The plane starts to board, and Mark takes my hand, leading me to my new life.
To our new life.
I can't wait to see where it takes us.
Epilogue
Siobhan
She looks beautiful.
Mark squeezes my hand, his eyes on Melody as she walks down the aisle, her arm hooked in Ryder's. They both look so happy, but Ryder has an air of pride as he gives his sister away.
It's creating an emotional wave in the air. The other guests all have tears in their eyes. Even I'm getting teary eyed as I see how much she's glowing.
I lay my head on Mark's shoulder and he wraps his arm around my body, pulling me in and rubbing his hand up and down the outside of my arm.
Melody and her soon-to-be artist husband are both wearing huge smiles. I think I even see a tear in his eyes too. I'm actually looking forward to getting a chance to talk to him once they're back from their honeymoon and things settle down. I've got a few questions about the art scene out here.
This wedding is much better than the last. Not because I didn't enjoy Jenna's wedding and being a part of it, but because this time I have nothing holding me back, and I'm so much happier for it.
I finally found my slice of heaven. This small town has welcomed me with open arms, and I've been nothing but grateful for it. Mark and I have fallen into a perfect rhythm, and I love it.
This is where I belong. This is where I've always belonged.
My parents aren't happy about my move and the choices I've been making, but they're being as supportive as I would expect. I haven't asked them for a dime, and every time I talk to my mother it feels like she's waiting for me to either beg her for help or beg her to let me come home.
I haven't and won't do either of those things.
I'm a different person completely, changed by the power of one person and his ability to show me the value of my own happiness. Mark is my savior. He's given me so much more than the city ever could with so much less.
The ceremony ends and we all make our way to the reception in the hall of the only hotel in this town. I love how close knit this community is. Yes, there's drama. Yes, there are rumors about the locals, but you'll always get that wherever you go, it doesn't matter where. But the closeness is irreplaceable.
Mark isn't as dressed up as he was at Jenna's wedding. He's in a button-up shirt and a pair of khakis. And he's wearing it just as powerfully as the suit. He could be wearing a paper bag and it would still look sexy as hell.
Smiling, I eye him as he brings me a glass of wine. He can see the look on my face, and he knows exactly what I'm thinking, but he asks me anyway. “What?”
“Nothing, you just look so handsome.”
“Well, I know that,” he responds playfully. “So you're saying when we get home you want to rip my clothes off and bang my brains out?”
“Yeah, that's exactly what's going through my head.”
“I knew it.” He looks to the head table, his eyes settling on the bride and groom. “They look so happy.”
“They should, it's their wedding day. I'd hate to see a wedding where the bride and groom are fighting.” Chuckling, I take a moment to admire them. “Melody looks amazing.”
“You look amazing,” he answers. Mark leans over, planting a kiss on my cheek. “You want to dance?” he asks, pointing at the small crowd that's gathering on the dance floor.
“One second,” I say, tipping back my glass, and downing the entire thing. “Now, I'm ready.”
“So we're playing like that. All right.” Mark swallows down the rest of his wine. Holding out his empty glass, he exhales a pleased breath of air. “There, now we're even. That's what. . .” Pausing, he looks at the glasses in front of us. “Three apiece?”
“I haven't been counting.”
Mark takes my hand, pulling me to my feet. “Come on, it's time for you to really see my moves.”
“So at Jenna and Ryder's wedding those weren't your best moves?”
“Nah, that was me playing it cool. I didn't want to embarrass you or anything.” Holding my hand, he pulls me around in front of him, giving me a spin at the same time. “Now I'm not going to be as courteous.”
“Good, I don't want you to hold back for me.”
He throws his arm around my waist and moves me toward the dance floor. With my hand in his, and his arm keeping me close, he presses his cheek against mine.
“I love these heels, you're almost eye to eye with me—almost.”
Sweeping me around the floor, he leads us in this not so smooth, but very fun dance. I love it. I love how he treats me as if everything about who I am is special and amazing.