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“Girls, come here. I love you both so much, and I'm very proud of you. Maya, you have always been like a daughter and now you will officially be my daughter. Ana, you have grown so much and recovered since you have come back to us.” He kisses us each on our cheeks. He then pulls Maya close. “Your mother would be so proud of you. Thank you for asking me to stand in for your father, he's in heaven now looking down at you and is full of pride and joy. You've honored him so much. I didn't do this on my own, so Greg is going to walk on your other side. We decided that we both raised you and we both should get this honor.” I see her tears as she fingers her parents’ wedding rings on the chain around her neck.
“Okay, Daddy, don't make the bride cry yet.”
Meghan walks down the aisle and sits with her mum. As I walk down the aisle, I keep my eye on the man I love. He smiles at me and winks, and I grin back.
All of the guys are in all black tuxedos, and they look mouthwatering in them. I get to my place and turn to watch Maya walk down the aisle.
The little chapel is perfect for our small group. The priest stands between us, a commotion to my left distracts me. I turn to see Joshua put his arm on Duncan's to keep him from rushing down the aisle to grab Maya.
I love how much they love each other. I'm glad they both have healed each other and found peace. I remember the inscription Maya had engraved on the back of Duncan's watch: Thank you for bringing me to life.
I look at the two men walking her down the aisle and remember her telling me how they both saved her. She didn’t tell me until recently about her depression and how she tried to commit suicide. She’s been more open about it since I've started talking to Dr. Mason.
“Who brings this woman here today?” the priest announces.
“We do, with her parents in heaven,” Greg and Daddy say together. Then they each kiss her cheek. Greg looks at Duncan and nods.
“I love you, Maya,” Duncan says as he takes her hand.
“I love you too,” she replies as the priest clears his throat and smiles at them.
“Not your part yet,” he says as he lifts his brow. The ceremony goes on for what seems only a short time, before the priest announces, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Duncan turns to Maya and kisses her. The kiss goes on and on until the priest again clears his throat. Duncan pulls away with a growl and looks at him like he's going to kill him.
The poor man steps back, coughs, and says, “I present Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Preston!” The crowd cheers but the newlyweds only have eyes for each other.
“Maya, baby, you are now officially mine.”
“Thank God, I was getting tired of covering all those hickeys,” she laughs.
I can't help it, I cough to cover the laugh, and see Joshua trying to do the same.
They head down the aisle and Joshua takes my arm, and we follow them.
We head back to the compound and the main manor house for a nice dinner prepared by Helen and myself. Not too much partying is planned as we all feel apprehensive, like something is about to happen. The team is constantly on alert. We haven't heard from Raul or Anthony. I worry because we don't know if the evidence has been turned over and if Jonathan is setting up a terrorist plot in London or somewhere else. I know Raul is in everyone's thoughts, he should've been here for today.
“I would like to propose a toast.” I stand and look at the happy couple. “Duncan and Maya, I never thought that a year ago I would see either of you as happy as you are now. Maya, you are finally my sister, and I'm proud to say that. Duncan, Mum and Aunt Cara would be proud to see you today. I love you both very much, and I hope and pray you'll find the joy and happiness in life you both deserve. I have a gift for you both in the drawing room I would like to give to you. But first, cheers to the happy couple!” Everyone says cheers, and I turn to head toward the room when Joshua tugs on my hand.
“Before she gives you your gifts I would like to say a quick toast too. Maya and Duncan, you've been a challenge to be around since you both met.” The table erupts in laughter as Joshua stands. “But I'm very happy and pleased that you found each other. Maya, I don't know how you keep him in check, but without you, he's a regular bear to be around. Duncan, I told you once to let her go, she would find you, and she did. Mate, you've been my best friend since the day I thought I was going to have to kick your arse. Thank you and good luck, cheers.” Again everyone says cheers and Joshua turns to walk with me.
“If you all could give us a moment with the bride and groom, I would appreciate it,” I say. Duncan and Maya stand to walk with us.
We enter the drawing room, which has been decorated for dancing and celebrating, and I walk over to the two sheet covered easels Derek moved here for me earlier.
“I wanted to signify that our whole family was here today with you. I hope you like them, it was a challenge that had me reflecting on what ifs.” I uncover the first portrait of Mum in a navy blue outfit. Duncan walks up, and I see the glassiness in his eyes.
“I love it, thank you, sis.” He bends to kiss my cheek, then pulls me into his arms. “She looks just as I remember, but older.”
“I age progressed her as if she were really here.” My voice is muffled against his chest. I step back and look at Maya. “Yours was a little harder, but Daddy helped me with pictures from his and Mum’s wedding.” I lift the sheet off the other easel and hear the gasp.
“Oh my God, Ana… They look perfect.” She rushes to hug me as the others step into the drawing room. I drew Maya's parents in a tuxedo with navy accents for Yoseph and a navy blue dress for Cara. In both drawings the only color is their clothing, everything else is in charcoal.
Everyone walks over to look at the images, and I step back into Joshua's arms. I'm still nervous about showing people my art work. Daddy loves the portrait of Mum and asks if I will do one for him too. I nod and smile as I watch Patrice and Michael with Isabella.
The drawing room is the perfect area for our little celebration, and everyone is having fun. I look over to see Michael, Ian, and Derek watching the group on the dance floor now. Patrice and Rebekah are dancing with Meghan in her little tutu. Jen is dancing with Tommy in her arms. My eyes find my man over by the bar with Duncan, they’ve both taken off their jackets but are still in the black shirts with their ties loosened. Maya told me earlier about when she first saw Duncan in his black tuxedo, I agree and want to rip it off Joshua. I look over to see Greg and Maya dancing together, he really has filled in where my father was unable to. I'm glad he was able to be here today for her.
I smile when I look out to see Michael and Patrice dancing.
