Epilogue

Leah—6 months later

Brennan and I stood in front of a large gold-encrusted wrought iron arch beside Arlo, who had become certified as a wedding officiant just so he could marry us. Behind me, all of my favorite women stood in line, while all of my favorite men stood behind Brennan. In the dozen or so rows of chairs sat every other member of Eden along with the rest of Brennan’s family and both of our friends. It was nice to know that we had so many people who supported our relationship. Walking down the aisle and knowing that he was the only man that I would ever truly love made this whole ceremony more intense for me. I never thought that we would make it here, but by some long-ago draw of fate, we had. Arlo leaned toward me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Leah, are you ready?” he asked softly.

I smiled softly at Brennan’s worried look before nodding. “Yes.”

“Okay.” He cleared his throat loudly as he leaned back. “Welcome, everyone. We have been asked here today to witness the union of Leah and Brennan, two lost and lonely souls who have found the second chance of love, happiness, and companionship they both needed in each other. My name is Arlo, Brennan’s oldest friend and a huge supporter of Leah, and I’m deeply honored to be here today to officiate the ceremony that will begin their new life together. Today, we’re not just here for a wedding; we’re celebrating the serenity that true love brings us, most often when we don’t expect it. Leah and Brennan’s love story may be one of pain, trials, and fear, but that doesn’t keep them from opening their lives to each other in a way that builds them up stronger than they ever could be without each other. Their very relationship is living proof that it’s never too late to find your eternity, for choosing happiness, and for holding love close to your heart. 

I remember the day I met Leah; she was filled with so much hurt and heartache, it crushed me. She had just separated from Brennan, and she was really missing him. I could tell she was deeply in love with him. I am so glad that you leaned on me during that time. It was such a joy to see you blossom and to see you embrace life as it was. And Brennan, I recall our phone calls when you were so worried about her. Neither time nor distance dampened how much you loved her. You were anxious about starting a new relationship after everything that you have been through, but you fell for her so completely that you didn’t even realize it was happening. Your willingness to work on yourself has led to this very moment with the love of your life standing by your side, eagerly waiting to become your wife. Thank you for allowing me to bear witness to your reunion, which has been such a blessing to watch. The minute I saw you two together in person, I knew that there would never be anyone more perfect for either of you than the person who stands in front of you now.

The most important thing about Leah and Brennan’s relationship is the deep mutual appreciation they feel for each other as well as the acceptance of their second chance at love. They’ve approached their relationship with a lot of hope. Their love is made stronger by their shared life experiences and held together by past challenges that made them lean on each other to find peace while being made sweeter by the knowledge of how precious their connection is. Leah, your resilience and love for life have brought a new awareness into Brennan’s black-and-white world. Brennan, your support and need to help her heal from her past have granted Leah a safe place where she could open her heart again. Together, you’ve shown us all that it’s possible to heal from your pasts while embracing a new future together.

Your love has survived challenges that are unique to finding true love later in life—healing from trauma, understanding each other’s life experiences, and learning how to create a new love that was wrought with misunderstandings and mistakes. Even through all of that, you’ve held onto each other and your relationship with hope, patience, and a mutual love for each other that went far deeper than normal bonds. Leah and Brennan, as you meet here today, you’re not just starting a new journey—you’re beginning a whole new forever. Your experiences, both shared and separate, have given you the wisdom to fully understand and appreciate the gift you’ve found and the strength to devote yourselves to this new destiny together.

To everyone gathered here, thank you for your support and dedication to helping them through the hard times. Your love and assistance have remained a crucial part of Leah and Brennan’s journey. As they make this next step together, they will forever be grateful to each of you for standing by their sides. Leah and Brennan have written their own vows that reflect the uniqueness of their love and the promises they have already made to each other as they continue on this new path of life together. Leah, you may now recite your vows to Brennan.”

“Brennan, when I came to you, I was broken. I didn’t think I was worth being loved. You slowly took all of those pieces and put them back together in a way that I don’t even recognize the woman that I was. Because of that, I know that you and I will make it. To help us continue to be the strong couple that we are, I promise to always be there for you. I promise to always speak to you about how I feel and listen when you talk. I promise to always support you. I promise to be anything and everything that you will ever need. I love you with every single fiber of my being, and no matter what happens, I always will,” I told him, looking deeply into his eyes as tears glistened in mine.

“Thank you, Leah. Brennan, please recite your vows to Leah,” Arlo instructed.

“I spent so many nights writing out these long speeches with the hope that one of them would be enough to convey how strongly I feel for you, but none of them ever could. How do you tell your heart that you need it to live? How do you tell your soul that without it you are just a shell of who you are meant to be? I need you close to me to breathe. I need you next to me for my heart to beat. I promise to do everything I can to always show you how much I need you in my life. I know I didn’t deserve you. Hell, I still don’t deserve you, but I’m glad that you love me enough to give me a chance to try to make up for all my mistakes. I vow to communicate with you. I vow to stay and fight with you instead of running away. Above everything else, I vow to always be present with you.” He took my hand to put it over his heart. “As much as I tried, this still doesn’t express how deeply I feel about you, so let me try again.” He covered my hand as he stared lovingly into my eyes. “I will always love you, and not a day will ever go by without me telling you. There isn’t another person in this world that I would want to walk through life with. I love you, Leah.”

“Leah and Brennan, you’ve now solidified your sincere vows to each other. These lifelong promises are a testament to the love you have and are creating as well as the life you’re building together. May they continue to be a reminder of this long-awaited day and the commitment you have made to each other. Now, let’s proceed with the ring exchange. These two rings symbolize the continuous circle of your love—a love that has no start nor end. Like your love, may these rings be a beacon that guides you through all the days of your life together.”

After taking the ring from Joey, Brennan took my hand off his chest to gently push it onto my finger. Maddie handed me his ring, which I wasted no time in putting on his finger, while Arlo stood proudly watching us.

“By the power granted to me by the powers that be, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. Brennan, you may now kiss your wife!” 

While Brennan leaned toward me, I quickly gathered my skirts in my hands as I turned toward the aisle so I could sprint down it, running away from Brennan as fast as I could. It only took seconds for me to be lifted off the ground into his arms, while everyone in attendance watched us with bated breath.

“Where are you going, princess?” he asked huskily.

“Just checking,” I told him, smiling up at him.

His eyes softened as he lowered his head to kiss me. “I told you, Phoenix, I was going to chase for the rest of our lives.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great joy to present to you, for the first time as a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Leah and Brennan Morgan!” Arlo almost shouted behind us, making everyone laugh.

Brennan lifted me up higher so he could kiss me again as his eyes shone with pride and happiness. “Mrs. Leah Morgan. I’ve always loved the sound of that,” he murmured softly as Arlo continued speaking behind us.

I affectionately ran my fingers through his hair. “Good, because I’m not giving it back.”

“I wouldn’t let you, even if you tried…”