To my surprise, Kacey picked me up and twirled me around, both of us laughing when she sat me back on the ground. “I’m really glad to hear that, because it’s honestly the only choice I was going to accept. I never knew what home felt like until I met you. Everytime I see you, it’s like coming home all over again, and I love that feeling.”
I put my hands in Kacey’s hair and pulled her lips to mine, not worried about the other people in the waiting room who were getting a free show. I deepened the kiss and relished in the feeling of Kacey’s hands resting on my hips. When I finally forced myself to pull away, I rested my forehead against hers and took in those dark eyes, the ones that had me mesmerized from the day I met her, and spoke the words we both needed to hear. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
Epilogue
The months following Kylie’s accident were long and hard. Her recovery was slow and it took the whole family to get her through it. Kacey was by my side every step of the way, the voice of reason who kept not just me, but my whole family on track. She encouraged Kylie to stay positive, cooked meals for my mom when she was too tired, had a drink with my dad when he needed an escape, and even convinced Bo to take care of himself every once in a while when he was draining himself by pouring everything into my sister.
After Kylie’s last day of physical therapy, my parents had a big party at their house to celebrate. Kylie invited all of her friends and we spent the day laughing and reminiscing on how far we had come. When the party came to an end and it was just my parents, Kylie, Bo, Kacey, and Bailey left, Kylie gave me the signal to go ahead with what we had been planning together the past few weeks. Even though I told her I shouldn’t do it on her special day, she insisted, and her stubbornness won out in the end.
So, I stood from the table and tapped on my wine glass, signaling a toast. “I just want to say how happy I am that we’re all here together. A few months ago, we almost lost a very important person.” I looked toward my sister. “Kylie, I can’t even begin to express how much of a blessing it is to be your sister. The strength that you have shown since your accident is mind-blowing. I always thought you were amazing, but wow. You’re my hero. And Kacey,” Kacey was surprised when my eyes met hers, “I think we can all agree that you played a pivotal role in keeping every single one of us positive and sane. I know I tell you this everyday, but I don’t know what I did to deserve you. My whole family agrees, which is probably why they keep insisting I tie you down. And you know what? They’re right. It’s been almost fourteen years since I decided you were the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, so it’s about time we make it official.” Kacey put a hand over her mouth as tears began to run down her cheeks. “I have a very important question to ask you, but there’s someone else I need to talk to first.”
I got down on one knee in front of Bailey and pulled a jewelry box out of my pocket, showing her the bracelet that had three birthstones on it—hers, mine, and Kacey’s. I cried as I slid it onto her wrist, laughing at my own shaky hands. “I’m going to ask your mom to marry me, but first I wanted to ask you something. Are you ready to officially become family?”
Instead of answering, Bailey jumped out of her chair and into my arms, causing both of us to stumble backward. “Can I take that as a yes?” I asked with a chuckle. Bailey nodded her head and I realized that she was crying too, so I held her tightly and placed a kiss on her cheek before pulling away. Still down on one knee, I turned my body toward Kacey. “I kind of gave a little spoiler there, but what do you say? Kacey Grace Caldwell, will you marry me?”
Just like Bailey, she nodded her head as the tears streamed down her face. I slipped the ring onto her finger, then stood and took her into my arms, letting go just long enough to pick up Bailey so she could join us in the family hug. As we all held each other tight, my mind was already buzzing with dreams of how our wedding day would go.
***
Two years later, those dreams became a reality. I stared at myself in the mirror as I ran my hands over the long white dress and took in my hair that was curled and partly pulled up. “You look great,” Kylie said as she walked up behind me.
I smiled at her in the mirror. “You have to say that. You’re my maid of honor.”
Kylie rested her head on my shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “But have I ever lied to you? Why would I start now?”
“True. You have always been brutally honest.”
A smirk broke out on Kylie’s face. “Exactly. So, you’ll know it’s the truth when I tell you that both of your girls look absolutely stunning. You’re one lucky lady.”
I couldn’t have stopped that wide smile that spread across my face if I tried. “I really am. Your man looks rather dapper today too.”
“I do clean up well,” Bo said as he joined us in the room. He looked between Kylie and me, his smile matching both of ours. “I must say you two look ravishing. Two of the five most gorgeous women here.”
Kylie put a manicured hand on Bo’s chest and leaned in to kiss him. “I’m sure you told my mom she was the most gorgeous.”
Bo tilted his head and squinted one eye, a guilty look on his face. “Actually, no. I saved that one for Bailey.”
Kylie laughed. “Be careful. If you keep saying these things, she might get a crush on you.”
“Oh yeah, you’re like number twenty on her list of favorite people now so it could totally happen,” I joked.
Bo crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m higher than that.”
Kylie put a hand on his arm. “It’s okay, babe. You made my top ten.”
“Stop being so hard on him,” my dad said, walking in and putting a hand on Bo’s shoulder. When his eyes met mine, the tears immediately started to fall. “My beautiful girl. When did you become such a stunning woman?” He shook his head and walked toward me, reaching his arm out when he got close. “Ready to get married?”
I looped my arm with his. “I’ve been waiting for this day for over a decade. Of course I’m ready.”
We walked down a long hallway, then waited by the door as Bo and Kylie slipped by us. I felt a touch on my arm and my mom looked at me with tears in her eyes. She pulled a tissue out of her purse and hid it in my flowers. “I just spent the whole morning with Kacey. Trust me when I tell you that you’re going to need that.” She winked at me, then walked out the door behind Bo and Kylie. I could hear the music change in our outside ceremony space and at that moment, two of our wedding coordinators opened the door for my dad and me. All of our family and friends stood as I walked toward them, then down the aisle. Bo and Kylie stood at the end, each on a different side. Once we reached them, my dad gave me a kiss before taking a seat beside my mom. I stood beside Kylie and took a deep breath as I looked down the aisle.
As soon as the doors opened, I pulled the tissue from my flowers, and Kylie rested a hand on my back, clearly noticing that the sight in front of me had made me weak in the knees. Kacey wore a tight white gown and her long, dark curls were resting on her back just below her shoulders. Right at her side was Bailey, wearing a cream-colored knee length dress, high boots, and a crown made out of sunflowers. Both of them were wearing the most beautiful smiles I had ever seen and I thought my heart might explode with love before they even made it to me. Kacey stopped at the end of the aisle to give both of my parents hugs before turning to me. “You are so beautiful,” she mouthed as she took my hand and stood across from me.