Page 78 of Please Send Snow
“Michael,” I manage, cutting him off. “Michael I’dlovethat.”
I barely get the words out before I’m hugging him and sobbing, and maybe that’s for the best. I was definitely going to cry at some point today, and I sure don’t want to do it in front of Dylan later.
I’m pulling myself together when someone comes to the door, and Michael rushes off to greet them.
“Why don’t we get you ready?” Margo says, approaching me with a gleam in her eyes.
She’s been very excited to do my hair and makeup for today.
“You’re not going to cry anymore, are you?” she asks suddenly, looking worried.
“No,” I tell her. “That was just the right amount of crying.”
It’s not true though.
I cry some more as Michael walks me down the makeshift aisle of the lobby. But that’s because all my adopted grandmas from the factory are wiping their eyes as we pass and I think happy tears must be contagious.
Eleanor gives me a secret smile and a wink as I pass and I know she’s telling me that she believes in me, and is proud.
The lodge staff members are all here too, along with a couple of curious and friendly guests. And Penelope and her cameraman, who I was shocked to learn is also her husband, are back to film everything for us.
It’s perfect. Almost.
I’ve been secretly wishing all day for just one more thing.
And even now, I’m searching the room for a sign—some sense that my dad is here with me.
But as I pass all these happy faces, I suddenly know to my bones,thisis my sign. Every part of this moment—the factory he saved, the lodge he loved, this family of random people who have chosen to care about each other—he built this. The best of him is all around me.
And then I see Jake, looking handsome as ever, and Dylan beside him, and my whole world just falls into place.
Jake and I repeat our vows in calm and steady voices and I know all those promises we make are going to stick—not because there’s any magic in the words themselves, but because we are both ready to fight for this love, through thick and thin, rich and poor, in sickness and in health, and anything else life decides to throw our way.
Jake kisses me when it’s done and I practically swoon while all our well-wishers cheer.
“Now it’s time forcake,” Dylan says loudly, just as the cheers start to die down and we all have a good laugh as the three of us head back down the aisle to accept hugs and handshakes.
Sharing a meal in the dining room feels like the best way to celebrate. Naturally, it’s grilled cheese and homemade soup and it’s the most delicious meal I can imagine.
When Bronson and Anna roll the cake out on a little cart, we all practically go silent.
“Oh,” Dylan says reverently.
When Bronson calls us up to cut it, I’m pretty sure Jake will just hand me a slice on a china plate. I told him all about how funny it was watching the old video of my parents’ wedding, where they smashed the cake into each other’s face before breaking down in laughter. But this is Jake Stone we’re talking about. He’s loosened up a lot since we met, but not that much.
“Here you go,” he says, his blue eyes sparkling.
And the next thing you know I’ve got about ten frosting flowers in my face.
I lick my lips and it’sbeyonddelicious. It’s heavenly.
But this calls for revenge, and he’s not even mad when I smush a big piece of cake in his face too.
Then everyone is laughing and clinking their glasses and I find myself kissing my handsome, sticky, delicious husband, while Dylan howls with laughter.
The biggest surprise of the day though, is when we’ve changed into comfy clothes and gathered in the lobby again. I’m expecting board games and hot chocolate, sowhen I see that Jake has the microphone again and Michael is dimming the lights, I’m amazed.
When Jake starts singing “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” and waves for me to join him, I’m laughing so hard I can barely sing.
