First Epilogue
Reese
‘Darling, you look so beautiful,’ Gran exclaimed.
‘Thank you.’ Both she and Aunt Lena stood behind me. Lena was messing a bit with my veil under the pretext that she was arranging it under my hairdo. I suspected that she was simply busying herself to hide tears.
‘Aunt Lena,’ I asked softly, ‘are you okay?’
She looked up at me, her eyes glassy. ‘Of course. I’m just emotional.’
‘Oh, Lena. Don’t make the poor girl cry,’ Gran chastised, but her own voice was a bit unsteady.
‘Why don’t we all have a good cry now?’ Kimberly suggested. She’d finished fastening her shoes and stood up. ‘That way we don’t run the risk of randomly bursting into tears later. And by ‘we,’ I actually mean myself.’
I turned around, looking at all three of them. ‘You know, you can cry all you want to. There’s no reason to hold back. We all have waterproof makeup on.’ I was babbling. I was beyond nervous and full of emotions.
I turned around to glance in the mirror. My dress was amazing. The bridal collection was labeled Fairy-Tale Wedding, and I truly felt like I was in a story. The dress had short sleeves, and the detail in the lace was absolutely stunning. The same pattern crisscrossed all over the bodice.
The lower part of the dress had a different pattern, but it was just as breathtaking. It was interchangeable too: this one was tight around my body, but once the party started, I’d put on a wider skirt. It made me look like a princess, and it had the added benefit of allowing me enough space to dance. The veil was long, with a pattern of lace too.
‘Aunt Reese, Aunt Reese. I’m here,’ Paisley said, and I heard footsteps outside the bedroom.
When Dom and I started planning the wedding, we both knew we wanted something small with just our friends and family. We both loved the lake house so much that we decided to do it here. Since the yard was huge, the wedding planner had no problem at all setting up a beautiful tent. Holding the party on our private property was also the easiest way to keep the press from butting in.
The fallout from that magazine article followed Dom for months. Reporters relentlessly pestered his PR team for a response, but they’d completely ignored it.
They’d written quite a few articles about the wedding, but both Dom and I were learning to embrace that. We hadn’t heard from Malcolm in months, though I heard that Francesca had indeed divorced him and was going after him for every penny.
Paisley burst in, glancing at me. ‘Oh, Aunt Reese, you’re definitely the most beautiful bride in the family.’ Then she pressed her lips together, widening her eyes in horror. ‘You were pretty, too, Gran.’
Gran laughed. ‘Oh, I don’t mind, Paisley. And I quite agree. Reese is the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.’ She gave me a quick hug, and then Lena and Kimberly joined her too.
My dad and his wife had arrived this morning. They’d left my sister back in London with her maternal grandparents. She’d come for Gran’s wedding, but transatlantic flights and jet lag were hard on kids.
I’d invited my stepmother to help me dress, not wanting her to feel left out, but she insisted that it was quite all right if she just waited downstairs with everyone else. Kimberly, Lexi, Kendra, Liz, Megan, and Avery had fussed around me all morning.
‘Are you ready to go downstairs?’ Paisley asked.
I nodded. ‘Yes. Gran, Aunt Lena, you go first. Paisley and I will follow.’
‘Just like we practiced,’ Lena said.
‘Yes, of course,’ Paisley replied as she grabbed the train with only the tips of her fingers.
‘You’re doing great, Paisley. I love you. And even if you drop it or something, don’t worry, okay?’ I assured her.
‘I won’t drop it,’ she said with so much shock that I barely held back from laughing. She was also holding my bouquet.
‘Okay then.’
We descended the staircase carefully, and I lifted my dress so I didn’t step on it. The hardwood floors were a bit slippery.
My entire body seemed to pulse, not just my heart. I couldn’t believe this day had arrived already. Dom and I debated getting married at once, but I took a page out of Gran’s book—there was something extra charming about summer weddings—and we settled on August. Our wedding planner had transformed the entire house beautifully.
There were white and pink roses everywhere, along with matching bows. The french windows in the living room were open, overlooking the yard. Guests circulated around the tent, and the chairs were arranged for the ceremony. After it was over, the staff would put them around the tables.
‘Reese is here,’ someone said. I thought it sounded like Uncle Emmett, but it might have been Dad.
A few minutes later, Dad walked toward me, beaming from ear to ear. Paisley gave me my flowers.
‘My darling girl. You look absolutely beautiful.’ He had tears in his eyes.
‘Thanks, Dad. I’m so happy you flew here.’
‘Obviously! I made it a point not to miss my girls’ weddings, and by girls, I mean your gran too.’
I chuckled as he gave me his arm.
‘Are you ready?’ I asked.
‘To give away my daughter? No. I don’t think any dad is ever ready for that.’
