Yoooooooo fellow readers. I really wanted to write an epilogue, so, whether you like it or not, I am! :D Oh, and there is a definite possibility that I am writing a sequel. I'm quite excited about it :D :D ENJOY!
The tears forming in my eyes threatened to fall, and my hands were shaking. I looked up at the ceiling, refusing to let my tears ruin my make-up. My breath was uneven in my throat, and my knees were buckling under my dress.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," Reverand McDonah smiled.
An uncontrollable smile invade my face. My heart lept in my chest, and I could feel the tears sliding down my cheeks, resting on my jaw. I caught Joe's eye, his smile matching the exact one on my face. He winked at me and I could feel a small blush heat up my cheeks. I looked at my dad and Rebecca, the two of them wrapped up in each other's embrace. Clapping and cheering filled the small church as they pulled apart, estatic grins on their faces. I turned my head around to look at Kassy and Heather, both of them crying. I chuckled, my heart skipping a few beats.
My dad and Rebecca looked at the crowd, pure happiness surrounding them. My dad looked at me, and I couldn't help but cry again. After over ten years of living alone, married to his work, my dad's heart had found love again, and he fell. Fast. Rebecca was a beautiful woman who, in all senses, made the best mother. She was younger than my dad, but not by much, and her love for him, as well as my sisters and I, was more significant than any other love I have witnessed.
The two of them took each other's hand and walked down the isle as the guests continued to clap and rejoice. I took my step-brother, Adam's, arm as the two of us followed my parents. Heather and Kassy were escorted by Rebecca's nephews, Johnny and Jack. I passed Joe in the pew and he smiled again, my heart fluttering around in my chest. I sighed contently, thinking that there was more love in this room than anyone could imagine.
I clinked my glass, and the hall became hushed, all eyes on me. I took an unsteady deep breath, and prepared to give my speech as the maid-of-honor.
"I would love to thank everyone who came tonight, to celebrate in the marriage of my father and Rebecca. As you all know, I have been without a mother for most of my life." I stopped to look in my dad's eye. "Not once have I seen his eyes sparkle, nor his heart to finally settle. Not until he met Rebecca and fell in love." I smiled, my voice becoming shaky. "Heather, Kassy and I have needed a mother, like any other girl, for quite some time. I know I speak for them, and myself, when I say that Rebecca is that woman. She may have missed a few years, but there is plenty of time to make up for it." A tear slid down my cheek. "You two mean the world to each other, and to the three of us," I motioned towards myself and my sisters, "and we could not have asked for a better father, nor a mother." I raised my champagne flute, as did the rest of the guests. "I toast you two. May the rest of your life be filled with happiness, love, and joy. You two deserve it, and I love you both madly. Cheers." I sipped my champagne as the word "cheers'' was echoed throught the hall. My dad stood up and gave me a huge hug, and a kiss on the cheek. "I love you," he whispered into my ear. I smiled into his shoulder. "I love you too, dad." We pulled apart, just for me to be hugged by Rebecca. "You're the best," she told me, as she hugged me tightly. "Now, go dance with your boy."
I turned around to see Joe and Kevin looking at me. As they saw me, their faces broke out in grins. I hurried over to Joe's extended arms. "Ohhhh I'm so happy you came!" I told him.
We pulled apart. It had been eight months since I've seen Joe, but because of my dad's wedding, I called him, and asked him to be my date. He accepted right away, without even knowing the date of the wedding. The boys were on tour, and the only way Joe could come, was if his brothers could make it New Jersey, too. I hardly had to convince my dad to let them play at his wedding, allowing Nick and Kevin to be invited. They both brought dates.
"CARLY!" I heard my name be shrieked as I caught Ashlynn and Rachel standing in the doorway to the hall. I covered my shrieking as I ran to her, wrapping my arms around her. We could hardly control our excitement.
"Ohmigod!" I exclaimed as I let go of Ashlynn to hug Rachel.
"Gorgeous dress! Gorgeous wedding! GORGEOUS RECEPTION!" Ashlynn laughed as Rachel gushed. I held their arms.
"Can you believe it?!" I asked, as music started playing.
"They come and go, but they don't know"
The three of us looked to the small stage, as the boys started to play. I hardly noticed them leaving my side, as I was caught up in all the excitement of Ashlynn & Rachel's arrival.
My dad and Rebecca took the floor and began to dance. Slowly, more and more couples joined in on the dancing, leaving Rachel, Ashlynn, and I to move to a table to sit and talk about everything from the touring, to their love lives.
Three hours later, the reception ended, and guests started to filter out of the hall. At the very end, there were only thirteen of us left, my sisters and I, Rebecca's nephews & son, my dad & Rebecca, the boys, and their girlfriends. Joe, Kevin, and Nick all took of their jackets and walked over to the three of us, their hair all sweaty and their cheeks flushed. I walked over to Joe, and he put his hand in mine, pulling me in for a much needed kiss.
"Gettta rooom," Kassy scoffed as she walked past us. Heather laughed, following her out of the room to the limo.
I looked at Joe, finally, being able to be together after not seeing each other for eight months. It's been fourteen months since Joe left for tour with his brothers. We saw each other when they came to New Jersey for a couple of shows, but then they started doing their international tour, and finally made it to the west coast.
"I've missed you like crazy," I told Joe truthfully. His gorgeous smile filled his face, causing my knees to go weak.
"'Missing you like crazy' is an understatement," Joe told me, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me in closer. I put my arms around his neck, my fingers grazing the back of his neck. I took in the smell of his cologne, and his sweat.
"Carly?" I heard my dad call my name, interrupting my moment with Joe. I turned to look at him.
"You'll be going back to the hotel with Joe and his brothers. Please be safe. We'll see you then, okay?" My dad said. I nodded, turning back to Joe.
"Congratulations, sir!" Joe called out to my dad. They both smiled at each other as my dad gave him a small head nod.
Joe and I kissed again, but he pulled back quickly. I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering why he stopped so short.
"Carly....I...um...I have some bad news," Joe told me.
My heart sank, and my throat began to close. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. "Tell me," I told him.
"My brothers and I are going back over seas," Joe whispered. My eyes shot open. It was a month before I got out of school for the summer, and I was hoping I'd be able to spend it with him. I searched Joe's eyes for something, anything, that said it would be okay. I didn't see a thing.
"Joe?" I asked him, my voice cracking.
Joe looked up from the ground, a small smile on his face. "So, your dad said you'll have to come with us!"
I shrieked, causing Ashlynn and Kevin to turn around. When they saw my arms wrapped around Joe's neck, my feet off the ground, they both smiled.
"We're going to Australia, baby!" Kevin shouted, throwing his hands up in the air.
"We are going to Australia, babe," Joe whispered in my ear, causing electricity and happiness to surge through my veins.
"We're going to Australia...." I muttered, still holding onto Joe.
