Epilogue
JAKE
The evening sunbore down on my back as I made my way down to the beach. It was unusually hot for a late day in March, and some of the wildflowers along the trail were already in full bloom. I could hear the faint melody of birds off in the distance and kids playing nearby. And soon, I’d hear music.Ourmusic.
“You ready?” Mom asked me, linking her arm through mine.
I glanced at her, smiling. “Definitely. Thank you for all you’ve done for this.” Mom had flown in two weeks ago to start getting everything together for our wedding. Between her and Amelia, Reyes and I hadn’t needed to worry about a thing.
She gave me her best smile. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, son. I’m so happy for you and I know Dad would be too if he were here.”
I didn’t look away from her as I said, “He is here. Dad’s always with us, Mom.”
She broke eye contact, blinking rapidly to fight the tears. “Yeah, you’re right. He is.”
We paused just before reaching the top of the stairs, so I could take in the view. Chairs were set up in two rows, forming a semi-circle around the minister, Harrison, and Reyes, who stood tall and relaxed under an archway decorated with flowers and simple blue and white ribbons. Rey and Harris were dressed in matching navy suits and ivory ties, identical to the one I was in, with small white boutonnieres pinned to their lapels. My heart swelled as soon as I saw them, overwhelmed with love. Harrison’s adoption was finalized just a few weeks ago, and we hadn’t wasted any time organizing our wedding so Rey’s name could be added to everything.
We’d opted not to have groomsmen stand up for us during the ceremony, since everyone who was invited was an equally important part of our journey. The small crowd looked much bigger than I’d expected, spread out amongst the chairs in no particular order. Instead of rows, Mom had insisted on a semi-circle around the podium, giving everyone an equal view. Rey had liked the idea because it symbolized one big family.
There was an empty seat next to Rey’s parents for Mom after she walked me down, and I saw Beckett and Riley in matching dark gray suits. Amelia was stunning in a burgundy dress that complimented nicely with Brad’s black ensemble. Rome and his wife, Sarah, sat in the second row next to Isaac, and Wyatt took a seat near the end, talking to someone in Rey’s family.
I still couldn’t believe all of Rey’s family had made the trek across the country to support him in this, especially since he hadn’t really pressed them for it. We’d told them when it would be, fully expecting them to make up excuses and not show, but even Desmond had booked a flight that night to join us in the celebration. It was just further proof how things really were changing for the Reyes family.
Des had finally confessed to Rey how he always felt like the responsibility of the family’s business had fallen on his shoulders, taking away his chance to pursue his own dreams. He knew even in high school, just from watching Rey on the soccer field with so much potential, that someday he’d lose his best friend for bigger things, and it had planted a seed of envy that just grew over time. When Rey finally did leave, it’d hurt Des more than Rey had ever realized. With Max here too, this was be the first time in over four years that the “Los Tres Mosqueteros” were together again. Max didn’t have plans to leave soon. It sounded like he might stay a few weeks to recuperate from an insane traveling schedule.
When we reached the final step, my breath caught. To our right, standing in a line, were several members of Reedsport Police force, most of which were in uniform. Ryan, Benson, and Captain Long each nodded at me as I made eye contact. Just like everyone else in Reedsport, the department had welcomed me with open arms and was quickly starting to feel like family. Especially Brad. He and his brother Isaac were becoming close friends to both Reyes and me. They meant just as much to me as Beckett and Riley did.
I had to swallow back a lump in my throat when I noticed Reyes watching me. So many things were shared between us the moment our eyes met, and I knew I’d remember that moment for the rest of my life. In all the time I’d known him, he’d never looked so handsome as he did now, and I felt like the luckiest man alive that he was about to be my husband. I wasn’t just marrying the man I’d fallen in love with but my absolute best friend.
Harrison tugged on Reyes’s arm, pointing in my direction. “They’re here, Papa! They’re here!”
Mom chuckled next to me, and I could see tears in her eyes when I glanced at her.
Everyone turned to look at us, and my heart began to race.
Mom gently squeezed my arm when the music kicked in, and without saying a word, we walked the short distance to where everyone stood waiting. Rey’s eyes were glistening with tears when I reached him, but he never stopped smiling. I barely heard anything the minister said over the pounding of my heart and the crash of the waves on the beach, too lost in Rey’s eyes, in this moment.
When it came time to exchange rings, I could barely stay still. Rey had promised me he would take care of our bands, and somehow, I knew he hadn’t meant rings. I had no idea what he’d had in mind though, and I hadn’t bothered to ask. Now that I was about to find out, I was almost dizzy with anticipation.
Reyes wiped a few tears from his face before pulling two identical leather bracelets from his pocket. They were dark brown, about an inch wide, and held together by some sort of adjustable knot. Burned into the leather was our last name, Reyes-Thompson. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. They were honestly more beautiful than any ring he could have given me. So simple and timeless.
Reyes slipped one over my left wrist, turning my hand over so he could tighten the knot. It was snug against my skin but not at all uncomfortable, and to my surprise, the knot lay flat, resting directly over my pulse point. I could feel every beat of my heart thrumming against the leather. A constant reminder of our love.
“I don’t think I’ve ever admitted it out loud before,” Rey began with a shy note to his voice I hadn’t expected, “but I believe sometimes, two people are meant to find each other and become one. That their souls are meant to be together. I just never believedIhad a soul mate,” he said softly with a pause. “I never thought it was possible that there was someone who could make me feel the way you do. Who could love me the way you do.”
I smiled, remembering many of our late-night conversations about how our love had taken us both by surprise.
“But I know with complete certainty that you are that to me, Jake. You’re not just my other half but my whole. My everything. I believe my heart beats for you and that yours beats for me. These bracelets”—he pressed a thumb gently on the knot, drawing my attention to the pulse underneath—"are meant to remind you that our connection surpasses all barriers. If fate should separate us, all we’ll need to do is feel the heartbeat to remember that we’re not alone.”
Tears fell from my eyes as his words sank in. He couldn’t have found a more perfect way to symbolize our love than by the gift he’d just given me. I’d held myself back from truly loving Reyes because I was afraid of leaving him, and Rey was telling me he knew I’d still be there even if I did. He knew I loved him that much because he loved me the same way.
“I love you,” he continued, “and I hope every time you feel the beat of your heart, you remember how deep that love is.”
I took the second bracelet and slipped it over his wrist. With some guidance, I managed to adjust the unusual knot until it was comfortably snug against his skin.
“I’m supposed to be able to talk after that?” I teased. Everyone laughed, reminding me we weren’t alone. I took a moment to gather my thoughts before clearing my throat. “Most of my life, I’ve held things with an open hand, just taking things as they come and enjoying them while they last. Since meeting you though, those fleeting moments weren’t enough. I wanted more, and you taught me that it was okay to hold on to the things we want, and that some things are even worth chasing after.” I glanced at Harrison, who was watching us with a proud smile on his face. I closed my hands around Rey’s and looked him in the eyes. “So that’s my promise to you. That I will hold on to you. Not just with one hand but two because you’re my everything, Rey. I love you, and I will keep loving you until the last beat of my heart.” I pressed the knot on his bracelet, adding a quiet, “and every single day after.”
Reyes cleared his throat and turned to Harrison. “Harrison, our son, today is about you too. Jake and I wanted you up here with us because we want to make the same promise to you that we are making to each other.”
