Crashing Into You
Epilogue
Three months later
I can’t believe thatit’s finally over. The investigation is closed and other than a small story in the local newspaper life has moved on. I legally changed my name to Maggie, and I am writing my first romantic thriller loosely based on my story. I still work at Luna’s Diner and Calder is still a deputy, only now he is running for sheriff in the upcoming election. I know he’s going to win and do a great job. Carly and Roger reconciled and moved a few towns away. I think it is safe to say I was glad to see them go.
Calder and I moved into believe it or not Roger and Carly’s beach house. I wasn’t too thrilled with the idea at first, but they gave us a great price and it really is a perfect starter home. We need the extra space now that we are expecting our first child. Placing a hand to my stomach, I rub my growing bump and take a final look in the mirror. Today I am marrying my lover and best friend.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart.” My soon to be mother-in-law dotes on me as I prepare to say I do.
“Thank you. For everything.” We’ve grown close these past few months. I’m still not great at making friends but I don’t need anyone else. I have Calder.
“Are you ready?” Mr. Michaelson pokes his head inside the door.
“Yeah. I am.” We make our way down to the beach for a private and intimate ceremony. There are only a few guests, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This day is for us. Calder and me.
I join the man of my dreams at the shoreline and we recite our own vows.
“Maggie. I’m no writer but I tried to put into words what your love means to me so here it goes. It’s simple for me. When I think about love, you are all I see. All I think about. You’re beautiful inside and out. You care about people, especially me.” We all laugh lightly, and Calder sticks his tongue out at me. “There is no one I would rather spend my life with. No one I would want to raise a family with and grow old with but you. I hope that life passes by slow, because I don’t want to waste a minute I get to spend with you.”
I dab at my eyes. “I’m trying not to cry. That was beautiful and a tough speech to follow, but here it goes. Calder, from the moment we first met, I knew there was something special about you. I knew you were one of the good ones. The one worth fighting for. We didn’t have an easy start but anything worth having is never easy. It takes hard work and dedication, and I am one hundred percent dedicated to you. I never truly knew what it was to be in love until you gave me your love. I never knew how a woman should really be treated until you showed me and continue to show me every day. When I think about the future, I know that I don’t have to worry because I know I will be going through life with my best friend, my lover, and now my husband, and the father of my child. You’ve shown me that I do deserve something beautiful—you and your love.”
Calder’s parents are teary eyed, and the preacher pronounces us husband and wife. Calder’s lips meet mine, and I am completely lost to him. This man is everything to me, and I know our story will have a happy ending.
The End