Epilogue

Epilogue
1 year later

Erin gasped into the phone. “Jackson… I’m literally going to kill you.”

“Aw, don’t be mad, Erin, I’m so sorry.”

“Jackson, you promised to be here.” Her eyes were tearing.

He sighed. “Is Phoebe there?”

“Of course, she is, it’s my wedding day! Phoebe was with me for all the wedding preparations, she was there for every single fitting.”

“Really? I thought you’d go for those with your mom.”

“I did! With my mom and Braden’s mom and Phoebe— Stop changing the topic. You and Phoebe were supposed to be my Bridesmaid and Bridesman…”

Pouting, Erin raised her gaze and looked up at into the mirror. She was nearly ready, she just had to wear her gown now.

“Aw, don’t cry, Erin, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry won’t cut it!” She wailed into the phone, making the sobs as big and long as possible.

“Why are you crying? Especially when I’m right here.”

She blinked. “What?”

The call ended and Erin frowned.
“Erin.”

She turned to the right, looking at the door.
Jackson was peeking in at her.

With a huge gasp, Erin shot to her feet, the giant bathrobe grazing her toes. “Jackson!”

He laughed, jogging in.

“I hate you!” she screamed as she ran into his arms. “You said you wouldn’t make it!!”

He was shaking with laughter as he hugged her. “Does that make sense to you? How could I not come for my little chestnut’s wedding?”

She loudly pretended to cry. “Jackson! I missed you! It’s been six whole months.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

Pulling away, Erin beamed up at him. “I would’ve never forgiven you, do you understand me? Never!”

“I know! That’s why I had to come. To keep the peace.”

She smiled. “Oh, my God, look at you. You’re really here, I’m so happy.”

He petted her head like an affectionate big brother. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Her smile widened. “There. Now that you’re here, today’s perfect already. You should go get dressed.”

“What colour’s the suit?”

“Emerald-green and black,” she said. “Matches Phoebe’s dress.”

His expression dimmed a little and Erin pouted. “Have… have you been staying away to avoid Phoebe? I thought you guys were cool.”

“We are, we are! Why would I avoid her? I was just really busy, I flew in this morning.”

Erin slowly nodded. “Okay. I don’t want either of you to be uncomfortable.”

He shook his head. “Phoebe’s one of my two best friends, I have no reason to be uncomfortable around her.” She looked worried and Jackson sighed, holding her shoulders. “Erin, don’t worry about anything. Okay? Just enjoy this day and commit everything to long-term memory.”

She smiled, nodding. “Thanks for coming, Jackson. It wouldn’t have been the same without you. Thanks for everything.”

He scoffed. “I don’t think I did anything to deserve thanks.”

“You don’t?” She tilted her head. “You don’t realize that… when I was a little girl who had to face unfamiliar and unpleasant situations in my life, you were my only safety rope? Without question, you moved schools with me, protected me, took care of me.” Her eyes grew teary again. “It was like my mom had gained a son.”

He scoffed, smiling. “Oh please, Erin. I owe my entire career to you, so if anyone should be saying thank you… it’s me. You were practically responsible for my mental health for several years of my life, remember? Kept me going when I wanted to give up. Thanks for always being there for me, Chestnut. I should promote you from best friend to sister.”

She laughed, wiping her eyes. “Yeah, let’s. Let’s upgrade, it’s been twenty years now, it’s time for an update.”

He was laughing when the door opened.

“Erin, dearie—” Sharon gasped. “Are you crying?”

She came rushing over and Erin shook her head. “No, no, I’m fine.”

Sharon looked at Jackson and blinked. “Oh, my. Who’s this handsome young man?”

Ever charming to the older ladies, Jackson took her hand and bowed over it. “Jackson Pierce, ma’am. I’m Erin’s other best friend.”

“Oh, my.” Sharon giggled. “Why haven’t I ever seen him? You’re very handsome, dearie.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

The door swung open again. “Erin, you need to wear… your dress…”

Phoebe came to a stop, trailing off as she stared at Jackson.
“Jackson. You’re here!”

Smiling, he went over to her and they immediately hugged each other.
“How’re you doing, Pheeb?” he asked softly.

Erin was a bit alarmed to see Phoebe’s eyes glimmer with tears.
“Okay,” she said, blinking fast.

“Come, dear,” Sharon said, taking Erin’s hand. “Let’s go before these tears ruin your make-up.”

Braden was pacing nervously about the altar, his hands clenching and unclenching.

“Man, you’re making me dizzy,” commented Noah, chewing on some peanuts.

