forever // m.c (book 3)

epilogue

song for the epilogue: tell her you love her by echosmith

Summer looked in the mirror once more, examining her appearance. The white dress she was wearing fit her perfectly, yet she felt as though something wasn't right.

"Here, put this on," Jordan told her, holding out a pearl necklace. "Adam told me to bring it in." She walked up to her sister-in-law and fastened the hook.

Tears formed in Summer's eyes, yet she tried her hardest to keep them from falling. She looked in the mirror again and nodded to herself. The necklace was her mother's, the one she wore on her own wedding day. It made her feel complete, like her mother was actually with her.

"Thank you," she smiled to Jordan.

"You're welcome," she smiled back. "Now, I need to go back and check on the kids. Adam is with them, but I don't trust him for long with three of them."

"True," Summer agreed. It had been almost six months since she gave birth to her second child, but she was still getting used to having two children.

Soon after Summer and Hope returned home after visiting Australia, she found out that she was pregnant again. After having the miscarriage, she was nervous. It was somewhat hard on her too, feeling like a single mother while Michael finished up the tour. Luckily, it ended a month or so before the baby was due.

They decided to postpone the wedding until after the baby was born, but Summer had doubted that this day would even come. It seemed like there was always something in the way, something preventing her and Michael from tying the knot or being together in general. Now that it was here and she was about to walk down the aisle, she couldn't be happier.

***

Across the building, Michael was in his dressing room. It was almost time for him to go to the alter and his nerves were increasing. The last time this was about to happen, Summer had an aneurysm and he almost lost her. Now, almost four years later, the day had arrived again.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and wiped his sweaty palms on his dress pants. Summer told him he could wear what he wanted, but he knew his mom wouldn't like him wearing skinny jeans to his wedding. He decided on a crisp white button down without the suit jacket.

"C'mon mate. It's time," Calum poked his head into the room. When Michael didn't move or respond, he said, "Why are you nervous? Summer is the love of your life and you have two beautiful children together. Nothing is going to keep you from her again, ok?"

Michael nodded, knowing his friend was right. Although there was a sliver of doubt because of everything that had happened over the years, he was ready for this. He was ready to finally be married.

***

Calum was happy for Michael, that him and Summer were getting married. When he had heard about the engagement, he wasn't surprised. There was a part of him that felt sad though. The part of him that was still a stupid horny teenager that had a crush on her. Even though he was completely in love with Sarahi, there was a part of him that would always care for Summer. Watching Michael and Summer through the years made him realize that he never liked her that way, but liked the idea of her. Before Summer, no girls had really paid attention to him. They were all over Luke and sometimes Michael and Ashton. Summer made him feel important, which is why he always wanted to stay friends with her.

Now, he stood up next to Michael at the alter as his best man. He watched Summer walk down the aisle, holding onto her father's arm. She looked so beautiful in her dress, her blonde hair pinned up and pearls adorning her neck. Calum glanced over at Michael and noticed the largest grin. His eyes were glued to his bride. It felt like some type of fairytale, Michael and Summer getting the happy ending they deserved.

***

The couple had written their own vows, something that Michael had not wanted to do. He had spent the better part of a month working on his, not liking a thing he'd written.

"Summer," he started. He held a piece of paper in his hands, it wrinkled and worn. "I had this all written out, but now it doesn't measure up to what you deserve." He folded the paper back up and stuffed it in his pocket. "I spent quite a bit of my life in the music business, writing songs and performing on a stage, but I've had the hardest time coming up with something for my vows. I want to speak from the heart though, too much rehearsal always ruins the authenticity. I think it's because of the effect you have on me. You make me nervous and comfortable at the same time. You make me feel like the most important person when I feel like I shouldn't even be acknowledged. I've known you since I was sixteen, but it's gone by so fast. From the first moment I saw you, knocking your violin out of your hands, you've intrigued me. I never should have run away when I got scared or mad or confused. I should've stayed by your side, but know now that I will never do that to you again. I love you, Winter, with all of my being."

Summer had more tears in her eyes now. She sniffled before she began her own vows. "I don't know how I can top that," she nervously chuckled. "I know that we've been through so much, even when we were kids, but I never thought we'd make it through it all and still be together. So many times, I believed we were over, but here we are. It makes me believe in soul mates, because I know that you're mine. You still give me butterflies every time you enter a room or I hear your voice. You've helped me through so many dark times. Even when I thought my life wasn't worth living anymore, you didn't give up on me and I never want to give up on you again. I wouldn't want to marry anyone else and I wouldn't want anyone else to be the father of my children. You're such an amazing man and father to Hope and Aidan," she smiled over to her children that were sitting with Sophia. "You make me so happy, Michael. No one makes me happier than you."

After the couple said their I do's, the minister said, "You may now kiss the bride."

Michael cupped Summer's face and brought her face to his. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, separating a few moments later. Michael pumped his fist in the air and Summer blushed, the two walking hand in hand down the aisle to the face whatever life threw their way next. Life hadn't turned out the way either of them had planned or pictured, but maybe life wasn't supposed to be that way. Maybe the unexpected brought them to exactly where they were supposed to be.

oh my god. i can't believe this is over. i never imagined that people would like this and the other two books in the series. it makes me so happy and i love reading all the comments. thank you so so so much for supporting this series all the way through, i love you all.

if you feel like it, you can check out my other books.

thanks again for reading, you're all awesome.

xx zoe