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“Better put on some waterproof mascara, El, if you have any hope of that face making it to the picture portion of today,” Lanie teased.
Ellie rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure that’ll be enough with Ms. Waterworks over here.”
“Excuse me, that’s Mrs. Waterworks,“ Rose quipped.
“You’re not a Mrs. yet, and at this rate, it may never happen.” Lanie pursed her lips at Rose in the mirror.
“Fine, fine.” It took effort, but Rose managed to control her emotions. When they were both finished, Lanie helped Rose into her dress, a simple white ball gown with off-the-shoulder straps and a sweetheart neckline. Once they were dressed, Ellie had them pose by the window and snapped a few pictures.
“Now at least I’ll have evidence of my skill in the event she cries it all off later.”
Before Rose could respond, a knock sounded at the door. It was Dr. Myers, dressed to the nines in a tuxedo. He smiled at both women then raised an eyebrow at Rose.
“You ready?”
She nodded and handed Lanie her bouquet. Since her father couldn’t be there, she’d asked Dr. Myers to give her away. She’d wanted to ask Max, but when Steven had asked him to be his best man, it didn’t seem appropriate.
Lanie gave her arm a squeeze before she left to begin the wedding procession. The moment they were alone, Dr. Myers turned to her.
“I’m glad you decided to go through with it.”
“You don’t think I’m making a mistake? After what you went through with your ex, I mean.”
He shook his head. “If Steven had continued the path he was on, then I would have worried for your welfare. But he’s truly gained a new perspective these past few weeks. I have no doubt he’ll continue to work at finding a better balance in his life and make his health more of a priority.”
She smiled, as she felt exactly the same way. When he stuck out his elbow, she grabbed her bouquet and linked her arm through his. She took a deep breath, and they headed outside.
The church sat on top of a hill, overlooking the river. Closing her eyes, Rose lifted her face to the warmth of the late-August sun. The air was sticky with summer humidity, but when she opened her eyes, there were hints of the coming change in season. Some of the leaves on the tops of the trees had already begun to transition from the bright green of summer to the rich red of autumn. She was glad she and Steven had a weeklong cruise to look forward to, as she wasn’t ready to bid goodbye to her favorite season just yet.
They reached the steps outside of the church, and Dr. Myers stopped. “This is where I leave you.”
Rose frowned. “What? You have to walk me down the aisle.”
With a sly smile, he put his hand on her shoulder and spun her around. There, standing directly behind her, were her parents.
Her heart leapt into her throat. “What? How?” She couldn’t form a coherent sentence.
“Steven used some of the money from the fundraiser to buy the plane tickets before you broke things off,” Mom explained as she embraced Rose. “When you called and said the wedding was off, I tried to cancel, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”
More tears welled up in Rose’s eyes, and she prayed Ellie’s mascara would hold. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
Dr. Myers stepped to her side. “I assume my services are no longer needed. I’ll go find a seat inside.”
“Thank you,” Rose said. “For everything.”
With a nod, he climbed the stairs into the church, leaving Rose alone with her parents. Her father held out his arm.
“May I do the honors?”
“You both can,” Rose said, taking his arm and grabbing her mother’s as well. Together, they climbed the stairs to where Lanie was waiting.
Lanie gave Rose a thumbs-up before she and Max entered the church. As the door swung closed, Rose caught a glimpse of Steven standing at the front, waiting for her. He stood tall and proud and, if she wasn’t mistaken, without his cane.
“Is he…?” Before she could finish the question, the door opened again, and the sound of the wedding march filled the room. It was her turn to walk down the aisle. Her heart hammered in her chest as she moved, her eyes never leaving Steven’s. It took effort not to run straight into his arms, into her future.
When they reached the front of the church, her parents placed her hand in Steven’s before kissing her cheeks and finding their seats. And then, it was as if everyone else disappeared when she looked up into Steven’s face. She barely heard the preacher welcoming the crowd and paid only enough attention to what he was saying to know when to say “I do.”
Before she knew it, the preacher said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
