“Your uncle is quite the romantic, isn’t he?” Whitney felt such warmth in her chest.
Ally just looked at her, clearly uncomprehending. Whitney hugged her again and then let the attendants get the two of them into position.
“It’s time,” someone said, and Whitney’s nerves spiked.
No, no. She could get through this. It was only a couple of hours more and then she’d have Liam all to herself. She took a large breath and began walking behind Ally, keeping her eyes set steadily forward.
She glided into the historic church, everything a blur, and she didn’t even see the people in the pews, though they were all standing and watching her every move. Once she approached the altar and caught her first sight of Liam, it took everything in her not to rush forward into his arms.
Though he turned her legs to jelly and her stomach inside out, she also felt a calming deep down inside. This amazing man would be her husband in mere minutes.
Once the minister came to that critical point in the wedding service — no, no one broke in to object — the couple repeated their vows and lit a candle, unifying them as one. And then it was over in a flash. They were pronounced husband and wife.
Liam pulled her close and pressed his lips softly to hers, making her tremble when his tongue slipped out to rub against her bottom lip. Her first kiss as Liam’s wife couldn’t have been more perfect.
They pulled apart when they heard some throats clearing, and Whitney felt her cheeks heat up with embarrassment, but the kiss had been well worth it. As their guests called out their congratulations and goodwill, Frederick led them away.
The newlyweds rode back to the mansion. The reception there was another incredible fairy tale. Whitney’s laughter rang out as she cut the cake with Liam, and he kissed away the extra frosting from the piece he fed her. Cameras snapped and reporters fired off the usual questions, but she floated along in her own perfect bubble.
When it came time for her first dance as a married woman, she glided into Liam’s arms. There was still too much expensive material separating them, but soon they’d be alone.
“Thank you for becoming my wife,” he told her, a look of pure love flashing in his eyes.
“Oh, Liam, becoming your wife is an honor. You’ve been so good to me and the children, and I can’t imagine how I ever existed before you,” she replied.
“I feel the same, as if I were simply sleepwalking before I met you. Now, I’m alive and well, and so happy.”
“I guess we’re going to live happily ever after,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
“I insist on it,” he told her.
And as the two of them walked through two lines of well-wishers, Whitney had no doubt that they would keep that promise to each other.
Epilogue
Eight years later
Whitney walked toward the hoots, the guffaws, and the giggles coming from behind their house. Liam had to be up to no good with the children. Yup. When she turned the corner and went out through the patio doors, she didn’t know whether she should laugh or run for cover.
Brayden was home for the summer. He called home regularly, but he loved college and was on the honor roll. He’d already bragged to his uncle about his many girlfriends, which made his uncle proud of him, but worried his protective aunt. He was only nineteen, far too young to be dating, dang it, at least in her humble opinion. Too bad that you could never get any young man to listen.
Ally was thriving in high school. She was so beautiful, it took Whitney’s breath away. The girl reminded her so much of her sister, and Whitney dreaded the time —too near! — that this child would also leave for college.
“Mama, we’re having a water fight!” Little Vincent came running up to her, soaking wet and with a gigantic grin on his face. The boy seemed to be growing a few inches every day. He’d been conceived during the honeymoon, and the newlyweds both wanted to name their firstborn son after Liam’s brother. Frederick was naturally delighted.
“I see that, Vince,” Whitney said. “Are you having fun with your cousins?”
He giggled in answer and dashed away. She spotted Frederick sitting in what she assumed was a safety zone, since he was holding her two-year-old daughter, who was now fast asleep in his arms.
“Good afternoon,” she said, kissing both him and her daughter on the cheek. “I’m surprised you’re not in the middle of all this excitement.”
“Ah, my precious granddaughter wanted to cuddle here with me, and then she fell asleep. I couldn’t disturb her.”
Whitney wasn’t surprised he’d rather hold little Lynn. They’d been close since she was born.