Epilogue- Our love

Epilogue- Our love

SARAH PIERCE

Like the gentle breeze playing with my veil, the days drifted by until our wedding finally arrived.
I now fully understand why Nathaniel suggested we have another ceremony. 
Contrary to the first one where I had twisted resentment towards Nathaniel and my family, I am at ease. And the joy dancing through me feels like enough fuel to always be happy for the rest of my life. 
Even as I walk down the flower-decorated aisle with Amir by my side, I remain calm, and my eyes are mostly focused on Nathaniel, whose dark blue three-piece suit gallantly presented him in one of the most handsome versions of himself. 
Whenever our eyes met, as though speaking through an unseen medium, we'd burst into laughter that filled the grand shed which was specifically and elaborately reconstructed for our wedding.
The few times I looked away from Thaniel, I was waving to my beautiful Raya and subtly greeting our guests. Of course, there weren't a lot of people, but their presence spoke volumes. 
On my side was Vanessa, who always made sure to check on me after my discharge and my manager, Sarah, from my former workplace, who really surprised me with her kindness when the news about Erasmus's crimes was publicised. 
My mother, who was sentenced to ten years in prison, unfortunately could only attend the ceremony virtually. 
And from Nathaniel’s side, which constituted most of the crowd, were two women and three men who are team leads in his company, Mr Ray and his brother, and the ever-famous singer with the most amazing voice, Han Babi. 
Over the past two days of fun, I've come to know these people better. Easily, their presence contrasted the tension I had to deal with in the first wedding. 
“Go to your man, Sarah,” Amir teased when we reached the foot of the altar. “Mr. Storm, as her brother, I've got my eyes on you.”
While Nathaniel shook his head at Amir's audacity, I laughed and stood in my spot.
“Hey,” I greeted my man with the brightest smile, my soul feeling prettier as his gaze appreciated my simple mermaid tail gown, whose sleeveless feature made me feel like a ninja-princess. 
“Hello, my love,” he replied and his voice tickled my insides so much that I giggled like a teenager. 
“May we begin?” The priest officiating asked and we nodded. “Beloved, we are gathered before God and man within these great mountains, to celebrate the union of these two souls.”
Nathaniel and I didn't look away from each other for a minute. 
“When I met with the couple three weeks ago, they narrated a bit of their story and I tell you, they moved this old man to tears. I am very happy to be here, officiating this beautiful union which celebrates and showcases the beauty of love which God our Father in heaven wishes for his children to experience regardless of the things life hurls at us.”
Applause ensued but I was honestly in another world with Nathaniel. At some point, our hands met and we continued our silent conversation as the priest continued. 
“The couple may now share their vows.”
Nathaniel cleared his throat and his fingers held mine tighter. 
“I once had a conversation with a great musician and lyricist. Back then, my naivety wasn't aware of the love locked deep in my heart. So, during that conversation, I confidently said that it was easy for people to fall out of love no matter how deeply affectionate they could be. I was so sure that love was a fickle thing that runs away when things get tough. But…”
 He took a step closer to me, our eyes still not breaking away from each other.
“I met you again, the woman who was locked deep in my heart. Though our new start was rough, we did something I used to say was impossible. We built back the love we lost. But then, thinking about it in recent times, I realised that we never lost our love.”
My quivering lips could no longer hold back the tears.
His gentle voice continued, “Our love evolved with every season. When we first met, it was love. When we were forced apart, there was still love despite the distance. When you hated me, it was because of the love you had.” With a faint smile on his lips, his fingers wiped away my flowing tears. “When we met again, the love pulsed differently. Despite the angry words and aching hearts, our love awakened. Even with the unfortunate incidents, we have been strengthened by the same love.”
“The love that overcomes,” I added, only for his hearing. 
“Yes. Our love conquers no matter the changes we face. So, my beautiful Sarah, as we head into our new chapter as a family, I'll always go through the good and bad times with you because I know for sure that we will always come out victorious. So do not be afraid to lean on me at all times. Not only will I be next to you, but I will also be a good father to our children. I am not a perfect soul, but I know I am ready to do all it takes to raise our children with you.”
“Not you already giving Raya siblings,” I said through my teary laughter. 
“It's bound to happen sooner or later, my love.” He stamped his vows with a kiss, then he said, “Sarah Pierce, I love you because every part of me loves you and will always do.”
“Oh God,” I fanned my wet eyes. “I might be ruining my make-up.”
“You're good, my love,” he replied as his pocket square flew out to dab my tears. As he made sure there were no smudges, I noticed that his eyes were wearing a film of tears waiting to be poured out. “Your makeup’s good.”