‘Uncle Harvey, that’s not what you’re supposed to say. You’re supposed to say yes and wish her all the best,’ Paisley said in the bossiest voice I’d ever heard her use.
Dad looked over his shoulder. ‘Right you are, Paisley.’
He glanced back at me. ‘Shall we?’
I nodded.
As the music started playing, I carefully put one foot in front of the other. The guests had all gathered at the side of the tent, making a tunnel of sorts for us. As soon as we stepped inside, everyone was in a flurry, moving to their seats. I took in a deep breath, trying not to see the mayhem around us.
My eyes locked on Dom’s. He was waiting for me in front with the officiant.
Emotions bubbled up inside me. I could barely keep the tears at bay. I was determined not to break eye contact, but I had to because I needed to watch my step. There was a real risk that I’d step on my dress if I didn’t pay attention, since I couldn’t lift my dress now that I had to hold my flowers too.
I looked up again when we were only a few feet away from Dom. I’d never tire of watching those gorgeous eyes drinking me in. Fate found me a man who would love me forever. After everything I’d gone through, I couldn’t believe that I was so lucky to have this man in my life.
‘Dom,’ Dad said in a gruff voice, ‘you’re a very lucky man, and I’m a very lucky father to have you as a son-in-law. Take good care of my girl and make her happy.’
‘I’ll do my best, sir,’ he said.
Dom and I took our positions side by side.
Glancing over my shoulder, I watched Paisley arrange the bottom of my train on the floor the way Aunt Lena had instructed her to do. I wanted to pull her into a huge hug. She’d done so well. I gave her my flowers and taking a deep breath, I turned, looking at the officiant. Dom took both of my hands in his.
‘Are we allowed to do this?’ I was so besotted with him that I couldn’t remember the dos and don’ts of weddings.
He grinned. ‘We’ve always done things our way.’
The officiant started reciting why we were gathered here today. Dom interlaced our fingers, and I squeezed them very firmly.
She spoke about the importance of marriage and holding on to each other. I was drinking in every word.
We’d wanted to have traditional vows, but whenever we practiced, I’d burst into tears, so we decided against it. When that time came, the officiant gestured to us, and we looked into each other’s eyes.
‘I love you, Reese,’ Dom said. ‘I promise to love you every day for the rest of my life.’
‘And I promise the same in return, until my last breath.’
A few tears streamed down my cheeks. He caught them with the back of his fingers, smiling at me.
‘See, that’s why I didn’t want us to exchange vows,’ I said. We decided on simply saying ‘I love you,’ thinking I’d be safe from tears.
Apparently not.
The officiant smiled at us, her own eyes a bit watery, and continued the ceremony. ‘I’ve met with the bride and groom a few times before today, and it struck me that they are completely in love in ways I rarely see in other couples. And believe me, I’ve seen many. It’s my absolute pleasure to declare you husband and wife.’ She turned to Dom. ‘You may kiss your wife now.’
He looked at me and smiled before tilting toward me, pressing his lips to mine. He deepened the kiss for a few seconds before we pulled apart.
Everyone clapped enthusiastically, and there were even some whoops and catcalls—most likely from my cousins—which made us both laugh.
Dom interlaced our arms, and we slowly walked to our family. They gathered around, congratulating us.
Dom’s dad was in the last row, and Dora sat next to him. He opened his arms wide, smiling from ear to ear. ‘Look at you. Come here, let me give you a hug.’
I leaned down.
‘Your veil,’ Paisley screeched from behind me. I heard her shuffle around me, probably trying to keep the veil from slipping under the wheel of the wheelchair or something.
Once she was holding it out of the way, I gave him a wholehearted hug, and Dom did the same.
‘I’m happy for you, my boy,’ Theodore said. ‘For both of you.’
While the family gathered around, congratulating us again, I heard the staff already moving the chairs, putting them at the tables.
‘Okay, Aunt Reese, just stay like that while I take a few pictures,’ Paisley instructed.
‘Just me and Dom or everyone else?’
‘Hmm, you two first. Then I think everyone,’ she said.
She was determined to take pictures, which was probably why she’d stressed out when I asked her to also take care of the veil. She snapped a dozen pictures before the professional photographer we’d hired took over.
Liz came to me with quick steps and wide eyes. She was clearly tense as she stepped right up next to me, bypassing the veil.
‘Liz, is something wrong?’ I asked her.
She looked from me to Dom. ‘I’ve got a small problem. There are a few finger marks on the cake. I think one of the kids had a bit of fun.’
I burst out laughing, and Dom chuckled, shaking his head.
‘Liz, relax.” I loved that she’d made our cake too.
‘You don’t mind?’ she asked.
‘No. As long as it’s still standing and we have something to cut, it’s all good.’
