Page 100 of Embers in the Dark

EPILOGUE

I thought I’d feel nervous. Even one butterfly would be normal, right? But as I stand next to Baylee, it just feels right with her by my side. Yes, we jumped right into this, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel sudden. It feels right. The minute we made the decision in that hospital room to get married, even though it wasn’t with the necessary paperwork, it simply felt like it was meant to be.

Here we are on our official wedding day at City Hall in front of her parents and my mother. This time we’ve added her sisters, their significant others, and their children. My mother is better today, and my brother and his wife returned to celebrate us, which is a great surprise. Rios was invited, but isn’t here and that’s his choice. I can see it disappointed Baylee, even though she put on a brave face when she showed up to find he was the only one not in attendance today.

I gave Baylee the option to do a big wedding, but she opted out of it. She wanted to keep expenses down and to save for a big trip this summer when she’s off for break. The holidays just ended and we’re soaking up the last few weeks before she returns for the new semester.

This next term is supposed to be her final one before she’s officially a college graduate, although, she may push a class or two into the next fall and take a little bit of the workload off her back. She doesn’t see the point in rushing to finish all her courses this spring if she can spread a few of the classes out and finish in the fall. She’d still walk this spring with the rest of her class. She needs to decide soon though.

Kennedy offered her a summer internship at the Gaels facility with the physical therapy department, and I told her she should take it. Baylee doesn’t want any handouts, but I told her Kennedy wouldn’t offer if she didn’t think Baylee deserved it. Working with a sports team is her dream, so this is exactly what she’d love to do.

I look over and catch the smile on my mom’s face and my heart swells. Seeing her sitting there, looking better than she had months ago brings me so much joy. What a difference a few months makes. Baylee catches me looking at my mom and her smile doubles. She squeezes my hand, and I know she feels the same relief I do.

Before we know it, we’re declared a married couple and I kiss my bride.

I whisper to her, “I can’t believe it’s official.”

“Believe it. You’re stuck with me now.” She laughs.

“I can’t wait,” I tell her, dropping another kiss to her lips.

“Okay, lovebirds, let’s go. They need us out of here.” Eric slaps my shoulder.

We make our way through and head out into the hall. We’re about to find a spot in the building where we can take a photo, when we encounter someone we least expect holding a bouquet of flowers tied with blue ribbon.

“Danny?” Baylee says.

“Hey,” Rios says, “you look beautiful. Here, I brought you these. I thought I’d bring your something blue, even though I got here a bit late. That snowfall last night made me late. I’m sorry.” He looks genuinely apologetic.

“It’s okay, man. Thanks for coming,” I say. I do appreciate the gesture, and I know Baylee appreciates him showing up for us.

She takes the flowers and gives him a small smile. Then she hands me the flowers and I nod. She turns to her brother and wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him; they embrace for a long while. I look over and see her mom wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. I can see the toll this has taken on their family. It was never our intention for that to happen.

Rios pulls something from his pocket, revealing a small gift box. Baylee looks hesitant at first but finally takes it from him and pulls at the bow to open it. When she opens it, I see the tears pooling in her dark brown eyes. I move closer, the protectiveness coming over me. Once I’m closer, I realize the small smile that’s formed on her lips. I look down and notice the necklace with an initial hanging off it. She pulls it out and it’s then I see the delicate M dangling off the gold chain.

She reaches for her brother right then and those tears she was holding back finally break free. I walk away, giving them the space they deserve. I look over my shoulder and see them pull apart. Rios whispers something to Baylee. Then she nods and a smile pulls on a corner of her lips. Maybe despite all that’s happened, everything will be okay in the end. It’ll take time, but I’m hoping we can start to rebuild what we lost recently.

“Shall we take that family picture?” My mom, the eternal optimist, says as she comes up by my side.

“Yes, let’s do that,” Ariana says.

We find a spot where someone can snap a photo and it feels like something finally clicks. That crack in our armor may have been mended today and I feel a little lighter as we walk out of City Hall.

“You didn’t think you’d get away without celebrating, did you?” River says as I open my front door.

I rub my hand down my face, preparing myself for all the people walking through my house for this celebration I didn’t ask for.

It’s the weekend after my wedding to Baylee and we’re celebrating our wedding with a friend gathering per the request of our little extended family we’ve built.

“Just so you know, they made me come and I feel like the seventh wheel,” Hunter declares as he walks in.

“I’m here against my will, if it makes you feel better,” I whisper.

“I heard that.” Abby points at me, narrowing her eyes. “You owe me this, especially after I helped you withSixteen Candlesnight!”

“I knew it!” Baylee yells. “You owe me money!” She points at me with the biggest smile like she won the lottery.

“My protégé is learning,” River says from the kitchen. “Nice, Bay-Bay.”

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