“Thank God.” I couldn't help but blow my ugly snot into the pocket square and I felt bad about that. I should have allowed Vanessa to carry the box of tissues she contemplated stuffing into her bag. 
“Take your time,” Nathaniel assured as I did some last-minute dabbing underneath my eyes. 
“Honestly,” I began, my eyes beaming more, “ever since we sorted out our differences, you always said things that sounded like vows to me.” Another sniffle made my chest jerk, I had to pause for a second. “And the best part? Even when you often thought you weren't doing enough, you were doing everything.”
With little nods, he responded, his lips folded to force back his tears. 
“You love me in a way I used to believe could only be found in fairytales. You always come through for me in every situation.” As his tears rolled down, he hid his face from me and the sight pushed me to another round of crying. “Even when… Even when we weren't on good terms… You were mostly considerate. Now that I remember, I am very sorry for slapping you and for every terrible thing I said to you in ignorance.”
He swiftly raised his head. “No, my love. Don't apologise.”
“I was a pain in your ass though,” I croaked. 
“A beautiful pain in my ass that knocked sense into me.”
“Oh, my Nathaniel,” my delight became grand amid my crying. “You are my everything. You'll always be my everything. And I will keep loving you. Even when the seasons of our love change, I will be next to you, holding your hand, making you laugh with my silliness. With you, I'll be an amazing mother to our children because in the near future, I want them to see and say for certain that they are raised with love. And that we, their parents, are always going to love each other.”
“I love you so much, my cappuccino,” Nathaniel whispered as his hands carefully held my face. “Way more than I think. I love you so, so much.”
My lips pressed onto his to seal the confession of our love. Before we could get carried away, I pulled back and with my hands hugging his waist, I said, “I love you, my spring.”
“Did you…” The priest's tear-laden voice made us look towards him. “Did you two say these vows off your heads?”
“I tried writing my vows,” Nathaniel replied, his gaze flickering to me, “but I realised I didn't need to. Wake me up in the next ten years and I'll tell you about the amazing love we have and the kind of man I always want to be to my woman.”
“Same here. Being with him comes with an ease that I love waking up to.”
“That's amazing,” the priest's deep-set eyes pinched shut to get rid of his crying. “That's really amazing, you two.”
While I wondered if Nathaniel and I were being so emotional that the priest couldn't help but get contaminated with tears, I looked behind to see most of the guests wiping the corner of their eyes or hiding their faces. 
“Thaniel,” I called my husband's attention, “we've made our guests cry.”
“I see. I've always wondered what our superpowers were,” he joked and I laughed as though it was super funny. 
Then, the ceremony proceeded. 
We said the ‘I do’s’ and sealed the new chapter with a simple yet addictive kiss. 
And as the priest announced the conclusion of the ceremony, my hand intertwined with Nathaniel's and I waved for Raya to come closer, so we could walk out together. 
My baby wasted no time. As her flowing gown moved with elegance, I adored her. 
“Raya, no!” I found myself nearly screaming seconds later. 
However, as though she didn't trip, Raya got back on her feet and continued running with something green or maybe blue in her hand. 
“Are you hurt?” Nathaniel asked as he checked her knees. “You need to be careful. You don't need to run.”
“See, Dada,” she interrupted his commentary of worry to show us what was in her hand. “Mummy look.”
“I see it, baby. But what's that?” 
“It's Lego, mummy.” A feeling I couldn't describe blossomed in my chest. “I build Lego house with it.”
“Of course, my love,” I replied as we proceeded down the aisle. 
And like a mad woman in her own world, a grand smile wrinkled my face so much that it would take a billion buckets of sorrowful things to crumble it. 

~

THE END

~

Author's Note

It felt right to do that Lego house thing towards the end and I didn't even plan it in the initial drafts of the ending. 
That's the beauty of telling and reading a story. These characters take you on a journey and you live through them and maybe cry with them as well. 
That's why, like it is with every other novel of mine, I'm super grateful for the opportunity to tell the story of these wonderful characters. Even the terrible characters took me on a journey I couldn't resist. They made me so committed that I even ended up writing five chapters instead of the two chapters I had planned for the ending. 

A huge thank you to the amazing readers who've been with this story from the beginning; Cortney Masterson, Genna Mickenly, Kimberley Platt, Brian C Nyamutamba, Marie Morland, Candelaria Agulto and Grace Anike Emmanuel. 

My thank you definitely extends to my silent readers too. I appreciate your love and support. 

That's all from me for now. My social pages on Facebook and Instagram have all the updates you need about my next move. 
I hope to see you there! 💜💜

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