I took a deep breath, and Dad and I began walking forward.  The music changed as we began down the aisle.

My heart was beating erratically out of my chest to the point at which I could hardly even hear the music.  I took a deep shaky breath, terrified as I felt everyone's eyes on me.  My eyes were trained on the ground, trying desperately not to look around at everyone's eyes on me.

Then the most nerve-racking realization struck me.  Maverick was waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

I looked up, desperate to see Maverick's reaction.  Immediately upon seeing his face, my nerves settled.

He was smiling widely, and I couldn't help but return it.

The black suit and tie that he wore was perfectly fitted to his body.  His blond hair was combed in my favorite way.

Dad and I got closer to the altar, and my nerves were getting worse again.  I bit my lip ever-so-slightly, trying not to ruin my lipstick.

'You look gorgeous, darling,' he mouthed.  I smiled.

Dad finally stopped at the altar and gently kissed my cheek.  Then, he gave Maverick a hug before taking his seat in the front pew.  I placed my hand in Maverick's, and we stepped up the few stairs that led to the altar.

The first part of the ceremony seemed to take forever, but it was finally time for the vows.  Maverick and I stood face-to-face in front of the altar.

"Marriage is a gift-" the officiant began his speech.

My mind drifted as I stared into the warm brown eyes of the man I was marrying.  The man I'd be waking up beside for the rest of my life.  The man I was going to finally have my dream life with.

And, who knows, maybe it wouldn't be a dream.  Maybe we'd have a million more false accusations in magazines.  Maybe not every day would be sunshine and rainbows with no problems.  Maybe my life wouldn't be easy... But at least I'd be living it with Maverick.

I realized I'd been spaced out for a bit.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres," the officiant read.

Maverick smiled at me, and I felt the same butterflies fluttering in my stomach that I always felt.  He squeezed my hands in his, and I smiled even wider.

"Do you, Maverick Roland West, take Emerson Rose Smith to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"

Maverick squeezed my hands again. "I do."

"Do you, Emerson Rose Smith, take Maverick Roland West to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"

My cheeks were starting to hurt from how much I was smiling. "I do."

"You may exchange the rings.

We both turn to Clara and Landon, and they hand us the rings.  Maverick puts the ring on my finger first.  Then, I put his wedding band on his finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant declared.  The officiant looked towards Maverick and said, "You may now kiss the bride."

Maverick wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me to him as he pressed his lips to mine.  I placed my hands at the nape of his neck, holding his lips against mine.

After a moment, we pulled apart as our guests clapped.

I whispered, "I love you."

"I love you, too," he returned.  I smiled, and we turned to announce where the reception was and what time it would begin.  The bridal party and both of our families stayed behind for pictures.

The first pictures we took were with all of Maverick's family.  Then, we took a few pictures with my sisters, their significant others, my niece and nephew, Mom, and Avan.  After that was finished, Dad and Rose replaced Mom and Avan.

We took a variety of photos with the bridal party.  Miriam wasn't in many of them, but she was in a few.  Maverick took a photo with his groomsmen, and I took a photo with my bridesmaids.  Miriam, Jonathan, and Lydia were only in one of the big group photos we took.

Miriam was shockingly content through the whole process.  Even as everyone got out of the picture, and we got a photo of just Miriam, Maverick, and me.  We took a few more photos with just Maverick and me.

After all the pictures were done, Maverick took Miriam from my dad, and they left.  Clara, Flynn, Kelly, London, Landon, James, and Ethan all got into the limo with Maverick, Miriam, and me.  We all made our way to the reception hall.

The first part of the reception consisted of a lot of boring conversations with other CEOs and such.

Mr. Ronaldson and his family were even there.  Valerie wasn't present, though; I think Mrs. Ronaldson said she was on a trip to London with Mr. Cedric Bolson.  It shouldn't have been hard to believe, but I was a tad bit shocked by it.

The caterers served everybody their dinner, and Clara stood up to give her speech as everyone ate.

"First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for coming and making this already special day even more special.  As some of you may know, I'm one of Emerson's best friends Clara Conway," Clara began. "I've known Emerson for a little over a year." She chuckled to herself. "Actually, the first time I ever met Emerson, her, Maverick, and I were at a Lamaze class.  My first thought when I saw them was that the guy must really love her." Everyone laughed. "I mean, I didn't even want to be there, but they made it into a fun little experience.  Emerson and Maverick managed to make the worst thing ever discovered into something fun and almost romantic."

Maverick took my hand in his and smiled at me.  Clara looked at me.

