“Mrs. Ying, do you think we should use the pearl comb, or this veil?” Natalie Cassidy asked.
The two of them had taken over with Willow’s hair, and she had known immediately not to question anything.
She had never really made a big deal about hair and makeup, but it was fun to be fussed over. And of course she wanted to look extra nice today.
Willow’s old friend Holly Fields—now Holly Cabrera—poked her head in as the ladies continued to work.
“Hi, Holly,” Willow said. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Oh, the whole town’s here,” Holly said with a smile. “We’re all so happy for you. Do you guys need anything?”
“We’re just fine,” Willow told her. “But come in and hang out if you want.”
“Nervous?” Holly asked, moving beside her.
“Not really,” Willow said, smiling back at her friend in the mirror. “Just excited.”
“You’ve been waiting for this since you were a kid, huh?” Natalie teased gently.
“I have,” Willow agreed.
She didn’t even feel embarrassed anymore. She was proud that she’d been able to spot how special Jensen was even back then.
They both had grown and changed so much, but that thread had begun back when they were kids, and she wouldn’t change any part of their story for the world, not when it led them here.
The ceremonyitself was short and sweet. They had wanted to make this happen quickly, and that meant there wasn’t time for a lot of bells and whistles.
Jensen had pulled her aside many times to make sure the simplicity was really okay with her.
She told him honestly every time that it made her happy. They didn’t need anything extravagant because it was what was between them that would make the day special.
She walked down the aisle on her brother’s arm, with Mom and Aunt Rhonda smiling up at her from their places of honor at the front of the church.
Jensen waited for her, his gray eyes filled with love and awe. He looked so incredible in his tuxedo that she felt her cheeks heat and couldn’t help thinking about seeing him in a tux all those years ago on his way to prom. She had been so jealous then.
But now he was hers, and she was his.
Her hands were trembling until Jensen took them in his, then everything felt just right.
They repeated the pastor’s words to each other. Then before she knew it, he was declaring them husband and wife, and Jensen was kissing her like there was no tomorrow as their friends and family cheered.
It was wonderful to look out at the crowd and see so many happy faces.
Ransom was there with his family, and she could only shake her head in wonder at all the happy surprises they’d all had this winter.
Even the captain was smiling at her from the back of the church. In spite of all the chaos surrounding his ownwedding and the days afterward, he was here to celebrate with Willow and Jensen.
The reception was heldat the community center, which had been decorated with beautiful white streamers. The walls were lined with tables of food, and a local band was warming up on the far side of the part of the room that had been set up as a dance floor.
Henry escaped from his grandmother’s lap and dashed up to Willow as their friends and family filed in.
Henry was wearing the cutest little suit, and his warm weight felt good in her arms.
“Mama,”Henry said with enthusiasm.
He had never used that word before. It hit her like a wave of warm light, lifting her heart.
“Henry,”Willow breathed, valiantly trying to hold back her tears since she didn’t want to confuse her favorite little boy.
