Epilogue:
The sand is warm beneath my toes, the sun shining down happily and making everything bright. A light breeze off the ocean ruffles my dress as I smile at my dad and take his arm. He looks so proud as he turns to guide me towards the water and to the man I love.
Jack stands by the ocean in white linen, apparently at ease to everyone but me. I can see the way his jaw is tightened, the slight clench in his hand and the perfect posture despite appearing at ease. He relaxes slightly as our eyes meet, the tension melting as he smiles at me like I am the most beautiful thing he has ever seen.
I’m next to Jack before I can even take a breath, my father kissing me softly on the cheek and shaking Jack’s hand before leaving me. I can’t stop the blush that floods my cheeks as I look at Jack, the sheer happiness radiating out of him infectious. He holds out a hand for mine, and as our hands connect, I’m not nervous anymore. My world is exactly the way it is supposed to be.
The minister begins speaking, but I’m not paying attention to him. I can hear sniffling behind me, and Mrs. Saunders keeps dotting at her eyes with a soft white handkerchief. My own mother is leaning her head to my father’s shoulder, tears falling unabashedly down her face. My father’s eyes are bright with tears and his feet covered in fine white sand from walking me to where I now stand.
Jack smiles and I am back to him. He is all that matters today. I can’t help but smile, can’t help but feel this joy flooding through me. We are two people in love, finally getting married.
Jack takes my hand and slides on a ring. It isn’t big or gaudy—a simple diamond in a simple white gold setting. He promises to love me forever. I promise the same and slide a simple matching man’s ring onto his left hand. I know I am shaking, but it is with love and happiness. The minister has us repeat his words, but they are just words. I am looking at Jack, our eyes telling one another more than words ever could.
I can hear cameras clicking, but I don’t care. They are allowed to be here this time. I don’t care how much my dress costs, what the ring looks like or what color the flowers are. Today is for me and Jack. All I care about is that those hazel eyes are holding mine. All I care about is this joy between us, this joy that is ours alone. The joy that we are choosing to share with those we love, as we are wed in truth.