Epilogue…

“DO I LOOK OKAY?” I nervously ask Skylar, who is standing in the doorway fighting back her tears. She’s frantically fanning her face with her hands.

“You look perfect.” She says, giving me a watery smile.

Gazing in the mirror, I can’t help letting out a nervous laugh. I’m finally dressed, in this fabulous, form fitting white dress. The instant my eyes landed on it, I had to try it on. There was no need to look any further, and it only took one shop, and under an hour. A very successful shopping day indeed, the minute I stood in the floor length mirror and saw myself…I knew it was the one. Looking behind me at Micah’s mom only confirmed it if the flow of tears and her hand covering her mouth were any indications. She loved it as much as I did and the poor sales lady was busy handing us tissues. If she only knew my story, I’m sure she’d be in tears as well.

The strapless white mermaid style dress had a form fitted lace corset accentuating every curve. The black lace details enhanced the corset and the back of the dress all the way down the train. The dress was simply gorgeous.

“Micah will flip out when he sees you.” Wiping her eyes, she’s holding a box out for me to take. I chuckle at her remark slowly opening the box. With nervous energy running wild throughout my body, I can’t believe this day is finally here. Having Micah’s mom help me get dressed makes it that much more special.

“This is your something old. Now, please breathe for me, so you don’t pass out.” Her humor helps calm me some.

I let out a few laughs and she soon follows with a few of her own.

“Okay, this locket is the first present Dave ever gave me. I’ve had it for over twenty years, and now I’m giving it to you. I had this locket custom made, especially for you.”

Opening the locket I see two pictures, one on each side of the heart pendant, both are baby pictures. I can only assume they are both Micah since they are strikingly familiar to one another. It’s incredible, and I start to weep, gently tracing my finger over his cute face. My sweet Micah.

“The one on the left is Micah and the one on the right…is Michael. I found this picture in one of those letters you collected from your mother, and had it sized to fit the locket. This heart locket now holds your whole heart.”

“Oh my God!” It’s perfect and beyond beautiful. Skylar helps me put it on and it falls against my neck, lining up perfectly with my dress. We both stay silent a moment, with tear filled eyes in awe of how amazing it looks with my dress. This locket completes my dress…just like Micah and Michael complete me. The silver chain runs through the top of the locket. It’s simple but elegant. Holding the locket in my fingers, I thank her a few dozen times for a gift I never thought I’d have.

“Dave is downstairs with my over anxious son, and he’s more than ready to claim you as his wife. You know, back when you both were in high school, I knew it then. I saw it in both your eyes, and I knew that one day, we’d be right here as we are now. You are becoming my daughter, and I couldn’t ask for a better one. Now we need to help Matt. His choice in girls is not so great.” We exchange a laugh because she is spot on. Poor Matt needs a good girl in his life. I realize just how lucky I really am with Micah and his parents.

“After all this time, I’m so glad I get you as my mother. A bit funny seeing I have a vacancy for one of those nowadays.” I use humor to ease my pain when it comes to my current relationship with my mother. I will never be able to forgive what she did, and that really hurts.

“Oh hush, don’t give it another thought. You have a mom and dad who love you dearly now. Dave would have knocked Micah on his ass if he didn’t marry you, but we never worried too much. Our son has been in love with you forever.”

Both of us are crying and laughing when a loud knock on the door startles us. It’s my soon to be husband, all dressed up and looking hotter than hell. His eyes travel up and down my dress, taking in every detail. I’m not sure, but it looked liked his knees buckled a little.

“Mom, leave me with my bride, please.” he asks breathlessly. “I want a few minutes with her before we get started.” Micah is talking to his mom, but his eyes stay glued to mine. Oh boy, he looks at me like he wants to devour every inch of me.

Jokingly rolling her eyes, she gives her son a dismissive nod. “Okay son, hold on.” To add to her annoyance she swats her hand towards him playfully.

Giving me one more look over, she seems satisfied as she gives me one last kiss on the cheek. Fully opening the door, my man walks in dressed in his black tux. And to my surprise, he’s not alone. Walking in beside him is our son dressed in a tux just like his daddy’s. The resemblance between them is remarkable. I’m not sure who could win a contest between these two. They both look stellar right now.

Micah lifts his eyebrow. “He wanted to see his mommy real quick before he has to sit with Uncle Matt and grandpa.”

Michael, who is looking so comfortable next to his daddy, is a truly a sight to behold. Fitting, seeing as though they are both Taylor boys. We changed Michael’s last name to Taylor as soon as he was legally ours. It was Micah’s first official act as his father. For Micah, his son needed to have his last name. And after today, it will also be my name. Looking at them now, it just feels right. Nothing could make this day any better.

“Wow, my two boys look fantastic.” Both smiling from ear to ear, they look at me with the same sweet smile. In a short amount of time, Michael is mimicking his daddy’s every move and quirks. Lord, save me now.

Not able to help myself, I lean over to pick him up to kiss his plump cheeks and when I do my nose is engulfed with a manly scent. He smells of Micah’s cologne, and I have to giggle knowing Micah took pride in getting his mini me ready for today. Standing behind me, Micah engulfs the two of us in his arms, and we stay like this, silently. This feeling right here, right now, this is what life is all about. A day I never could’ve imagined happening is about to finally be here. It’s a powerful thing and I’ll never take it for granted…ever.

Kissing my handsome son one last time, Micah seems anxious to get our wedding started. A movement catches my eyes when I noticed Matt strolling in the room. When Matt notices his nephew, he wastes no time in taking our son into his arms. It’s pretty easy for us to notice how eager Micah is. Matt chuckles enjoying his brothers nervously behavior. It’s pretty cute.

“Okay, Uncle Matt,” Micah says as he hands Michael over. “Take your buddy downstairs so I can have a moment with his mommy.”

Matt eagerly holds his hands out to receive his nephew, but not before he notices me in my dress. He lets out a loud whistle. And my face turns completely red.

“Hey buddy, let's go pick up some chicks for Uncle Matty.” Matt says playfully. From the moment Michael came home with us, Matt has been on cloud nine. To say he spoils his nephew is an understatement. I love it.

The instant Matt playfully said the words, he knew it would bother his dear brother. Micah couldn’t help but groan in displeasure.

“Do not use my son to pick up dates, please?” Micah says it in such a sweet voice, I had to do a double take. Even Matt looked at Micah, somewhat puzzled. It seems today, my future husband is all serious and maybe even a little nervous. Matt opens his mouth to say something but doesn’t. He just shakes his head instead and I raise my eyebrow at him. I can tell he wants to say make a joke at Micah’s expense, but he holds back. Today is his brother’s big day, after all.