AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I crash into Mark, full of emotion. Flinging my arms around him, I kiss him like I need oxygen and he’s the only way to get it. We’re smiling. We’re laughing. We’re crying. I’m all enveloped in the moments until a catcall tears us apart. I look up to see that not only are my friends here, but the entirety of our families. I hadn’t even noticed them before.
“So, is that a yes?” Ben calls.
I look at Mark, and we start to laugh again. He leans down to whisper in my ear, “You know, you didn’t actually answer the question.”
I smile up at him. “Yes. The answer is yes.”
He smiles and gives me a quick kiss then turns towards our family and friends and yells, “She said yes!”
Epilogue
Millie
Four Months Later
Mark and I have opted for a small ceremony, just close friends and family in my parents’ backyard. We initially didn’t want to wait, but once Rosie was offered a dream internship with a designer in Paris thanks to one of her mentors, we decided to wait until she would be able to be there. The whole property is gorgeous. Simple yet elegant as only my mother can plan.
Some might say getting married after only dating such a short amount of time is crazy, but for us, it’s been twenty years in the making. Why waste another moment? As cliché as it sounds, when you know you know. I dreamed from the time I was twelve, hoped from the time I was seventeen, prayed from the time I was twenty-two, and knew with absolute certainty the moment I saw Mark in the lobby of Lexington that there would never be anyone else for me. Thankfully he came to the same conclusion. (Just maybe not quite as early as I did.)
I look around my childhood bedroom at my best friends who have been by my side. Kiersten wipes a tear running down her face as Amara tries to busy herself with the bouquets. (She has no idea that Duncan is planning to propose next week.) Tori and Jonathan are over in the corner in deep discussion. Five months ago this would have worried me, but since the run in with Jack at the high school, Jonathan and I have had a lot of heart to hearts. He and Mark are in the best place they have ever been, and he’s been nothing but supportive.
I’ve also gotten a lot better at speaking up for myself when we are together. I still want to see Jonathan and Tori happy and will usually concede to what they want to do when we hang out, but I also don’t force myself to do anything I really don’t want to do. I’m happy to report I haven’t had to go running once. Jonathan and Tori were the biggest helpers in Mark pulling off that magical proposal. After all, who knows you better than your best friends? Though I really could have done without the kidnapping. Just wait until it’s their turn!
I face the mirror again, running my hands up and down the delicate lace. Rosie really outdid herself with this gown. It’s a fitted lace gown with light and flowing sleeves that come down just past my shoulders. The heart shaped open back is the perfect touch, with its pearl buttons extending the rest of the way down my waist. I have no idea how she found the time, but I’m eternally grateful. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect dress to get married in.
“You look beautiful,” Jonathan says as he slips his arm around me and stands beside me.
“You really think so?” I look at him through the mirror.
“I know so. You sure you really want to marry my brother? It’s still not too late to change your mind.”
I laugh and nod, “I’m sure.”
“Your mom has your something blue, but I thought you could use these as your something borrowed.” Tori walks up holding a box. When I look at her in confusion, she opens the box to reveal a pair of bubble gum pink stilettos. I can’t help but laugh.
“Just don’t throw them at anyone’s head this time,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.
“But it worked out so well last time,” I joke.
Tori wraps her arm around my other side, and the three of us stand there looking in the mirror. My eyes start to brim with tears.
“No crying!” Tori chokes out. “We don’t have time for me to re-do your makeup.”
“You two are ridiculous.” Jonathan hip-checks me, making me hip-check Tori in return. His eyes glisten as he pretends to scold us.
“It’s time.” I turn to see Danny standing in the doorway. “Wow. Look at you.” The pride in my big brother’s eyes makes my eyes sting all over again. If I’m crying this much seeing everyone else, what am I going to do when I see Mark? “You’re radiant, Mills.”
“Thank you,” I say as he pulls me into a bear hug then lets go.
“I better not mess up your hair and makeup. Pretty sure every woman in this place would have my head.”
I scrunch up my nose, and he bops it lightly. “Mom wouldn’t, but the rest might. Ashleigh definitely would.”
Danny snickers, “Truth.”
Dad clears his throat from behind us. “Why doesn’t everyone get lined up while I get a moment alone with my daughter?”
Everyone starts to clear the room and head to the designated spot on the patio out back. I try to hold in my tears, but the look on my dad’s face makes it almost impossible. He’s beaming with pride, and his eyes are shining with tears (who knew we were such an emotional family?). I can’t help but think of how things could have ended so differently that horrible day four months ago. I shake the thought from my head. This is my wedding day; no need to think about things that didn’t happen.
