Chapter Thirty Four

* NINE MONTHS LATER *

Today you're Getting Married.

You open your eyes with that thought humming around in your head, excitement and nervousness battling for precedence.

You also wake up alone.

Though you've never been that big on tradition, Brodie had gone to stay with Max last night, so the first time you would see him today would be at the ceremony.

It would be a small, simple gathering of family and friends at the little church your grandmother had attended the last half of her life. Neither you nor Brodie needed or wanted anything flashy or extravagant. You just wanted to start your life together and celebrate with those close to you.

Brodie's adopted mother would be there. He had put a lot of distance between himself and his family, but felt it was only right for the woman who raised him to attend his wedding.

Travis James, the man who'd raped you and Brodie's uncle by law, had died. You'd learned a few months after getting engaged that he had committed suicide.

It was difficult, but in a lot of ways a relief, for both of you. Though Brodie wanted nothing to do with him, at one time they had been close.

You'd had a few discussions about it, always honest with each other.

You had been told Travis James did not remember what he did to you. Apparently, he had been drinking heavily and doing drugs at that time. But he didn't deny it.

You found it very upsetting that something you would never be able to forget wasn't even remembered by the person who'd done it. But the therapy, which you were still doing, helped.

You hadn't asked, or been told, the details of his suicide. You were sure Brodie knew, and would've told you if you'd asked. But you couldn't bring yourself to care. Just knowing he was dead was enough.

A knock at your bedroom door shakes you out of your reverie. Grace pokes her head in.

Jason and Grace were in for the wedding. It had become a regular thing for them to visit, and this time they had even brought both the kids, which you were thrilled about. Little Isaiah was to be the ring bearer, and he was super excited.

Jason had taken him with him to get ready with Brodie. And Grace was going to help you get ready while little Faith slept against her chest papoose style in one of those strapped things.

You laugh. Jason is notoriously known for his laid back, casual attitude, most of the time. But you had asked him to take your dad's place and be the one to give you away. And he was nervous for some weird reason. And you and Grace were both getting a kick out of it, teasing him.

* * * * * * * * *

[ * * BRODIE'S POV * * ]

God, why did I ever agree to stay with Max the night before the wedding? I could be waking up with my gorgeous, sexy, soon to be wife, instead of this babbling buffoon I call my best friend.

Max throws his hands up defensively.

Max was a really good guy. But, when it came to things like marriage and commitment, he had a really hard time. I wondered why. He had told me before that his parents were divorced, but maybe there was more to it. Oh, well. Today was not the day to worry about it.

I'm getting married today.

I can't keep the stupid grin off my face as I shave and get ready. My beautiful baby, the other half of my heart, would become mine forever today, and I hers. It was unbelievable.

So much had happened in the last year and a half. I fell in love with the most awesome woman, and we'd been through so much together, good and not so good. But we'd come out on the other side of everything stronger and more in love than ever. Thank God.

I had been a professional guitar player, playing lead on a new up and comings album. It had been great, and I was proud of myself. But I had missed Jessa something awful. And even though we were together as much as possible, it wasn't enough. I couldn't bear to leave her again.

I also decided playing the some songs over and over in a studio was not nearly as exciting as playing live in front of a screaming crowd. So, I wasn't going back to Nashville. Mr. Wagner had given me my job back, then made me a foreman. Plus I could still play nights and weekends if I wanted, didn't have to leave my woman, so, I had no complaints.

My phone pings, and I grab it up, thinking it's Jess. But it's not. It's my adopted mom, Laura, texting.

I had stopped calling her mom. I hadn't done it to be mean, or ungrateful. I appreciated everything she had done for me. But with Jessa and everything that had happened, and the fact that I had been lied to all my life, I just couldn't do it anymore.

Jason looks at me, hesitant, like he's considering his words carefully.

My phone pings again, and this time it is Jessa. The stupid grin is back. Jason looks over my shoulder to see the text.

I laugh, and Jason rolls his eyes.

A bit later, I look in the mirror, happy with what I see.

* * * * * * * * *

You and Jason are standing together outside the church waiting for your cue to go in. You're a ball of nerves, but in an excited way.

He looks at you and smiles.

You laugh and take his arm.

He clears his throat.

Grace opens the door and waves at the two of you.

You walk in, standing in the back, and as the music starts, Jase squeezes your hand. He walks you down, and you meet Brodie's gaze.

His eyes nearly pop out of his head at you in your dress, and he swallows visibly. And you aren't much better. Looking at him in his tux, your heart pounds, and he's just so gorgeous. His eyes lock onto yours, and the nerves disappear, to be replaced with the sense that nothing has ever been more right.

Jason hands you off to Brodie, and the Pastor starts talking.

But all you can see, all you can feel, is Brodie as you can't take your eyes off of him. He appears to be having the same problem, and you share a smile.

You take a deep breath.

You look at Brodie with all the love in your heart.

Brodie's eyes glitter, and his jaw twitches. He's trying not to cry, and the sight of how moved he is melts your heart all over again.

His words are a whisper, and you give him a shy smile. He clears his throat, wiping a single tear from his cheek. Then he finds his voice.

You don't even try not to cry. And you are SO glad you'd worn waterproof makeup.

He is so beautiful, inside and out. You forget anyone else is even there. You look at each other, pure love shining between you.

Everyone laughs and claps as Brodie pulls you in for a heart stopping kiss. His mouth claims yours, and you feel like you could just melt into a puddle on the floor. But that will have to wait for later...

* * * * * * * * *

Brodie whispers in your ear as he holds you from behind, his front to your back, and chin on your shoulder. He tilts his head to kiss your neck.

You're getting ready to leave for your honeymoon, with your husband. It was surreal, but you had never been happier.

You and Brodie throw the last of your stuff into his truck. Instead of going on some expensive trip, you had found a cozy, beautiful cabin in the North Carolina mountains, and had rented it for a week. Just the two of you, alone, and you couldn't wait.

Of course, he reads your mind again.

You giggle, and he pulls you in for a tender kiss, his mouth moving over yours, and his hands roaming up your body.

Jason and Grace were going to stay at the house with the kids a few days, then head back to New York. You had already said your goodbyes to her and the kids, and Jason is seeing you off.

He reaches the two of you, and Brodie extends his hand.

He shakes Brodie's hand, then surprisingly pulls him into a quick hug.

He looks at you, giving you a smile.

You go to hug him, but his phone rings. He glances down at it, then back at you.

He answers, walking a ways away to have some privacy. Brodie pulls you against him, and you wrap your arms around his neck.

As you lose yourself in his kiss, his touch, Jason talks to his boss. You don't even notice him watching as he speaks into his phone.

He smiles at the two of you, but you don't see him.

* * THE END * *

* Authors Note *

If you're reading this that means you've finished my story, and I can't thank you enough.

I really hated to see it come to an end. But I did not want to be one of those writers who drag a story out forever.

Jess and Brodie became more than just characters to me in the process of writing this, and I hope I was able to convey their feelings, challenges, and love in a way that touched your heart. If so, I consider that a success.

I will be starting a new story.

I'm trying to decide if I want to make a second book to this, maybe Axel as the LI? He raised my interest in the writing. Or if I want to do something completely different.

Any thoughts or opinions? Lay them on me.

Either way, there will be another story.

And Again, Thank You So Much

--- Brite-Eyes