Reputation to keep

Epilogue

Here's the epilogue, I hope you all like it! It's not very long and it does contain a poem by Pam Ayres, but I hope it clears up everything for you and finishes off the story nicely.

PS. the picture on the side is Angel's ring

xoxo:)

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I stood at the start of the paved aisle, nervously looking towards the gazebo. All eyes were drawn to me as I began to walk. The cascading layers of material flowed down from the skirt of my dress, gently trailing along the ground. The top of my dress was strapless and had a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was lacy and had intricate designs sewn into it. There was a lavender coloured sash around the waist, in theme with the wedding. 

I began to walk slowly in time with the music, gazing around me as I did. Large lavender ribbons were draped from trees and big bouquets of lavender decorated the gazebo and the posts lining the aisle. Beautiful little white, wooden chairs sat facing the gazebo, but all those sitting in them were turning round to watch me, craning their necks from their seats. When I had come up with the idea for my wedding, I had remembered a dream I'd had back when I was in high school, right before I'd met Max. Only that wedding had been with Taylor Lautner. That dream just felt like the start of it all to me, and so I'd based today on it.

I smiled at my old college friends. I had graduated two years ago and I was now a 25 year old psychologist with my own practice. What can I say? I got my business skills from my dad! I looked to the side and grinned at him. We had eventually made up and now we were actually on very good terms.

I swallowed nervously as we stepped up onto the gazebo together. My dad handed me over to Max, a small tear escaping his eye. I mouthed "I love you" to him before taking Max's hand and stepping up with him. Ava and Terry stood beside us. They had mounted the gazebo before me as they were my bridesmaids and the only two I had remained friends with since high school.

The celebrant introduced himself and spoke about what Max and I thought marriage was about. 

'It is a way for two people to join as one. Marriage brings lovers together and officially states that those two people belong completely to one another. Marriage means that those people are ready to settle down and live a happy life together. Marriage IS happily ever after' 

The last sentence was Max's choice and I thought it was very fitting for the two of us. We had been together for seven years now and it had taken me six years to accept his proposal. Marriage meant we were fully accepting each other and we could finally get our happy ending.

The celerant went on to talk about aspirations and what Max and I wanted for the future. It got a bit dreary, so I tuned out for a bit. I began listening again when one of my college friends, Madeleine, came up to read a poem by Pam Ayres:

'Yes, I'll marry you, my dear,

And here's the reason why;

So I can push you out of bed

When the baby starts to cry,

And if we hear a knocking

And it's creepy and it's late,

I hand you the torch you see,

And you investigate.

Yes I'll marry you, my dear,

You may not apprehend it,

But when the tumble-drier goes

It's you that has to mend it,

You have to face the neighbour

Should our labrador attack him,

And if a drunkard fondles me

It's you that has to whack him. 

Yes, I'll marry you,

You're virile and you're lean,

My house is like a pigsty

You can help to keep it clean. 

That sexy little dinner

Which you served by candlelight,

As I do chipolatas,

You can cook it every night! 

It's you who has to work the drill 

and put up curtain track,

And when I've got PMS it's you who gets the flak,

I do see great advantages,

But none of them for you,

And so before you see the light,

I do, I do, I do!'

I laughed along with much of the audience, it was a cute poem and very suitable for me and Max. I definitely was the bossy in the relationship.

The celebrant gave the monitum and the declaration of marriage. Max and I exchanged vows before sliding each other's ring on their hand. I smiled tearfully down at mine. It was a beautiful ring with an amethyst flower as the centerpiece. Thin vines of silver curled around the flower adorned with small diamonds. 

The conclusion was read and we were pronounced Husband and Wife. Max and I kissed passionately and we almost forgot that we had an audience. When we finally broke apart, we signed the marriage register and were finally officially married.

I bit my lip happily, tears streaming down my face. We had finally made it. We were a wedded couple. I placed a hand on my stomach, feeling the tiny bump that was only just starting to show. That baby was going to be very lucky, surrounded by such nice people. 

I grinned as Max took my hand and we began the first dance. Other couples joined us and soon the night was filled with laughter and music 

'Aunty Angel!'

I looked down towards the tiny voice found myself peering into the cute face of my godson Caleb. Jade smiled above me

'Congratulations Angel! I know Max has been waiting a long time for this'

'He certainly has!' I laughed

'Well I just wanted to give you my best wishes because Caleb and I need to get going, it's getting late'

I nodded and hugged Jade and Caleb goodbye.

We had become good friends after the fire. Jade had been badly burned and had suffered severe scarring, so I had visited her in the hospital quite a bit. Caleb had luckily been unharmed.

Marcus was still serving years in prison, apparently he had been involved in some very shady activity. 

'Can I have another dance?'

I looked up at Max

'You can have anything you want, husband' I answered

He smiled and took my hand, leading towards my future.