Page 110 of The Last Thing
I always had fun. I always enjoyed life. But I wasn’t living fully because I was always hiding my heart. He’s shown me what it is to love in a way I was terrified to. Which seems ridiculous now because that love is healing.
A few months ago, I never would’ve predicted that I’d be in love and building my own little family, but I’m grateful I didn’t see it coming.
When it rains, it pours.
That downpour was necessary to help my life grow and blossom.
Ugh. I officially sound like a sappy card or a self-help book. I guess happiness will do that.
I’m still the same mouthy, sarcastic girl. Now I get to be her with the man I love.
Nothing is better than being the fullest version of myself.
Although this moment is pretty special.
Even though it’s November, the gardens at the inn Devon’s family owns are beautiful. There are late autumn wildflowers everywhere, and there are still colorful leaves clinging to the trees.
I’m standing beside Frannie at the altar, watching as Kennedy stands at the other end of the aisle with her dad.
I glance over at Devon, who is pinching the bridge of his nose, trying not to cry.
Kennedy looks stunning in an ethereal white and cream dress with her hair swept back in a low bun. Even from here, I can see her eyes sparkle with tears.
I’ll never forget the first time she mentioned Devon to us. I was still little and didn’t fully understand the idea of crushes, but I was getting there. Frannie, however, asked Kennedy if she loved Devon and was going to marry him one day.
Kennedy turned red and refused to say anything else, but even then, it was clear. There was something special between them.
My eyes drift to Wilson, who is wearing a brown suit—no tie. I remember how much he hated the tie the night we met. He winks at me, and my heart fills with the same giddiness of that night back in August.
I took him to that carnival to loosen him up and help him relax, but I took him there for me too. Because carnivals are always magic, and whether I wanted to admit it or not, I felt a spark of that same sort of magic with him.
As Kennedy walks down the aisle, I imagine myself doing the same thing one day, and for the first time in a long time, that thought doesn’t scare me. It sends a tingle of excitement up my spine.
“What’s going on?”Frannie asks, voice urgent as she walks through the bathroom door in the inn.
I’m standing next to Kennedy, waiting to find out why we’re in here.
“Nothing bad. I just needed a minute with my sisters. That’s what you two will always be for me.”
“Aw, Kend,” Frannie says.
We end up in a group hug before Kennedy steps back and waves her hands. “I don’t want to get too emotional right now. I know I’m going to be a mess saying goodbye to you tomorrow, but I couldn’t let you leave without telling you this in person…”
“What?” I ask, thoroughly confused at this point.
She rests her hand on my stomach and smiles. “This little one is going to have a cousin.”
My eyes fly wide. “You’re pregnant?”
“Oh my god!” Frannie squeaks. “When did you find out?”
“Just a few days ago, so it’s super early, but I had to tell you.”
We both throw our arms around her.
“I’m so excited we get to be moms together. Even if it’ll be from across the country.”
Kennedy laughs. “Think of all the late-night text conversations we can have.”
