All the Wrong Choices

by C. A. Harms

  Epilogue

  Danielle

  I know if my mother saw me now, she'd die, drop to the ground and weep at the atrocious gown I'd chosen to be married in. But to me, it couldn't have been more perfect.

  I chose a sleek and sophisticated crepe v-neck gown with a floral spaghetti strap with a lacy illusion overlay. It's form-fitting and contours to my body, and I know Jonah will love it. The bottom of the dress drags the ground just barely, and the sheer fabric is cool in the North Carolina heat.

  I smile as I dig my bare feet into the sand and remember that this, is the wedding I want. It's my vision, my wants and needs, and not my mother's. I planned everything, from the white roses and sheer fabrics that blow in the light breeze to the subtle accents of silver and blue added here and there.

  When Jonah asked me where I wanted to get married, I told him someplace close where those we love can join us easily. When he asked me what kind of wedding I wanted, I said that's simple, I don't want fancy, I want to be able to dig my toes in the sand and feel the ocean breeze in my hair while I marry the man of my dreams.

  And today, I have every one of those things and so much more.

  All our friends are here, and Jonah's family as well as my Aunt Rita. I only wish Great Grams was still alive to be here too, but somehow I feel like she knows I finally found my happiness.

  I stand at the start of the chairs, which are perfectly positioned in rows, and look toward the most handsome man I've ever seen. He is wearing ivory dress pants and a white dress shirt, opened at the collar. The sleeves are rolled, showing his strong forearms, and he is staring only at me. Almost like no one else exists but us.

  He is breathtaking.

  Tears fill my eyes, and I fight them as best I can as I lean into Tony, who stands at my side. When he offered to walk me down the aisle, I thought for sure I had to have heard him wrong. Our relationship was rocky for a long time, and I wondered if he and I would ever be able to move past the awkwardness, but here we are. A place I never in a million years thought he and I would be. I think somehow he's trying to make up for the crap he'd given me, but he's genuine and as loyal to me now as he is to Jonah.

  Tony is dressed similar to Jonah, holding my arm that is linked through his. He and Addison are two of the very few people that know about the baby. Soon we'd share the news with everyone else, but it was really sweet how for now, that joy is only ours.

  "You ready?" I look away from Jonah and find Tony smiling at me.

  "Yes," I don't think I've ever in my life been more ready for anything than to become Jonah's wife.

  Slowly he begins to lead me toward the beautiful man who awaits me. As we pass by our guests, they each smile at me, and a few wipe their eyes. Not everyone knows my past; they don't know that I've been here before but with the wrong man.

  Not everyone knows the struggles I faced and the obstacles Jonah and I went through to get to today. Most of those obstacles were by my hands and could have been avoided had I not been convinced that every man is the same.

  The truth is, Jonah is the best kind of man.

  The love he shows me, the devotion, is life-altering.

  My hands shake but not because I am nervous. I'm excited, ready to begin my life with him.

  "You ready to marry me?" He whispers as he takes me from Tony and leans in close, skimming the tip of his nose along my cheek. It's a simple gesture but one I feel throughout my entire body.

  "I've never wanted anything more," I confess and feel him exhale as he holds me close.

  "Me either, baby," gently he releases me, and he drops one of his knee-buckling smiles. We turn to face the preacher, and in front of everyone we love, I marry my best friend.

  Bonus Scene

  Many Months Later

  Jonah

  "I still remember the night I told you that I was in love with your sister," Tucker chuckles as he leans back against the wall next to me. "I thought you were gonna kick my ass right then and there."

  "I thought about it," more than once, actually. He was my friend, and I'd warned them all many times to stay the hell away from my sister. Glancing over at Tucker, I find him staring at me. "But then I saw the way Avery was looking at you, and I realized if I did, I'd only be hurting her."

  The love in my sister's eyes as she stood at Tucker's side holding his hand that night still seems so fresh in my mind. She loved him.

  "Take care of her Tuck, that's all I ask."

