Tears fell down her cheeks. She brought Ollie’s hand to her lips and kissed it before letting go and dropping to her knees in front of Cody. “I’d be honored to be your wife. Thank you for loving me and my son. I love you so much.”
He slipped the princess cut diamond onto her finger and grinned. “Good job, Ollie.” He lifted his fist and waited for the little boy to tap it with his own before standing and sweeping her off her feet.
Laughing, she held on tight until he set her down. She looped one arm around Ollie and stared at the ring then back at the man who’d be her husband. The man who’d opened his heart to her and her child and shown her that life might hand out surprises, but if you let it, those surprises can turn into the biggest blessings of all.
EPILOGUE
Staring into the full-length mirror, Katherine smoothed the front of her knee-length ivory dress. The V neck and cinched waist showed off her curves while the full skirt kept everything demure and elegant. She wore her long hair down and jewelry minimal—diamond studs in her ears and her engagement ring on her left hand.
The fabric flower attached to the satin bow tied around her waist was made from her first wedding dress. A simple way to keep Theo a part of her new family.
Marie and Sadie stood on each side of her with tears in their eyes.
A lot of things were different about her second wedding, but having her new sisters with her was one of the best parts.
“You look beautiful,” Marie said, giving her a quick hug.
“Stunning,” Sadie agreed. She handed over the bouquet of calla lilies wrapped in a blush pink ribbon. “You guys pulled this wedding off in record time.”
“Ollie wouldn’t have it any other way.” She brought the flowers to her nose and drew in a deep breath. The sweet fragrance overwhelmed her senses. “Doesn’t hurt that wedecided to get married in the backyard. It’s the only place where Bailey was allowed to attend.”
As if saying her son’s name summoned him, Ollie bounded inside with Bailey at his heels.
Her heart melted at the sight of his white button up shirt and black suspenders. He’d tied a matching bow around Bailey’s neck.
“You look pretty, Mom.” He ran and gave her a big hug. “Grandpa says it’s time.”
Grinning, she rolled her eyes. It was her day, but she was still on her dad’s schedule. “Well, where is he? I need you both to walk me down the aisle.”
Sadie laid a hand on her arm and squeezed. “I’ll send him in. Marie and I will find our seats. See you out there.”
Grateful for the moment alone with her son, she held out her hand for him to take. “You look very handsome. Your daddy would have loved to see you all dressed up.”
He twisted his lips to the side. “But if Daddy was here, I wouldn’t be dressed up because you wouldn’t be marrying Cody.”
“That’s true.”
“I miss Daddy, but I love Cody,” he said, frowning. “It’s kinda confusing.”
“It’s confusing at times for me too, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be happy about this next step. Daddy would want that. For both of us.” She believed that with her entire heart. Theo would always be there, his memory forever shaping her and Ollie’s lives. But Cody was the leading man in her next chapter. She didn’t have to understand it, she just had to be grateful for the second chance at love.
“I am happy,” he said.
Bailey barked in agreement.
“Me, too buddy. And I love you so much. Thank you for always being the favorite part of my day.”
Ollie’s expression crumbled in concern. “You better not tell Cody that. At least not today. He should be your favorite part.”
She laughed and ruffled his hair before placing a kiss on the top of his head. “Fair point.”
The sound of a clearing throat drew her attention to the doorway. Her dad stood there dressed in a black suit and matching tie. He held out his arm. “Ready?”
“Ready.” She took hold of Ollie’s hand then looped her arm through her dad’s.
The trio walked out the backdoor and the wedding march played from speakers hidden somewhere down below. They descended the stairs and her gaze drifted down the aisle the second her foot hit the grass.
White chairs filled the lawn with a runner dividing them down the middle. Friends and family stood and watched her every step as she moved along with her dad and son. Owen and Tommy sat with Marie and Sadie in the front row—Amelia and Nora wearing matching pink dresses. Pappy leaned on his cane beside Marie with tears in his eyes.
