Epilogue.

God, today’s the day.

The day I finally marry my one true love.

My Soul mate.

Sure, it may be corny to get married on Valentines Day, of all days, but it seemed right. Our children were born on another holiday, Christmas, so it was deemed fitting for us.

The individual moments that led to this day are all locked in my heart forever.

The day I first met her, standing on the front lawn of my house. Her embarrassed, croaked smile as her mother pushed her towards me.

The day I finally realised that my shy, awkward, tall, best friend was something more.

The day we came together in the rain.

The day we were pulled apart on the dock.

The night we said goodbye for (what we thought) the last time.

The night we came together for the first time.

The day we lost our best friend.

The night we made our children.

The night they came to join us.

The day I finally made us a family.

All of these moments, some more poignant than others, all flood through my mind as I see her standing at the end of the aisle, her delicate white veil shrouding her face. Her father, smiling proudly at his brilliant daughter, taking her arm and leading towards me.

Leading her home.

I stand, with my son in my arms, waiting for his mother. My beautiful daughter waits in the arms of my best man, Pacey. She smiles at her favourite uncle, the smile of her mother. I can see the recognition in his eyes as he looks upon her.

The music, soft and haunting floods around the church. Dylan wiggles in my arms at the sight of his mother smiling at his, waving from her ghostly cover. I’m sure he thinks this is just a huge game of dress up.

She looks beautiful, in only the way Joey Potter can. Jen used to look glamorous everyday, seemingly effortlessly. However, because Joey didn’t wear much make up, or do anything with her hair, when she did it was breathtaking. I sigh deeply as I see her, something I can see she is doing too.

He father pulls back her veil and kisses her lightly on the cheek, whispering something in her ear as he lets her go. Her eyes water slightly and she passes her flowers onto Audrey, also stunning in her evening gown. Amy and Lily are at her feet in ballet tutu’s and pink fairy wings (not Joey’s idea, a last minute emergency measure when Amy spilled juice over both of the girls dresses). Audrey had put glitter on both of their eyes while Joey wasn’t looking and curled their hair into ringlets. They looked magical.

Pacey steps forward with Belle, handing her to her mother. He kisses them both on the cheek and smiles. No words needed to be exchanged between the two, who had seen so much and been so many places together.

She turns to me, a smile slowly spreading across her face as the realisation of what is about to happen dawns on her.

Wow, I’m actually getting married.

To Dawson.

Dawson Leery.

The boy I’ve loved and lost most of my life.

The boy who consoled me when I broke my arm.

The boy who consoled me when my heart broke when mom died.

The boy who was oblivious.

The boy who I loved first.

The boy who’s heart I broke.

The boy who I had to leave behind.

The boy who came and found me again.

The man who is the father of my children.

The man who is my soul mate.

Belle can’t quite understand what is happening, I can sense that. But she loves all the attention regardless, kicking away in my arms and I move towards her father.

He smiles that effortless smile at me, the one that melts my heart.

Everyone said that getting married on Valentines Day at this short notice would be impossible. But then, no one counted on the resolve of Dawson to get this done. Pleading meetings with the vicar, Pacey on catering, Gail and John on invitations, Doug on mass transport, Andie and Audrey on Decorations, Bessie on bridesmaid dresses and himself on Music.

‘Just go buy yourself a dress and be there,’ he had said.

And that’s what I did…well almost. Bessie had kept mom’s dress, especially for me. We spent long evening restoring it back to its original beauty.

My mom was quite the trend setter. No lacy, flared sleeves and 60 patterned polyester for her. It was Grace Kelly in material form. Satin and silk combined. Dawson seemed lost for words when he saw me.

But then, that’s the whole idea.

I reach for his hand and squeeze it gently. He continues to smile. I hope I can always do that for him.

We step forward, our children in our arms, towards our future.

‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here….’

The End