“You’re right. I didn’t. Until you walked into Yuletide Acres. What you didn’t hear that morning when I was chatting with Susan was that I want nothing more than to make you Mrs. West. I want you as my wife. A mother to Marissa. A mother to all our children because look at you. There’s no way I’m not procreating with you.” I gesture down the length of her body, solidifying it with a wink.
This time, there’s no hesitancy behind her smile as she grabs me into another kiss. “I love you, D.”
“You’ll be my Sunshine Girl forever?”
“Dylan, I’ve always been your Sunshine Girl. That will never change. And forever? That’s not nearly long enough.”
Time for the final surprise. Here’s hoping she’s as keen on the idea as I am. Ever since Poppy started talking about the Yule holiday, I did my own research, and discovered that many couples choose this time of year to get married—handfasting, as it’s called.
I loop my fingers around her slight hands, feeling the warmth of her love flowing through me. “You know that Yule is the traditional time for handfasting?”
“I do.”
“That’s the answer I’m looking for.” At her confused expression, I continue. “Let’s just say that I know a guy and I want us to perform a handfasting ceremony. Tonight. I want to make you mine.”
The excitement of the last fifteen minutes has only made my future wife more vivid, her hazel eyes shining a brilliant golden green. “Tonight?”
“Come on Sunshine Girl, what do you say? Jump in with both feet?”
She turns to the side of the stage, motioning for my daughter to join us. Kneeling in front of her, she grasps her hands. “Marissa, I have to ask you something, and I need you to answer me honestly. Can you do that?”
Marissa nods, her eyes wide and solemn.
“Are you okay with me marrying your father?”
“You’ll live with us, right?”
“I will. And I’ll cook breakfast every day. Along with lunch and dinner.”
Marissa bites her lower lip. “Will you read me stories?”
“Every night,” Poppy answers, and I’ve no doubt that she will.
Marissa hesitates for a moment before breaking into joyful laughter. “I really want that. I really want a mom.”
I can tell you this. There’s not a dry eye in the arena as Poppy engulfs her soon-to-be daughter into an embrace. No, she won’t be her stepdaughter. I can see it in Poppy’s face. From the moment those two lives collided; they were intertwined.
I look skyward, smiling as the first star becomes visible. “Thank you, Merry. We love you.”
The hustle of the festival may be dying down, but my mother and Susan have their hands full, trying to ready the interior arena for the handfasting ceremony. I didn’t have them set anything up beforehand, worried about jinxing the whole damn thing.
But when I saw Poppy burst into the arena this morning, I knew she was mine. Forever.
As for my Sunshine Girl, a couple of the local women whisked her away to prepare for the ceremony. And Marissa is helping me, trying her best to fix my tie, and failing miserably in the process.
“How about I get that, Cupcake?” I chuckle, knotting the tie and examining my reflection. Not to be an arrogant ass, but I clean up pretty damn well. “How do I look?”
“You’re handsome, Daddy.”
“You think so?”
“Yes, and I’m beautiful, too.” Marissa twirls in her dress, the skirt floating up around her, the hair clip from Poppy holding back her curls.
“You’re very beautiful.”
“Will I be as beautiful as Poppy one day?”
I scoop her into my arms, tweaking her nose. “You already are.”
“Are you two going to have a baby?”
“I hope so. Would you like to be a big sister?”
She considers my question before shrugging. “So long as Poppy keeps reading to me every night.”
“She won’t have a problem with that. Are you ready?”
Marissa nods, giggling as I tickle her, and we head out the door.
I have to hand it to the women of Yuletide acres; they know how to get things done. The place already resembled a winter wonderland, but now, it’s fit for a fairytale. And my queen.
“Ah, there you are, Dylan. I have the paperwork for you two after the ceremony.” John, the Justice of the Peace, hands me the documents to peruse.
Sometimes it pays to know people at town hall. The marriage certificate is ready to go. Now all it needs is our signatures.
So long as Poppy doesn’t freak out.
I told her we were having a handfasting. She likely doesn’t realize I’m making this ceremony legal in the eyes of God and state.
I feel a tugging at my pant leg, and smile down at Marissa, grasping her hand. I know this is a ton of change for her, but I truly believe Poppy’s presence will be hugely beneficial in her life. I know it is in mine. “Are you ready?”
Marissa nods, her eyes bright with happiness.
My mother walks in, having swapped out her jeans for a dress. Even though she’s stuck in the orthopedic boot for the next couple of weeks, it hasn’t slowed her down. She marches straight to Marissa, holding out her hand. “You are needed with us. Poppy would like you to walk her inside.”
My daughter’s face lights up and once again, I am amazed by my soon-to-be wife. How Poppy just intrinsically knows what my daughter needs to feel included.
With an excited clap, Marissa leaves my side, trailing after her grandmother.
The music starts and I take a deep breath. I’m not nervous about marrying this woman. I’ve wanted to make her mine since the day we met all those years ago. I spotted Poppy across a crowd at a festival, dancing atop a boulder, shaking her body to the beat. I knew in that instant that I’d found my other half, and no one would ever take her place.
No one ever has.
My only worry is that my free spirit will suffer a last-minute change of heart.
But when the doors open, my fears are laid to rest. In their stead, I’m hit with every emotion as my gaze connects with Poppy. God, she’s gorgeous. Surreal and breathtaking. Wearing a long white gown, her hair piled on top of her head, and that smile—she’s my every fantasy come to life. At her side, clutching her hand, is Marissa.
Troy rests his hand on my shoulder, standing up with me once again. “I’m really happy for you, man.” There’s no disguising the emotion in his voice. He knows I’ve earned this happiness. How long I’ve waited for Poppy to find her way back to me. How many prayers I put up that somehow, our paths would intersect once more.
I never imagined that my darling friend and first wife, Merry, would be the one to ensure the reunion happened.
Poppy hands off her bouquet, biting her lip as she smiles at me, her eyes full of tears. “Hi, handsome.”
I can’t help it. I grasp her face, pulling her into a kiss. “My Sunshine.”
“I think the kiss is supposed to happen afterward,” Troy remarks with a wry smile, earning chuckles all around.
“A great kiss is welcome anytime,” Poppy reminds him, sending him a wink as we stand in front of the Justice of the Peace. “This seems like a traditional wedding,” she whispers as I clutch her hands.