Page 124 of Finding Fate

Epilogue

“You sure you want todo this?” Mac asks, eyes narrowed with concern.

“Yes,” I say with a smile. I know precisely what I’m getting myself into. He’s my life. I wouldn’t survive without Nash, and he wouldn’t survive without me. Somehow our souls have intertwined making separation impossible. Severing the connection would cut the others lifeline. So yeah, I know what I’m doing.

“Once again Fate, I don’t know if you’re fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into. This will be harder than you could ever imagine. Once you walk through those doors, it will be difficult to turn around if you have any second thoughts. Now’s your chance to run. I’ll help you escape. I’ll protect you if-”

I rest my hands on his broad shoulders and pull him in for a hug. Warmth spreads against my chest when he snuggles close and rests his chin on top of my head. I push back but stay snug in his arms to look up into his anxious gaze.

“I’ve never been surer about anything in my life. It’s him, Mac. It’s always been him.”

Soft lips press against my temple, and he steps back, tears now filling his eyes.

“Okay then, let’s do this.” His hands have a slight tremble as he reaches behind me to pull the thin white netting over my face. “If he ever hurts you....”

“Thanks, but Drake would kill him first,” I say, my smile growing bigger by the second.

It’s finally here. The day we’ve been planning for weeks. It’s not much but exactly what I always wanted. Surrounded by our friends and his family, which over the past few months have become my own as well. The other members of his team are the big brothers I’ve never had and his sisters - tears well at the swell of emotions thinking about them invokes. Those four, plus Mya, have soothed the jagged anger I harbored for too long. They took me in as one of their own and loved me. Truly loved me and taught me what being a family truly means.

Unconditional love and support.

Nash and I might fight, which we often do, but I know they’re there. Always. They’ve also all mentioned they like me more than him. Which pisses him off every time, yet every time a soft smile pulls at his lips and pride also shines through his brown eyes.

Hand on the back-door handle Mac turns with a final glance back. I roll my eyes and nod.

The mudroom fills with light as he pulls it open. The fresh sent of spring floats through on a cool breeze erupting goosebumps down my bare arms. My dress isn’t anything fancy just something I picked up at a vintage shop in D.C. Off-white lace that comes just over my breasts in a snug fit before cascading down to my ankles in a looser fit and longer back. It's perfect. Along with my makeup, Liza styled my hair leaving it in large loose pink curls down my back.

The pure notes from a lone violin play at the end of the aisle Mac and I step down. Everyone rises to their feet at the preacher's request and turn toward us.

But for me, my eyes are only on him and his are locked with mine.

Tears well threatening to ruin the makeup Liza spent over an hour applying. But I don’t care. Nothing matters but the man who’s doing everything he can to not shed tears of his own. We’ve been through a lot together, more than any couple ever should, and I know without a doubt we’ll be able to handle anything the world might throw at us. Which it will considering his job and my inability to back down from seeking justice when those who can’t stand up for themselves need additional support.

A foot from my future husband Mac and I stop.

“Who gives this woman to this man,” asks the preacher.

Mac’s gaze finds mine before sweeping across the stage and turning to the few people in attendance.

“We do,” everyone except Nash and the preacher says in unison.

Shit. The tears I’d been holding back stream down my cheeks. I bite my trembling lip and look to Nash who’s doing the same. When I look to my bridesmaids, Nash’s sisters plus Mya, they all smile their eyes shimmering in the bright sun. My gaze sweeps to the twelve beaming men at Nash’s side. At my back Drake, his family and Nash’s parents grin.

Right. They all know what this means to me. To have people. Family. Protectors. Nash wouldn’t let anything happen to me, ever, but knowing I have this new family surrounding me, loving me is overwhelmingly perfect.

My hands tremble as Nash’s strong hand wraps around mine urging me closer. Face to face we smile as the preacher begins the ceremony.

Nothing else matters except us as we stare into each other's eyes. I see it, feel it. The love and desire.

The preacher clears his throat drawing both our attention.

“You two prepared your vows, correct?”

In unison, we nod. The preacher waves a hand to Nash for him to begin.

And for the first time, I notice the tremble in his hand as he slides the gold wedding band down my left ring finger. Meeting my gaze once more he clears his throat.

“You’re mine. Forever and always mine. And I’m yours. My life begins and ends with you. You’re the reason I get up in the morning, the reason I breathe and fight to come home. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I’ll spend the rest of our lives showing you how grateful I am you chose me. I’ll love you, cherish you and protect you with each breath I take. No matter what happens know you’ll never have to question my love and devotion to you. It’s you. It’s always been you. It will always be you.”

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