Loving Lyra

Epilogue

Lyra

I stood in front of the mirror shaking my hands out as I bounced with nerves.

"You good?" Hailey asked with a chuckle.

"It's normal to be nervous!" I snapped and Hailey coughed back a laugh.

It is normal for a bride to be nervous on her wedding day, but I may have been a little more than a little nervous. There were just so many factors, so many things to think about.

But mostly my nerves were excitement, because today I was going to marry my best friend. Brandon, not Hailey.

"All right," Hailey said, pulling me out of my thoughts, "time to get ready."

I took a deep breath and sat down to get my hair and makeup done. Brandon hired stylists to come so everything would be perfect and easy for me, it was so sweet.

My hair was swept into an updo similar to the one I wore all those months ago to the gala, only this one was much fancier. The stylist even added a sparkly pin to the side of the bun. It was perfect.

Makeup was next. I told the artist I wanted a pretty natural look and she did exactly as I wanted, "highlighting my natural beauty," she'd said.

It was perfect. Everything was perfect. And now all I had to do was put on my dress and marry the love of my life.

Hailey was already waiting with the dress I had purchased. Well, Brandon purchased. He refused to let me pay for anything.

I slipped out of my silk robe and stepped into my dress. It was a fitted strapless gown that flowed out just above my knees. There was a beautiful lace design on the white fabric and I had fallen in love with it instantly. It was the first and only dress I tried on.

"You look so beautiful," Hailey said as she positioned me in front of the mirror.

"What about me?"

Hailey and I turned our attention to Macie in her flower girl dress. It was also white with roses on the skirt.

"You look like a Princess," I told her, carefully lifting her into my arms.

"I can't wait for you to be my mommy," Macie said softly.

"I can't wait to be your mommy."

I felt tears pricking at my eyes, but I blinked them back ferociously. I couldn't ruin my makeup.

"Alright! Time to go!" Hailey shouted.

I took Macie's hand and walked out of the room we had gotten ready in.

The doors to the chapel opened and Macie went through with her basket of roses. Everything suddenly felt so real.

Hailey was about to go through, but I grabbed her arm. "What if I trip?"

Hailey blinked. Twice. "You won't."

"But what if I do?"

"Then that'll suck."

And then she pried herself out of my grasp and went through the doors leaving me slack jawed. That did not help!

It was my turn to go through the doors so with a deep breath, I picked up my bouquet and nodded for the doors to be opened.

Everyone's eyes turned to me, but the only ones I cared about were of the man who was standing at the alter. He looked at me with so much adoration in his eyes.

Focusing on every step, I made my way down the aisle, my eyes never leaving Brandon's. And then I was right in front of him, holding his hands.

"You look gorgeous," he whispered and I couldn't help but blush.

The priest went through the basics of the ceremony until we got to vows. Brandon and I had written our own.

"Lyra, you are the kindest most generous woman I have ever met. From the moment I met you, I knew you were special, I just waited too long to act on that." Brandon smiled at me and I felt tears prick my eyes again. "I made you a promise once. A promise that I would always be there for you and now I'm sealing that promise. I will always be here to love you and cherish you, through the good times and the bad. I love you Lyra, so much."

I had to take a deep breath and blink back some tears before I could say my vows.

"I always thought I would spend my life alone," I said. "Until one day when a little girl wandered into my bakery."

"That was me!" I heard Macie whisper and then Hailey shushed her. Everyone including me laughed.

"That day changed my life for the better and I couldn't be more grateful. Brandon, you were always so kind to me and you always took care of me even before you loved me. I think that's what made me love you. So now I promise to always be there for you, to love you, and take care of you and Macie. I love you both more than I've ever loved anything in the world."

Brandon smiled down at me, his eyes shining and I couldn't help but smile back.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Brandon swept me into his arms and kissed me. And as the crowd cheered, I whispered in Brandon's ear, "My birthday wish came true."

Brandon's brow crinkled in confusion and I smiled. "I got a family."

Brandon kissed me again and there were a few whistles in the crowd.

"For the first time as husband and wife, I introduce, Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Cole."

Brandon took my hand and we walked out of the chapel and into the next chapter of our lives.

Together.