Someone requested an epilogue so I'll try my best to make it enjoyable.

30 years later

"Mom! Hurry up, the wedding isn't going to wait for you"

I looked at Kevin and smiled. He looked so handsome in his tux. I walked over to him and gave him a hug.

"I just can't believe my little boy is all grown up!"

Annabelle and Eli walked in to the room.

"My boy! Getting married today! I can't believe it!" Eli said

Annabelle turned to me and whispered, "I wish Eric was here. He would be so happy for his little brother getting married."

The thought of Eric bring s pain into my chest, but I breathed through it like my therapist taught me.

"He would be extremely proud of him" I said. Eric's passing was tragedy, but yet a blessing. After his death I got pregnant with Kevin Joseph Goldsworthy. He looks exactly like Eric and I'm not even exaggerating. Sometimes its hard to look at him without thinking about Eric and the horrible night that ended with his death. The first year after he died was unbearable. I cried every night and Annabelle started cutting herself. The family was falling apart and I almost took my own life when I tried to drown myself in the bathtub. But I couldn't do it because I knew that would be hard on Eli and Annabelle. So Eli and I discussed it and we wanted to have another child. Then Kevin was born. He brought so much joy back into our lives that we lost after Eric's death. He was God's greatest gift.

"Come here slugger! Getting married today! Who would have thought someone was interested in you?" Annabelle teased Kevin.

"Ha ha ha very funny Annabelle. Where's your husband?" He retorted.

"Oh nice one. I'll get you back for that later, but today is your day. So, I'm letting it go."

"Why don't we start going to the chapel. We don't want the bride to find her groom missing" I said.

Once we were done at the church, we went to reception and greeted the guest. I wish my parents came, but they both moved to different parts of the world and couldn't make it. I didn't really talk to them much after I got married. They didn't approve of Eli and didn't come to my wedding.

As we were greeting people, Jake came up to us. The last time we talked it was 30 years ago when he came by to say he was leaving to go to Afghanistan to fight in the war. At that time it was the first time talking to him since we graduated high school. And now here he is again.

"I just came by to say congratulations to Kevin and his bride. Your mom told me he was getting married"

"Thank you. It means a lot" Eli said. Even though Eli and Jake had their differences, they got along better in their senior year. I accepted the fact that Jake was my step brother and that we could never be together. It was hard at first to see him bring girls home and stuff, but it only brought me closer to Eli. It was another blessing in disguise.

"Thank you for coming Jake" I finally said. Jake nodded, looked down and left.

"Who was that guy?" Kevin whispered.

"Just an old friend of mine" I said.

When it was time for the reception to start, we all sat down and ate. Kevin asked his bride to dance and they shared their first dance. Once they were done everyone started dancing. Eli grabbed my hand and took me to the dance floor. It felt amazing to laugh and dance and be with the people I love. Finally Kevin said he wanted to make a speech.

"Hi everyone. I just wanted to say that I'm glad you all could make it. To my wonderful bride Cynthia, I love you so much darling. You bring me so much joy and happiness; I can't tell you how much I love you. I also wanted to say that 30 years ago, we lost a very special person in our life... my older brother Eric. Although I didn't know him personally, he's still a part of my life. Eric if you're listening I love you and wish you were here buddy"

Kevin's speech made me cry. Eli grabbed my hand, but I could see a tear trickling down his own cheek. Kevin came up to me and hugged me.

"Its okay mom, I know Eric will live forever in our hearts"

He kissed my head and walked back to Cynthia. I took deep breaths, in and out in and out. I looked at Eli and smiled, trying to regain my composure. He looked at me, gave me his signature smirk and used his thumb to wipe away my last tear.

"Let's go dance" He said

We danced all night and I had a blast. Once it started getting late, the guest started to leave and we thanked everyone for coming. We got home late that night, around 4:00am, but it was worth it. Kevin and his bride were practically glowing as we left, all full of young love. I feel asleep in the car, but was awoken by Eli after around 20 minutes. Eli started going up the stairs, but I stood in the hall.

"Go up without me, I'll be there soon" I said

He went up stairs and I walked over to the picture of Eric.

"Hey baby boy. You missed your brother's wedding. I know its not your fault, but I wish you were there. You should have seen Kevin. He looked so nice in his tux! I imagined that is how you would look as an adult ... but I'll never know now. I love you baby boy"

I stood for a couple of more minutes near his picture and then went upstairs, knowing Eric will always be with me.