epilogue.

Five Years Later


I'm sat in my hotel room getting my make up and hair done. We're in Santorini and it's finally my wedding day. I've stressed over every detail of this day for the last year and a half and I can't believe today is finally the day.


Looking at my bridal party I'm amazed that everyone is here for me and Jesse. I have Sam as my maid of honour, Zoe and Lucia as bridesmaids and my bridesman, Andreas. There's no way I could get married without him by my side, he's my best friend and he's been there through everything. Maybe I'm breaking the tradition but I'm not know for doing things liberally.


"Oh my god you look amazing Leo!" I say as my mum comes into the room with my nephew. We've chosen to have him as a ring bearer and he looks adorable in his navy suit.


"I know auntie Montana" he might only be five but he definitely got his sass from me. He literally has an answer for everything.


"Where's Anoushka?" My mum asks looking around the room for her granddaughter.


"Kirsty's getting her ready. They should be here soon. Oh my god girls you all look unreal!" The girls are all in their bridesmaids dresses and I must admit the rose gold sequins look so good. They'll look amazing once we're outside in the sun.


"That means it's time to get you into your dress" Sam says as she picks my dress up. It's the dress of my dreams and I can't wait to wear it to marry the love of my life. Standing into my dress I try not to cry again. My emotions are through the roof today.


"My god Montana it's amazing" Zoe says as Sam fastens me into the dress. Fanning my face I try not to burst into tears.


"I can't believe this day is finally here" I say.


"I can" Andreas says standing in front of me. "I knew from the start this would happen. You were made for each other. I knew Jesse for a long time before I met you and he's the happiest he's ever been when he's with you or when he's talking about you"


"Andreas!" I say pulling him into a hug trying not to cry "you're the best. I couldn't have got through the last few years without. You've been there breakdowns and all" Hearing the door to the hotel room open I see Kirsty walk in with Anoushka.


"Mum you look like a princess!" Anoushka shouts coming into the room. Mum. The word that's music to my ears. Deciding to adopt her two years ago was the easiest decision I've ever made. I might not have given birth to her but to me that's irrelevant. I'm her mum in every way possible.


"So do you Nooshi! You picked the most perfect dress!" It was the best thing I've done taking her shopping for her flower girl dress and letting her choose it herself, at eight years old she knows exactly what she likes and what she doesn't. However I love the dress she chose, it matches mine so perfectly.


"I hate to say it Montana but you just got upstaged by your daughter on your wedding day" Lucia says handing me my bouquet.


"Lu she can upstage me any day. She's the only girl who can do it and I'll be more than okay with it. Is it time?" I ask looking around at everyone.


"It's time Montana" my mum says as she lets Chris into the room. There's no other option my brother has to be the one to give me away.


"You look beautiful Montana. I know you've dreamed of this day and I just hope it's everything you've ever wanted" Chris says hugging me. We might have our moments but at the end of the day he's my brother and I love him.


"Thank you. It's mad that the stress of the last year has came to this" I say as we make our way to where the ceremony is being held.


"Honestly tonight when you go back to the honeymoon suite a married woman you'll realise how worth it all the stress was"


"I love you Chris. You're the best brother ever" I say as I link arms with Chris. Watching my bridal party walk down the aisle I'm overcome with emotion, it's taking everything in me not to burst into happy tears. I'm excited to see Jesse in his tux, it's not a sight we get to see often and I'm ready to make the most of it.


"I love you too little one" as I start my walk down the aisle I see Jesse slowly turn to look at me. He can't hide his emotions and I can see he's trying to hold back tears.


"Chris he can't cry, I'll cry" I whisper so only Chris hears me.


"Hold it together for now" Chris whispers back as we get closer to Jesse. This is actually happening. I'm marrying Jesse Lingard.


"You look beautiful" Jesse says looking at me as I reach him. I kiss my brother on the cheek thanking him as he passes my hand to Jesse.


"Look after her mate"


"No worries about that" Jesse says kissing me before we turn to look at the priest.


