As time would have it, Christopher did get better. Everyone was thrilled to have him back to his normal self. He was back to being active in sports, and he was even dating again. A girl at school by the name of Amy had asked him out shortly after he had returned to school, and everyone loved her. She was definitely better suited for him. She was very pretty with her medium length blond hair and green eyes. No one even cared that she was two years older than him, especially since she treated him so well.
Arielle and Avery were officially dating, and little did she know that he planned to give her a promise ring. He even had a special evening planned out for them. When they weren't spending time together, she was making plans for college. She had decided to major in journalism while she pursued a career in music. She was writing her own music, and even got the opportunity to co-write with not just her dad and uncle's, but with a couple of their contacts in the music business.
Ashley and Zac had decided to wait until she gave birth to the baby to find out the sex of the baby. When she finally did have the baby, both were happy to find out they had a beautiful baby boy. They named him Cameron Matthew.
She had not been surprised when she had been told by Zac that him and Kate had gotten back together. She had never expected him to give up on Kate and move on with her. After all, neither one had feelings for the other. Their one time together had just been a mistake that should have never happened. She was nothing but happy to hear that they were back together again.
Taylor and Natalie were finally getting re-married. They had decided to hold the wedding at a place called Chapel On The Hill. It was very elegant, and especially beautiful when filled with bouquets of gardenia's. They had written their own vows, and were both excited to read them to each other.
Her dress was an ivory lace matte with a sweetheart neckline, embroidered ith flowers.
" You look so beautiful, Natalie. Arielle told her, as she helped her straighten her wedding veil out, which was a two tier edge fingertip with beading.
" Thank you, Arielle." Natalie gave her a big smile. " So do you."
As a bridesmaid, she was wearing a dusty rose mermaid off the shoulder dress. " Hey, you picked out the color. But thank you." She smiled back.
Ashley walked into the room with Cameron in her arms. The day that Natalie had asked her to be a bridesmaid had been a complete surprise to her. They had officially moved on, and were past their differences. So she had said yes when asked. " Everything is perfect. This venue is gorgeous."
" Thank you, Ashley. I appreciate that." With a smile, she turned to look at herself in the mirror.
" Kate will be in shortly. She is trying to get Shepherd to settle down. Him and River got into some sort of fight."
Arielle laughed. " I remember how much me and Christopher used to fight. I know it's sort of different since they are cousins, but they will stop eventually." She made a face at Cameron before taking him into her arms. " You look so handsome, baby brother."
Kate came in a few minutes later to tell them that everyone was ready, along with Walker. Natalie's dad was sick and unable to make it, and so he was walking her down the aisle. As she walked with him, she felt excited and nervous at the same time. Her and Taylor had been through so much in the last few years. She knew that she didn't have to worry anymore about Ashley getting in their way anymore, but it had been so easy for her to break them up in the first place. She had to keep reminding herself that in the end, Taylor did pick her. The moment she saw Taylor, all of her fears disappeared.
When he saw her come around the corner and start down the aisle, tears of happiness came to his eyes. She looked so beautiful, and he felt so lucky to have another chance with her. He was so happy that everything had worked out.
Minutes later, when the time came for them to say their vows, tears of happiness caught up with her. " Taylor, you are such an amazing man. I knew it from the day that I met you. Even at our worst times, you always did your best to keep the peace. When we were separated, and I thought I had lost you for good, I felt lost. But now that I have found happiness with you again, I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of our lives."
Tears of happiness rolled down his face as he read his vows. " Natalie, how you have forgiven me for messing up over and over again is beyond me. I can barely forgive myself for the way I acted and treated you. I was an idiot. But I know now that I am nothing without you. You are my soulmate, and my one true love. Nothing will ever tear us apart again. I love you so much, and I promise to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much."
As soon as he was told he could kiss his bride, he dipped her and then gave her a long passionate kiss as everyone clapped and cheered. She kissed him back, running her fingers through his hair. Both smiled when they turned to face everyone, and held hands as they walked down the aisle together. He glanced over at Ashley as they walked. She gave him a nod to say she was happy for him. Giving her a smile, he mouthed a thank you to her. Everyone started throwing rose petals as they continued on.
The road to where everyone was at now, had been a long and crazy one. Getting to the point they were all at had not been easy. Through counseling and lots of hard work though, they had managed to learn to get along. They were a family, and stuck together no matter what came their way now.
At the reception, everyone finally had the chance to meet Avery's father. Coincidentally, Ashley used to know him as Christopher's dad's best friend. His name was Andrew, and he was still as handsome as she remembered him to be. But seeing him frightened her a bit. What if he was still in contact with Brian? And if so, was he sticking by his side?
As if reading her thoughts, he shook her hand for the first time in ten years. " I heard what Brian did to you and your kids. I am so sorry, Ashley. If I would have known... I would have done whatever I could to help."
Avery looked from Ashley to his dad. " You know her, dad?"
With a nod, he ran his fingers through his hair. " I was best friends with Brian, her abusive ex. And I vaguely remember meeting your beautiful girlfriend as a little girl, although she probably wouldn't remember."
Arielle shook her head to say no. " I have blocked out a lot of my life though, especially my childhood."
" That is very understandable. You have been through a terrible time." Andrew said, stroking a strand of hair out of his eyes. " You are as beautiful as your mother. It is no wonder why my son is head over heels over you."
Ashley settled down, and gave him a smile. " I didn't know you..."
" Of course. Ashley, how anyone could not see how beautiful are is beyond me." Taking her hand in his, he gave her a smile. " My ex-wife knew it too. I think that's why we could never work things out before she died."
It was in that moment that it felt to her that they were the only two in the room. Maybe he had been the one she had been looking for all her life. She felt something she had never felt before, at peace and in a place where she felt safe. She snapped back to reality, and Arielle nodded to say she approved. After all, her and Avery could still be together since they weren't related.
Ashley gave Andrew a big hug, and he hugged her back. " It's nice to see you again."
Holding onto her tightly, he kissed her on the forehead. " You have no idea how nice it is to see you again."
Avery gave Arielle a little smile. He understood his dad needed to move on with his life, but it still kind of hurt to see him care so much about someone else other than his mom. All he could do was hope that his dad lived a happy life with his long time crush. He felt Arielle give his hand a light squeeze, and he kissed her on the cheek.
" It is about damn time that we all get a happy ending." They jumped at the sound of Natalie's voice and laughed.
" I agree. I think everyone has finally found where they belonged." Arielle smiled, wrapping an arm around Avery.
