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                                              Epilogue

A month later was graduation.  I barely graduated considering all of the days I missed.  Jason, Jeremy, Nick, Steve, Derek, Cody, Hunter, and Carly all graduated alongside of me, Cody graduating as the Valedictorian.

“Cody, you’ll be fine,” I said for the tenth time.  Cody of course had to be a shy person, hating to talk in front of large crowds.

“Why did I agree to this?” he asked pacing.

I rolled my eyes, hopefully this would pass.

A little later we were waiting for Cody to finish his speech.  They called us up one by one and we received our diplomas. 

“Now presenting the class of 2012!” Our principal yelled.  We all jumped up, throwing our hats in the air.  I found Chase in the crowd and jumped into his open arms.  Wrapping my legs around his waist I hugged him as tight as I could.

Within the last month Chase had become fully healed.  Jason and Chase had become closer after they both healed.  Despite the fact Jason hated Chase he accepted him as my mate.  As for me I was just happy they are both here today. 

“I’m so proud of you,” Chase whispered in my ear.

I pulled back and got down from him, “I love you.”

He smiled and got down on one knee.  My breath caught in my throat.

“Zoey, I know you just graduated and we’re still young but I want you to myself, forever,” Chase said.

I felt my eyes water and tears ran down my face.  I covered my mouth with my hand, still shocked.

“So what do you say Zoey Laine Dunham, will you marry me?”

I couldn’t move, and was surprised when I shook my head whispering, “Yes.”

He grinned and picked me up spinning me around.  I could hear the applause around me.  Chase slipped a ring on my finger and I looked down at the single gem.  There was a silver band with a single heart ruby in the middle.  How did he know my favorite gem was the ruby?

I looked up and smiled, hugging him while crying tears of Joy.

“I love you,” he whispered.

~~~~

“I can’t believe you’re getting married!” Carly exclaimed, straightening my dress again.

“I know, everything feels like a dream,” I said.

“And I love your dress!” Carly said fluffing out the fabric and then straightening it again.

“Thanks, it was my mothers,” I said looking at it in the mirror.

Carly smiled, “I’m going to go check on the flower girl, last time I was there she couldn’t figure out how to put her dress on.”

I laughed and watched her as she walked out of the room giving me a quick smile before shutting the door completely.

I looked back at the mirror and then at the picture frame of my mom.

“I’m so glad you’re here with me mom.”

There was a knock on the door, “Honey you ready?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” I said smiling at my dad.

I grabbed his arm and walked down the hallway towards the doors leading outside.  Carly, the flower girls and my brothers were standing by the door waiting.  Carly was my maid of honor, and she was walking down the aisle with Jeremy who was the best man.  Even though Chase had friends, he said that none of them were close, so he would just invite them.  Jason and the rest of the boys’ were lined up with some bridesmaids.  Considering Carly was my only friend I had a few of my cousins be the bridesmaids.  The rest of my family was out waiting along with Chase’s family for me to make my grand entrance.

One by one they started going out and soon it was the flower girl.  I felt myself start to shake.

“Deep breaths,” My dad said rubbing my arm.

I nodded and took a deep breath.

They opened the doors and the music started playing.  I looped my arm through my dad’s and we started walking.  I looked up from the ground and saw him.  I instantly smiled and I was so glad I was holding my dad’s arm.  My knees felt like jelly, and I almost tripped a couple times.  It seemed like ages but I finally got up to the front and turned to my dad, who gave me a hug and placed my hand in Chase’s.  I walked the few extra steps towards Chase, my smile growing bigger.

I didn’t hear what the priest was saying; all I could do was stare at Chase.

“…in sickness and in health?”

I know I’m hot and everything, but that was for you. Chase said to me in my mind.

I looked at the priest and back at Chase, “I do.”

I heard Chase say, “I do,” and then the priest said, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Chase leaned in and kissed me, my arms went around his neck.  But what I wasn’t expecting was when Chase dipped me down, my blue shoes showing.  Gotta have something blue, right?

Chase pulled away and whispered, “Nice shoes.”

He lifted me back up and we ran back down the aisle as people through flower petals.  Okay, I tried rice and…it hurts especially when Carly is throwing it.  So flower petals was the next best thing.

Before going to the reception Chase stopped me and whispered, “I love you, Mrs. Campbell.”