"Emerson, you have been there for me through everything that's happened since that very day, and I am forever grateful for you," Clara said.  I smiled, tears stinging at the back of my eyes.  Her eyes were glossy with tears, but she picked up her glass and raised it to the crowd. "So, here's to the happy couple and them having the happily ever after they deserve."

Everyone clapped, and Clara took a sip of her champagne before handing the microphone off to James.  Maverick shifted in his seat, so he could see his best man better.

"For those of you who don't know me, I'm James Goldings, and I've been friends with Maverick since college," James started. "I'd first like to congratulate Maverick and Emerson on tying the knot.  I still don't know how Maverick managed to do it." The crowd laughed, and I smiled at Maverick.

"Maverick and I have been best friends since we were freshmen.  I don't think I'll ever be able to forget that science class where the entire school had to be evacuated because you lit something on fire.  Mrs.... Maurer- I think- made the two of us sit out of the rest of the lab, so we just sat out our desks talking.  It baffles me to this day how I managed to get paired with you- the school's unofficial pyromaniac- on my first day of school."

The crowd laughed, and I joined in.  Maverick rolled his eyes, but I could tell he was enjoying himself.

"Maverick was never one for anything other than business.  In college he was all about studying and doing his best to get his degree," James pointed out. "Of course, that's great.  I'm proud of him for doing so well, but it always kind of seemed like Maverick was missing something.  Of course him with his stubborn mind would never admit it, but I think he was missing some fun in his life.  We'd tried everything to get him to do something out of his comfort zone.  We offered to do basically anything other than studying the entirety of his college career, but he wouldn't take the bait.  The moment we saw you guys, I knew that he'd finally found his missing piece."  I smiled, and the crowd awed.  Tears were rising again, and I tried not to fight them back. "Don't get me wrong, Maverick was no unhappy person before you, but he never smiled like he does now.  You can just tell something changed, and it's all because of you."

I smiled gratefully, and he nodded.  Maverick smiled at me and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"Once again, we'd like to thank everyone for joining these two lovebirds as they celebrate their special day.  And, before I turn the mic off for a while, I'd like to make a toast." James picked up his glass, and everybody followed suit. "To the newlyweds having many more happy times together."

Everyone toasted before finishing their food.

Finally, it was time for Maverick and I to cut the cake.  All of our guests were served slices, and I went to talk with Flynn while everyone finished.

"So, how does it feel being a married woman, Emerson?" he exclaimed.  I smiled.

"Fantastic," I replied.  He continued to take bites of his cake, and I bit the inside of my cheek. "So, when do you think you're gonna pop the question to Ethan?"

His usually joking demeanor switched to one of seriousness.  He hushed me, and I smiled. "Sh, Emerson!  I don't want the whole reception hall to know!"

"I didn't even say it that loud," I responded.  He gave me a look, and I put my hands up in mock surrender.  We sat in silence for a few moments more. "You really love him, don't you?"

"Well, yeah," Flynn said. "He's amazing.  His laugh alone could make me smile on even my worst days.  Of course I love him, he's the person that makes me happy to wake up in the morning."

I smiled. "That's so sweet."

This was an entirely different side of Flynn.  Usually he was loud and funny, and he cracked joke after joke to keep the mood light.  This side of Flynn was sweet and loving.  I felt honored to see his sweet and caring side.

"I still can't figure out how or when I should ask." It took me a moment to realize he was talking about proposing again. "I want it to be perfect, but I also don't know how much longer I can go without knowing he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, too."

"The right moment will present itself," Maverick told Flynn, walking up.  I smiled as he kissed my cheek.  Flynn smiled, and I could tell he was grateful for the advice but was still hesitant.

"If the moment should arrive tonight, we give you our permission," I said.  He smiled.

"Thanks, but I don't want to take the spotlight," Flynn said.  I laughed.

"That'd be a first," I commented in an attempt to lighten the mood.  He smiled. "You don't have to propose tonight, but if you feel like you should, we don't want to stop you."

"You guys are the best," Flynn said, hugging us both.  I smiled, wrapping an arm around him.

"Would the newlyweds come to the dance floor for the first dance?" London called over the microphone.

"Get going," Flynn said, ushering us towards the floor.

Maverick and I swayed to Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love for our first dance.  About halfway through the song, everyone 'awed', and we looked over to see Miriam stumbling her way towards us.  I bit my lip, and Maverick picked her up before replacing his arm around my waist.

We stayed like that until the end of the song.

"I love you, Mrs. West," Maverick whispered as the song ended.  I smiled so much my cheeks began to hurt.

