It Had To Be You 16.....THE END - by Maro Z
THE END!
Hi guys, so this is the end to this tale. Thanks you all so much again for the comments. Mixed reviews on the last chapter, but then I've loved all comments, good and bad, and appreciate you all so much for taking the time to leave a few words!
Justine.A - sorry it wasn't up to standard, I felt that was the natural chapter break in the story....maybe I was wrong? All comments taken positive and negative! :)
Bethany Fellows.....don't we all deserve a second chanceand a romantic ending??
Kim - welcome back! Hope the finale isn't too cheesy? Though it has to be a bit....doesn't it?
Nessa - not almost....it IS over :(
Lee - great, glad you like! And hope the end lives up to expectation?
Annie - Yep :(
K.B.P. - so glad that you loved this....Think this counts as a happy ever after all...and this is the epilogue!
Tavita K - it all came out in the wash, hey?
Loni - Thank you so much!
Sarah - Glad you're enjoying! Sad this is the end:(
Emm - thanks! Such a compliment! And thank you for reading! Another team Jess....just about levels it out!!! :)
Liz - thank you! Glad you appreciated the mention!! I hate it when I submit a chapter then go to bed, and the next day there's a comment on the previous chapter and the new chapter has
already posted. My pet hate, second only to the random deleting that buzzle also seems to have in terms of comments! Hate missing anyone out!! And I appreciate all you readers too!!! Oh and double this up for both the last two chapters:)
Unknown98 - hope this gets posted Monday!
Silky - :D Thanks!
===================================================================================================================================
Why was it so hot? Jess was struggling to stay cool in the ridiculous dress that Evelyn had selected for her. She'd be so much happier in shorts and a t-shirt, but she knew she had to wear something this smart, etiquette and protocol dictated! This could have happened in London where it'd be cooler, but no, here she was on a ridiculously warm summer afternoon in the rather exclusive Hamptons, preparing for an afternoon of scrutiny and unpleasant temperatures. She looked out the window, the sea looked serene, which was unusual for the Atlantic, the sky was flawless, not a cloud in sight. A perfect day....
As she twirled in the mirror, checking her reflection she heard a sound, and looking up she saw Eve, elegant as ever, crossing the room towards her, "hey chick! You look sensational! You ready?"
"I feel like a Christmas cracker!" Wriggling to try to find some extra give in the very fitted long dress, she finally met her friend's eyes. "Am I doing the right thing?"
Eve laughed, "You know you are!"
Jess nodded, "I know....it's just...."
Eve smiled, "it's just that you hate the attention, hey?"
Hugging her best friend Jess was laughing, "you know me too well! Couldn't we just do this alone?"
Taking her hand Evelyn led her to the door, "unfortunately it was like that last time....this is....BIG!"
They strolled out into the hallway, and at the top of the stairs she gasped as she saw all her friends and family gathered in the large reception room below. Spotting Sarah and Alvin beaming she smiled, they had been so welcoming, so accepting of her, a spontaneous smile washed over her. And next to them was her mother......
Looking up to the head of the room she saw the man who was stood alone waiting for her....her father. Wow what a difference two years made.
At the bottom of the staircase, was Alex, and he still took her breath away. He looked impeccable in his dinner suit, the starched white shirt fitting closely to his broad chest, the trousers snugly covering his legs and bum. His hungry eyes were watching her, those beautiful lips parted, something she now recognized as a sign of approval. She sighed, when did things ever get so good?
"Ready?" he asked as he slowly looked her up and down, loving the red strapless dress that molded to her sinful curves perfectly.
She nodded, "as I'll ever be. Is everyone here?"
Alex smiled, "yep, EVERYONE, and they're all waiting for us!"
"Are you sure about this Alex? Can't we just disappear..."
He shook his head, "ten years ago today we did this quietly, almost ashamedly." He kissed her nose, "today, everyone is going to see us renew our vows darling! We agreed!"
