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Our mouths break apart.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Tuttle,” I whisper against her lips.
Not to be outdone by Corbin, I dip down and scoop her into my arms and proceed to carry her down the aisle.
Her joyous laughter rings out and fills the air around us.
Ansley
The sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the panoramic view of the snowy mountaintops of Balsam Ridge. We take in the beauty from the glass tower, where our wedding reception is in full swing.
As I stand here, hand in hand with my new husband, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the love and joy that surround us.
The laughter of our friends and the chatter of our families fill the air, a beautiful symphony mixing with the music from Garrett’s band.
The scent of freshly cut flowers mingles with the delicious aroma of the buffet that was set up under the twinkling fairy lights strung across the ceiling.
I steal a glance at Garrett as he talks to our guests, and my heart swells with love. I didn’t think it was possible to love him more than I did yesterday, but somehow, it feels different now.
He is mine, and I am his.
His eyes sparkle as he laughs at something one of his Nashville friends said.
Ever the superstar, his strong, confident presence makes me feel safe and cherished.
“Ansley, can I steal you away for a moment?” Maxi asks.
I nod and follow her to a quieter corner of the room.
“What’s up, Maxi?” I ask, curious.
She leans in and whispers, “I have something special for you.”
She places the antique tiara on my head.
I ditched the long, cumbersome veil as soon as the ceremony was over.
I carefully adjust the delicate crown as I fight back tears.
“It’s the tiara your grandmother and mother wore on their wedding days,” she says. “It belongs on your head tonight. Thank you for letting me borrow it and the love and family it represents.”
I’m touched beyond words that she returned it to me. My grandmother was a source of inspiration for me, and I wish she could have been here to see me walk down the aisle. This heirloom feels like a precious connection to her.
“Thank you, Maxi,” I say, hugging her tightly. “You are a part of our love and family. We’re sisters now.”
She releases me, takes a step back, and looks around at the others, who are being arranged and rearranged by the photographers at the moment.
“Oh my God, we are. I just gained five brothers and five sisters,” Maxi gasps.
“And a set of lovable and wise parents,” Sara-Beth says as she comes up behind us.
“And the best nephews in the whole wide world,” Tucker, who is by her side, adds.
“This is wild,” Maxi mutters.
Tucker approaches her and sticks out his elbow.
“May I have this dance, Aunt Maxi?” he asks.