"I love you more, Mr. West." He shook his head.

Maverick and Connie had their mother-son dance which ended in tears from Connie, and I could tell Maverick was holding back his.  I smiled as Dad led me onto the floor for the father-daughter dance.

The song started, and Dad rested his chin on the top of my head.

"Gosh, it feels like it was just yesterday that Rose and I picked you up from the airport," he whispered.  I knew exactly what he was talking about, and I couldn't say I wished it was that time again. "You kids grew up so fast.  I've already given two of you up, and a third one of you guys getting married in less than a year."

I laughed as the tears brimmed.

My thoughts wandered back to the night he'd picked me up from the airport because I was moving in with him and Rose.  If that had never happened, there was no saying where my life would be.  I might not have ever ended up with Maverick.  The thought made my eyes well up even more. "I'm so glad I decided to move out here."

"Me too, sweetie," Dad agreed, kissing the top of my head.

The song ended, and I'd managed to get rid of all the tears before everyone crowded the dance floor.

Clara and I talked at the edge of the dance floor as everyone else danced.

"Being married looks good on you, Emerson," she commented.  I smiled.

"I'm sure it would look just as nice on you," I said.  She smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, but it seems Landon can't pick up on hints." We laughed.

"Are you sure you guys are cool with watching Miriam tonight?  We can always just pay Joan to watch her until tomorrow night." She chuckled.

"We're fine with watching her, Emerson.  We have to pick Jonathan up from Joan anyway," Clara assured me.  I nodded.

"I just don't want to make you feel like you have to watch her," I said.  She laughed and shook her head at me before dragging me onto the dance floor with her.

We laughed and danced until about ten o'clock when Maverick and I were sent off to the hotel near the airport.  The next day, we were flying to Paris for our honeymoon.

Maverick checked us into the hotel, and we made our way up to the honeymoon suite.

Maverick took the bags to the bedroom, and I looked around the rest of the suite.  The kitchen was made of pristine black marble, and the living room had a large window that looked out over the lights that lit up the rest of Miami.

Right off to the left of the bedroom door was the door to the bathroom.  The room itself consisted of one king-sized bed, a television, and a wall of glass- similar to the one in the living room.  The wall of glass had a door leading out to a balcony with a nice hot tub.

Maverick stood from where he was looking through our bags with a pair of boxers and my bikini in hand.  He smiled at me, and I bit my lip.  He made his way towards me and wrapped his arms around me, kissing me gently.

"What do you think, Mrs. West?  Would you like to join me in the hot tub?" he asked.  I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I think that I love actually being Mrs. West," I replied.  He smiled and kissed me again.

When he pulled away, I took the opportunity to turn around and move my hair over my shoulder.  I felt his hands brush the exposed small of my back as he went to untie the back of my dress.  His lips gently brushed my shoulder.

I held the front of my dress up as I turned back around and picked my bikini up from where Maverick had laid it on the bed.  We both decided that we could just change in the room instead of each of us having to change separately.

After we were both dressed for the hot tub, Maverick swept me off my feet and carried me out onto the balcony.

"Is this the same bikini from your dad's housewarming party?" Maverick asked, seemingly shocked, and I nodded.  I would venture to say that I was more shocked than him.

"You remember that?" I nearly laughed from disbelief.  He nodded, stepping down the steps into the hot tub.

"You want to know what else I remember?" I nodded as my legs laid across his lap, his hand resting between my knees. "Exactly a week before the housewarming party, I'd realized I was falling in love with you."

I smiled and kissed him.  We just sat for a little bit, relaxing and enjoying each others' company.  I closed my eyes trying to remember this day and this moment for the rest of my life.

"This time last year, I was just over two weeks from having Miriam," I realized aloud.  Maverick sighed.

"God, she's already a year old." I shook my head in disbelief.

"Time's going by so fast," I commented.  He nodded, and we sat in a comfortable silence for a bit longer.

"You know what I think?" Maverick asked.  I shook my head.  He smirked at me. "I think it's time for baby number two."

He pulled me onto his lap, so I straddled him.  His lips met mine, and I smiled into the kiss as he stood up and made his way out of the hot tub.

Hey guys,

Once again, I'd like to apologize for the long wait between chapters. I have decided this will be the final chapter, and I plan on having my next story written almost entirely before publishing it. Hopefully, this will eliminate the month-long waits between chapters.

If you'd like to receive updates for my next story, the links to my social media are all in my bio. I'm hoping to get through the next story quick.

Thank you all so much for reading, and I hope you liked the story and how it ended.

Thanks for reading, CMF