Jace stared dazedly into space. “I still can’t believe it. You’re marrying Erin Moore…”

Braden glanced at him. “Believe it. And don’t you forget it. Let me hear you being an ass to her, I’ll make you sorry, Jace.”

Jace blinked rapidly, swallowing. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Besides, I’m sick of getting jumped by Jackson and Phoebe. They’re like gangsters, those two.”

“Where did Chris say he was?” Noah asked.

“Out of the country,” Braden said. “He’s at his uncle’s, getting clean.”

Noah looked at Jace. “You should also get clean, you idiot. You’ll die by thirty, at this rate. We’re not far from thirty, just in case you forgot.”

Clearing his throat, Jace looked away. “Oh, wow, the place is filling up.”

“How many people did you invite?” asked Noah.

“I don’t know. Only close relatives and our closest and oldest business associates.” Braden checked his watch. How was Erin doing? Was she as nervous as he was?

“Braden!”
He turned around, watching his mom hurry over from behind the curtains at the front of the church.

“How’re you doing? Are you nervous?” she asked him, reaching up to fix his collar and fuss with his suit.

He smiled down at her. “Mom… I’m getting married.”

She smiled, nodding. “Yes, my sweetheart, you are. And you look perfect, so handsome.” She smoothed the shoulders of his suit and beamed up at him so adoringly, his heart swelled with affection.

“Thanks for being here,” mom.”

Sharon felt her eyes prickle. “Thanks for allowing me.”

There was suddenly angry stomping approaching from behind the curtains. “I’m not wearing this shit,” grumbled Michael Stone. “I look like a clown.”

Sharon turned with a dark glare. “Just get back there and put it on. It’s a tie, nothing about a tie makes you look like a clown.”

Michael glared at Braden nearly petulantly. “You’re just going to let your mother bully me?”

Braden smiled at his father. It was rare, but it was something he’d started doing more often since his dad went to rehab. “Mom knows what’s best, dad.”

Michael scoffed. “I am a grown man and if I refuse to wear a damn tie, nobody can—”
A pinch in the ribs made him jolt and he frowned at her. “Sharon.”

“Stop trying to ruin my son’s wedding and get back there and put that tie on.”

“No.”

Sighing, his mum looked at him and Braden grimaced.
“Give me a moment,” Sharon said.

Braden nodded and immediately his father was dragged off to the back, complaining the entire way.
He shook his head as they went but couldn’t kill the smile on his face. They really didn’t get along, those two, he wondered how they fell in love in the first place.

Soon, Stephanie appeared and with clicking fingers and clapping hands, directed everyone into place.
She was a strict event organizer who ran the show like a military camp. The priest took his place, Noah and Jace taking their place behind Braden.

It was time.
He exhaled shakily, trying to calm his nerves.

It may have been five minutes but it felt like five hours to Braden. The room quietened and, with a signal from Stephanie, the lady at the piano started playing.
Braden was afraid he’d faint.
Biting his lip, he waited.

The soft, dainty melody floated through the brightly lit church, drifting through the gentle breeze that blew in from the large windows.
The doors opened and Braden held his breath.

An adorable little boy that Braden recognized as Phoebe’s nephew appeared, his pants held up by suspenders as he marched down the aisle, throwing flowers in any direction he pleased.
The sight had everyone in the room smiling and cooing, but Braden was too nervous to move his face into any expression at all.

Next, Jackson and Phoebe appeared, her arm wrapped around his as they walked.
They looked great together, but Braden could spot the underlying tension between them.

Erin’s appearance came so suddenly, it robbed him of his breath. He gasped, unconsciously stepping forward from the altar as he stared.

His heart was throbbing like he’d taken a drug, his throat drying. He couldn’t believe it, suddenly.

She was really marrying him. And, God, she looked unbelievable. What would he do? He loved her so much.

The silk and lace top of the gown hugged her chest, the lace sleeves sneaking all the way to her fingertips. The bottom of her gown fell to the floor in several dreamy layers of lace and silk, hugging her waist then falling away to create an image so regal and breath-taking… he was robbed of his sense. Standing there, he stared at her, watching her approach.

God, he’d fallen so deeply in love with Erin Moore. When had it started? High school? Uni? His feelings for her had just appeared and had grown out of his control. He didn’t know when it had started but he had a clue as to how far it would go.

That was as far as forever went.

He swallowed hard, battling tears. She’d said yes to him and now he’d never let her go, they’d be together forever, him and his Erin. They’d be the baddest duo and lead this empire to even bigger success.

She was staring at him and smiling, her eyes filled with a look Braden had become addicted to.
She looked at him with love.