That day two years earlier back in her father's church had been cathartic on all grounds. She'd walked out on the two men who had gone from loggerheads to some sort of truce in moments. Alex had run after her but she'd walked away, warning him he had to finally sort things out with her father. She'd had enough fighting, enough animosity to last her the rest of her life, and told him that he had to work out the first stage of his anger with her father before getting to her.
"Deal with it guys, because I've had enough."
"Jessica...." her father had called out hopefully and she'd finally looked at him.
"I don't hate you anymore Dad, but I can't promise anything more than that."
He'd nodded, "it's more than I deserve."
Both men had stood and watched her skip off happily into the distance.
That evening Alex had rung her doorbell, tired, emotional, but so glad to see her, and they'd been inseparable since. Compatible in every way, the years had fallen away, and instantly they were headlong into not just a relationship, but a marriage. He'd needed to return to New York not long after, and she'd refused to pay more than a fleeting visit. At the end of the day she was nurturing a relationship with her mother. Moving away would jeopardize that, and it meant a lot, after all these years.
So he'd spent this time between the two cities, and she often traveled with him, loving the chance to care for him, be with him, and have fun, but still having time to work, to see friends and her family.
It was the rather unexpected arrival of Phoebe that had brought her and her father together. From the second that her little baby was placed in her arms, she couldn't hate him for wanting the best for her. She couldn't believe how much love she felt for her darling daughter, and that meant she finally forgave her father. He was a jabbering wreck, both at having the chance to reconcile with her, and the opportunity to dote on his beautiful granddaughter. Initially things had been hard, but after several hours spent talking, and most often crying, things got easier. Jess was so like her father in personality and traits, that they were soon closer than she ever thought imaginable.
At the same time her parents had evolved so much. They'd taken a few long holidays together, and somewhere had rediscovered their love for each other, and life. Her father had reduced his church work considerably, and was now experiencing, if not enjoying life.
Jess looked up at the room, dozens of eyes were turned on her, but the ones that drew her most were her father's as he stood at the head of the room, waiting for her and Alex to stand before him and renew their vows.
Alex took her hand and led her through the gathered crowd to stop in front of the older man.
"In thirty five years working as a member of the clergy, as a representative of God, I have never felt so humbled, so honored, and so proud." Eric Summers smiled at the attentive faces all fixed on him. "Here I stand with the job of blessing this marriage, the union of these two people. It's no secret that there has been a lot of water under the bridge, that the sanctity of this wedlock has been questioned, tested and pushed to the limits.
"I was the first, the harshest critic of a love between my daughter, and the boy I knew ten years ago. And I'm so glad to say I was wrong. I'm proud to stand here with the unquestionable pleasure of helping them to reaffirm their vows."
Her father looked up, glancing at first Jess, then acknowledging Alex, before finally her mother and Phoebe who was ensconced in her arms. And as he started the formal readings and prayers, he smiled proudly down on the people who'd showed him such compassion, given him as well as each other another chance.
Two hours later, champagne was flowing, people were eating, and Jess stood watching everyone mill around, chatting, enjoying themselves. Two arms circled her waist from behind, dragging her from her reverie.
"Have I told you how much I love you Jessie Pattison? How beautiful you look today?"
Smiling, she turned in his arms, loving the attention he was lavishing on her, "never often enough darling!"
His lips found hers, and the kiss was almost indecent, considering that their home was filled with guests and there were at least four hours until he could make good on the promises he was tantalizing her with.
"Ahem!" a voice disturbed them, and they both spun around guiltily to see Eve stood there, Phoebe straining to get to them in her arms. "There's someone here asking for her mother...." she turned to Alex who was smiling knowingly at Jess, and added, "and father!"
As he drew their nine month old daughter into the embrace, he stared at his two girls, tears in his eyes, "I don't honestly think things can ever get better than this!"
Jess kissed her daughter's nose, then turned to Alex, "I think you're right."
