“You don’t have to worry about that,” I assured. Kayla was mine to protect, love, and make sure she never went to bed without a smile on her face. I was happy to do all of the above and so much more.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
Joshua
“Where the fuck is Ty? If he makes my wedding one minute late, I’m kicking his ass all over this church!” I growled into the full-length mirror I stood in front of as I fixed the sleeves of my tuxedo shirt.
“I think there’s some sort of rule about beating someone’s ass in a church,” Carter informed over my shoulder.
“God will understand,” I quickly retorted and turned to my two brothers and father. Aaron held one of his youngest twins and my father held the other, while Carter held his youngest son. Diego sat to the right playing a video game. He, too, was half-dressed in a tuxedo like the rest of us.
“Just as long as my children or my wife don’t get hurt, do what you have to do,” Aaron spoke up, not taking his eye off of his feeding son. The twins were identical and I still had trouble telling them apart, so I had no idea which one he held. Though, he knew.
“I do—”
“Fucking bullshit!” Tyler finally came storming into the changing room we were all in.
Since Kayla’s parents had insisted she marry in a church, we had chosen one of the oldest churches in the city of Williamsport. It was huge, as were the changing rooms. Perfect to fit a wedding party.
“I need a drink,” Tyler grumbled as he passed the four of us, not bothering with any greetings.
We all watched as he stomped over to the aged scotch I’d brought to make a toast with my brothers and father before I walked down the aisle. He poured half a glass and swallowed in one gulp.
“You get fucking drunk at my wedding and I’ll beat the shit out of you,” I warned, calmly folding my arms over my chest.
“I can hold my damn alcohol,” he spat over his shoulder, pouring another drink.
“There’s only one thing that gets a Townsend man that upset,” my father’s voice rang out as he moved closer to me.
“A woman,” Aaron, Carter, and I all responded in unison.
Tyler slowly lifted his head and gave us all a look, narrowing his eyes.
“My, my, my how the tables have turned,” I chuckled.
“Fuck off. Sorry, Father,” he apologized, staring at our father. “Anyway, someone wanted me to pass this to you.” He pulled an envelope from the inside pocket of his tuxedo jacket.
“Someone?” I questioned, taking the pastel pink colored envelop and looking it over. I froze at the handwriting I saw on the front. It was my name but only one person I knew ever wrote my name with all of the loops in the cursive handwriting. “Who gave this to you?” I demanded.
Tyler gave me a half shrug. “Older lady, said you invited her and her husband. Blue eyes. She reminded me of …” He snapped his fingers, trying to recall.
“Chelsea,” I blurted out. It was her handwriting. I had invited Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong because I’d felt compelled to. Kayla had gone to visit them a few times over the last few months. She’d thought it was the right thing to do to invite them. They happily accepted.
The air suddenly left from the room. “I need a minute,” I told my brothers and father, looking up at the four of them. Thankfully, they didn’t ask questions; instead leaving me alone to read the letter, taking the children with them.
Slowly, I opened the letter and scanned the words. This was Chelsea’s handwriting all right. My heartbeat quickened as I began to read.
Dear Josh,
If you’re reading this, it means that I’m gone. I expected that. Something always told me that I was not going to be your forever. I’ve made peace with it. And if you’re reading this on your wedding day, as I’ve instructed my parents to give this to you, it means you’ve accepted that as well. It makes me happy to know you’ve moved on and found love again. We were kids when we first fell in love, and chances are, in time that love would’ve faded. That is the real reason why I didn’t want you to propose to me. What we had was a puppy love. It was real and it was wonderful, but the woman you make your wife will know the grown up love that you have to offer. And she is one lucky lady.
Thank you for loving me the way that you did and as well as you did. You’ve made my last days on this Earth worth living. I can only hope and pray that my death didn’t cause you too much pain. My purpose in writing this letter is to release you from the past so that you can truly move on with your future. Now go get married.
P.S. If it’s Kayla you’re marrying then my prayers have truly come true. ;)
The last sentence of her letter was what stole my breath. I needed to see Kayla. For what, I didn’t know, but I needed to get to her. I threw the door of the changing room open to find my brothers and father all staring at me, startled.
