Redemption Hills: The Complete Collection

Epilogue

MILO

It was a gorgeous spring day when I stood at the end of the dock, the breeze light and almost cool, but the sky was clear and warmed by the rays that slanted down from the heavens.

The lake glittered behind me, and our friends and family were gathered just on the shore where three rows of chairs with an aisle down the middle had been set up for the very intimate, small wedding, filled with our friends and family.

Bouquets overflowed with white flowers, and a string quartet was in the distance under a tree. The music they played was subdued and mellow, melting the atmosphere into peace.

The minister stood to my right, and Trent, Jud, Logan, and Kult were wrapped along the edge of the dock since it was too narrow for them to stand in a row beside me.

My mom met my eye from the front row. Love poured from her expression. I wondered if she understood the impact of her support and encouragement.

Because I’d had a choice to make that day—to let the negative shape me, conform me to its will, or look to the goodness I’d been given.

And I was looking to the goodness.

A smile played at the edge of my mouth as Tessa’s bridesmaids began to appear at the edge of the house. There was a white plank walkway that ran from the side and down to the dock so they could walk in their heels because Tessa had made it clear just how important those heels were going to be.

I’d only laughed and gotten my ass out back so I could build it for her.

Salem and Aster made their way down, then Eden, who was her maid of honor, each of them sending these reassuring smiles as they passed, each so beautiful, inside and out.

Jud had been right.

Not one of us had a thing to complain about.

We were lucky bastards.

Gage and Juniper came next, hands swinging between them where they held onto each other as they skipped along, taking their spots, no chance that the two of them wouldn’t stand in the wedding.

Every one of these kids was a piece of Tessa’s family.

It was something she and I had both come to realize through all of this. Sometimes grief and guilt could overshadow the love others held for you. When you cut yourself off, isolated yourself in the sorrow, you could so easily feel like an outsider.

Unattached.

Hovering in the periphery of what everyone else had when they wanted you to be a part of it.

We got it now.

That these people? They were family. What it really meant.

Adoration billowed through my spirit when the music shifted, and my son came blazing down the walkway at warp speed.

Rocketman could not be slowed.

His brown hair bounced around his face, and his big lips were twisted in excitement.

My chest panged.

Because this joy was so full, it was close to painful, but that was the type of pain I would cherish every day. I would no longer fear it or worry that I would destroy it.

Because I would stand for what was right. Live for it. Fight for it.

He skidded across the dock, holding tight to the box that held our rings, the kid giggling like mad as he came to stand at my side just to the front of me. I set my hand on his shoulder.

Our ring bearer.

Just like Tessa had imagined.

And everything clutched when Remy came next, a bit timid, the way she always was, but glowing her insight and warmth. She was all dressed up, looking too old, her hair done up in flowers for the day.

She didn’t toss petals, instead, she set out bunches of peonies as she went, something she and Tessa had decided together appeared much more grown up.

It was awesome, watching the two of them plan this thing together.

A team.

That’s what we were.

The four of us.

And the love, it just kept rushing out, expanding and growing and almost becoming too much.

Because the music shifted again, and there was my girl, standing at the side of the cabin.

The sun.

Red hair and pale, freckled skin, and this white dress that made her look like a fucking angel.

Knew at least I had to be in heaven.

She looped her arm through Gary’s, who stood at her side like she was his own.

He began to lead her down the walkway. Tessa was smiling, a thousand emotions rushing through her expression, the girl never taking her eyes off me as she approached.

She was so fucking beautiful I thought my heart was going to explode.

“You sure got lucky, Dad,” Scout giggled as he looked at Tessa coming our way.

He’d heard me say it a thousand times, but man, did I feel the truth of it right then.

And I would never take for granted what I’d been given.

She came down the aisle, then stepped onto the dock.

That energy whispered on the breeze.

Warmth and light.

Her mouth tugged in all directions as she walked the rest of the way to me, her dress form fitted, diving between her breasts and cut up to the thigh.

A foot away from me, she shifted to the side and kicked up a single crystal Manolo.

The rough scrape of a laugh made it up my throat.

“I guess I have to marry you since you got me the Manolos, Milo Hendricks,” she whispered the tease.

I took her hand, threaded our fingers together, and tugged her toward me. “You can have anything you want, Little Dove. Just as long as you promise me always.”

“Always,” she murmured.

Love poured from her.

For me.

For our children.

For this family.

I touched her face. “I guess we do make a really great team.”

She touched my chest. “The very best.”

The End