=========================================================================================================================
Thanks again one and all for reading......sorry if this is too cheesy, but suppose a happy ending will always be....
Thanks for reading!
MZ.
Justine.A - sorry it wasn't up to standard, I felt that was the natural chapter break in the story....maybe I was wrong? All comments taken positive and negative! :)
Bethany Fellows.....don't we all deserve a second chanceand a romantic ending??
Kim - welcome back! Hope the finale isn't too cheesy? Though it has to be a bit....doesn't it?
Nessa - not almost....it IS over :(
Lee - great, glad you like! And hope the end lives up to expectation?
Annie - Yep :(
K.B.P. - so glad that you loved this....Think this counts as a happy ever after all...and this is the epilogue!
Tavita K - it all came out in the wash, hey?
Loni - Thank you so much!
Sarah - Glad you're enjoying! Sad this is the end:(
Emm - thanks! Such a compliment! And thank you for reading! Another team Jess....just about levels it out!!! :)
Liz - thank you! Glad you appreciated the mention!! I hate it when I submit a chapter then go to bed, and the next day there's a comment on the previous chapter and the new chapter has
already posted. My pet hate, second only to the random deleting that buzzle also seems to have in terms of comments! Hate missing anyone out!! And I appreciate all you readers too!!! Oh and double this up for both the last two chapters:)
Unknown98 - hope this gets posted Monday!
Silky - :D Thanks!
===================================================================================================================================
Why was it so hot? Jess was struggling to stay cool in the ridiculous dress that Evelyn had selected for her. She'd be so much happier in shorts and a t-shirt, but she knew she had to wear something this smart, etiquette and protocol dictated! This could have happened in London where it'd be cooler, but no, here she was on a ridiculously warm summer afternoon in the rather exclusive Hamptons, preparing for an afternoon of scrutiny and unpleasant temperatures. She looked out the window, the sea looked serene, which was unusual for the Atlantic, the sky was flawless, not a cloud in sight. A perfect day....
As she twirled in the mirror, checking her reflection she heard a sound, and looking up she saw Eve, elegant as ever, crossing the room towards her, "hey chick! You look sensational! You ready?"
"I feel like a Christmas cracker!" Wriggling to try to find some extra give in the very fitted long dress, she finally met her friend's eyes. "Am I doing the right thing?"
Eve laughed, "You know you are!"
Jess nodded, "I know....it's just...."
Eve smiled, "it's just that you hate the attention, hey?"
Hugging her best friend Jess was laughing, "you know me too well! Couldn't we just do this alone?"
Taking her hand Evelyn led her to the door, "unfortunately it was like that last time....this is....BIG!"
They strolled out into the hallway, and at the top of the stairs she gasped as she saw all her friends and family gathered in the large reception room below. Spotting Sarah and Alvin beaming she smiled, they had been so welcoming, so accepting of her, a spontaneous smile washed over her. And next to them was her mother......
Looking up to the head of the room she saw the man who was stood alone waiting for her....her father. Wow what a difference two years made.
At the bottom of the staircase, was Alex, and he still took her breath away. He looked impeccable in his dinner suit, the starched white shirt fitting closely to his broad chest, the trousers snugly covering his legs and bum. His hungry eyes were watching her, those beautiful lips parted, something she now recognized as a sign of approval. She sighed, when did things ever get so good?
"Ready?" he asked as he slowly looked her up and down, loving the red strapless dress that molded to her sinful curves perfectly.
She nodded, "as I'll ever be. Is everyone here?"
Alex smiled, "yep, EVERYONE, and they're all waiting for us!"
"Are you sure about this Alex? Can't we just disappear..."
He shook his head, "ten years ago today we did this quietly, almost ashamedly." He kissed her nose, "today, everyone is going to see us renew our vows darling! We agreed!"
