The Reflections

by Lily Jill

Sequel to The Rec. EPOV. In just a few hours, the grass I stand on will be littered with people, old and young, family and friends. They'll watch two people make a promise to each other, to God, in front of loved ones. They'll sit on browned benches made from a local in town beneath a canopy of green trees and twinkle lights. They'll feel it. They'll see it, too. The love.

12. Chapter 12

Epilogue

And we'll remember when

Charlotte,

Hey, baby. Dad here. I'm giving you warning now that this may come out jumbled and messy and a downright terrible read, but please, bear with me, okay?

I have a lot to say and I have no idea how to say it.

Peter proposed to you today, Charlotte, and you accepted. You said yes!

Your mother and I are so happy for you, baby. We really and truly are. We know you've found something good with Peter, and not that you need it, but you absolutely have our blessing.

It's funny – when you know something is coming and you have this picture in your mind of how it would be, so you have something to hold onto when the time actually comes. From the moment they placed you in my arms, I knew that I would have to give you up eventually. Not so that someone else could hold you as a baby – but at a time like this all these years later. I knew I would have to give you away in a completely different sense, or maybe it's the same, I'm not exactly sure. Again, I warned you that this letter may not make any sense at all to you. All I know is that even though I knew this day would come, that you would find someone else to watch over you and spend the rest of your life with, it doesn't hurt any less.

You're still the best thing to ever happen to me. My biggest accomplishment. My biggest purpose.

And just because you have Peter now to rely on and make your own accomplishments with, don't forget that I'll always be here, in any way that you need me.

I am so happy for you, baby. Your mother and I have prayed that you and your brother would be blessed with a love like ours, and I think you've found that in Peter. I think you finally found someone who knows you and understands you, and thank God for that, because I am TIRED of chasing after you and all your wild dreams.

You need to know that all I have ever wanted was for you to be happy. I think we've done that. Your mother and I would stop at nothing to see you smile.

We don't plan on stopping anytime soon, either.

I have no idea what compelled me to write this letter to you, or even if I'll ever end up giving it to you or not. Maybe I'll give it to you on your wedding day, who knows.

What I do know is this: being your Dad is the best gift I have been given.

I don't see how this next chapter in our lives can top all of the others we've shared together – but I can't wait to find out.

I love you.

Dad