Charlie's Angel

Epilogue

Charlie

I always got this spine tingling feeling when I saw Chris cry. It was a rarity, but I knew things were too much for him when he allowed himself to do so. He only trusted me with that vulnerability, but it was incredible when he did it in front of a congregation full of people.

As soon as I appeared at the end of the aisle, clad in an elegant wedding dress accented with tiny jewels, everyone could hear him gasp in awe. He dropped his head for a moment and his fingers wiped at his eyes before his blinding-white smile appeared as his gaze locked with mine.

My dad's old best friend, the guy I considered my uncle, was the one to escort me down the aisle to my awaiting fiancé. He was pleased with the honor of being there for me since my father could not. He told me he wouldn't want anybody else to do it, and I was happy with that.

My arm was looped around his and we began our walk, and I couldn't stop smiling at how devilishly handsome Chris looked. The tips of his ears and his cheeks were red with nervousness, but his freckles seemed to stick out even more. His facial hair was trimmed and his curls were a lot more contained than usual, but I made him keep them. His warm eyes were soft and glimmering with the fiery flecks of gold. His tuxedo was black with a sky blue bow tie to match Sam's, Dakota's and Paris' dresses. Isaiah and Jacob matched Chris, as did Diesel and Bash–Diesel was the best man and Dakota was the maid of honor.

My uncle handed me off to Chris, but not before planting a proud kiss to my forehead and swiping his thumbs under my eyes to wipe my tears away. He shook Chris' hand firmly and took a seat in the first pew next to my mom.

I handed off my bouquet of an assortment of blue and white hydrangeas–my dad's favorite flower–to Dakota and slipped my hand into Chris'. He couldn't bring his eyes away from me and his smile must have been hurting his cheeks.

"You look incredible," he mumbled, curling a piece of my hair behind my ear. I had chosen to wear it in a low side bun with a few pieces to dangle to kinda frame my face. "Wow."

I shyly giggled. "Thank you, Chris."

"Dearly beloved," the reverend announced clearly. "We are gathered here today to join this beautiful woman and this man in holy matrimony."

My heart fluttered from how Chris was still smiling at me, and his hands were shaking around mine.

"If anyone here objects as to why these two should wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

I couldn't help but tense up. I couldn't help the fact that my stomach churned and my heart galloped into my throat. I couldn't help but wonder if Aaron would impossibly appear from nowhere and keep us from getting married. I couldn't help that, and Chris squeezed my hand to ease my nerves. His eyes were encouraging me to relax before my breathing could get the best of me.

"The lovely couple has decided to write their own vows," he announced after an eternity of waiting in silence. "Charlie, you may go first."

"If I can stop crying," I giggled. Dakota handed me a tissue to wipe my face before my makeup ran. "Chris, Christopher, wow–I don't even know where to begin. I've waited for this moment for so long, and I never thought I would see it. For the longest time, I felt a void in my heart and I didn't know how to fill it. I was so lost, with the loss of my father so suddenly and neglecting my family for years. I felt so alone and I lost myself. But now everything is clear and I'm not like I was.

"I'm a different woman, and I have you to thank for that. I'm so incredibly thankful that God sent you to me to help me get back on my feet. Our friendship before all of this created a strong foundation and now we're here, spending the rest of our lives together. I couldn't be happier and I'm so proud of the man you are becoming. You're a wonderful father, boyfriend, friend, fiancé, and uncle. I love you and I promise I will be the best wife and mother to our kids as long as you're by my side."