh.

He’s right.

I already have everything I ever wanted right here beside me.

Kane.

My true love.

My future husband.

The person who brought me to life again. Who showed me I’m not the villain of the story.

That I deserve a happy ending, too.

And against all odds, I finally found it.

EPILOGUE

Six Months Later

KANE

“How are you feeling?”

Oliver’s voice is pitched low as he speaks from my side. I reluctantly tear my gaze from the aisle to glance over at him, meeting his concerned expression with a reassuring smile. In the same quiet tone, I reply, “I’m good. Why?”

He grins. “Just checking on you. I remember how nervous I was when I was waiting for Shea to walk down the aisle.”

“Nervous?” I adjust my collar and give my tie a quick tug to straighten it. “Why would I be nervous? I can’t wait to marry Jess.”

“Not nervous about marrying her. Just the whole wedding thing. All the people, the ceremony… One of my buddies got so lightheaded he had to sit down for a minute. And this was from a guy who spent years undercover in the CIA. Living in Syria, no less.”

I cast a quick look around the ballroom, taking in the hundred or so people in attendance. Though it’s not close to the population of Sleepy Hollow, it feels like everyone I know is here. The entire Blade and Arrow team. All the guys from the station except for the few who drew the short straw and have to work today. Most of the volunteers from Station 4 and the Ambulance Corps. Grant and Scarlett. Cash and Ari. Ian and Rose. Ben and Thea. Shea, sitting to the right of my mom in the front row. And Hazel, who came from Vermont for the occasion.

And then there are all the other locals who asked if they could be here. Mrs. Plimpton. Mrs. Everts and Mr. Cunningham, who got to know Jess from her job at the practice. And Penny, who’s become friends with Jess through their weekly reality-TV-nights.

Then at the altar, there’s me, Oliver, and Nora; all waiting for the guest of honor to arrive.

Because although it’sourwedding, today is really all about Jess.

It’s the day when she gets to see how many people care about her. How much work has gone into planning everything, from the elaborate flower arrangements to the meticulously tied blue bows on the back of the chairs. From the blue sparkle lights draped carefully across the ceiling to the thousands of flower petals strewn down the aisle.

Today is the day when Jess gets to be the center of attention for all the right reasons.

When she gets to be the most beautiful woman in the room, with everyone oohing as soon as they see her.

Although, she’s always the most beautiful woman to me. But today, everyone will get to see it.

On my second scan of the room, my mom catches my eye. She gives me a watery smile and a little wave, then mouths,I’m so proud of you.

I’m not sure if she should be proud or consider me unbelievably lucky. The latter is how I feel most of the time. Incredibly lucky. Somehow, I found the most amazing woman in the world and she actually fell in love with me. Agreed to be mine. To take my name and become my wife.