Epilogue

The feather light ends of the powder brush tickle as Alice moves it back and forth on my cheeks softly. I close my eyes, patiently waiting for her to finish.

My hands are rested on my lap as I begin fidgeting again. My legs shake slightly and my shoulders are tense. I don't know why I'm nervous though. It's not like it's the first time I'm doing this, getting married I mean. But it feels like it.

"All done." Alice finally says prompting me to open my eyes. She rolls around the chair I'm seated on so I can look into the mirror and I'm stunned by what I see before me.

The makeup is light and natural looking but it's elegant and makes me look ethereal. I beam up at Alice who is staring at me with this look of pride on her face, at her handwork no doubt. "This is so beautiful, Al. Thank you so much."

She returns my grin as she says, "You're welcome! Now get up, you have to get in your dress."

With a nod, I finally stand up from the chair unable to take my eyes of my reflection staring back at me. My hair was elegantly made by Ryan, my makeup done to perfection by Alice, and now all that's left is to get into the white custom made wedding dress hung up on the closet door of Alice's room.

The room is fairly empty with only Alice and Ryan with me. Jess had left for the kitchen a while ago to go eat some strange food combination, I'm sure. Her pregnancy hormones have been forcing her to do that a lot lately and it's been amusing to watch. Max had proposed to her a few months ago, however, the wedding had to be pushed till she gives birth because my best friend didn't feel like she was stable enough to plan a wedding right now, regardless, she's happy which in turn makes me happy.

Unlike the first time, when Henry and I had an elaborate wedding, this is going to be a simple event. The guest list consisted of less than 50 people all of whom are family and friends, no press or media coverage of any sorts. This was something I strongly insisted upon and Henry was more than willing to grant. "Anything that'll make you my wife again," he had said.

Thinking of him as I stared into the mirror, I found myself grinning stupidly. Seven months ago, I didn't feel like we would ever get here. I didn't even want think of it for fear of overreaching. But yet here we are, both at our happiest with each other.

When Henry had asked me to marry him again, I couldn't help but feel this sense of peace come over me. Like we were doing it right this time around. Although the first time, he asked, yet I didn't feel like it was a question I could really say no to. I was pregnant, and marrying him was what was expected of me. And although we didn't exactly do it the right way the first time, I'm forever grateful for my boys.

Now, however, everything would be done correctly. This was a mutual decision prompted by love. The wedding was strictly planned by us with Anastasia kindly lending us her house for the ceremony. The guest list was composed by us this time, not our parents who would have no doubt added all their business partners and made this a big affair. Everything was done in an effort to not attract attention. And instead of hiring a make up artist and hairdresser, my friends lent their talents for that and I'll forever be grateful to them.

Although Henry and I have been through our own fair share of problems and will face some more in the future, I'm sure, what matters is that we love each other, we are patient and willing to work it out. That's what I keep saying to myself and is a guideline I intend to follow because yet again, I'm unable to imagine a life without Henry in it.

I find myself further reflecting on all that has happened in the last few months. Unable to hold any ill feelings towards her, I forgave Lorraine. It wasn't easy, but I didn't want to hold any bitterness in my heart towards her. As a matter of fact, she was invited to the wedding. As well as Jessica and Will. After much time, the two had finally opened up to the world about their love for each other and their relationship and although Senator Monroe was strongly against it and very vocal about his feelings according to Will, the both of them didn't care as they were both happy.

As for Nate, we were able to locate him after much effort as he had gone off the grid. However, even after he was no longer blacklisted, which I now know was Henry's doing, he chose not to return to Atlanta. I felt terrible and responsible for possibly ruining his life, but he assured me that it wasn't my fault and he was in a much better place now with a good paying job in Chicago.

"Come on, babe, you have to get in your dress." Ryan rushes out, interrupting my thoughts as he approaches me, the dress draped across his arms.

Staring at it briefly, I refamiliarize myself with the dress which I had sketched out myself. I wanted something simpler than my last dress and it was exactly that.

I swiftly begin to take off my white robe which has the words 'bride to be' inscribed across the back in silver cursive letters. I'm already wearing my white lingerie so I just step into the dress which Ryan has unzipped for me.

Over the past few months, he has become a fixture in my life and I wouldn't trade him for anything. However, from the moment they first met, Ryan and Alice have been like two peas in a pod. I loved their friendship honestly, and I could easily tell that the two really care for each other.

Once the dress was fully on, I turn to the full length mirror in the room and stare at myself. I feel beautiful and confident, yet highly nervous at the same time. My stomach feels like it's in shambles but admist all the many thoughts coursing through my head, uncertainty wasn't one of them.

I was sure that this is what I want. To spend the rest of my life with my best friend as it should have been from the start, so by the time everyone finishes fawning over my dress, I am more than ready to get this show on the road.

My mother then comes in with Anastasia to inform me that it was almost time to head out.

"You look stunning," Mom says with tears brimming in her eyes and I have to look away briefly to avoid getting teary myself. This all felt so unreal and emotional at the same time.

Anastasia is beaming as she stares at me, and wordlessly, she pulls me into a tight hug. It conveyed all that needed to be said and I was grateful and highly indebted to the woman. Not just for being the amazing person that she is, but for birthing the most perfectly imperfect human for me.

