Page 71 of Unexpected Gifts

Abby could hardly argue with that.

With Grace’s help, Abby and Luke planned a small, intimate wedding, one that included the children in almost every aspect.Grace and Sophie accompanied her to pick out a dress. She surprised herself by falling in love with a feminine and elegant long-sleeved lace gown in ivory. The bodice featured intricate lace detailing with a fitted, structured look that complemented her figure. She loved the sleeves of sheer lace and the back embellished with a row of buttons running down the length of the gown. Sophie loved the lace detail on the A-line skirt that flowed out into a sophisticated train.

On the morning of the ceremony, Abby stood in front of a full-length mirror in the bride’s room at the back of the church. Sophie finished buttoning the gown and stepped back, an admiring expression on her young face. Abby looked at herself critically in the mirror but could see nothing wrong with the dress or her updo the local hairdresser had meticulously created. A veil made from the same lace as the dress had been clipped into the bun at the nape of her neck.

Grace and Sophie agreed that there had never been a more beautiful bride. Abby turned from her reflection to take in Grace and Sophie. Grace wore an elegant navy silk gown with a sleek, tailored design. A wrap-style bodice and structured collar gave it a formal and refined look, whereas the three-quarter length sleeves added a touch of modesty. A ribbon belt tied at the waist and a full A-line skirt with a slight high-low hemline added a little sass.

“Do you think I can wear this dress to all of my sons’ weddings?” Grace asked. “It cost a fortune.”

“I think you’ll have to have a new one for each wedding,” Sophie said seriously. “Think of the photos.”

Abby smiled at her sweet Sophie, who had agreed to be her maid of honor. She looked like a princess in a blush pink, with a simple bodice and thin spaghetti straps. A pearl and floral belt at the waist added a delicate touch of detail to the full skirt made of layers of tulle.

“You look beautiful,” Abby said, drawing her into an embrace. “Are you nervous?”

“A little. But Luke said just to look at him while I was walking.”

“He told me the same thing,” Abby said.

They were interrupted when Lily came running into the room.

“I’m ready. Don’t I look perfect?” Lily spun, her knee-length tulle skirt billowing out in a soft, airy cloud around her. The bodice featured intricate floral lace detailing that matched Abby’s dress. Adorable cap sleeves and a sheer back adorned with lace appliqués made it ideal for twirling, at which Lily excelled. When she’d tried it on for the first time, she’d spun around so much that she’d made herself dizzy and fallen down outside the dressing room. Abby’s favorite part was the large elegant bow tied at the back of the dress. Perfect for Lily, as she was a gift that Abby would never tire of opening.

Grace glanced at her watch. “It’s time. I’ll get Walter and have him meet you at the doors to the sanctuary.”

Walter had asked if he could have the honor of escorting her down the aisle, to which she’d answered by bursting into happy tears.

“Young ladies, I want you to escort Abby downstairs very carefully so she doesn’t rip her veil.”

“We will,” Sophie said.

Grace gave the bride and her bridesmaids their bouquets of deep red roses paired with white baby's breath, along with a mix of cedar, eucalyptus, and other winter foliage. The bouquets were held together with natural stems that Abby thought created a charming, woodsy look, perfect for their Christmas wedding.

Abby took hers, breathing in the cedar and eucalyptus scents to steady her nerves.

Grace then handed Lily her basket of red rose petals. “Don’t forget to walk slowly like we practiced.”

“I won’t, Mimi.”

Grace reached into her bag and pulled out a package that she handed to Abby. “I have a little something for you. A something borrowed.” She pressed a delicate lace hankie into Abby’s hand. “I carried this on my wedding day. My mother carried it on hers. We were both blessed with happy, fulfilling marriages, and I hope the same for you.”

Grace and Abby hugged, both fighting tears. “All right, my loves. I’m off. I’ll see you all downstairs.”

After she left, Abby held out her hands, and each of the girls took one. The three of them headed downstairs like that, holding tight to one another as they would from that day forward.

Luke stoodat the altar with the preacher whom he’d known most of his life. Not accustomed to wearing a suit, he decided he actually liked it. His mother and Abby had chosen a dark navy three-piece ensemble and he had to admit, they’d picked well. The tailored jacket fit perfectly, as did the matching vest underneath, paired with a crisp white dress shirt and blue-and-gray patterned tie. A boutonniere made from a red rose and sprig of cedar had been pinned on the front of his jacket. Were the pants tighter than he would normally wear? Without a doubt. However, they added to the sleek, modern silhouette that he’d initially balked at until his mother gave him the what for. “The wedding’s not about you. It’s about the bride.”

Anyway, they were right. He looked fabulous if he did say so himself. Heck, he could be a stylish Frenchman dressed in this garb.

His heart beat faster as the processional music began. The doors of the church opened and Jack and Rufus appeared. Jack, wearing a smaller replica of Luke’s suit, proudly held a satin pillow with the rings safely tucked inside the crease. Rufus trotted beside him as if the day were about him, though he couldn’t resist stopping here and there to sniff at a few guests, drawing chuckles from the crowd. Luke smiled, shaking his head. The obnoxious dog had grown on him. In fact, he couldn’t imagine life without him.

Jack beamed at Luke as he made his way toward the front. The boy worshipped Luke, following him around the farm or the house whenever he could and being so endearing it had been impossible not to fall hard for the rambunctious, fiercely loyal little boy Luke now thought of as his son.

When Jack reached Luke, he seemed to forget what he was supposed to do and stood frozen, holding his pillow and looking confused. Luke motioned for him to sit next to Grace.

“Oh, yeah, right. I forgot,” Jack said loudly.

Rufus barked, wagging his tail furiously, and followed the boy to sit at Grace’s feet.

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