Dom tilted toward me, kissing my temple. ‘I don’t think anything can upset us today.’
‘Exactly,’ I agreed. It was the happiest day of my life.
Dom and I were still laughing as the photographer instructed the family how to position themselves around us.
I felt so blessed to be surrounded by my family. They’d taught me how to live, how to be strong, and, most of all, how to be myself. I’d learned so much from them, and I was beyond grateful to have them with us on our special day.
Second Epilogue
Reese
Six Years Later
‘This is the best idea we’ve had!’ Kimberly exclaimed.
‘I agree,’ I replied, patting my belly.
We’d all decided to spend our vacation together. Since the family had grown by leaps and bounds in the last six years, it wasn’t easy to coordinate so we all could get away at the same time. Finding a location was easier. The Maxwell Hotels was a large chain now with seven gorgeous properties.
“Aspen will always have a place in my heart,’ Kimberly said. She’d insisted on us gathering here. She, too, had a baby bump.
I loved being pregnant at the same time as my sister. It made our bond even stronger. She and Drake already had a baby boy as well.
‘Let’s join the rest of the group outside,’ she suggested.
‘Good idea.’
We’d booked adjacent suites on the ground floor, mainly because they also had small gardens and we could all gather in them. The staff removed the separators between the gardens, so the kids roamed around freely—and there were a lot of kids.
Tyler and Kendra had two sets of twins who’d been born within one year of each other. Talk about having a full house. But my cousin was thoroughly enjoying fatherhood. Tyler turned down a job to coach his old team, saying he wanted to spend time with the kids while they were babies and that he could always go back to coaching later on.
Tate and Lexi had a baby boy just last year. Liz and Declan had two adorable girls. Luke and Megan had twins three years ago. That’s when we realized that somewhere in the family, we probably had a twin gene that had been dormant until our generation started having babies.
Travis and Bonnie had a second baby girl three years ago. Avery and Sam also had an adorable girl.
As for Dom and me, well, we’d been busy. He came up to me, holding Millie, our one-year-old daughter, in his arms and our four-year-old son, Harry, by the hand. I’d always wanted a large family, but my current pregnancy had been a bit of a mishap. I thought you couldn’t get pregnant while breastfeeding. Turned out, I was wrong. But Dom and I were happier than ever.
Harry kissed my belly.
‘Is the bunny ready yet?’ he asked, making me laugh as Dom just shook his head.
We’d told him once that I had a bun in the oven, and ever since, he kept asking every few days if the bunny was ready. He was growing up fast, but sometimes I forgot he was still a toddler and took everything literally.
‘Not yet, Harry. We still need to wait a few months,’ I explained.
‘Babe, are you feeling okay? Want to lie down for a bit?’ Dom asked.
‘I did earlier,’ I said.
Kimberly laughed. “For like two seconds.”
‘Thank you for your support, Kimberly,’ Dom said with a grin.
‘I feel fine,’ I cut in.
I’d been sick most of the time during the previous pregnancies—somehow I’d had morning sickness that lasted for the whole nine months—but I was doing better this time around.
‘Can I go play with my cousins?’ Harry asked. He spoke surprisingly clearly for a kid his age. It was one of the reasons why I sometimes forgot that he was still so young.
‘Sure,’ I said. ‘It was such a great idea to remove the separators between the suite gardens.’
‘I agree.’ Dom kissed my cheek, putting his hand on my belly.
‘She’s sleeping.’ I’d never tire of this feeling of creating a human being inside me, feeling her every time she turned around and even when she woke up.
“You sure you don’t need to lie down?”
“No, I slept on the plane.”
“I know,” Dom said.
“We all know,’ Sam added, coming up behind us.
I turned around to face him. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Oh, nothing.’ He schooled his features.
I pointed at him. ‘Cousin?’
‘You were snoring.’
I clasped my hand over my mouth. ‘Oh my God. You think everyone heard me?’
‘No… Maybe just half the plane.’
‘Oh God.’ I zeroed in on Dom. ‘Why didn’t you wake me up?’
‘You were exhausted. Of course I didn’t wake you up.’
I looked at Sam again. ‘Can you, I don’t know, give me something?’
‘For snoring?’ He seemed stunned.
‘Yes, so I don’t terrorize everyone on the way back too.’
Sam now looked at Dom in alarm.
‘You opened this can of worms, man. Fix it,” Dom said.
‘There’s nothing I can do here. Just relax, okay? Oh, I think I heard someone calling me,’ Sam said quickly, then darted off.
I saw right through his fib, but I’d let it slide—this time.
‘Don’t worry about it. You’re gorgeous,’ Dom said, kissing my forehead.
