Wade opened his eyes and caught her staring at him, which happened at least once a day. He smiled as he reached for her.
Mia cuddled up to him and closed her eyes against the rush of emotion that surprised her. She would’ve thought she had things under control, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.
“What’re you thinking about?” he asked.
“You and us and today and everything that led us to this day.”
“If I hadn’t lived through it, I might not believe it actually happened.”
“I didn’t think I’d be excited for today, but I am. Does that make me a typical girl wanting to play dress-up?”
“I’m excited, too, and I didn’t think I would be either. At first, it was like we were doing this for your dad, and now…”
“Now, it’s for us.”
“Yeah. I’ll always love the way we got married the first time, in my grandfather’s living room with the rings he and my grandmother gave each other and only Ella and Gavin there to witness it.”
“That was perfect.”
“It was the best day of my entire life.”
“Mine, too.”
“But it’s okay for this one to be just as good.”
“Is it?”
“Absolutely,” he said. “This time, we get to do it up big, with everyone we love there to see it.”
“Not everyone.” Mia’s feelings toward her mother had been complicated since she found out her mom had basically stolen her from her father when she was a child and had gone to elaborate lengths to keep her hidden from him. “She called the other day.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“What’s there to say? I’m getting married—again—and she’s not invited or welcome to attend. I never thought I’d be estranged from her, and I don’t want to be. It’s just hard to reconcile what she did with the man I’ve come to know.”
“It’s impossible to fathom why she felt the need to take you from him.”
“And I’ve yet to hear an explanation from her that makes sense.”
“You may never hear one.”
“I’m starting to realize that.”
“I know how it pains you to have tension with her, but you ought to just let things ride for a while and see how you feel in a few months. She’s lucky you still talk to her at all.”
“We shouldn’t talk about that stuff today. This is our day, and none of that crap has any business being part of our celebration.”
“You’re right. None of that matters today.”
“I can’t wait for you to see my dress.”
“I can’t wait either—for that and everything else I get to have with you, Mrs. Abbott.”
“I love you so much, Wade. From the first time I ever saw you, you’ve had my heart.”
“I love you, too, my sweet Mia, undisputed love of my life.”
She smiled up at him. “How about we get married all over again?”
“Let’s do it.”
The wedding Cabot threw for his daughter and son-in-law would go down as one of the most spectacular things Amanda had ever witnessed. Someone compared it to a royal wedding, and Amanda found that description fitting. Every detail had been seen to with loving care by a man making up for more than twenty years without his child in his life.
Possibly more than anyone else in attendance, Amanda understood how he must feel about having Mia back. Amanda had always known where her child was, but living without her had been brutal. She couldn’t imagine what he’d gone through not knowing where Mia was or if she was safe for all that time.
But none of that drama was present in the celebration that day as their two families came together to celebrate Wade and Mia. The entire day was magical, from the astounded expression on Wade’s face when Mia first appeared at the back of the cathedral in her stunning dress, to the tears streaming down Cabot’s face as he escorted his daughter down the aisle, to the hug Cabot and Mia shared at the end of a very long road that had led to them finding each other.
Amanda barely knew these people, and yet, like everyone else, she was in tears by the time Cabot finally gave his daughter’s hand to Wade. On his way to join his family in the front row on the bride’s side of the church, Cabot hugged Molly, Lincoln and Elmer in the front row of the groom’s side.
Dani handed Amanda a tissue that she happily accepted. They were sitting together while Landon, Lucas and the other Abbott brothers stood up with Wade. Dressed in black tuxedos, the brothers made for quite a sight. Mia’s bridesmaids included Ella, Charley and Hannah, each of them wearing navy blue silk gowns.
The bride and groom were married by a female Episcopal bishop, who was a close friend of Cabot’s. She walked the couple through traditional vows before they exchanged vows they’d written for each other.
Wade’s voice was full of emotion and love as he gazed at his bride and spoke from his heart. “From the first time I ever saw you at a yoga retreat years ago, I wanted you to be mine. I would’ve done anything to be able to take you home with me, to build a life and a family with you, but that wouldn’t happen for a long, long time. And when it finally did, it was the best thing to ever happen to me. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I love you more than you could ever know. I have since that first day, and I always will.”
Mia took a tissue from the bishop and dabbed carefully at her eyes. When she had recovered her composure, she looked up at her husband. “I fell in love that first day, too. I thought of you every single day that we were apart, wishing for all the things I have now, things I never could’ve dreamed of back when it seemed the universe was conspiring to keep us apart. I took a huge chance when I came to find you in the middle of a blizzard. I had no idea if you would even remember me.”
“I remembered you,” Wade said, smiling through tears.
“Thank God for that and everything that’s come since then. I’m so thankful for your family and their support of us even when you told them you were marrying someone they’d never met. I’m thankful for my new family, my dad and all the people who’ve loved us through this amazing season in our lives. But most of all, I’m thankful for you, Wade, and your love and the life we’re building together. You’re my dream come true, and I’ll love you forever.”
The bishop sounded tearful when she said, “It’s my great honor, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to once again declare Wade and Mia to be husband and wife. Wade, you may kiss your bride.”
Wade raised his hands to Mia’s face and kissed her so sweetly that Amanda was again dabbing at tears.
She joined in the applause that rang through the huge church. The wedding party followed Wade and Mia out of the church and walked the short distance to the Boston Public Garden for photos.
They’d scored a perfect bright, clear, sunny June day. The only thing marring this otherwise fantastic day for Amanda was that Stella hadn’t responded to her text that morning asking how her mom was doing.
Amanda walked with Dani and Savannah as well as Lucy, Emma, Simone and Cameron, who was moving very slowly.
“Are you okay?” Amanda asked her.