Page 82 of Until Next Time
And arguably, the most valuable lesson—love is chosen. Love shows up in the small things. It’s not something you fall into. It’s the tiny choices. It’s paying attention to details, and it’s action. Above all else.
You take a look at your life. All the shit you’ve gone through, and all the messes you’ve made. Who’s the one person that feels like home in the middle of it all? The one who chooses you, again and again.
43
Birdie
I’m not sure who’s idea it was to put bench seats in trucks, but I know for sure that they were the romantic type. Because right now, on this bench seat, with Garth Brooks on the stereo, and my left hand on Dawsen’s thigh, my ring reflecting in the sunlight that’s filtering in through the windows—it’s a perfect moment.
I pull out my notebook filled with random ideas and thoughts. I flip to an empty page, pull out my favorite felt tip pen and jot this down.
Novel Dedication Idea:
To all the women who kept waiting until next time, seize the now.
Time is precious, quit wasting it, and just tell the man you love him. Maybe something incredible could come from it. It worked for me.
44
Birdie’s Epilogue
THREE MONTHS LATER
I woke up this morning in my childhood bedroom for the last time. My mom brought me coffee and breakfast in bed. We stared at the white dress hanging in the corner. We reminisced and shed some tears too. The happy kind. The kind you cry when you realize how good life is in that very moment. The kind you cry when you’re entering a new season, one you’ve been anticipating for your whole life.
We turned the winery into the dreamiest looking wedding space. Greenery, candles, and thick linen table cloths draped and placed romantically. Everyone we know and love, gathered together to celebrate us.
My dad walked me down the aisle and gave me away.
Beside Dawsen stood his father, one of my favorite people. Beside me—Casey. She straightened my veil, held my bouquetand made sure everything about the day was stress free and perfect.
Dawsen and I both wanted something intimate. Something that just felt like home. A family dinner with everyone we love.
We danced, we drank, we ate cake, and we celebrated life. Ours. The one we chose together.
River announced last call on all alcohol just a bit ago and people started trickling out shortly after. My feet are sore, and my heart is happy.
I take a seat in one of the booths. Casey and River are sitting at the table over, finishing what’s left in their cocktail glasses.
I reach down to unbuckle my hot pink heels. I pull them off my feet and let them drop with a heavy thud on the hardwood floors of the winery.
Dawsen is at the door with my parents and his dad saying his goodbyes.
My parents holler from across the winery, “Bye, baby! We’ll see you later!”
I blow them a kiss and wave them off.
Dawsen let’s them out, and locks up the doors behind them then strides over to us at the booth. He leans down and plants a sweet kiss to my forehead.
“Thanks for everything, guys. You guys were incredible today.” Dawsen thanks our best friends.
“We‘ll leave y’all to it.” River says, as he nods and tips his hat to us.
“Unfortunately, I agreed to drive with your brother here, so I’m heading out with him.” Casey says reluctantly as she leans down to give me a hug.
I smile and offer her a sarcastic, “good luck with that one.”
River and Casey head out the back door. Once we hear it click shut, we feel the silence fall over the room.
