We kiss hard and I feel my heart swell with pride. She’s going to be mine forever. I’m never going to have to let her go. I slide the ring onto her finger and the diamonds sparkle as bright as Harmony does in the early morning sunlight. We kiss again and I roll on top of her, our naked bodies ready to make love again the way we did through half the night. As I move inside her, I’m in heaven.
I’ve finally found my happiness.
Epilogue
Three weeks later...
Harmony
As I stand outside the church in my wedding dress, bouquet in hand, and nerves swirling in my stomach, I wonder whether my dad will show up for my big day. I tried to give him space and time to think about what has happened between me and Wade, but we didn’t want to wait to get married. We’ve pulled this whole wedding together in just a few weeks. I have my dream dress, my dream husband-to-be, my dream destination...but there’s just one problem.
My dad isn’t here to walk me down the aisle.
I was so sure he’d turn up. Even though he hasn’t been answering my texts or calls, I was sure he’d be here. He told me he still loves me, so how can he miss my wedding day?
Everyone is already in the church, waiting for me. We’re already late starting the wedding. Wade will be wondering what’s going on. Tears threaten to fill my eyes. How can my dad do this to me? If anything, he owes me for the way he treated me these past few years. Is it so hard for him to see me happy?
I’m starting to think we’ll need to cancel the wedding. As much as I love Wade, I can’t imagine getting married without my dad here. He raised me to be the person I am today, even if he made some bad decisions along the way. He’s a good man, and I don’t want him to be absent from my big day. With my stomach in knots, I’m about to step inside.
“Harmony.”
I turn around. My dad is standing behind me, dressed for the occasion, but with an apologetic smile on his face.
“Dad...I thought you weren’t going to come.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he tells me, pulling me into a hug. “I’m sorry I’ve been absent. It took me longer than I expected to make sense of all this. But I’m here, and you have my blessing...even if that doesn’t matter to you.”
“Of course it matters to me,” I whisper. “You’re my Dad. I want you to approve.”
“Well, I do,” he tells me. “Wade is a good man. That’s why we have been friends for such a long time, after all. I had complicated feelings about you falling for my friend, especially someone much older than you, but I saw in both your eyes the last I saw you that you care a lot about each other. I know I can trust him to care for you forever. And I’ll always be here as your dad in case you still need me.”
“Wade will protect me now, Dad,” I tell him. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t need you. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too, darling. Now, shall we do this?”
He takes my arm and I feel my heart fill with joy. Things are finally going to be okay. I’m going to marry the man of my dreams and my dad hasn’t shunned me for my decisions. In fact, it feels like we’re all going to be one big happy family.
“Dad before we go in. I should tell you...I’m going to be having a baby,” I confess. His eyes widen.
“A baby?”
“Yes, I’m pregnant. You’re going to be a grandfather.”
His face falters for a moment and I wonder if maybe I’ve pushed him too far for one day. But then his face breaks out into a smile and he hugs me close.
“Congratulations, sweetheart. I can’t wait to meet him or her. But first, let’s get you married.”
We enter the church arm in arm. The guests stand and watch me glide down the aisle. They’re all focused on me, but now that the fear in my heart is gone, all I see is Wade.
He looks so handsome as he waits for me at the altar. I can barely believe that he’s mine for the rest of my life. He smiles at me as I approach him and my heart swells. In him, I see all my dreams coming true. In him, I see joy and happiness. In him, I see my future.
My dad kisses my cheek as he gives me away. I stand with Wade and our hands entwine. I look deep into his eyes and know that I’m the luckiest woman on Earth. I’ve found everything I’m looking for and more.