“Take care of my girl,” he tells me, but his voice is softer now. He knows I will. I give him a curt nod.
“I always will. I’ll give her the world.”
“I know,” he says quietly. And just like that, it seems like we are on the road to fixing our relationship. I started this day thinking that Callum would never give us the time of day again. But we’ve all grown. We’ve found some way to adapt to make this all okay. We’ve all made mistakes, and some of those have left scars that are still raw, but time heals all wounds. We’re going to be okay.
Callum smiles at me briefly as August grabs his arm and pulls him into the party, wanting to introduce him to all her friends. I stand back to watch the party unfold, feeling relief. Relief that Callum has put August’s heart back together. Relief that our friendship can still be fixed. Relief that this is the start of something amazing, not the end of something we thought we were losing. There’s a chance to start again and do things right this time. And from here on out, everything is going to run smoothly.
But we’re still in for quite the adventure.
Epilogue
A month later…
August
I never thought this day would come. The day where I get to walk down the aisle and marry the love of my life. I’m so happy right now that my cheeks are permanently flushed and I feel like I’m floating. It’s like everything has come together finally.
Now, I’m standing in front of a mirror, admiring myself in my wedding dress. It’s a beautiful thing made of white lace and it clings to all the curves of my body, all the curves that used to bother me. Over the last few months, I’ve learned to like this body, my body, and the one Ethan fell in love with. He tells me I’m beautiful every single day and I guess I have started to believe it.
“Darling? Can I come in?”
I turn to face the door of my hotel room. I know my dad has been waiting outside in the hall since I changed into my dress to give me some space, but I also know he’s desperate to see his only daughter in her wedding dress. I smile.
“Yes, Dad, you can come in.”
I watch as my dad enters the room and takes in the sight of me, covering his mouth with shock as emotion overcomes him. There are tears in his eyes, and I can see from his expression that he thinks I look beautiful too.
“Oh, August. You look beautiful. If only your mother could see you today.”
A few tears prick my eyes. I never really got to know my mother, and it hurts now that she won’t be here. But I have the two most important men in my life here, and that’s what matters. Plus, I have another special guest with me. A last minute guest that I’ve only just found out about.
“Dad? I’ve got something to tell you before you walk me down the aisle. Something important.”
Dad frowns. “Are you okay? You’re not having second thoughts, are you? About the wedding?”
I laugh. “Of course not. And it’s good news. But I think you should sit down.”
He nods and does as I ask, sitting on the couch on the other side of the suite. I join him, taking a deep breath.
“You know that Ethan and I are hoping to start a family as soon as possible?”
He nods, his brow furrowed. I smile, my heart filling with joy at the news I have to share with him. I’m so excited that I can barely contain it.
“Well, I found out something yesterday. I missed my period and so I took a test…and I’m pregnant. We’re going to have our first baby!”
I watch as my father’s eyes widen. I pray that he’s going to take this well. I know he had some trouble accepting Ethan and me as a couple at first, and I don’t want to do anything to throw him off. But this is so important that I can’t not say anything.
“I…I’m going to be a grandfather?”
I nod with a smile so wide it hurts my face. I watch my father’s face change from shock to pure elation. He pulls me in for a hug.
“Oh my God. This is incredible news. I-I’m so happy for you, honey. I can’t wait to meet your baby.”
“Me neither,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. I’m so happy today. I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted. Now, I never have to feel alone again. Now, my family is growing and I have so much to look forward to. This is everything I ever dreamed of.
I wipe tears from my cheeks with a smile. “But first things first, you have to walk me down the aisle.”