Keeping You (Destined Love #3)

Epilogue

GRAYSON

Eight months later

As we get ready to leave to head to my parents, anxiety fills me. I can only hope everything goes how I want it to, but I can never know. I’ve spent the last nine months attending my therapy appointments and working through my trauma. It took me a while to open up to the therapist, because I wasn’t used to talking to anyone about it, but I eventually got to a point where I was able to talk about aspects of it. I’m still struggling with accepting that I didn’t fail Rebecca, and some days are worse than others, but having Hannah at my side has made it infinitely better. She’s able to read me like an open book and knows exactly what I need on the bad days. Rebecca was right about the difference it makes having someone in your corner on the bad days. It makes them not as bad and makes the good ones so much better.

These last nine months with her have been the best of my life. I’ve got to see Hannah be truly carefree. Watching her with Cate and Charlie is still hard, but I’m working on it. Hannah has done nothing but show me she meant it when she said she wanted me even if kids aren’t in the picture. Not once has she brought up the topic, letting me lead the way in that particular aspect of our lives. I’m not sure where I stand right now on having kids or not but knowing Hannah will be with me no matter what has made me feel like the luckiest man on this Earth.

I stand in the kitchen as I watch Hannah skip towards me, fully dressed and ready to leave. She’s always full of energy and excitement when we leave for Willow Valley. She loves getting away from the city and seeing my family. Her and Chloe have become the best of friends and she always has a girls day with Chloe, Brinley, Aspen, and Lennon while we’re there. The last time we were in town Rebecca even joined them. I think that was healing for both of them.

I hold out her coffee, and as she reaches for it, I grab her wrist with my free hand and pull her close, kissing her. I never give up an opportunity to have my lips on hers.

“You’re gorgeous, Mrs. Maxwell,” I whisper against her lips, and she smiles. She loves hearing me call her that almost as much as I love saying it.

“Well, you’re quite handsome yourself, Dr. Maxwell.”

I grin and place another quick kiss on her lips before handing her the coffee cup. She takes it and inhales the scent deeply before taking a sip. I will never get over the sight of her every morning in this kitchen with me.

“You ready?” I ask when she finishes her cup.

She nods, and I grab our bags before we head to car.

HANNAH:

Today’s drive to Willow Valley is different from our first one. During this drive, much like the one’s we’ve made since Randy’s hospitalization, I know that in six hours I’m going to see my family. The last nine months have been amazing. I’ve gotten to see Grayson open up more, and I think his regular therapy appointments are a big reason. He’s been going weekly, either in person or teleconference, depending on his work schedule. He’s talked to his parents and Chloe about how his sessions have helped him, and I know they’re happy for him.

Samantha has left Vancouver Memorial. It was only about a month after she caught us in the storage closet that we were told she had found another job and would be leaving. Everyone else has been great about our marriage. I’m finally working more day shifts, and I think Grayson’s more grateful for it than I am. He hates the night shift, but he was working them with me so we could spend more time together. That little revelation didn’t come out until I finally was back on days. The relief he showed when I told him my schedule change had him fessing up.

Grayson’s hand rests on my thigh as we drive. Excitement fills me as we pass the sign that says:

Welcome to Willow Valley

Grayson takes us straight to his parents’ house. When we get there, we have dinner and a bonfire, following Maxwell tradition, before calling it a night.

In the morning, I make my way downstairs and hear familiar voices. When I get into the kitchen, I see Matt, Zoey, Liz, Josh, Liv, Cate, Charlie, Caleb, Bailey, and their one-month-old son Simon all sitting around the kitchen table. Chloe is smiling at me from across the room.

Grayson walks up to me and hands me a cup of coffee, whispering, “Happy anniversary,” before kissing me.

“Happy anniversary,” I whisper back, still confused as to why all of our friends are here in Willow Valley.

He takes my hand and calls, “We’ll be right back,” as he takes me to the back deck.

Grayson settles in a chair and pulls me onto his lap. His thumb runs lazily up and down my thigh and it relaxes me.

“I know that our wedding a year ago wasn’t exactly what you had planned for yourself,” he says, and I turn to him more.

“Grayson—” I start.

He shakes his head. “No, Spitfire, it’s okay. It wasn’t exactly what either of us had planned.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “I don’t regret it. I will never say that I regret it, because we’re here, together, happy. But I thought that today, for our anniversary, if you’ll let me, I’d like to marry you again. I want to renew our vows with our friends and family in one of the places that brought us to where we are.” He wipes my tears and kisses me lightly.

“Of course, I’ll marry you again. I’ll marry you every year, if that’s what you want,” I say.

When I finish my coffee, he pulls a velvet box out of his pocket. “I was hoping that maybe you’d wear this today.”

I look at the box wide-eyed. I take it from him, running my fingers over the soft velvet.

“Open it,” he urges.

I flip open the lid and gasp as I take in the beautiful necklace. It’s a gold necklace connected by three stones in the middle, an amethyst on the left, an emerald in the centre, and a blue topaz on the right.

Grayson takes it from the box and undoes the clasp as I hold my hair up for him to secure it on my neck. He delicately runs his fingers over the gems as he explains, “The amethyst is for me, the emerald is for our wedding, and the topaz is for you. Forever connected with gold.”

I kiss him. The thought behind the gift meaning so much.

When we break the kiss, I whisper, “Let’s get married.”

He grins.

“Let’s get married.”

