Epilogue - Forever

"Fuck, why is my hand shaking so hard?" Bridget sighed as she attempted to put on her lipstick in the mirror.

"Possibly because you haven't eaten all day." Kat said, giving Bridget a sideways glance from beside her at the sink. The Maid of Honour grabbed the lipstick from Bridget's hand and turned to face her, applying it flawlessly in two easy swipes.

"I'm too nervous to eat. I can't believe I'm doing this again." She took a step back and looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't expect to be wearing a wedding dress again. Ever. She had promised herself after the divorce that she would not be getting married a second time. But that was before she met the love of her life.

"Are you ready?" Her mom was poking her head in the bathroom door. "They're ready when you are." She was holding an infant on her hip. Bridget smiled and nodded, waving at the baby as her mom turned and walked back to the reception hall.

"Ready as I'll ever be," she muttered to herself, as the two of them exited the bathroom. As she rounded the corner toward the reception hall, Darlene appeared in her path.

"Hi! you look gorgeous! i just wanted to say, I'm so glad for you too. You are perfect together, and I couldn't imagine Jack with anyone else. You guys are such a perfect little family." She started to lean in for a hug, but Bridget held a hand out to stop her. 

"If you hug me, I'm going to start crying."  Bridget's lower lip trembled. Darlene reached out and patted Bridget's shoulder, giving her a knowing smile, before turning and heading to her seat.

Bridget took a deep breath as she heard the music start to play. She slowly stepped through the double doors and into the hall. All of the guests were turned in their seats to look at her. She took this moment to wonder once more why they didn't just elope and tell no one. She hated being the center of attention. She looked up to the front of the hall, and could see Jack standing there, beaming with pride. He watched her slowly walk up the aisle toward him. As she reached her mark,  she turned to face Jack, who was smiling brightly as he reached out and took both of her hands.

"Hello, everyone." The officiant, Sally, began to speak as the guests turned and settled into their chairs. "I'm sure you all know why were are here. We are here today to celebrate the love of these two incredible individuals, who despite the odds, have created a wonderful life with each other, and a fantastic little family unit."

Bridget looked up into Jack's eyes. He smiled again and winked, squeezing her hands lovingly. She felt tears welling up already. She really should have gone with a waterproof mascara.

"These two," Sally began, "have invited all of you to witness their commitment to each other. It took some time for them to find one another, and now, as you all surely know, they are inseparable. connected at the hip. You will not find one without the other. This is the kind of bond you can only find with the deepest of friendship. And that's what it's all about, right? If only we could all be so lucky, to marry our best friend. And with that, we will move on to the vows." She motioned to the Best Man who produced two ring boxes from his pocket.

"Do you, Jack, take Bridget to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness, and in health, through joy and sorrow, as long as you both shall live?" Sally asked, gesturing to Jack for an answer. 

"Of course, I do." His smile widened so much, she thought his face might split in half. He took the ring from Sally's hand and slipped it onto Bridget's finger.

"And do you, Bridget, take Jack to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, through joy and sorrow, as long as you both shall live?" 

"Yes, I do." She could feel the tears starting to spill down her cheeks now. But they were happy tears. She slid Jack's ring onto his finger and squeezed his hands once more.

"Excellent, then I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. Please give your new bride a kiss!" Sally shouted as the guests erupted with cheers and applause. The pair embraced as their lips met. Bridget rushed over to the front row and grabbed the baby from her mother, bringing her to the front. They both leaned in and planted a big sloppy kiss on each of the baby's cheeks as she giggled and cooed. 

"Why does this feel like a fever dream?" She whispered in his ear as the trio walked down the aisle toward the door.

"Maybe because nothing bad happened? No interference, sabotage, or schemes. Just love and celebration." He glanced sideways at her, gauging her reaction.

"I almost miss the drama." She glanced back at him, clocking his surprised expression. "I said almost."