Lisa chuckled. "I think your father likes matchmaking."
"Is that what he calls it?" Hannah's eyes were wide with disbelief.
"You're getting married tomorrow, aren't you? I called every last person I could think of to tell them about the change of venue. You're getting married in my house. Not Carl's house. Mine."
Jake rolled his eyes at her tone. "What about Hannah?" He nudged her. "She's worked all week to get ready. What about Autumn? She's making all the food."
"You know what? I'm happy about the change of venue," Hannah said. "Your mother can kidnap my wedding any time. I'd much rather have it here."
"That's good to hear, because I'm not giving it back," Lisa said. She hurried across the room to give Hannah a hug. "But Autumn's still helping me. You should see all that she's got cooking at her place. Please don't be mad."
"Are you kidding? I'm overjoyed! We tried decorating Carl's living room-I mean, Evan and Bella's living room-with all those Ming vases and the place ended up looking like a museum. This is so much better." Hannah gestured to Lisa's Christmas decorations which filled the house with red and green. "Did you tell Bella and Evan that the wedding has changed venues? They were so nice about letting us use their new place to host it."
"They were the first people I called. Don't you worry about a thing-it's all under control. Go get some sleep," Lisa told them. "Be back at noon tomorrow. Bring your things. You'll get dressed upstairs."
"Yes, ma'am," Hannah said with a grin.
"Now you're beginning to understand what it is to be a Matheson," Jake said.
"I'm also beginning to understand who's really in charge around here." Hannah nodded at Lisa. "It sets the perfect precedent for my own family." She gave Lisa a peck on the cheek, then sidled over to Jake and gave him a squeeze.
"We'll see about that." He bent down to kiss her, knowing that right now he'd do whatever it took to make his wife happy.
On the day of her wedding, Hannah loved the feeling of being almost outdoors in the snowy landscape while she said her vows. The ceremony was held in Lisa's glassed-in solarium, with temporary heaters working overtime to warm the usually chilly room. Mia and Fila acted as her bridesmaids, with Bella as her Matron of Honor. Jake stood straight and strong beside her and her heart tripped in excitement when he said, "I do."
They'd kissed so many times in the last few weeks, but when the Joe Halpern, the minister, gave Jake permission to kiss his bride, Hannah could barely stand for the rush of desire that shot through her again. When he drew her to him, his hand warm on the small of her back she was grateful the congregation couldn't know what was running through her mind.
Tonight they'd sleep together as husband and wife. All worry forgotten. All questions answered. They'd given their word; whatever they had to face from now on they'd face together. They'd reach their dreams together, side by side, backed by a family that supported them too.
Jake slipped his free hand under the nape of her neck and lifted her to meet his mouth, starting the kiss gently, but soon deepening it, letting her know he, too, was overcome with desire for their new life together.
The assembled crowd began to clap, then whoop as the kiss went on and on. When they finally broke apart, Hannah was blushing and she hid her face in the crook of Jake's arm. He led her gently back up the aisle and tugged her into his father's office for a moment alone before facing the crowd again.
"You okay?" he asked, sitting on the edge of his father's desk and pulling her between his legs.
"More than okay."
"Think we did the right thing?"
"I know we did."
He smiled and kissed her again. "Think we can tell all these people to go home so we can get to bed?"
She laughed. "I think we'd start a riot. Everyone knows your mother and Autumn have been cooking all night. We'll have to feed them if we want to get rid of them."
"All right. But don't plan on leaving our bedroom for days."
"That's all right by me," she said. She kissed his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
The door swung open, and Jake and Hannah jerked apart when Holt walked in.
"I thought I'd find you two in here. No time for your dillydallying; get out there and attend to your guests."
"Yes, sir," Jake said, giving him a mock salute.
Holt waited for them to cross the room. "It sure took a passel of hard work to get you two together. How are we going to get your brothers hitched?"