Page 62 of Taming His Honeydoll
“Do you always have to have the last word?”
“Yes,” she replied with a giggle.
“Not one more word—go to sleep.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Emma!”
The End
***
EPILOGUE
The wedding was moved out to February, to be held in the Lutheran Church in Bevier. Marsha was Emma’s bridesmaid and was happy they had waited so she could actually fit into a nice dress again. Sawyer’s best man was Mike Hatch. Of course, Oliver would be giving Emma away.
Marsha and Oliver’s son had arrived in the first week of December, right in time for the Christmas holidays, making them even more joyful. They had named him after Oliver because he wanted to start a tradition. His middle name would be Bradly, named after Oliver’s father.
Rachel and Aunt Tootie had really hit it off and had planned an elegant, yet simple wedding completely different from Emma’s first time with Henry. The church was decorated beautifully with deep maroon bows on the pews and a white lace walkway for the bride. The alter and reception room were decorated with an abundance of gorgeous flowers that Marlene had insisted on special ordering in for the occasion. A peace offering of good will and apology.
Emma had been relieved that they hadn’t mentioned coming to the wedding. She wasn’t in a big hurry to see them again, although she knew she probably would in the future. Besides, Marlene was still paying her dues.
Henry and Everett had been very mysterious about the wedding cake topper, not allowing Emma to pick one out for herself. She and Sawyer thought it an odd thing to want to be responsible for, but then they were an odd couple.
The reception was to be held in the event room inside the church, making it convenient for those attending the wedding so they wouldn’t have to get out in the snow that blanketed the area. The number of attendees were small, just family and close friends on both sides.
Levi got to be the ringbearer and Chessy’s little girl, Lacy, was an adorable flower girl. She came in barefoot, having discarded her slippers, grinned and cheerfully threw rose petals over her head as the two children preceded Emma and Oliver down the aisle.
Emma poised on the threshold behind the children and the wedding march began to play. Sawyer had been traditional all the way and she couldn’t really argue with that. There’s something to be said for tradition—it felt safe and warm.
When her handsome brother, okay she could admit he was handsome, moved in beside her with a huge smile and proffered his arm, she almost broke down right then and there. He looked so proud of her. She knew she didn’t deserve it and she choked back a sob. “Thank you, Oliver, for everything you’ve done for me all my life. Without you, I doubt I would have made it this far.”
Hardly believing her eyes, Oliver seemed to choke up.
“I never had any doubt that a girl as smart, capable and determined as you would succeed, little sister. Maybe you took a few detours, but then we all have. I love you and amvery...very...proud of you.” He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Even though it wasn’t in the wedding protocol, Emma threw her arms around Oliver and gave him the biggest hug ever and he hugged her just as tight. “Shut up, you’re going to make me cry,” she sniffed, then released him, her eyes shining with moisture.
Oliver grinned. “Chin up, little one, don’t ruin your make-up for the pictures.”
Emma laughed, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years, and began her walk to the man waiting for her at the altar. When they arrived, Oliver nodded to Sawyer and placed Emma’s hand on Sawyer’s arm as a gesture of approval of the man she’d chosen. Then he took his seat.
Emma listened carefully to the vows falling from Sawyer’s lips, her heart full to bursting. She’d been wrong and rebellious about a lot of things, but this—this was exactly right. She was finally where she needed to be, and would be, for the rest of her life. In the arms of the man that she loved. The man that she trusted above all others. Their vows had been forged in the fires of doubt and misdirection that had finally burned away and left them standing stronger than ever and dedicated to each other.
After exchanging rings, the minister rang out, “You may kiss the bride.”
Sawyer took both her hands and kissed the back of each one, then he took her lips in a tender kiss of promise. Then they turned to the audience and they both raised their arms above their heads and shouted, “We did it!”
Everyone cheered and clapped as Sawyer escorted his bride down the aisle and into the reception room for pictures with the cake. That had been the plan.
Henry and Everett had guarded the cake like it was Fort Knox and wouldn’t let anyone near it. Now they were standing at the table in front of it, still hiding it from view.
“Okay, you two, what have you been up to?” she asked, shooting a teasing grin at the goofballs.
They grinned at each other as people gathered around and then bowed slightly before parting sideways and holding their arms out as if to present a spectacular event.
Emma was speechless at the sight before her, and then tears of happiness burst into her eyes. “Oh, you crazy man, Henry. Where did you find that?”
