I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 220

They were both incredibly sharp women; some things didn't need to be spelled out for the message to be received loud and clear.

The wedding was scheduled for the first weekend of June.

Sarah had wrapped up her cross-country road trip by the end of April, hurrying back to help decorate the newlyweds' new home.

She hadn't returned alone; she brought along Sophie's uncle, Sean Sullivan, and his family, none of whom Sophie had ever met.

"She looks exactly like you," Sean said, gripping Sophie's hands tightly as he looked at Sarah.

Smiling warmly, Sarah made the introductions. "This is Uncle Sean, Aunt Martha, Cousin Stephen, his wife Brenda, and your little nephew, Sammy."

Meeting this side of her family for the first time, Sophie felt a wave of shy awkwardness wash over her.

When she was a little girl, she used to be incredibly envious of her classmates who constantly chattered about their aunts, uncles, and cousins. She had none of that. In her world, it was just her and her mother; she had no other blood relatives.

"We should have come to see you years ago. All these years... it's just..."

Martha's voice broke, tears welling up in her eyes. Sean stepped closer, gently patting her shoulder.

After their parents passed away, Sean had repeatedly begged Sarah to bring Sophie back to visit, but Sarah had stubbornly refused every time.

Sarah's personality mirrored their father's to a fault—they were both obstinate down to their bones. Since their father had refused to acknowledge her, she had retaliated by severing all contact with the family.

"Dad, Mom, let's not dwell on the past. It's a miracle we're all together under one roof. Let's celebrate," Stephen interjected, scooping his son into his arms and carrying him over to greet Sophie.

"Hi, Auntie!" the little boy chirped brightly.

It didn't take long for the toddler to warm up to Sophie and Gavin. While the adults were still making polite conversation, little Sammy was already clinging to Sophie's shoulder, planting wet, affectionate kisses on her cheek.

During the Memorial Day Weekend, Sophie and Gavin spent three solid days hosting her newly reunited family.

Right before they headed back, Sean slapped Gavin on the shoulder and said firmly, "You better treat our Sophie right. We're her family now, and we won't stand for anyone breaking her heart."

Gavin chuckled and nodded, respectfully calling him 'Uncle Sean' with every breath, successfully charming the older man into a beaming smile.

The day before the ceremony, the Sullivan family flew back into town, and it was Sean's arm that Sophie linked with as she prepared to walk down the aisle.

Harold Harper had called Sophie multiple times, practically begging to attend the wedding and personally give her away to Gavin, but she had ruthlessly shot down every request.

"My mom doesn't want to see you. Uncle Sean is walking me down the aisle, so you really shouldn't come. I don't want to upset her on my big day. Plus, I know that if you show up, Victoria will undoubtedly follow, and I absolutely refuse to have any drama ruin my wedding."

For so long, it had always been him walking toward her, closing the distance time and time again until he finally broke through her walls.

Now, it was finally her walking toward him. Dressed in the most breathtaking gown, wearing the sweetest smile he had ever seen.

His bride. The most beautiful bride in the world.

"You look gorgeous," Gavin breathed the second his fingers intertwined with hers.

Sophie beamed, glancing down at the intricate layers of her dress. The gown had been custom-made by a renowned international designer, commissioned entirely by her mother-in-law, Gillian Gilmore, half a year in advance.

Gillian had insisted that because she never got to wear a proper wedding dress herself, she wanted her daughter-in-law to have an heirloom piece—something that could be passed down so that when their future granddaughter walked down the aisle, she would carry the blessings of generations before her.

"No, you're the gorgeous one," Gavin whispered affectionately near her ear.

Standing beside them, the officiant couldn't help but break into a wide grin at their disgustingly sweet banter.

The wedding bands were brought down the aisle by three-year-old Sammy, looking dapper in a tiny black tuxedo and bowtie, carefully balancing the ring pillow as he walked alongside Mia, who was dressed in a fluffy white tulle dress.

They exchanged their vows, and the moment the officiant declared, "You may now kiss the bride," Gavin finally claimed his prize, kissing his wife passionately in front of all their family and friends.