“What’s this?”
“The key to the cottage.”
"What cottage?" Chelsea asked, turning the key around in her hand.
“The key to our cottage on Loch Ness, which will be our vacation home,” Logan smiled at the surprise on her face.
“My family’s cottage?”
“Yes. I noticed it was for sale when we took your father’s ashes there. I made a few phone calls and flew to Edinburgh to sign the papers. As we stand here, workers are furiously renovating it.”
“Oh, Logan. I don’t know what to say!” Chelsea cried, feeling like her heart was going to explode as she hugged him tight.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Logan said. "Just love me for the rest of our lives, and I'll be happy."
Epilogue
“You have such a wonderful day for your wedding,” Sammy said as she looked out the window of the cottage, watching the caterers scurry about setting up for the wedding.
Chelsea smiled, pouring three mimosas to give to her future sisters-in-law. “I’m so glad. The weather in Scotland can be very unpredictable.”
“Well, I have to admit I’m a bit jealous. I thought my wedding venue was beautiful, but this place takes the cake. Getting married on the shores of Loch Ness beats everything,” Sybil said, holding up her glass.
Chelsea smiled. Logan had insisted they get married where she had sprinkled her father’s ashes so that Chelsea would feel him with her. With their cottage newly renovated, it was the perfect place for a wedding.
“I mean, seriously. Who else has Urquhart Castle in their view while they are saying their vows?" Sybil said, laughing.
A light tap on the door interrupted their laughter as Chelsea’s Aunt Ella poked her head in. “Aye lass, are ya decent?”
“Hi, Aunt Ella, come in," Chelsea said, holding out her arms.
“It’s a great bonnie day. I only wish your Mam was here,” Aunt Ella said, hugging her tightly.
“She’s in my heart,” Chelsea said, smiling as her aunt gave her one last hug and left to go find her seat.
“It must be so strange to see relatives you haven’t seen in years,” Sammy said, putting a wreath of baby’s breath on Chelsea’s head.
“Yeah, it was strange, but I’m glad they could come, even if there aren’t a lot of them,” Chelsea said as she looked at herself in the mirror. She had chosen a very simple wedding gown. Sleeveless with a V-neck, it gathered at the waist and then hung freely to the ground. The pink toned satin was covered by white lace. With a halo of baby’s breath around her head, she was a vision of beauty.
Lucas, who had agreed to walk her down the aisle, poked his head in the door. “We’re all ready for you.”
Sammy and Sybil both hugged Chelsea before going to their seats.
“Are you ready?” Lucas asked, holding out her hand.
Logan stood at the altar and smiled as he watched his brother walk his bride down the aisle. She looked beautiful, his true Scottish princess. The love he felt inside of him filled him completely.
“You look amazing,” he murmured as Chelsea took his hand, and they turned to face the minister.
The ceremony was quick, and before they knew it, they were pronounced man and wife.
As they kissed and the guests applauded, a large splash was heard from the loch.
“What was that?” Chelsea asked.
Logan looked at her and smiled. “I think Nessie just gave us her approval,” he joked as he gazed into her eyes.
His wife. He had hoped and prayed for this day, and now that it was here, he was never going to let her go. No matter what.
They say that we are shaped by who and what we love. At that moment, gazing into the eyes of his new wife, Logan, for the first time in his life, felt whole and complete.