Page 60 of Between the Flames

EPILOGUE

The sun shined brightly over the horizon, its warmth radiating through the air as the guests of our wedding murmured quietly amongst themselves. They stole glances at me and my groomsmen standing in a tight row in front of the altar, while smiling brightly and taking in their surroundings. The venue was beautiful, much like the appearance of everyone around us, dressed to the nines. I had thought extensively of this moment, endless nights waiting to start our new chapter, and I couldn’t believe this day had finally come—I was finally going to make her mine, officially.

Eloise Peters, soon to be Eloise Thompson. My wife. My fucking wife.

A smile overtook my entire face as I looked at my groomsmen, then again at our family and friends. I had never considered myself to be a sappy guy, but the amount of love radiating from the people around me was contagious. I had never known it could feel like this. Everywhere I looked, guests were talking animatedly, smiling from ear to ear, and buzzing with anticipation for the bride.

As I continued scanning over the sea of faces, I found Lily and momentarily stilled as I caught her eyes running over the guests as well. She was searching, her face filled with anticipation, as though she was hoping for a certain face. I knew this look all too well; it was how I looked at Elle before she finally decided to be mine. It was a look loaded with hope and fear, lust and adoration. Without warning, Lily turned her head in my direction, and we stared at each other for a few moments. I smiled, and she smiled back, though I could tell her smile was a mask of sadness. My chest tightened because I knew exactly who she had been looking for, and I knew he wasn’t here.

Although Noah was not present, I had to admit to myself that I was grateful for the bastard and what he meant to Elle. He had been a pillar in her life, protected her when I couldn’t.

I could only hope he would be there for Lily too, assuming something was happening beneath the surface. Regardless of what may happen between them, Lily had come alive on her own, and I was glad to see her shine.

The music started up and Elle’s bridesmaids began their descent down the aisle in their champagne-colored gowns, bouquets in their hands. Each took their place on the other side of the altar, hair and makeup perfect, warm smiles across their faces.

My eyes met Rosie’s, and I was unsurprised that she was already looking at me with a flicker of attitude. A smug smile played at her lips, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. If she hadn’t shown up at my job site that day… well, I would like to think that I would have taken my head out of my ass and went to get my girl back, but I would be forever grateful that she asserted herself in my business—I just would never let Rosie know that.

Soft melodies of an acoustic “Clair de Lune” floated through the warm summer air and I turned my attention to where my bride would appear at any second. My breath hitched as she came into my line of sight, my eyes sweeping over her gorgeous body before locking with hers. She looked incredible; my pulse quickened as the sight of her coming toward me served as a reminder that this woman would always be mine.

My throat clogged with emotion while I watched her capture the attention of everyone around us. She peeked down at her brightly colored bouquet of wildflowers before looking back up at me. I was mesmerized by the siren in front of me. My wife. Almost.

Feeling a soft tug on the cuff of my sleeve, my eyes left Elle as I twisted my head to look at my son, my best man. Leaning into me, he whispered, “She looks beautiful, Dad.”

I rubbed my hand over my smile, my heart beating wildly in my chest as I turned my attention back to my bride, before whispering back, “She absolutely does. She looks like the most beautiful treasure that has ever been found.”

And she was mine.

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