  "I always will," Tuck stares at me with such intensity, not an ounce of doubt in his mind. "She's my world, brother. She will always be my everything."

  Emotions rip through me, and I know what he means. Turning to scan over the reception that celebrates the union of my sister and Tucker, I search for my wife. A flash of teal catches my eyes, and I pause, taking her in slowly.

  Dani is standing next to my mother. Her body turned ever so slightly, allowing me to have the perfect side profile view. My chest tightens, and love washes over me. Danielle is so incredibly beautiful on any day but seeing her stomach swollen with my child makes her stunning.

  "Any day now," Tucker adds, and I nod, knowing he's talking about the arrival of my daughter. An adorable little girl who I have no doubt holds my heart in the palm of her hand, just like her mommy does.

  "Thirteen days until the due date." I've had a countdown on my phone since the first sonogram, where I heard the heartbeat of our baby. To say I'm excited is an understatement. I've never been this eager for anything, with the exception of marrying Danielle, that is. "I'm gonna be someone's father, and that alone is an incredible feeling. It all feels like a dream."

  "Speaking of a dream," I look at Tucker to find him staring off with a smile so wide and his eyes sparkling with devotion. Following his gaze, I see my sister moving in our direction, and again I feel slightly emotional knowing how much he loves her. All I've ever wanted for my little sister was happiness. I have no doubt that Tucker will treasure her forever.

  "Your wife is salivating over the wine," Avery announces with a laugh. "I think she might be hanging on the edge, Jonah. She's trying to control it, but I think the pregnancy hormones are making her unstable."

  I'm just about to make a joke about her not needing wine because I'd preoccupy her mind when the silence is interrupted by a loud shriek.

  All eyes shift toward the sound, and my heart feels like it slams in my chest.

  "Jonah," my mother hollers out as she grabs Danielle's hand, and my wife hunches over slightly, holding her stomach. "Jonah," again, my mother yells, only this time louder, and I spring into action.

  Making it to Dani, she looks over at me with tears in her eyes. "My water broke," my hands shook with adrenaline and more excitement than I'd ever felt before. "Our daughter is coming," she whispers as a tear rolls down her cheek.

  "She is, sweetheart," I kiss her temple. "She is."

  Aurora Eden Brooks was delivered at six forty-two a.m., weighing six pounds, nine ounces, and eighteen inches long. A beautiful baby girl born to Jonah and Danielle Brooks.

  Acknowledgments

  CHARMED GIRLS, YOU ARE all amazing. The continued support you show me is something I will never be able to express just how much it means to me. Thank you all for sharing my work and for just being you. You are all the greatest bunch of ladies.

  Melissa Gill, MGBook Covers and Designs, thank you for a gorgeous cover. You took two images and created the perfect combination that brought Jonah and Danielle to life.

  Thank you, Lydia and Megan with HEA PR. You ladies are amazing. The hard work you put in to each and every tour and promotional event you do is above and beyond. I adore you both so very much. Thank you for being kick ass!,

  ARC Review Team, you know who you are. Thank you all so very much for taking this journey with me. With each release I look forward to the feedback and encouraging words you provide. You rock!

  To my husband and children, thank you for being the best part of my days. For tolerating me when I get lost
in the world of fiction and understanding that sometimes I just need quiet time and focus. You three are my life, you hold my heart in your hands and there is nothing I would do for each of you.

  My readers, I am always so humbled by your support. Those random messages I received after you read my books, whether it be something big or small, I truly love them. Hearing what you think, in my eyes, is one of the greatest things about releasing a new book. I am never too busy for you.

  About the Author

  Author C.A. Harms live in Illinois with her two children, husband and their fur babies.

  She loves HEA stories, with some angst, and heat. She loves the little things, enjoys quiet time with her family, and adores her readers.

  Be sure to follow her to stay up-to-date on all her upcoming releases.

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  Also by C.A. Harms

  Don’t Be Afraid

  Perfect Risk (Mason Creek 1)

  Ryan’s Love (Sawyer Brothers 1)