Page 115 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

He gave me a sad smile. ‘It’s weird but I can feel them here. Can you?’

‘Yes. On my walk through town this morning, there were two hummingbirds chasing each other across Ferris’ rose garden. They buzzed in a circle. Did a little dance like they were performing for me. It was exactly what happened in the garden at rehab, and I know this sounds corny, but it felt like a sign from them.’

He gripped my hand, swiped his thumb over my tattoo. ‘That’s as good a sign as any.’

‘Thank you for never giving up. For seeing a future for me, even when I couldn’t imagine one for myself.’

‘Oh, Pipe. I should be the one thanking you. Look at what you’ve done today for me and Tor. The joy you brought to this town with that show. I know I still hover. That I can be annoying at times, but it’s only because I love you with my whole heart.’

He pulled me into a hug and I held on to him. That explosion on a cold winter day had changed the course of our lives forever. The weight of our parents’ deaths had turned our worlds upside down for too long. We’d been through the darkest times. Both made choices that made our paths rockier. But we’d also worked damn hard to get to this moment, and I wanted to revel in that hard-fought victory for a minute more.

The brass bell jingled as Pete walked through the door and stared at us for a long beat. ‘My apologies for interrupting, but before we get this party started, I need to tell you something.’ He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his pants, his eyes going solemn. ‘You both mean the world to me, and I’m honored to be included in this day.’

‘Do not make me cry, Peter! Maisey will never forgive me if my mascara runs.’

‘Understood. No crying,’ he said on an uneven breath. ‘How about we go and get my best friend married instead?’

Pete pushed open the door. Beck held up his arm to escort me, and together we walked out to face all of Ivy Falls.

With a fading orange sun setting behind the clock tower, Miss Cheri performed a song from Puccini’s Tosca while Torran made her way down the aisle. Under the giant magnolia, much like the one they’d lost in their own backyard, Beck waited for her. Once she reached where Mr Wright stood, my brother took her hand and there was a collective sigh from the crowd.

The night music of crickets filled the air as Beck and Torran said their vows. Old Mrs V leaned into Silvio. Manny held on to Lou’s hand and beamed at Tessa and her girls, who stood a few feet from the couple.

In the row behind me, Barb and Susan pressed their hands against the tears staining their cheeks. Maisey reached into her pockets more than once and handed them tissues. Even Mr Wright, who was officiating, had a few moments where he had to pause and gulp down his emotions.

On a small white table near the gazebo sat a lit candle. Next to it were pictures of Torran’s mom and my parents. A simple way the couple wanted to honor those who couldn’t be present.

As a gentle wind danced through the trees, and the town fountain gurgled in the background, Torran and Beck promised to love and trust one another. To be by each other’s side, whether their path was easy or difficult. They shared a kiss that made everyone clap and cheer. Lauren, and even the crew, dabbed at their eyes and enjoyed the ceremony without a single camera in hand.

After the couple walked down the aisle under a shower of pink and white rose petals, the party really began. Folks who had their own smokers served up the best barbecue the town had ever seen. Thankfully, electricity had been restored to the town early that morning, allowing Barb and Susan to make a small wedding cake and a donut tower for Torran.

Quiet dinner music morphed into classic rock and there wasn’t a single space left on the dance floor. I wasn’t sure how’d we done it, but despite the storm of the decade hitting Ivy Falls, we’d managed to get two important people married the way they should be.

The band moved into an old Randy Travis song, and my mind went to the night of ‘Music in the Square’. How I’d never expected Ford’s touch to shake something loose inside me.

I’d been thinking about the conversation I’d had with Torran and Tessa during the tornado. How miscommunication was born out of people’s fear of getting hurt. Torran’s comment about not knowing being worse than the truth sat like a rock in my stomach.

During the months I’d been in rehab, my therapist asked me to examine the reasons why I’d turned to pills and alcohol. Why I needed to block my feelings from the world. It all came down to risk and trust. Risk in the sense that I was willing to live my life in a way that embraced both joy and pain. That I understood not every day was going to be balloons and rainbows. But it also wouldn’t feel like I was floating on a dark, windswept sea with waves constantly threatening to drown me. It was a balance I had to be willing to accept.

When I’d stepped into Ford’s arms that night on the roof, kissed the beautiful hollow at his throat, I was facing the exact risk that had terrified me for too many years. That being vulnerable would expose me to the possibility of loss and grief again, but I knew that if I wanted connection, I had to be open with the people I cared about.

For years I’d had the same nightmare over and over. I was standing in a sterile hallway, my nose assaulted with the scent of antiseptic and death. People moved around me, but when I spoke no one reacted. I raced down hallways, through empty corridors, screaming for the one person who would see me – Beck. But with every door I opened, all I found was an empty bed. Dr Catherine told me it was the trauma from the accident. How for the hours when no one told me about Beck’s condition, I was convinced I was all alone in the world.

Since Ford walked into my life, I’d not had the nightmare a single time. He’d become the safe space I’d been searching for my entire life.

Couples continued to sway on the dance floor. At times I could still feel the gentle press of Ford’s fingers against my hipbones. How when he kissed me it was if he was placing an oath against my skin. I needed him to be a part of my life, and as soon as things calmed down, I’d call him and say what was in my heart. The possible rejection would hurt, but at least I’d know where I stood with him.

Face. Forgive. Forward.

The mantra had never meant more to me than it did now.

‘Miss Piper!’ Dex waved to me. He wore a black dress shirt and a purple tie. He pushed away from the table where he was sitting and made a confident strut toward me.

‘What’s going on, Dex?’

‘This is my first wedding. It’s pretty cool.’

‘And the music?’