Page 108 of Embers of You
He tosses the washcloth into my hamper, and pulls me against him as we settle onto my bed, skin sticky with sweat but I don’t want to move.
“Did you have any other plans today?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I can’t remember, but if I did they’re cancelled now.”
He chuckles. “Good, because I wasn’t going to let you leave my side regardless.”
“Good thing I never want to.”
Epilogue
SUTTON
A YEAR LATER
“You look beautiful, honey,” Emily tells me, adjusting the simple veil in my hair.
“Thank you.” My face heats with the compliment, even though she’s been more of a mom to me than my own for the last year.
My mom and dad aren’t present today. I wasn’t kidding about cutting them off, though they’ve tried talking to me over the past year. My mother’s confirmation that they weren’t sorry about what happened, especially since I’m pretty sure it’s still happening, was enough to have me completely done.
The last year also has had its share of problems, and some scares when it came to Emily’s health, but Jameson never oncewavered with me. He let me be there for both of them, even when things got tough.
The trial she’s been in seems to be helping, and it seems like a miracle that she’s improved as much as she has. The cancer isn’t completely gone, but it’s not spreading. She’s able to gain weight, and she isn’t as tired anymore. She has a glow to her that I’m so happy I get to see.
Especially because she gets to be here for this day. A day I know she’s been wanting for so long. I never thought much about my wedding day. I wasn’t someone who could picture every detail or knew who I wanted waiting for me at the end of the aisle.
Not until Jameson.
And the day he dropped down to his knee in front of me. He brought me out to the spot on the property where we always go at night to look at the stars. We’d talk about the future and what we wanted out of life. Sometimes, we wouldn’t say anything and just sat there with each other while our dogs ran around.
I put him out of his misery and told him what my favorite flower is: sunflowers. And because he’s who he is, he surrounded the area with them, and always makes sure I have them in the house.
Saying yes to him was the easiest yes I’ve ever given.
Now here we are, just a couple months later because neither of us wanted anything big. We decided on a small intimate wedding on the property.
Bailey and Lily are my bridesmaids, even though Lily goes back to college in a week for her senior year. They’re both outhelping make sure everything is set up the way Jameson and I planned, which is why I’m alone with Emily for now.
She turns me toward her, eyes are already shining with tears, but a smile is on her lips. “I’m so happy for you both. I’ve wanted this for Jameson for so long and I couldn’t have asked for someone better for him.”
I return her smile, my own tears threatening to appear. “I’m happy too. You raised such an amazing man.”
“Believe it or not, his father was a part of that.”
“I do believe it. I just wish he was here today, too.” I’m unable to hold back my tears now.
She gives me a watery smile. “Me too. He would be so proud, but I’m sure he’s watching.”
She pulls me in for a hug, and I think it’s so I don’t see her start to cry, which is okay with me because then she won’t see me doing the same.
Our sweet moment is interrupted by Bailey and Lily barging in. Well, it’s really Lily doing the barging, Bailey is following behind shaking her head. Those two have become my best friends, and even though Lily has only been back for the summer, we keep in touch while she’s at school. Bailey is still reserved, but she’s been coming out of her shell a bit more.
“You bitches ready?” Lily calls out, and then freezes when she sees Emily’s red eyes. “Not you, Mrs. Turner, you’re not a bitch.”
Emily laughs lightly. “You don’t need to censor yourself for me, sweetie.”
“Good, because if Sutton would’ve let me throw her a real bachelorette party, you would have been invited.”
