The tears pouring down my face were no longer from sadness, but pure joy and love that he had finally resolved his feelings. My heart and soul had always belonged to him, even when I was engaged to Wayne. There was only one answer I could give.
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.” At every word, I pressed a kiss to his lips.
He got up from the floor and pulled me with him, lacing his arms around me and kissing me. It was not a kiss for parental consumption, but I could still hear my parents in the background, laughing and clapping behind us.
He pulled away from our kiss and rested his forehead against mine. “Thank you, Emmy. You really don’t know how much it means to me that you said yes.”
“I’m not sure you realise how long I have waited for you to ask me.”
We stood there for a moment before my parents approached to congratulate us.
I had everything I wanted in my life right here – except for my brother, of course. I just hoped that somewhere up there, he was looking down and could forgive Hunter for breaking his promise.
“Hunter, not to sound ungrateful, but what changed your mind?”
I had to know why, after all these years, he had forsaken the promise he made.
“Let’s just say a little red-breasted bird made the decision easy for me.”
I looked at him, confused. He was obviously talking about a robin. But why would a robin make the decision easy?
“I’ll explain everything later, atourhouse. Let’s spend some time with your parents, and then we can get your stuff from the arsehole’s place and go home and spend the evening snuggled up around the fire. I will tell you then.”
He kissed my cheek while moving a strand of hair from my face. I couldn’t have loved this man more, and no matter the reason, I was just glad he had changed his mind.
“I’d like that.”
EPILOGUE
Hunter
The day had finally comewhen Ember would become mine. It was a year since the snowstorm had brought us back together, and Elliott’s birthday. We wanted to make the day a celebration again, and not a day of sadness as it had been for the past three years.
When I looked back now, I wondered if fate had brought us together. Or if it had been divine intervention from Elliott. I guessed we would never know. All I did know was the most wonderful woman alive was finally going to become my wife.
I had decided not to have a best man because there was no one I would have wanted more than Elliott. So instead, we had a photo next to me of him in uniform, with both of our rings attached, so he was here in spirit. I hoped I had made my peace with him now, and that he blessed us both, because there was no one I wanted by my side except Ember.
I had a few friends from my time in the army here, but if it hadn’t been for Ember’s family, my side of the church would have looked very empty. She arranged for some of her family tosit on my side, as it was a celebration of me officially becoming part of their family, even if I had been a part of it for sixteen years.
As I stood at the altar, I could feel my nerves start to appear.
What if she decided she couldn’t go through with it? That her brother's request was more important than the love we had for each other? But as soon as I heard the music start to play announcing her entrance, I knew I shouldn’t have worried.
I turned to see her walking up the aisle with Bryan. She looked radiant. Her dress was stylish and simple, but it was perfect for her. It enhanced her beauty perfectly and made me realise just how lucky I was to have her walking down the aisle towards me. If there were only one thing I would remember from this day, it would be exactly how she looked right now. I wiped away a tear that escaped as she came up to stand next to me. Bryan gave her a kiss on the cheek and passed her hand over to mine.
“You look beautiful.”
“You look very handsome yourself.”
We both stood there gazing at each other throughout the ceremony. I couldn’t tell you what happened, because the whole time, I was mesmerised by my beautiful wife-to-be. I guessed I had said everything I needed to say at the right time, because not once did anyone say anything. It wasn’t until I heard the words, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,” that I finally came out of my trance.
We kissed, went off to sign the register, and then headed out of the church. It wasn’t until we stepped outside that Ember stopped me.
“Before we go to the reception, I have to do something.”
I looked at her, puzzled for a moment, until she walked around the church and towards the graveyard. I knew exactly where she was going, so I followed a short way behind, just incase she needed me by her side as she stopped in front of Elliott’s grave.
“I know you made Hunter promise not to be with me, but he makes me so happy. If you were here now, I know you wouldn’t deny the love we have for each other. He is everything I want in a man. Loving, caring, helpful, and strong. Everything I thought I had in Wayne but realised too late that I didn’t.
