No longer did I want to be hurt by any news or actions from my parents. Skylar and Dave let it be known they were taking over the role of my parents. My family now consisted of the Taylor’s. Two weeks after that announcement, we were in our lawyer's office, signing a stack of paperwork. And by the end of the meeting, Skylar and Dave walked in with Michael. I’ll never forget it as long as I live. Micah grabbed onto my hand and squeezed my fingers until I no longer could feel them.
I couldn’t believe it was happening, but I’ve never been so happy. We were going to be a family from this day forward, and ready or not, this was happening. Micah and I both had smiles plastered on our faces. There wasn’t a dry eye in that room. We all were a bit nervous how Michael would act around us with him not knowing we were his real family. To him we were strangers. But you would have never known that, he came to us willingly. No tears, no hesitation. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief that this transition was going to be better than expected. Michael is four now and there was never an ounce of fear in his eyes. He willingly came to Micah and I like we were familiar to him all along. It was the first day of the rest of my life. I’m not sure who left that building happier that day…Micah’s parents, Matt, or us. The one thing I do know, is that Michael will never have a moment of peace with this loving family he has now.
We quickly established a routine. Literally a few days was all it took for Michael to feel completely comfortable with Micah and I. Out of the three of us, it took me the longest to feel some sort of ease. Every waking moment, I was afraid he would be ripped away from us…again.
It took Micah several long talks with me to soothe my fears and wipe my tears. All three of us would sit for hours at a time, just getting familiar with one another. We rarely let Michael out of our sight. And to my pleasant surprise, we had house guests almost daily. The Taylor family had a new member who was beyond loved and cherished.
Epilogue…
“DO I LOOK OKAY?” I nervously ask Skylar, who is standing in the doorway fighting back her tears. She’s frantically fanning her face with her hands.
“You look perfect.” She says, giving me a watery smile.
Gazing in the mirror, I can’t help letting out a nervous laugh. I’m finally dressed, in this fabulous, form fitting white dress. The instant my eyes landed on it, I had to try it on. There was no need to look any further, and it only took one shop, and under an hour. A very successful shopping day indeed, the minute I stood in the floor length mirror and saw myself…I knew it was the one. Looking behind me at Micah’s mom only confirmed it if the flow of tears and her hand covering her mouth were any indications. She loved it as much as I did and the poor sales lady was busy handing us tissues. If she only knew my story, I’m sure she’d be in tears as well.
The strapless white mermaid style dress had a form fitted lace corset accentuating every curve. The black lace details enhanced the corset and the back of the dress all the way down the train. The dress was simply gorgeous.
“Micah will flip out when he sees you.” Wiping her eyes, she’s holding a box out for me to take. I chuckle at her remark slowly opening the box. With nervous energy running wild throughout my body, I can’t believe this day is finally here. Having Micah’s mom help me get dressed makes it that much more special.
“This is your something old. Now, please breathe for me, so you don’t pass out.” Her humor helps calm me some.
I let out a few laughs and she soon follows with a few of her own.
“Okay, this locket is the first present Dave ever gave me. I’ve had it for over twenty years, and now I’m giving it to you. I had this locket custom made, especially for you.”
Opening the locket I see two pictures, one on each side of the heart pendant, both are baby pictures. I can only assume they are both Micah since they are strikingly familiar to one another. It’s incredible, and I start to weep, gently tracing my finger over his cute face. My sweet Micah.
“The one on the left is Micah and the one on the right…is Michael. I found this picture in one of those letters you collected from your mother, and had it sized to fit the locket. This heart locket now holds your whole heart.”
“Oh my God!” It’s perfect and beyond beautiful. Skylar helps me put it on and it falls against my neck, lining up perfectly with my dress. We both stay silent a moment, with tear filled eyes in awe of how amazing it looks with my dress. This locket completes my dress…just like Micah and Michael complete me. The silver chain runs through the top of the locket. It’s simple but elegant. Holding the locket in my fingers, I thank her a few dozen times for a gift I never thought I’d have.
“Dave is downstairs with my over anxious son, and he’s more than ready to claim you as his wife. You know, back when you both were in high school, I knew it then. I saw it in both your eyes, and I knew that one day, we’d be right here as we are now. You are becoming my daughter, and I couldn’t ask for a better one. Now we need to help Matt. His choice in girls is not so great.” We exchange a laugh because she is spot on. Poor Matt needs a good girl in his life. I realize just how lucky I really am with Micah and his parents.
“After all this time, I’m so glad I get you as my mother. A bit funny seeing I have a vacancy for one of those nowadays.” I use humor to ease my pain when it comes to my current relationship with my mother. I will never be able to forgive what she did, and that really hurts.
“Oh hush, don’t give it another thought. You have a mom and dad who love you dearly now. Dave would have knocked Micah on his ass if he didn’t marry you, but we never worried too much. Our son has been in love with you forever.”
Both of us are crying and laughing when a loud knock on the door startles us. It’s my soon to be husband, all dressed up and looking hotter than hell. His eyes travel up and down my dress, taking in every detail. I’m not sure, but it looked liked his knees buckled a little.
“Mom, leave me with my bride, please.” he asks breathlessly. “I want a few minutes with her before we get started.” Micah is talking to his mom, but his eyes stay glued to mine. Oh boy, he looks at me like he wants to devour every inch of me.
Jokingly rolling her eyes, she gives her son a dismissive nod. “Okay son, hold on.” To add to her annoyance she swats her hand towards him playfully.
Giving me one more look over, she seems satisfied as she gives me one last kiss on the cheek. Fully opening the door, my man walks in dressed in his black tux. And to my surprise, he’s not alone. Walking in beside him is our son dressed in a tux just like his daddy’s. The resemblance between them is remarkable. I’m not sure who could win a contest between these two. They both look stellar right now.
Micah lifts his eyebrow. “He wanted to see his mommy real quick before he has to sit with Uncle Matt and grandpa.”
Michael, who is looking so comfortable next to his daddy, is a truly a sight to behold. Fitting, seeing as though they are both Taylor boys. We changed Michael’s last name to Taylor as soon as he was legally ours. It was Micah’s first official act as his father. For Micah, his son needed to have his last name. And after today, it will also be my name. Looking at them now, it just feels right. Nothing could make this day any better.
“Wow, my two boys look fantastic.” Both smiling from ear to ear, they look at me with the same sweet smile. In a short amount of time, Michael is mimicking his daddy’s every move and quirks. Lord, save me now.
Not able to help myself, I lean over to pick him up to kiss his plump cheeks and when I do my nose is engulfed with a manly scent. He smells of Micah’s cologne, and I have to giggle knowing Micah took pride in getting his mini me ready for today. Standing behind me, Micah engulfs the two of us in his arms, and we stay like this, silently. This feeling right here, right now, this is what life is all about. A day I never could’ve imagined happening is about to finally be here. It’s a powerful thing and I’ll never take it for granted…ever.