"I'd like to begin by welcoming you all and thanking everyone for being here on the happiest day of Montana and Jesse's life. It's no accident that any of you are here today, and every single of you was invited to be here because you represent something important in Montana and Jesse's life" listening to the priest I can't take my eyes off Jesse. In a few short minutes he'll be my husband.


"Montana and Jesse, what you've accomplished here today requires great strength. Your journey began way before you sent out the invitations, chose this beautiful venue or even decided to spend the rest of your lives together. Your journey began the moment you first met. You took the time to learn what makes the other person smile, what makes them laugh and how to best support them when life is less than simple. You welcomed each other's families, communities and lifelong friends, and joined them together. You built a new village with your love, and have worked every day to support this village as it changes and grows. Marriages bring hard days, just as they bring beautiful ones. This day is a reminder of what your love has already accomplished, and the amazing possibilities of what it can continue to accomplish and overcome in the many, many years ahead of you"


"I love you" I whisper to Jesse so no one else can hear. I know the vows are coming up and the thought of trying to speak when I'm so choked up terrifies me.


"So without further ado Jesse do you take Montana to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"


"I do" Hearing Jesse say them two little words I finally give in and feel a single tear roll down my cheek.


"And Montana, do you take Jesse to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"


"I do" My voice cracks as I speak. I'm so nervous I can barely say the two most simple words.


"Montana and Jesse will now exchange rings as a symbol of love and commitment to each other. Rings are made precious by you wearing them. Your wedding rings are special, they enhance who you are. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. Your wedding ring is a circle, a symbol of love never ending. It is the seal of the vows you have just taken to love each other without end. Jesse please place the ring on Montana's left hand and repeat after me"


"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you" as I watch Jesse slide the ring onto my finger I notice how much he's shaking, I didn't realise until now that he's as nervous as I am.


"Montana please place the ring on Jesse's left hand and repeat after me"


"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you" as I pick Jesse's wedding ring up I shake. This is it. The moment we're joined for life.


"And now by the power vested in me it's my honour and delight to pronounce you husband and wife. Jesse you may kiss your bride" as Jesse kisses me it's like all of the stress has left my body. The ceremony has gone perfectly now we can enjoy the rest of our day celebrating with our friends and family.


"I love you Mrs Lingard" Jesse whispers against my lips barely pulling away from me.


"I love you Mr Lingard" kissing Jesse I can't quite believe he's my husband. After everything we've been through we've actually made it to the alter.


The rest of the day passes in a blur. I drink I my body weight in champagne and dance until my feet can't take it. I've danced with my husband, my daughter and everyone who is important to me. I've laughed and cried my way through the speeches, from Marcus to my brother everyone has made it special in their own little way.


"Thank you for making me the happiest wife in the world" I say sitting on Jesse's knee as close as my dress will let me get. The initial plan was to change into something else but I love this dress so much I couldn't bring myself to change out of it.


"I could say the same about you Mrs Lingard. I never thought I could be this happy but putting that ring on your finger today was the cherry on the cake. It's us against the world now Montana. You're my wife and that's never going to change"


"I hope it doesn't" I say kissing Jesse "Thank you for helping me plan this and making my vision come to life. This has been the wedding of my dreams and more"


"It was all on you Montana. You made this happen and now I couldn't be happier that you have the same surname as me and our daughter"


"Montana Grace Lingard. It has a ring to it doesn't it?" Saying my name out loud feels right. Now we're officially the Lingard's.


"Can we have everyone to the dance floor in a circle and your bride and groom in the centre! This is your last song of the evening lets go out with a bang!" I hear the DJ say over the speaker. I don't ever want this night to end.


"Come on, one last dance before the DJ calls it a night" Jesse says as we stand up. Everyone is drunk and having the time of their lives including me and my new husband. Take That's 'Never Forget' begins playing and I take to the middle of the floor with Jesse. With all of our friends and family are gathered around us it's the perfect end to the perfect day. Everyone singing at the top of their voice and dancing around us. It might nearly be 2am but everyone is still going strong. This is exactly how I pictured my wedding day. Every single second has been perfect. 


When we met Jesse might've been borrowed, but now he's mine. My husband. The love of my life and I wouldn't give that up for anyone.






The End.

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