Fire and Fury - Book 2 COMPLETE.

Chapter 27 - Epilogue

When I was a little girl I was more interested in playing in the mud with my dad than dressing up. Even when I was a teenager, watching these elaborate celebrity weddings with big princess-y dresses never peaked my interest. Then I fell in love for the first time; It felt like I lost my mind, like everything I ever knew had been re-written. I felt like a child, naive seeing the world for the first time. Everything making perfect sense in a sea of confusion. Falling in love. That statement is confusing in itself. I didn't fall in love, I rose.

I sigh in pure happiness and emotion, looking at a very different reflection from the one a little over a year ago. It's not just on the outside, not only the trivial things like my hair and body; it's inside. It's almost like a wilted flower has been watered into a flourishing rose. I almost don't recognise myself. I wasn't myself, I didn't fit. But things you lose have a way of coming back to you in the end; and there he was. My missing piece.

I remember reading in school that Zeus divided humans in half, creating an ancient desire. Afterward the two parts would wander the earth trying to find that missing half. Each part testing and trying, but when we meet our other half we're lost in an amazement of love, intimacy and friendship. A life time bond; We're no longer lost and alone, we're one.

I shut my eyes and take a deep breath in. Struggling with nerves that make my hands wobbly and my heart pound but in this solitary moment I take the time to let everything sink in. This is my wedding day. I'm getting married to the love of my life, I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Evie? Are you ready?"

Turning unsteadily on my heel I face Mark, he stands in the door way dressed up to the nines. Perfectly posh in his tailed suit. I can see the emotion in his face like only a sister can, he's always been the least emotional of everyone, it's strange but welcomed.

"Almost..." I breathe. Fiddling with the clasp on my necklace. I slide my fingers down the silver chain to the diamond crystal pendant hanging on the bottom. I hear Mark laugh and help clip it on, leaving it hanging neatly round my neck. We're face to face and he's teary eyed and stumbling on words..

"They'd be so proud of you. Look at you; You're beautiful, successful, happy and the perfect combination of Ma and Dad. I'm so unbelievably proud of the woman you've become Evie. I love you." He sniffs, wiping his eye with his sleeve. I find myself crying, caught up in lots of emotions. I miss them so, so much.

"I love you Mark." I breathe, composing myself. "Okay. I'm ready.." I smile and hook my arm with his ready to start the next chapter of my life.

I'm full of butterflies when the heavy metal doors open. Everyone stares at me, beaming. I'm gripping at Marks arm as we walk, in my head I can see myself falling flat on my face. But all of the awkward scenarios fade away when I see him, he's teary eyed, his fingers fumbling together. We smile sweetly at each other and stand hand in hand at the altar. His hand is tight in mine as the vicar talks. I catch Glen already looking at me when I turn, ready to say the vows I prepared. Let hope I have a voice...

"Evie has prepared some of her own vows so when you're ready" the vicar prompts. I can't stop looking at Glen, he'll be my husband in a matter of minutes..

"I love you. I love you means that I ill accept the person you are and I don't want to change you into someone else. It means I will stand by you through the darkest of times. I will love you for more than just the conventional things. I'll know your deepest secrets, flaws and weaknesses and will not judge you for them. Asking only in return you don't judge me for mine. I love you so much Glen. When I first met you I thought all the things I shouted into the void came back to me in your form; all my hopes, wishes, dreams and everything in-between. I believe you are my echo and my greatest test. We might not have driven the smooth road but it was by far the best. You are my first love, last love and best friend. I can't wait to spend forever with you..." I sniff, wiping my eye as a few tears fall. I look up at him through mascara coated lashes and he's crying the same as me but smiling brightly all the same.