Page 95 of The Stone Family Warrior

Epilogue

New Year’s Eve

If there was ever a time to have a party at her grandmother’s home, it was New Year’s Eve. And that’s just what they were doing; having a wedding first, then a party after.

Liberty brewed in anticipation as she stood on a red carpet, awaiting the music change to be her cue to join Trent through the door, at the end of the carpet.

Her brother moved to her side, and she looped her arm through his. “You sure about this guy?” Tom teased.

“I’m sure.” She should’ve been nervous, but the odd thing was that Liberty had never been more certain of anything in her entire life.

The wedding march started, and they began walking. Through the door, down the aisle. The whole town had shown up since news of their wedding had circulated. Most people had stopped by to congratulate her and tell her how excited they were for her and Trent.

Clarity. Yes, that’s what she’d had when Banks had nearly killed Trent. And that’s what she had now.

She loved Trent Stone and she would do what Pastor Henry had told her to do; She’d try to let go of the past and move forward. Warmth and gratitude filled her heart. God had been so good to her. That was her story.

She beamed at Trent, instantly having tears wash down her face as their eyes met.

Tom nudged her as they got closer. “It’s okay to back out, Lib. It’s okay.”

She couldn’t even respond to Tom, because all she could do was stare at Trent. It was like they were in their own little world, and she knew that he would always be her fortress. “I don’t want to back out,” she said, hugging Tom quickly before stepping over to meet up with Trent.

“Lib?” Trent whispered. He took her hands.

He was a magnet to her, and she couldn’t help but kiss him lightly on the lips.

“Hey, you gotta wait for that. I haven’t done the ceremony yet,” Pastor Henry teased them.

Liberty’s cheeks heated.

Marshall called out, “She can’t keep her lips off you, bro.”

Everyone at the ceremony laughed, and people started clapping.

Liberty beamed at Trent. “Sorry.”

“Hey, you gotta get me back for trying to kiss you all those years ago, I get it.”

She started to giggle, then remembered that they were at their own wedding and they needed to be serious.

Trent smirked at her. “Shh—and don’t swerve me at the end, either.”

She gulped back a giggle.

Pastor Henry cleared his throat. “We are going to ignore the flirtations of our bride and groom and begin the ceremony.”

That elicited more laughter from the crowd.

Liberty gazed into Trent’s eyes and only knew one thing: she loved this man. It was so intense and so perfect and so imperfect, and it was everything. They would figure it all out together, every step of the way.

Pastor Henry went through the ceremony, but Liberty couldn’t focus on the words. Trent squeezed her hand when it was time for her to say, “I do.”

Pastor Henry clasped his hands together. “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Trent Stone. You may now kiss the bride.”

Trent pulled her into his arms, then surprised her by dipping her back dramatically. Applause surrounded them, and she heard a few whistles, but she could only gaze into Trent’s eyes. This wonderful man who she’d crushed on her whole life would now be her husband.

“I love you, Lib,” said Trent. “I love you so much.”

---