[Epilogue]
Nick grinned as he listened to Nicole say, “I do.” This was the best day of his life. He was finally marrying his best friend.
“Nick?” Nicole asked waving a hand in front of his face. “Honey, you’re supposed to say I do now.” The small audience of their family and friends giggled as Nick finally responded to the preacher.
“Now for the exchange of the rings,” the pastor stated. Nicole reached over to Dani who held out the ring box she had shown him earlier.
“Wait!” Nick said pulling the chain around his neck from under his shirt. “I’ve been carrying this ring around forever. It’s time that it went on your finger.” Nicole smiled as he slipped the dark pearl ring off the necklace chain and onto her finger. After exchanging rings the pastor addressed the crowd, and just as he was about to announce they were married Henry started to fuss.
“Henry,” Kevin admonished the small child. “Why can’t you just sleep through the ceremony like your cousins?” Kevin looked over to Eliana and Della who remained fast asleep in their grandparent’s arms. Henry fussed some more reaching out across the altar towards his mother. With a smile Dani walked over and took him from Kevin. As she made to move back to her place beside Nicole Henry started up again.
“I think he wants his mom and dad next to each other,” Nick said with a cheesy grin. Sure enough, once Dani returned to Kevin’s side Henry smiled and clapped. Kevin pulled his wife close before looking out at the laughing crowd. He spotted David and Celina sitting together near the back.
“Remind me again why Nicole invited David and Celina? I don’t like it,” Kevin whispered into Dani’s ear. “He’s your ex-boyfriend.”
“You think I like that the girl you kissed is here?” Dani hissed back. “Nicole insisted. They are good family friends after all.” Dani and Kevin cheered along with the rest of the crowd as Nick and Nicole were pronounced husband and wife. Everyone began too mill around congratulating the couple, but David and Celina barreled right for Kevin and Dani.
“What do you want?” Kevin asked darkly. Dani elbowed him in the gut.
“Congratulations on the kid,” David said. “It’s a good thing he looks like Dani and not you Jonas.” Kevin growled until he took in the sight of Celina playfully elbowing David in the ribs. “Ow woman! I was just kidding around.”
“Are you two?” Dani asked. Celina nodded happily before grabbing David’s hand.
“David and I are dating. He really is the perfect fit for me. We just wanted to congratulate you two on everything,” Celina said. Dani nodded to let her know that she accepted the apology in her words.
“Allie, please relax. The girls are just fine,” Joe said walking past them as he followed his own wife. Allie stopped to give Joe a dirty look. “Okay, can someone please explain to me why my wife is mad at me right now?” Several people stopped to eye the fighting couple. With a dark blush Allie pulled Joe out onto the porch at the front of the house.
“I’m not mad at you Joe,” Allie said in a whisper. “I’m just disappointed.”
“About what?”
“I thought I wanted a simple courthouse ceremony, but now seeing all of this. Seeing Nick and Nicole surrounded by their family and friends…”
“You want a big wedding? You’ve got it. I’ll give you one every year if that’s what you want.”
“Joe, you can’t just promise me everything like that.” Joe moved in closer and pulled her to him.
“Allie, I love you. I would promise you the Earth if you wanted it. You, the girls, you’re my family and I would do anything to keep you happy.” Allie relaxed into his embrace.
“So if I told you I wanted more kids?” Joe kissed her soundly in response. Nicole smiled as she watched her friend and brother in law exchange affectionate kisses. She was finally a Jonas.
“Are you spying on them right now? We’re supposed to be cutting the cake,” Nick said into her ear. Nicole leaned back into Nick’s chest. He pulled her along until they reached the small cake table. As she entwined her hand with his to hold the cake knife Nicole smiled. Their wedding rings glinted in the light of the room. After ingesting some cake Nicole pretended to sip the offered champagne so Nick wouldn’t notice. She would tell Nick later tonight during their honeymoon what she had learned that morning while peeing on a stick. She and Nick would be adding to their own family sooner than expected. “Sweetie, is something wrong?” Nick asked.
“No, everything is perfect,” Nicole said as she leaned over to kiss her husband.
THE END