She loved him back and now she was marrying him.

He smiled back, nodding. This was all he needed. Just Erin. His heart felt full and the threat of tears was every present, tussling with his self-control.

The Chairman and Ms Moore had accompanied her to the alter and both took a seat beside Braden’s parents, smiling at him.
Erin reached him and he immediately took her hand, leading her back to the altar he’d abandoned to dazedly watch her walk to him.

They stood in place and she smiled up at him. “Hi.”

Braden’s throat closed, his eyes filling. This was insane. How was it possible to love one person so much?

Today was the first day of forever and he was the happiest he had ever been in his life; the feeling was indescribable.

Swallowing, he smiled down at her. “Hi.”

The VIP hall of the Stone Towers was alive with music and laughter and celebration.

It was the final hours of their wedding day and Braden was still high on the entire thing.

“We’re married,” he said, grinning at Erin.

“You’ve said that five hundred times!” laughed Noah. “Man, you’re so gone!”

Erin sat back in her seat to look at him, her shoulder touching his elbow as he leaned it on the back of her chair.

He put his chin in his hand and smiled down at her. “Mrs Erin Stone. AAAHH!”

The loud scream made the entire table jolt and Erin threw her head back laughing.

“He’s lost it, he’s lost it,” Jace said, shaking his head.

“All of you,” Braden pointed a finger around the table at their friends. “None of you can even look at me, from now on. You can’t talk to me, I am now superior. I’m Erin Moore’s husband!”

“He really has lost it,” Jackson said, grabbing a champagne bottle.

“Yoo-hoooo!” called a high-pitched voice.

Phoebe’s face fell when she saw who was hurrying over.

Loretta King rushed to their table, holding her tiny purse with two fingers. “Mrs and Mr Stone, big congrats!”

“Thanks!” Erin said, grinning.

“What is she doing here?” demanded Phoebe.

“I was invited!” Loretta snapped. She smiled at Erin. “Erin must’ve felt guilty for snatching my Poseidon, the least she could do was invite me.”
Erin made a face at her and Loretta laughed. “I’m just playing, darling, where’s my seat?”

Phoebe pointed across the hall. “There, by the exits.”

Ignoring her, Loretta simply nudged Noah over and planted half her butt on the corner of his seat.
Jace pushed his seat closer and let her sit comfortably between them.

“Kids.”

Erin and Braden looked up.
“Grandpa.”

The Chairman walked over, smiling down at them. “You two simply look lovely. I’m so proud of you both, I wish my Clara was here to see this.”

Erin took his hand. “Thank you for today, Sir.”

He patted her hand. “I didn’t do enough, my little girl.”

Braden eyed his grandpa. “If you’re so proud of us, where’s your wedding gift? I’m expecting something huge, gramps.”

Julius laughed, shaking his head. “You rascal. Of course, I’ll give you two something. Besides the honeymoon, I have several gifts waiting for you.”

“Like what?” Braden asked shamelessly, making his grandfather laugh.

“Braden, you like the villa in Italy,” Julius said. “You can have that. For, Erin, there’s the vineyard in France, that’s yours.”

Erin’s mouth fell open. “Th… thank you. I’m obsessed with that place, it’s so beautiful.”

Julius nodded. “I know. That’s why I’m giving it to you. I’m thinking of also giving you two the resort in Thailand.”

They both gasped.

“Mine,” Braden said.

She glared playfully at him. “No. Mine.”

The Chairman chuckled. “Fine. The Thai resort will go to whoever secures a contract first once you’re back from your honeymoon.”

Erin gasped, looking at Braden. “More competition?”

He raised a brow, smirking. “You scared?”

She scoffed. “Oh, please, Braden. Our last contest ended in a draw; we’re equals in this business.”

The Chairman laughed. “Well, this time you can try for ownership of the resort.”

Braden nodded curtly. “Yes, Sir.”

He could rest assured about it. Not because he was confident he could beat Erin, but because he knew things had changed. Whether he won or she won, it was a win for them both.

She looked at him and smiled. His heart screamed like the crazed lovesick puppy it was. On the surface, he calmly stroked her hair.

The life-long rival he’d wanted out of his way was now his partner.
Leaning in, he kissed her.

For a while, he’d been puzzled about whether to see her as a lover or a rival. Now, he realized.

They weren’t rivals; they were a team. They weren’t just lovers either, they were soulmates, they were fated.
And, together, they were unbreakable.

He raised a brow. “The resort’s mine.”

Erin grinned, scoffing boldly. “Bring it on, Braden Stone.”


End.