That day two years earlier back in her father's church had been cathartic on all grounds. She'd walked out on the two men who had gone from loggerheads to some sort of truce in moments. Alex had run after her but she'd walked away, warning him he had to finally sort things out with her father. She'd had enough fighting, enough animosity to last her the rest of her life, and told him that he had to work out the first stage of his anger with her father before getting to her.
"Deal with it guys, because I've had enough."
"Jessica...." her father had called out hopefully and she'd finally looked at him.
"I don't hate you anymore Dad, but I can't promise anything more than that."
He'd nodded, "it's more than I deserve."
Both men had stood and watched her skip off happily into the distance.
That evening Alex had rung her doorbell, tired, emotional, but so glad to see her, and they'd been inseparable since. Compatible in every way, the years had fallen away, and instantly they were headlong into not just a relationship, but a marriage. He'd needed to return to New York not long after, and she'd refused to pay more than a fleeting visit. At the end of the day she was nurturing a relationship with her mother. Moving away would jeopardize that, and it meant a lot, after all these years.
So he'd spent this time between the two cities, and she often traveled with him, loving the chance to care for him, be with him, and have fun, but still having time to work, to see friends and her family.
It was the rather unexpected arrival of Phoebe that had brought her and her father together. From the second that her little baby was placed in her arms, she couldn't hate him for wanting the best for her. She couldn't believe how much love she felt for her darling daughter, and that meant she finally forgave her father. He was a jabbering wreck, both at having the chance to reconcile with her, and the opportunity to dote on his beautiful granddaughter. Initially things had been hard, but after several hours spent talking, and most often crying, things got easier. Jess was so like her father in personality and traits, that they were soon closer than she ever thought imaginable.
At the same time her parents had evolved so much. They'd taken a few long holidays together, and somewhere had rediscovered their love for each other, and life. Her father had reduced his church work considerably, and was now experiencing, if not enjoying life.
Jess looked up at the room, dozens of eyes were turned on her, but the ones that drew her most were her father's as he stood at the head of the room, waiting for her and Alex to stand before him and renew their vows.
Alex took her hand and led her through the gathered crowd to stop in front of the older man.
"In thirty five years working as a member of the clergy, as a representative of God, I have never felt so humbled, so honored, and so proud." Eric Summers smiled at the attentive faces all fixed on him. "Here I stand with the job of blessing this marriage, the union of these two people. It's no secret that there has been a lot of water under the bridge, that the sanctity of this wedlock has been questioned, tested and pushed to the limits.
"I was the first, the harshest critic of a love between my daughter, and the boy I knew ten years ago. And I'm so glad to say I was wrong. I'm proud to stand here with the unquestionable pleasure of helping them to reaffirm their vows."
Her father looked up, glancing at first Jess, then acknowledging Alex, before finally her mother and Phoebe who was ensconced in her arms. And as he started the formal readings and prayers, he smiled proudly down on the people who'd showed him such compassion, given him as well as each other another chance.
Two hours later, champagne was flowing, people were eating, and Jess stood watching everyone mill around, chatting, enjoying themselves. Two arms circled her waist from behind, dragging her from her reverie.
"Have I told you how much I love you Jessie Pattison? How beautiful you look today?"
Smiling, she turned in his arms, loving the attention he was lavishing on her, "never often enough darling!"
His lips found hers, and the kiss was almost indecent, considering that their home was filled with guests and there were at least four hours until he could make good on the promises he was tantalizing her with.
"Ahem!" a voice disturbed them, and they both spun around guiltily to see Eve stood there, Phoebe straining to get to them in her arms. "There's someone here asking for her mother...." she turned to Alex who was smiling knowingly at Jess, and added, "and father!"
As he drew their nine month old daughter into the embrace, he stared at his two girls, tears in his eyes, "I don't honestly think things can ever get better than this!"
Jess kissed her daughter's nose, then turned to Alex, "I think you're right."
=========================================================================================================================
Thanks again one and all for reading......sorry if this is too cheesy, but suppose a happy ending will always be....
Thanks for reading!
MZ.
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