All the Wrong Choices by C.A. Harms

Epilogue

Danielle

I knowif my mother saw me now, she'd die, drop to the ground and weep at the atrocious gown I'd chosen to be married in. But to me, it couldn't have been more perfect.

I chose a sleek and sophisticated crepe v-neck gown with a floral spaghetti strap with a lacy illusion overlay. It's form-fitting and contours to my body, and I know Jonah will love it. The bottom of the dress drags the ground just barely, and the sheer fabric is cool in the North Carolina heat.

I smile as I dig my bare feet into the sand and remember that this, is the wedding I want. It's my vision, my wants and needs, and not my mother's. I planned everything, from the white roses and sheer fabrics that blow in the light breeze to the subtle accents of silver and blue added here and there.

When Jonah asked me where I wanted to get married, I told him someplace close where those we love can join us easily. When he asked me what kind of wedding I wanted, I said that's simple, I don't want fancy, I want to be able to dig my toes in the sand and feel the ocean breeze in my hair while I marry the man of my dreams.

And today, I have every one of those things and so much more.

All our friends are here, and Jonah's family as well as my Aunt Rita. I only wish Great Grams was still alive to be here too, but somehow I feel like she knows I finally found my happiness.

I stand at the start of the chairs, which are perfectly positioned in rows, and look toward the most handsome man I've ever seen. He is wearing ivory dress pants and a white dress shirt, opened at the collar. The sleeves are rolled, showing his strong forearms, and he is staring only at me. Almost like no one else exists but us.

He is breathtaking.

Tears fill my eyes, and I fight them as best I can as I lean into Tony, who stands at my side. When he offered to walk me down the aisle, I thought for sure I had to have heard him wrong. Our relationship was rocky for a long time, and I wondered if he and I would ever be able to move past the awkwardness, but here we are. A place I never in a million years thought he and I would be. I think somehow he's trying to make up for the crap he'd given me, but he's genuine and as loyal to me now as he is to Jonah.

Tony is dressed similar to Jonah, holding my arm that is linked through his. He and Addison are two of the very few people that know about the baby. Soon we'd share the news with everyone else, but it was really sweet how for now, that joy is only ours.

"You ready?" I look away from Jonah and find Tony smiling at me.

"Yes," I don't think I've ever in my life been more ready for anything than to become Jonah's wife.

Slowly he begins to lead me toward the beautiful man who awaits me. As we pass by our guests, they each smile at me, and a few wipe their eyes. Not everyone knows my past; they don't know that I've been here before but with the wrong man.

Not everyone knows the struggles I faced and the obstacles Jonah and I went through to get to today. Most of those obstacles were by my hands and could have been avoided had I not been convinced that every man is the same.

The truth is, Jonah is the best kind of man.

The love he shows me, the devotion, is life-altering.

My hands shake but not because I am nervous. I'm excited, ready to begin my life with him.

"You ready to marry me?" He whispers as he takes me from Tony and leans in close, skimming the tip of his nose along my cheek. It's a simple gesture but one I feel throughout my entire body.

"I've never wanted anything more," I confess and feel him exhale as he holds me close.

"Me either, baby," gently he releases me, and he drops one of his knee-buckling smiles. We turn to face the preacher, and in front of everyone we love, I marry my best friend.