I climb off his lap, and we head back inside to our friends and family. The girls help me get ready and tell me my dad is already here in town and will be here to walk me down the aisle for the ceremony. My mother won’t be here, and I’m glad for it. I don’t need her negativity today. My life has felt so much lighter and less stressful since cutting her out. I don’t feel on edge waiting for one of her calls or texts where she sets out expectations for me.

After hair and makeup is done, Liz pulls out a dress bag, and I cry when I pull down the zipper. It’s the dress I’ve always dreamed of wearing on my wedding day. It’s white with a sweetheart neckline and tulle off-the-shoulder straps. The bodice is form-fitting, and the bottom is full of tulle, with a delicate lace overlay that covers the entire dress.

“Grayson found your wedding binder,” Liz says.

I put that together years ago, and as I got older, I hid it in a box, not wanting it to sit there taunting me that I hadn’t found that soul-changing love I wanted so badly. Grayson finding it and getting this dress is all my dreams come true.

I step into the dress, and Liz does the zipper for me. I stand in front of the mirror, taking in how well it fits. Not just me, but my dream. I smile so wide my cheeks hurt. Today, I get to marry my husband again. A man who has shown me over and over that he knows me, he cares for and loves me, that he supports me.

I turn around to face the girls, and they’re smiling back at me.

“You ready?” Bailey asks, and I nod.

We head downstairs, and my dad is waiting at the base of the stairs. When he turns to look at me, I see the tears that start and I tip my head back to stop my own.

“Look at my beautiful daughter,” he says when I stop in front of him.

“Thank you, Dad.”

He kisses my cheek and offers me his arm before leading me to the back door. The girls line up, and music drifts in as they open the door. It’s one of the songs from my wedding binder. The girls make their way down to the yard, and when Dad and I stop in the doorway, I can’t stop my tears. Grayson has transformed his parents’ backyard into my dream wedding. An arch with my favourite flowers, lilies, is behind Grayson as he waits for me. Red and pink rose petals line either side of the aisle where white chairs are set up. Beside each aisle chair is a mason jar with lit candles on top of beach rocks.

When Dad and I reach the top of the aisle, Grayson wipes at his own tears, and it helps to know this is hitting him as much as it is me. Dad shakes Grayson’s hand when we meet him and passes him my hand. Dad heads to his seat and Caleb, who’s officiating our renewal, starts.

“Welcome, everyone. I’ve never been a man of many words. I’m not too sure why Grayson chose me for this, but I’m going to do my best. We are here to celebrate Grayson and Hannah’s love for one another. They have chosen to spend their lives together and declare their love in front of you, their family and friends. Today, they renew the promise they made to each other one year ago. Grayson, do you have vows?”

He nods.

“Hannah, we did this all backwards. Normally, you date, fall in love, and then get married. I fell in love with you three years ago. Getting drunk with you in Vegas was the best thing I’ve ever done, because I got to marry you. I know it wasn’t what you wanted, but I knew that any time with you would be worth it. To have you love me even a fraction of the way I love you is my greatest blessing. You’ve accepted every part of me. My past, my present, and my future. Everything I am, and everything I have, belongs to you. I love you more today than I did yesterday, and I will continue to find new ways to love you for the rest of our lives.”

I let out a breath and squeeze my eyes shut, pushing past the emotion so I can say my vows.

“Hannah,” Caleb says.

“Grayson. When we first met, I was completely enamoured by you. Life had other plans for us and pulled us apart. Finding my way back to you has been the best thing to ever happen to me. You’ve stood by me during painful decisions, showing me love and compassion along the way. You have been my strength in times of need and a safe place to land when I’ve needed it. You care for me in all the ways I need and make me feel seen. It was after my mother’s party that it hit me how much I love you. Having you near me gave me strength to do something I should’ve done long ago. And after, you were the safe space I needed. More and more every day, you own me body, mind, and soul. I promise to love you today and until forever, for the rest of our lives.”

“You may kiss the bride,” Caleb says, and Grayson dips me as his lips find mine and he kisses me in a soul-consuming way.

When we’re back to standing, we make our way back up the aisle and head inside. Grayson and I take twenty minutes to ourselves inside before joining everyone outside. There are tables scattered around the yard and buffet tables along the edge. We make our way through everyone, thanking everyone for coming. Music plays from large speakers, and people take off their shoes, enjoying themselves as they dance in the grass. “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” comes on, and I drag Grayson out to the dance floor, laughing as I try to dance in my wedding dress.

The night is a blast. We’re surrounded by friends and family, laughing and dancing into the night. I’m standing on the edge, watching everyone, when Grayson’s arms wrap around my waist. I lean into him.

He kisses my neck, and I hum in contentment.

“I love you,” I say, as he nips my ear.

“I love you more,” he whispers back. “I have something for you.” He releases me a bit before his hand comes back in front of me holding an envelope.

I look at him over my shoulder. “What is this?”

He grins. “Just open it, Spitfire.”

I open the envelope slowly, trying to see if I can get any hints, but I can’t. I pull out a folder and open it. Sitting inside are two plane tickets out of Vancouver to Paris. My jaw drops, and tears fill my eyes. My trip. I didn’t think I could love this man any more than I already do, but he’s making my dreams come true and so much more.

I turn and face him, placing my hands on either side of his face. “I love you, Grayson Randall Maxwell.” I go up on tiptoes and kiss him as his arms wrap around my waist and hold me close to him.

He rests his forehead against mine and whispers, “I’ll spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make you happy, Hannah Marie Maxwell.”

I grin, loving the sound of my full name like that.

I turn back around and face our party. As we stand here in each other’s arms, watching everyone who came to celebrate our love dance and laugh together, I’m happier than I ever thought I’d be.

THE END