Finally, we all begin to head out. As I make my way down the seemingly endless stairs, I see my sons at the bottom in their black Armani tuxes. Henry was in charge of their clothing for the day and I couldn't help but latch onto how dashing they both looked with their now incomplete teeth on display, their grins wide regardless.

Jason, much to Jamie's dismay, now towered over his brother only slightly and he looked more and more like Henry every day. Meanwhile, Jamie took most of my features.

"You look so beautiful, mom." They both echoed in astonishment before turning to each other, frowns marring their forehead. "I said it first." They echoed again about to begin their usual banter but Anastasia cuts them off.

"Now, boys, it doesn't matter which one of you said it first." She chides, her hands going to their shoulders as she gives them a firm look that makes them stare at her apologetically.

I laugh internally at the inaudible exchange. The both of them acted like they had one mouth, constantly voicing one another's thoughts. These days, their very similar personalities made them have constant disagreement. It was never serious though, thankfully but they were much too alike.

"Sorry, grandma." They said to her before turning to me. "Sorry, mom."

I give them a wide smile before turning to Lance who was now approaching us. He gives me an appreciative once over before pronouncing, "It's time."

With a nod, I take in a deep breathe before letting it out. The boys were both given the job of holding the rings, and decorating the aisle with flowers, something they were both excited to do, so they went out with everyone else ahead of me.

Unlike our last wedding, we didn't have groomsmen or bridesmaids. It was just us to stand at the alter and the thought felt more intimate for some reason.

As I walk out to the lake area where the ceremony is being held, I can't help but recall all the fond memories I have of Henry and I spending time here together as teenagers. However, the view that I'm presented with isn't the one I am used to. No. The place had been transformed entirely but I find myself unable to focus on that. Instead, my eyes are immediately pulled to the man standing at the end of the aisle lined by the white chairs which had been arranged on the grass.

The man whose intense gaze stared at me from where he stood in his black tux, as his hair got tussled by the evening breeze.

The wedding march is played by the violinists Henry hired and I distinctly see the few guests in attendance stand on their feet.

With a small smile grazing my lips, my nerves still present, I begin the walk down the aisle to my soon to be husband. It feels long but I know it isn't and soon I'm there, looking into his eyes up close.

His dark brown hair is already a mess but that does nothing to deter the sexiness that he embodies. His eyes stare down at me, his lips stretching into a wide grin that I return. I almost want to chuckle for some reason but I force myself to hold it in.

"You look so beautiful." Henry whispers into my ear as we go to take our places at the alter, his voice low and husky.

Before I can respond, our minister, Max, clears his throat to get our attention. I turn my head to face Henry's best friend and this time I do let out a small laugh before covering my mouth.

When we told him that there will be no groomsmen, Max said that whether we like it or not, he's going to stand at the alter with us. So, Henry jokingly that he'd have to be the marriage officiator to stand there. This was big mistake as Max took it up and actually got an officiating license and now here he is.

After clearing his throat, he begins speaking loudly, "Friends and family, we are gathered here today to share with Sandy and Henry a very important moment in both their lives. In the years they have known each other, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now, they have decided to renew their vows and officially begin to live their lives as husband and wife again." He gets to the part where we exchange rings and Jamie and Jason approach us with the boxes held in both their hands. After that is done, Max says, "The couple will now exchange their vows." Suddenly, there is an air of seriousness.

Gulping, I take a deep breathe. Henry sends me an encouraging smile which makes me a little more confident as I begin speaking from my heart. "I, Sandy, take you, Henry, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and I promise to love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."

As I end, I feel a tear trail down my cheek and before I can wipe it off, Henry's thumb is doing just that. My throat is tight as I stare up into his eyes.

He gives me a soft look before speaking. "Sandy, I love you. You're my best friend, my lover, my everything, and today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to always encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle." He pauses as he goes to wipe the tears escaping from my eyes again before continuing. "I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you and to always hold you in the highest regard. These things I promise you today, and all the days of our life."

Emotions are high when finally, Max says, "By the power vested in me by the state of Georgia, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He says in a dramatic tone that makes us all laugh, the feeling uncomfortable for me through my clogged throat. "You may now kiss each other."

The words are barely out of his mouth before Henry bends his head so his lips can meet mine. The kiss holds a passionate promise as his mouth moves over mine, his tongue thrusting softly past my lips. My eyes are closed shut as I hold on to his neck and I briefly forget where we are. However, I get myself back a moment too late and I slowly pull away from Henry. Max has on an amused look on his face, his eyebrow raised as he stares at us.

I laugh and he shakes his head before announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr and Mrs Wallace."

...

This is the official ending of Lovingly Divorced! I hope you guys enjoyed reading this! I wanted to write something fairly short and sweet to conclude and I think I achieved that.

I'm so grateful for y'all's continued support on this book and I honestly appreciate each and everyone of you.

If you enjoyed reading this book, please be on the look out for my soon to be released novel The Mafia Man's Model. Don't forget to follow me to be notified when it's published.

Stay safe, xx❤️