Fourth Down - 18. Epilogue

just some minor edits

“Daddy!!!” Came the little voice from the corridor, followed by an adorable little redheaded girl of about three.

Upon seeing me standing in front of a full length mirror, she jumped into my arms. Her eyes were the same green as mine, though she had her mother’s nose.

“What is it, my sweet Angel?” I asked my daughter.

“Ethan says I can’t spwinkle my petals yet.” She said, poking her bottom lip out, and making an adorable cross face.

“Did he now?” I asked.

“Daddy!!! Mia doesn’t want to wait for you and Papa.” Came the voice of Mia’s twin brother, who was the very image of Dale.

He stood in the doorway, shyly looking down, his little glasses held on by a band secured around his head. I knelt down and opened my free arm, welcoming my son into an embrace, and kissing the top of his head.

“Thank you for watching out for your sister, lil man.” I smiled at him, getting a big toothy grin in response. “Now Mia, you know your job today is to wait for your Papa and I, before you can start sprinkling the petals.” I tell my little girl while tickling her side making her squeal.

“So this is where they are.” Came Vickie’s tired voice as she entered the room. “Mommy has been looking all over for you two.” She smiled at her children.

“Mommy, doesn’t Daddy look andsom?” Mia gushed.

“He sure does, sweet heart.” She answered, as she walked over to us, placing a kiss on both kids' heads. “And how is Daddy feeling?” She asked me.

“Excited. Who would have thought five years ago, I’d be marrying the man of dreams.”

“We did.” Evan laughed from his seat on Madox’s lap, both dressed for the day's festivities.

“Yea the amount of googly eyes you made to each other. I am just surprised this didn’t happen sooner.” Laughed Madox.

“Well we wanted to focus on our studies. And with him finishing law school soon. We had to wait.” I said, as I looked at my appearance in the mirror, making sure I looked perfect for my soon to be husband.

“How is Dale holding up?” I ask. We had to do the whole, not seeing the groom the night before the wedding thing, and I hated it. I missed him like something fierce, and don’t let me tell you how hard it was to fall asleep last night without him. Mia thought it was romantic, but Ethan missed his papa too, so he ended up snuggling with me last night.

“He is good, missed you and the kids last night.” Vickie replied.

“Five minutes hon,” My Mother said, poking her head in the door.

“Thanks Mom.”

“Come kids, let's go tell your Papa that it is almost time.” My mother said, with her arms open to her grandkids.

“Papa!!!” They both yelled as they ran towards their Grandmother.

“Almost time,” I said, excitedly. I had been waiting for this moment ever since I asked Dale to marry me, many years ago in our candle lit room.

As we made our way to the doors that led into the chapel, I saw the one thing that always seemed to take my breath away. Dale, grinning broadly at me as he held onto both of our kids.

“Fancy meeting you here.” He said to me as I approached him.

“Come here often?” I asked with a cheesy grin of my own.

Evan and Madox had taken their places at my side, while Vicky in shimmery golden dress was standing where Dale would. The chapel looked packed with family and friends. Dale’s brother and sister were there with their spouses, and their kids, who loved their cousins to death, especially little Evelyn.

“Looks like everyone is here.” I said, as my gaze swept over the many guests that had come to witness Dale and my special day.

“It certainly looks that way. Nervous?”

I just smiled at him. “I am more excited, I think.” Then looking at our children in their wedding attire. “You two ready? Mia do you have your basket, Ethan do you have the pillow?”

“Yes Daddy.” They both said in unison, proceeding to show me that they indeed have their things.

The music started playing, and little Mia walked down the aisle first, taking little handfuls of petals and dropping them here and there, on her way to the altar. Little Ethan followed shortly, avoiding the gaze of the many people seated on either side of him, his blue eyes focused on the pillow that held our rings. Once he got to the altar, he hid behind his Uncle Madox.

The music changed, and it was now our turn to walk down the aisle. Linking my arm in Dale’s we started our wedding march, smiling and nodding to those who had come. Once we got to our places, we stood facing each other.