Page 379 of The Christmas Wife

"That’s putting it kindly." Gio snorts.

I half smile. "But if it weren’t Edward, my father would want me to marry someone else."

"You did mention arranged marriages are a norm in your family," Summer says slowly.

Gio stiffens. "Are you marrying him because you love him or because you think he’s a better option than someone else your father would choose for you?"

"A little bit of both, I don’t know. I mean, my father did choose him." I touch the petals of the flowers in my bouquet. "I think Edward will make a good husband. He’s not very demonstrative, but I don't think he’s the kind of man who’d knowingly hurt me."

"You sure?" Summer touches my arm. "The offer stands… If you want to call off the wedding?—"

"—we’ll march right out and tell Arthur." Karma nods.

"He doesn’t scare us," Gio says with a fierce look in her eyes.

I sniff. "You girls are the best friends ever. I appreciate the offer. Truly. But I want to get married."

There’s a knock on the door and Rachel the wedding planner, pops her head in. "Are you ready?"

I stand at the threshold of the library. Earlier, I got a glimpse of the skylight, the stained glass windows set high up in the walls, the floor-to-ceiling books, and the massive fireplace on the far side, before G-Pa’s announcement scattered my thoughts. As venues go, this is exactly the space I’d have chosen to have my wedding. And my wedding dress could not be more perfect. It's only the bride-groom I’m not sure about.

"Love you, babe." Summer kisses the air next to my cheek—so she doesn’t smudge my make-up, which she applied earlier—then pushes the door open and steps onto the aisle lined with the candles on either side. I draw in a breath. With the other lights in the room dimmed, and flower placements which were set up in the short time I was away, the space seems magical.

"You look incredible. Ed is a lucky man." Karma squeezes my shoulder, then follows her.

We agreed they’d be my bridesmaids. I'm so lucky to have my friends with me.

"You sure you don’t want me to escort you down the aisle?" Gio scans my features with her all-seeing eyes.

"Actually, I was hoping you’d give me that privilege." G-Pa steps up on my other side.

Gio looks from me to him, and her forehead furrows. "I’m not sure?—"

"I know, it’s a little unusual, I’m from the groom’s side, after all, but if you’d indulge an old man a little more, it would be my honor." G-Pa’s features are serious. There’s a plea in his eyes that goes straight to my heart. This man is responsible for my sudden change in status, from a single woman, to an engaged woman, to a soon-to-be married woman, not to mention, it’s because of him that my year of freedom is being cut short. So, why is it, I can’t seem to hold a grudge against him?

"Mira?" Gio frowns.

I clear my throat, then tilt up my chin. "I think I would very much like that G-Pa."

"You sure?" Gio touches my arm. "I can accompany you on your other side."

I half smile. "I’ll be fine, I promise."

"You sure?" She looks toward the aisle. I follow her glance and spot Rick waiting for her.

"I’m sure." I give her a big, genuine smile. "Go on, your husband is waiting."

She leans in and air kisses me near my cheek. Then, with a last scowl at G-Pa, she leaves.

"Your friends are protective." G-Pa holds out his arm, and I hook mine through it.

"So are you," I murmur.

He pats my hand. "If I could've, I’d have given you more time to prepare for the wedding. But it seemed fortuitous that all of my grandsons agreed to be here under my roof at the same time. I wasn’t sure if or when that would happen again. I didn’t want to let the occasion go to waste. Also, I want to see Edward married." He looks between my eyes. "Do you understand?"

"I do." I swallow. "I can tell you love Edward very much."

His features soften. "I see a lot of myself in him. Of all my grandsons, he’s the one who’s had it the roughest."

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