From the corner of her eye, she saw Lucytwirl her date around the floor. The woman was a pretty blonde whoLucy had gone out with a few times. She’d firmly stated the womanwasn’t her mate, but she liked her, and Melanie suspected she mightbe getting ready to settle into longer relationships.
But no matter what she decided about thewoman, the smile on Lucy’s face radiated her happiness for all tosee. Her friend had blossomed in this place, and she thrived on thelove so easily given here; they both did.
Melanie rested her head against Kyle’sshoulder and closed her eyes. Peace and contentment stole throughher body.
Kyle smiled as Willow and Declan danced pastthem. Despite Cassidy’s torment of Willow, she’d ultimately settledon royal blue bridesmaid dresses. Willow hadn’t known that untilCassidy revealed them a few months ago. The relief on her face waspalpable when she saw the dress.
Closing his eyes, he inhaled Melanie’s freshscent as he relished having her in his arms. She’d made these pastmonths the happiest of his life, and every day she showed him thathe could love her more and more.
She was his savior in a world that was bleakbefore she entered it. He couldn’t wait to have children with her,but he was in no rush as he planned to spend the next couple ofyears simply enjoying the wonder of their lives together.
And, no matter what happened, joy and lovewould fill their lives.
***
Sera smiled as she watched all her childrenand grandchildren on the stage dancing or playing. When she firstmet Liam, she never could have imagined their lives would lead hereand that the love of all their friends, children, and grandchildrenwould surround them.
Despite the joy of watching another one oftheir children marry, of having their loved ones gathered around,she was aware they were missing Doug. However, even with that holestill clearly evident in their lives, their days overflowed withlove and happiness.
Standing at the edge of the dance floor,Brian and Abby each cradled one of their identical twin sons,Grayson and Henry. The boys were a little over a month old,adorable, and the center of Abby and Brian’s world. Brian doted onthem more than Sera had ever seen any father dote on their child.Since the twins’ arrival, he spent his days smiling andexhausted.
Emma’s best friends, Mandy and Jill, stoodwith Ethan and Emma by the bar. Mandy and Jill had decided to leavetheir husbands and children at home. They didn’t want the minds oftheir loved ones tampered with, and Sera didn’t blame them.
She’d invited Kathleen to the wedding, buther friend was on her honeymoon in Italy. Sera had only metKathleen’s husband once before they eloped in Vegas. But thatencounter made it clear he was in love with Kathleen, and Sera wasthrilled to see it. After all these years, Kathleen had finallyfound the love she deserved.
In the center of the stage, Dante danced withhis sister Maya while her mate, Lewis, and Cassidy looked on.Maya’s children dashed in and out of the dancers as they racedacross the stage with the other kids. Sera smiled when the kidssquealed in delight before disappearing.
Without her and Liam’s love, most of thosehere wouldn’t have existed.
Liam smiled as he watched Sera beaming at thedance floor. Every year, she grew more beautiful to him. Leaningover, he kissed her cheek. Her eyes twinkled when she turned towardhim and kissed him. This woman, his wife and the mother of hischildren, was his everything.
Sera lost herself to Liam’s kiss. She’d neverexpected this life when they first met at that frat party, but shewas so unbelievably happy and grateful she’d been granted it.
She almost lost him last year, but he wasstill here, and they had centuries of love and happiness ahead ofthem.
“This is all because of us,” he said whentheir kiss ended. “Most of those here exist because of us.”
She leaned against his side and rested herhead on his shoulder. “Get out of my head.”
He laughed as he draped his arm around hershoulders. “I wasn’t in your head; I swear.”
“We did good.”
“We did great.” He kissed her temple. “As faras legacies go, I’d say we have an amazing one.”
He was right. These amazing people andallof this love were their legacy. And she was so excitedto continue to watch it grow as her grandchildren aged, found theirmates, and brought more love into their lives.
“It’s an amazing legacy,” she agreed.
After the band stopped playing and packedaway their equipment, Mike and Jack took them to the gate andchanged their memories of this place while David and Mia set up asystem to play music off his phone. Brian took the twins back totheir house. He returned a little later but kept his eye on hisphone and the video feed to make sure they were okay.
The music was starting to play when Mike andJack returned. The dancing resumed. After a while, Cassidy climbedonto the stage the band vacated and claimed the microphone. Herbeautiful voice rang out as she broke into song. It was one shesang a lot with Doug.
Liam clasped Sera’s hand and helped her rise.He led her out to the floor and swung her into his arms. Shelaughed as they danced with their family.
When Cassidy finished the song, she put themicrophone back and grinned at the crowd before curtseying. Seracouldn’t help smiling as she gazed at her beautiful daughter, whoglowed with love and happiness. She’d changed out of her moreelaborate wedding gown after the ceremony and now wore a thin,white cotton dress with yellow roses at the bottom.
As the night neared its end, Cassidy returnedto the microphone. “Can all my brothers and sisters come out to thecenter of the floor?” Cassidy waved her hands as she beckoned themall forward. “Come on, come on,” she urged. “I wrote a song for allof you.”
