Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 114368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Life wouldn’t always be perfect, but I knew it would be safe with us together. I realized that was all I needed from life. I didn’t need perfection—I needed safety, which Starlet had been for me. She was the safest place to land, and my only goal was to be hers, too. On the good days, we’d find joy. On the bad days, we’d discover comfort within one another. I was thankful for that and for what Starlet taught me throughout our time together. That no matter what, everything was gonna work out fine.
EPILOGUE
Starlet
Two Years Later
“I cannot believe you’re getting married,” Whitney said as she finished pouring us mimosas. I sat in the hotel room with a stomach of butterflies, knowing I’d be saying “I do” to the love of my life in a few minutes. Whitney, of course, told me that prosecco would make all the nerves disappear.
I yawned once as I stood there in my wedding gown, making Whitney point a stern finger my way. “No! No yawning. I told you you should’ve taken a power nap as I did.”
“I know, but I was too nervous. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Fair enough, seeing how today’s the biggest day of your life.” She grinned from ear to ear. “Today’s the biggest day of your life!”
The sky was still pitch-black outside as we stood in the hotel room. It was only four in the morning, and I only had a little time left before walking down the hidden path to the lake to meet Milo.
Morning ceremonies might not have been everyone’s idea of a perfect wedding, yet how could we ever get married without the sunrise looking over us? How could we get married without the wind brushing against our cheeks? We needed our mothers there on the best day of our lives.
There was a knock on our hotel room door, and Whitney headed over to open it. To my surprise, Jacob was standing in his suit with a big smile. “Hi, sorry to interrupt. I was wondering if I could get a few seconds with the bride-to-be?” he asked.
“Of course. Not a problem at all. I’ll make sure everyone else is ready to go,” Whitney said, walking out of the room and shutting the door behind her.
Jacob smiled my way and shook his head. “Wow, Starlet. You look remarkable.”
I glanced at my gown and smiled as my hands smoothed over the lace fabric and crochet top. “Thank you. It was my mother’s. My something old,” I joked, then I kicked up my shoes, which were navy. “And my something blue. Whitney gave me her heart necklace for something borrowed.”
Jacob reached into his back pocket and pulled out an envelope. “And maybe this can work as your something new.” He walked over to me as I stood a little puzzled. He waved the envelope in the air. “Ana left another letter with Weston to deliver on this special day, too, and I asked him if I could be the one to deliver it to you.”
My heart began beating quickly as realization set in that in his grip was a letter from Milo’s mother—a letter crafted for me.
“Don’t cry yet, Star,” Jacob warned. “You can’t ruin your makeup this early.” He handed me the envelope, kissed my cheek, and hugged me. As he pulled back, his eyes were glassy, too. “She would’ve loved you, sweetheart, and she would’ve prayed for a woman like you to find our boy.”
I lightly chuckled, feeling a wave of emotions hitting my chest. “You can’t say don’t cry, and then tell me things like that, Jacob.”
“Sorry. It’s just a great day. For a long time, I thought it would only be Milo and me moving forward. Thankfully, the world brought me a daughter, too. Enjoy the letter, and I’ll see you soon.”
He turned to leave the room, and I called out to him. “Jacob?”
“Yes?”
I smiled. “Save me a dance today?”
He smiled back, the same warm, welcoming smile that his son held. “I promise.”
After he left, I took a deep breath. My hands were shaky as I went to sit on the couch. I opened the envelope, and my makeup was screwed because the tears began flowing as I read Ana’s words.
My world’s world,
Hello there, it’s nice to meet you. Today’s an exceptional day, and I’m sad that I’m not there physically to witness my son deliver his vows to the love of his life, but I am so grateful that I will be there in the spiritual realm, looking over you both.
I owe you many thanks. Thank you, my daughter. Thank you for loving my son. Thank you for being there for him when it’s easy and hard. Thank you for being his best friend and his other half. My son is filled with so much love in his heart, and I know he’d pick the best one of the best ones to share his love with.