Epilogue

Eight months later

Sheridan fluffed Gwen's veil and smiled at her through the mirror. "You look perfect, Gwen."

"Are you sure?" Gwen asked. "You don't think this necklace is too much? Or maybe I should wear different shoes."

"Relax," Sheridan laughed. "Everything looks fine. Nothing is going to go wrong today."

Gwen turned around. "But what if it doesn't go smoothly, Sheridan? What if everything goes wrong?"

"You're marrying the love of your life. Nothing is going to go wrong," Sheridan reassured her. "In a few minutes, you're going to be in Hank's arms."

Gwen took a deep breath in. "I am pretty lucky, aren't I? To be marrying someone I can trust, someone who will always put me first . . ."

Sheridan squeezed Gwen's shoulders. "To have found the love you deserve."

Gwen blinked back tears. "Thank you, Sheridan. I'm so grateful to have you in my life—especially after everything that went down with Ethan and Theresa. I'm so glad our friendship didn't end up being a casualty of that disaster."

"I am, too, Gwen. I don't know how I would have made it through all that drama with my father without having you to confide in." Sheridan smiled softly. "I know things didn't work out with you and Ethan, but I'm so glad he brought you into my life."

"I am, too, Sheridan." Gwen squeezed Sheridan's hand as the door opened and Luis slipped into the room.

"Sorry to disturb you ladies," Luis grinned, "but the flower girl wants her mother."

"She does, does she?" Sheridan beamed as she took Katie from Luis. "I love you so much, Katie-kins."

Luis smiled as he watched Sheridan nuzzle their daughter—as he watched Katie coo in Sheridan's arms. As long as he lived, he would never get sick of this sight. Of watching his two girls together.

"May I steal a hug from my goddaughter?" Gwen smiled at Katie.

"Wait." Luis's attention snapped to Gwen. "Before you get involved in that, I was supposed to give you these."

Sheridan handed Katie to Gwen as Luis dug two envelopes out of his pocket.

Gwen squeezed Katie and tickled her stomach.

"Luis, are those from Hank?" Gwen smiled and kissed Katie's head.

"One of them is," Luis said, offering the envelopes to her. "He didn't tell me whom the other one is from—just that someone wanted you to have it."

Gwen handed Katie back to Sheridan and took the envelopes from Luis, gasping aloud when she opened the second one.

"What is it?" Sheridan asked.

Tears sprang to Gwen's eyes; her hand flew to her mouth. "It's a note from my mother."

"Oh, Gwen . . ." Sheridan kissed Katie and bounced her on her hip. "Do you want Luis and I to leave you alone for a few minutes?"

"No, it's okay." Gwen blinked back tears. "It just says that she loves me and that she's sorry for everything that happened between us. That she's hoping we can make a fresh start."

"Oh, Gwen!" Sheridan gasped, tears springing to her own eyes. "I'm so happy for you."

"I can't believe this is happening," Gwen said. "I know I'm not supposed to, but I need to see Hank."

"I'm right here, beautiful."

Gwen looked up to find Hank leaning against the doorframe—his hands tucked in his pockets, a huge smile on his face.

Hank shook his head and whistled at her. "Wow, do you look gorgeous."

Gwen's face lit up as she flew into his arms. "Did you know this was going to happen?"

"I might have had a clue." Hank squeezed her against him. "Let's just say that Becs and I had a long talk last week."

Hank leaned back and cupped Gwen's face in his hands. "I know this may be hard to believe, but I really believe she's sorry—that she wants to build a new relationship with you."

"You really think so, Hank?"

"I really and truly do," Hank smiled, "—and she'd be crazy not to want to, Gwen."

Luis nuzzled Sheridan against him and rubbed her arms. "Are you okay, Sher?" he whispered. "Given everything that went down with your father, I know watching this must be a little bit hard for you."

Sheridan smiled, her eyes glistening with tears. "Thank you for your concern, Luis—but I'm really and truly okay."


Author's note:

This story is dedicated to multiple people:

- To my husband, R, who not only put up with my writing this story for almost four years and understood why I had to write it, but who also answered all of my sports-related questions along the way, such as, "If Luis were referencing a member of the Boston Celtics, whom would he be talking about?"

Thank you, R, for your never-ending patience and kindness. Thank you for being you.

- To the therapist who helped me change my own life and become the heroine of my own story. Thank you is not enough, A. I will be forever grateful to you.

- And, finally, last but not least, to anyone who has ever been abused—emotionally and/or otherwise. There is help out there, and there is hope. A better life is within your reach. There is happiness waiting for you.