Page 90 of From Grumpy to Forever
“This one’s for us.” I turned and scanned the crowd, finding my beautiful wife immediately. As if she could sense my eyes on her, she turned and smiled.
Avery lifted her hand in a little wave, and I blew her a kiss.
“Avery deserves a proper wedding,” I told Grayson. “And I plan on spending the rest of my life making sure she has anything and everything she wants.”
Epilogue
Avery
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting the most perfect golden glow over the yard of the inn. The air still carried the warmth of the perfect fall day, but a soft breeze whispered through the branches, just cool enough to hint at the season shifting.
We’d been fortunate to have such a warm September, but winter would be upon us before we knew it.
Bright-yellow larch needles drifted down with every breath of wind, covering the ground as well as our guests, like nature’s confetti.
It was perfect. The kind of evening that felt like it had been made just for us.
“Avery?”
I looked away from the window to my mom.
“Are you ready?”
“You look beautiful, Mom.”
She reached for my hands, a tear in her eye. “Not nearly as beautiful as you, my girl. Your grandparents…” She inhaled deeply. “I wish they were here to see this. They would be so proud of you.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, refusing to give in to the emotion that had threatened to bubble over all day.
“They are here, Mom.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped at it quickly and forced a smile. “You’re right. They are.” She squeezed my hands again and held my gaze.
I knew the inn wasn’t what my mother had wanted for me and my life. But once she came to visit and she’d met Reid, his family, and all our friends, it hadn’t taken long for her to see that Trickle Creek was where I belonged.
“It’s time.” Carrie’s head popped into the bedroom. “Are you ready to live out the ending to your Hallmark movie life?”
I laughed. My best friend had been right after all. It turned out my life was a cheesy, sweet movie with a happy ending.
I turned to give myself one more look in the mirror. My dress was a simple, off-the-shoulder fitted ivory sheath. My hair hung in loose waves, pinned back on one side.
“You look amazing, Avery.” Carrie appeared over my shoulder. “Reid won’t be able to keep his hands off you.” She laughed as my mom swatted her. “Come on. Let’s do this.”
She handed me a bouquet of sunflowers that had come from the local flower shop and together, we moved to the back door that led out to the yard.
The music started and Carrie, my maid of honor and best friend, gave me a wink, blew me a kiss, and headed down the steps, to lead our little procession.
Next to me, my mom reached for my hand and squeezed. “I love you, Avery, and I am so incredibly proud of you.”
“Thank you, Mom.” I gave her a quick hug and then she, too, made her way down the aisle, leaving me alone.
I took a moment to take it all in.
It was exactly how I pictured it. How I’d wanted it.
Not a rushed courthouse signature, a technicality wrapped in legal paperwork.
But this. This was ours.
