Anastasia

Epilogue

Today was the day.

And in just a few moments, Anastasia would see Austin.

They would hold each other for but a moment before separating.

And then, oh, the sweetest of things would happen.

A ceremony that bound the pair as one.

One.

Never to be separated again.

By the strength of the Lord alone, they would be one, withstanding all the trials, pain, heartache, and insurmountable joys that marriage brought to those who dared to try.

Her heart was at peace.

A true surprise, though she prayed for God to ease her mind.

He was faithful to ease.

Oh, she was excited.

More than excited.

She was felicitous.

She was extremely glad to be marrying the man who made her roll her eyes.

The one who loved her.

Her heart was full and she hadn't even seen him yet.

She couldn't get much sleep the night before, as her mind was racing with possibilities and prayers for her future with Austin.

It was finally her turn.

It was their turn.

God had given them both something they didn't ask for.

Love.

Love in the form of laughter, eye rolls, sucking teeth, poking cheeks, glares, teasing, heartfelt conversations, simple activities that were swoon-worthy, friendship, and butterflies that annoyed them both.

Sweet love between Chère and her Wicked.

Oh, how delightful her life had turned out to be.

She braved the hardest times with God only for Him to surprise her with the one thing she would've fought to avoid forever.

Love.

And Austin.

Her most handsome, annoying, sweet, charming, kind, pure-hearted love and friend.

She couldn't imagine her life without him now.

He was indeed sunshine.

Sunshine who swished gargled water in his mouth and swallowed it.

She couldn't help but grimace at the thought.

Still, as she'd said before, she wouldn't change a thing about Austin.

She fell in love with all of him.

And she was intrigued by him.

She simply adored the man, and yet it wasn't simple.

It was profound, and complex, like a mathematical equation.

There were arrows and squared points that all led to the explanation of Anastasia's adoration of Austin.

"My Austin," She whispered, giddy as one would expect a bride to be.

Everything was ready.

Only, her sweet friend hadn't called on her just yet.

It was fine.

This gave her time to remember and blush over every little thing that made her love him.