Doing it Alone

Doing It Together

I grip the ends of the fabric and the flash of memories begin to flood my mind.

"Don't cry again mom." Chris laughs.

"I'm just very emotional you know that." I laugh and find myself straightening his tie for the hundredth time today.

"I can do it myself don't worry." he pushes my hand down and begins to mess with his tie. "Just wait until my wedding mom." he pokes at me and leans his arms over my shoulders.

"Chris don't get married until you're like 110% sure." I laugh.

"Don't worry I'm only 24 no need for me to rush." He nods and walks out room.

It's strange how it feels like much hasn't changed in 20 years. I look at the reflection of myself once more and the white fabric still shines the same it did 20 years ago.

Never having the enormous wedding we didn't want Phil and I decided to save it for the big 20th anniversary. I still remember that day greatly.
~~~~~

"Mommy where we going." Chris tugs at the ends of my dress.

"We are going to this small chapel which is technically my wedding." I tell him even though he won't understand most of my words.

"Will Phil still be there." he sighs.

"Yes remember I promised he would be there." I crouch down and fix Chris' tie slightly.

~~~~~~~

"Ready to finally get the show on the road mom." Catherine peeks in and she's wearing the yellow dress I picked out for her.

"Oh yeah defiantly." I smile and she smiles back.

"Hey mom thanks." she walks forward and hugs me.

"What are you thanking me for." I laugh and pat her back.

"I know Phil isn't my real dad but still he feels like he is. Thanks for picking someone who you could do this together with." she shrugs. "I don't know many guys who would take in 2 kids and love them like they're his own."

"Well I did choose what my heart wanted and you should thank Phil." I push a curl from her face.

"I will right now." she nods. "But you leave in 5 so be ready." she points at the clock and leaves me alone again.

~~~~~~~~~

I turn and pick Catherine up from her stroller since she seems a little hussy. "Doesn't Catherine look good in yellow Chris." I ask and he thumbs up. "This is it guys we finally can do this together." I group up Catherine and Chris.

"Together the three of us and now plus Phil." Chris smiles.

"He's amazing don't worry he'll be the best for you and Cat." I kiss both their heads.

~~~~~~~~~

Finally walking out the door I see Phil at the end of the small church smiling like always. Looking back maybe eloping was the best idea because it's a memory that him and I only share.

I see everyone seated and only Phil and the priest stand dead center. Happier than ever I look around and imagine faces that I wish could be here. I can somewhat imagine how my mother would've been crying by now, heck she would've started crying since the beginning.

I look left before making my final steps and I see my dad just smiling and nodding from his seat.

Finally face to face with Phil his eyes never been brighter and the blue hasn't lost their shine.

"Should we start with vows." the priest looks at us.

"I'll go first." Phil slightly raises his hand. "If someone told me 21 years ago that eventually I would end up with Bethany Patrick I would laugh. The reason for this is she never really made effort into our love and I thought eventually I would lose her forever. It wasn't only her I feared of losing many years ago but Chris and Catherine as well." he smiles out to them. "And Bethany I know these years have been a blast for me and it's amazing that life has given me someone who just makes every second worth breathing for." he finishes and Smile.

~~~~~~~~

"Can we say vows even if it's just like a small chapel." Phil asks the man.

"Go ahead we'll be recording the whole thing." the man smiles.

"Okay well I'll go first." he looks up and I meet the ocean. "If someone told me a year ago that I would end up with Bethany Patrick I would laugh. The reason for this is that she really never put much into our love. But I'm glad she finally came to her senses." he pokes at my nose. "Im here for you Beth and not only you but Chris and Catherine. What I want you to really know is that you're not doing it alone but that we're doing it together."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Okay my turn." I laugh and remember how he phrased his words. "It's kind of cool how I've really been able to spend my life with someone I had no idea existed for a good part of my life. I always thought it would be Ryan and I but life makes some unexpected turns and you find someone who really cares and someone who loves you. That person was Phil the guy who still was hopelessly in love with me even if I had a kid and another on the way." I swallow. "You always knew what to say and how to make me feel happy. Phil was there when my mom died and really did help in ways no one else can. Everyday I'm lucky to stare at the beautiful blue eyes you have and I still get jealous to this day. But with 20 years behind us I haven't regretted a second of it and really wish I had gotten you sooner."

~~~~~~~~

"Okay my turn." I take a breath in. "When Ryan died I was terrified to take care of Chris and extra terrified when I found out I was pregnant. But what also scared me was doing it alone and thinking I won't find another person who would love me the way he did. Thankfully I needed a teaching assistant and you seemed to be the only great application." I laugh. "I didn't want you at first in the job or in my life because I already felt myself falling in love. I'm not sure if it was your natural charm or what but you slowly filled my heart this past year. You loved me like Ryan and even more than he ever did. I'm glad that I finally realized what I had in you to also finally admit a love that has been here for quite the while. You're right about us doing it together and I wouldn't want it any other way Phil."

The End.
Authors note

It's been great guys but all good things must come to an end. I really liked writing this final chapter with the whole flashback parts.

Thanks to everyone who read this book/story cause I do really appreciate all of y'all. I still remember when I first got the idea to even write about a pregnant widow.

I really hope this ending was enough to make you guys happy cause I feel good with how things end. But if you have questions on how maybe life went for Beth than I'll answer them idk lol.

This won't be the last story I promise guys!

Xoxo -Ann