EPILOGUE

The morning sun gleamed dimly through the stained glass windows leaving sparkling rainbows cascading to the floor. A nervous Max is pacing in the foyer. Finally, a smiling Sophia pokes her head out of a crack in the door...

"Max, she says you can come in now."

Max smiles broadly and hurries toward the door that Sophia opens for him. As he enters he sees the bustling of bridesmaids and hears their giggles as they prepare for the big event. In the midst of them all he sees her, all smiles and full of excitement. As the girls hurry away to get their flowers, Kris turns to see Max watching.

Sophia says, "I'll give you two a moment...not long though...it's almost time!" She smiles and gives Max's hand a quick squeeze before leaving them together.

"You look so beautiful," he says, as the door closes. His gruff voice was made even more so by emotion.

"Thanks, Max. I'm so happy you're here," she tells him.

"Oh, I wouldn't miss this event for ANYthing, Kris...I want you to know..."

Kris hurried toward him and took his rough hands in her soft ones. She looked down at the gentle hands in her own. "I don't mean that I'm glad you're here today...I mean...I am glad you're here today but that's not what I was trying to say...I..." Kris faltered. It was so difficult for her to share her feelings. She was used to holding her thoughts deep inside...or spouting them out venomously. It was hard to have things on her heart and not know how to utter them. She plunged ahead... " What I'm trying to say is, Max...is that I'm glad you're here...in my life now...so glad we found one another again and were able...to get to know one another over these past few months...You...well...you are everything Mom told me that you were...and...and I can see why she fell in love with you...and what a wonderful man you are...and...although I will always see Jim as my Daddy...I want you to know...that I'm proud that you're my Father...proud to be your daughter..." She glanced up to see Max's eyes wet with emotion and one lone tear slide down his rugged cheek.

"And I'm proud to be your father, Kris. I'm so sorry I missed out on so much of your life...but, I am here now...for this big day. And I want to be a part of your life from this day forward...if you'll let me..."

Before Kris had time to respond, the door swung open. It was Sarah, the Maid of Honor, hurrying in with Kris's bouquet. "Come on, Kris. We're lining up...It's time," she squealed excitedly. Kris reluctantly let go of Max's hand and was led away quickly by Sarah.

Max followed and saw Kris take her place beside Jim, her Daddy, and saw her place her hand in the crook of his arm. They would soon make their way down the aisle...she opening the door on a new life, and Jim closing the door on a past one.

Max made his way into the sanctuary and took a seat in the last row. He listened to the beautiful music ring out as the bridal party made it's way down the aisle dressed in their finery and bearing smiles and well wishes. The flower girl sprinkled petals as she and the ring bearer made their way slowly down the aisle to the sound of hushed giggles and "awwws".

Then it was time.

The guests stood and turned as the first notes of Mendelsohn's Wedding March swelled from the organ. Max turned to see his beautiful daughter take her first step down the aisle. He smiled. She smiled in return and stopped beside him before proceeding. She put her other hand in the crook of Max's arm. "Help give me away?" she asked for his ears only...

"Proud to" he whispered back. And, covering her small hand with his own, he and Jim both led their daughter down the aisle to her new life...