I couldn’t even come too close to him because my belly was pretty sizable even though I wasn’t that far along. People kept asking me if I was having twins. I wasn’t. I’d repeatedly asked the doctor.
We’d set up a huge firepit that we’d tried to babyproof as much as possible and placed lots of benches in a circle around it.
The only ones missing were my dad and his family, Lena and Emmett, and Gran and John. Gran wasn’t flying much lately, and my aunt and uncle didn’t want us all to be away from home at the same time, just in case she and John needed something.
Paisley hadn’t wanted to come either. She had her own group of friends and declared that vacationing with her family was uncool. Tate was still processing that, even though he had his hands full with the little ones.
I sat down on a bench, unsure if I’d ever be able to get up again. Maybe I’d just roll off it.
‘I’ll bring you a plate of food,’ Dom said.
‘Thanks.’
Tate was sitting next to me, brushing his daughter’s hair. My heart filled with tenderness watching this mountain of a man holding a bright pink brush and carefully running it through her silky strands.
‘Still not happy that Paisley isn’t with us?’ I asked.
He grumbled, ‘I’m getting used to it, slowly.’
‘No, you’re not.’
He laughed. ‘No, I’m not. But that’s fine. I’m glad we all came here.’
‘It’s one of my favorite hotels,’ I said. Right here at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, life seemed easier, more serene somehow. We didn’t have anything to complain about—except my snoring.
Dom came back with a plate of food and sat down next to me. Our girl had fallen asleep on him.
‘You can put her down in one of those mobile cribs.’ We’d set a few of them around, knowing that at any given time, there were going to be at least a few kids sleeping.
‘No, I’m fine like this. I like it when she’s sleeping on me.’
Oh, be still my beating heart. His love for us would never cease to surprise me. I’d never take it for granted.
‘We’ve also got Maxwell wines circulating around. For those who can drink,’ Tate added, looking at me apologetically.
I laughed. ‘That’s okay. I’m glad to see everyone else is enjoying it.’
‘You know, I think we were a bit too optimistic with all these benches,’ Declan said, coming to us, holding a glass of wine. It was the first break he’d taken since we arrived. He seemed to constantly be chasing one kid or another, even those who weren’t his. ‘It’s not like we can all sit down at the same time.’
‘No, we can’t,’ I said, glancing around. I was looking for Harry, but I needn’t have bothered. Dom was already following him with his gaze, never letting him out of sight.
Luke came up to us, and he, too, was carrying a sleeping baby. Just then, Tate jumped up from the bench, chasing his girl, who’d hopped off from his lap.
We were all definitely busy, but we managed to enjoy our afternoon snack out in the garden. The weather was perfect for the week ahead, and that wasn’t always the case in June in the Rocky Mountains.
***
A few hours later, the kids had run out of energy, and we were all relishing one of those rare and brief moments of silence when Dom suddenly got up with a glass and lowered our girl into a crib.
He cleared his throat. ‘Everyone, I’d like to say a few words.’
‘We’re listening,’ Tate said from next to me.
‘I’m very happy that we’re all here today, and that we managed to take time off as a family. When I met you all six years ago, I instantly realized that you were a special group by the way you rallied around Reese and also accepted me into your ranks. I’m proud to have married into the Maxwell family and to be here with all of you. I couldn’t have wished for a more loving wife or a more caring family, and I want to toast to that.’
There was a chorus of ‘Hear, hear’ and the sound of clinking glasses.
Dom sat down next to me, and I kissed his cheek. ‘Have another glass for me, will you?’ I whispered. ‘And thank you for the beautiful words.’
‘You’re welcome, love.’
Travis joined us just then. He’d been inside the hotel, chatting with the staff.
‘That sounded like a toast,’ he said.
Dom blinked. ‘Man, I didn’t realize you weren’t here.’
Travis started laughing. ‘That’s fine. Plenty of Maxwells to go around. Now, I’m starving, so you can fill me in later.’
We all stayed out in the garden until the sun set, then went back to our respective suites. We had a full schedule tomorrow; today was just to relax and enjoy each other.
The suite was eerily quiet. Somehow we’d managed to get both our kids to sleep in record time. I slipped under the covers, and Dom moved right in behind me. He turned onto one side, propping his head on his elbow and putting his other hand on my belly. He kissed my neck lightly, and I squirmed against the sheets. Just then, the baby turned around.
‘You felt that?’ I asked.
‘Yes!’ He smiled widely. ‘I’ll never tire of you being pregnant.’
I grinned. ‘I love it, too, especially because it’s easy this time around.’
He wiggled his eyebrows. ‘What do you think? After she’s here, should we go for number four?’
I smiled, putting a hand on my belly too. ‘I think you can talk me into that by using the legendary Waldorf charm.’
I’d loved growing up in a huge family. And I loved even more that we were creating our own.
