Chapter 9
T he next afternoon, Alissa paced in her room while waiting for Jed.
Yesterday had been packed with fun, thanks to her sisters.
She hadn’t said anything about her phone call with Jed or that he would arrive later today.
If they weren’t able to work things out, she didn’t want her family to have hope that the wedding would happen.
She flushed thinking about how embarrassing this entire fiasco had been.
Her sisters had gone to such lengths to make everything better for her and all she could do was think about Jed.
Finally, there was a knock on the door. Jed!
She ran to the door and yanked it open. He stood there with a suitcase next to him. He’d shaved since she last saw him, but it did nothing to disguise his exhaustion. Still, at the sight of her, he smiled. “Hey there.”
“Hi,” she said, suddenly shy.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes, yes. Sorry.” She stepped aside and let him pass though.
He set his suitcase near the door. “You look so good. ”
“Oh, Jed, I’ve missed you so much.” She stumbled toward him, and he drew her into his arms.
“Me too, baby.” He held her so tightly she could barely breathe.
“I don’t want to do life without you. I’ve messed everything up.”
He buried his face into her shoulder. “I thought I might lose my mind without you.”
“We have to talk through this.”
He drew away, looking into her eyes. “Yes. I’m ready. Are you?”
She nodded and led him over to the chairs in front of the fireplace. They sat facing each other.
“I have to start by saying how sorry I am,” she said. “My reaction was completely unfair. I have no excuse other than I felt trapped and exposed.”
“I understand. I felt the same way. Trapped and unworthy of you.” He hadn’t stopped staring at her since he arrived, as if she were a meal and he was famished.
“But you were wrong to suggest that I’d be better off without you, or that you were somehow responsible for what happened. Your mother’s a troubled person. We don’t need her toxicity in our lives. But you’re going to have to decide how to deal with her in a way that doesn’t wreck what we have.”
He grimaced. “She’s called a few times. I didn’t pick up. I don’t know what the future holds, but for now I’m prepared to no longer have a relationship with them. I have to say, I feel free. All this time I thought the business meant so much to me and it turns out it really doesn’t.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Her throat ached from how much she loved him. How good he was. How perfect he was for her.
“Say you love me.”
“I love you. You know I do. And I was wrong about how the photos would affect my job.” She told him then about her discussion with Principal Hughes. “He assured me that my job is safe.”
“Even with the PTA coven of witches?” he asked.
“He’s not afraid of them.”
“That’s amazing,” Jed said. “I’m surprised, though.”
“I was too. My mom was fine with it all too. I should never have kept it from my family.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Jed said.
“Will you lose your house?” she asked, matter-of-factly. “If so, we need to find a new apartment.”
“What? No, no. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. The house is mine. I bought it during a downturn in the market for cash. We’ll always have a home.”
She sighed with relief. “I’m so glad. I hated the thought of you losing something you love so much.”
“Let me be clear. The only thing I really care about is you, but yes, having a home to raise our family in means a lot.”
He reached his hand across the arms of the chair and caressed her forearm. “Are you sure it’s me you want, even with all my baggage?”
“I’ve been sure since the first.” She smiled back at him. “You and me forever.”
“You and me forever.”
And although they were not yet husband and wife, they fell together on the bed and made sure the other knew exactly how committed they were to their future.
The day of the wedding was clear and cold.
Freshly fallen snow glittered in the sun outside the window.
Mom and Nan had already done their makeup by the time they arrived.
Once everyone was assembled, Mom did Jo’s and Stevie’s faces.
Even Stevie was into it, only complaining a few times about how long it took and that she didn’t want too much eye makeup.
When Jo’s was finished, she looked as glamorous as a movie star.
When it was time for them all to don their dresses, they got Hailey into hers first. She looked like a fairy princess in the dusty-blue dress.
“Oh, Hailey, you’re so pretty,” Alissa said.
It wasn’t just the dress either. She had a glow about her.
If she didn’t know better, Alissa would have thought her little sister was in love.
“You’re absolutely perfect,” Nan said.
Next, Hailey zipped up Mom’s dress, a light gray in a mermaid style with fluffy feathers around the neckline. Mom always has to have her feathers , Alissa thought, smiling. The skirt, made of tulle and layered with sequins at the top, swirled around her legs.
“Mom, you look even more stunning than usual,” Alissa said, as she fluffed the feathers.
“Your turn.” Hailey bounced on her feet. “I can’t wait to see you in your dress.”
Mom brought the wedding gown from the closet and held it open for Alissa to step into, then buttoned her up.
“Oh, honey, you’re just perfect,” Mom said.
“You’re the most beautiful bride in the world,” Hailey added, before reaching for the veil.
With deft hands, her little sister secured the delicate material into her hair, then set the skinny tiara in place.
They’d pulled the front of her hair back, leaving her bangs loose and her long neck exposed.
Alissa stared at herself in the mirror, pleased with what she saw. Since meeting Jed, she saw herself differently; perhaps she saw herself as he did? All she knew was that she felt beautiful and so very joyful. “I’m going to be Jed’s wife,” she whispered.
Mom and Hailey stood next to her, and all of them beamed into the mirror. “We’ve come a long way from the scared little rug rats we were that first night together, haven’t we, Hailey?”
Her little sister nodded, obviously too choked up to answer.
“Do you remember how scared we were?” Alissa asked. “How unsure we were of the future? Now look at us.”
“I’m very proud of both of you,” Mom said.
A loud knock on the door broke up the moment. Hailey rushed over to answer. It was room service, with a bottle of champagne. When they all had glasses, Alissa raised hers for a toast.
“Thank you for being here. I know I didn’t make this exactly easy over the last few days.
I’m sorry for all the drama, but I guess it was my turn to make a fuss.
I’ve been reminded since meeting Jed’s family how very lucky I am to have all of you.
There’s never been a time, since we became a unit, that I haven’t been able to rely on you for love and support.
You have no idea how much it means to me to be part of this clan.
” She turned to her mother. “Mom, we can never say it enough how much you mean to us. If it hadn’t been for your huge heart and willingness to take on all of us at once, I don’t know where I’d be. ”
“Where any of us would be,” Stevie said.
“So, here’s to us,” Alissa said. “Soul sisters and our lovely mother and Nan.”
They clinked glasses.
Mom fanned her eyes. “Listen now, I can’t cry and ruin my makeup.
But I just have to say how proud I am of each of you.
Since the moment you came to me, my life has been full of love and so many happy moments—even during the chaotic years.
There hasn’t been one day I haven’t thanked God for putting us all together. Thank you for letting me be your mom.”
“And for letting me be your grandmother,” Nan said.
They all clinked glasses again and drank the rest of the champagne. Just as they finished, Hailey’s phone buzzed.
“It’s time,” Hailey said. “They’re ready for us in the lobby.”
Alissa squeezed Mom’s hand. “I’m suddenly nervous.”
“Just hold on tight to me,” Mom said. “We’ll be fine.”
Alissa did indeed hold her mother’s arm tightly, as they waited to enter the room where the ceremony was to take place. The first notes of “Makin’ Memories of Us” by Keith Urban came through the speakers. “This is it,” Alissa said.
“This is it,” said Mom.
From where they stood behind the door, Alissa could see the small wedding party gathered in front of the big stone fireplace. There were pretty chairs in two neat rows. Mitch and Hailey went first, walking down the aisle created by two rows of brown paper lanterns.
When Mitch and Hailey were tucked on either side of the black-robed pastor, Alissa and Mom entered. Everyone turned to watch, all smiling. They’re here for us , Alissa thought. There was no reason to be nervous. She’d waited for this moment all her life.
Through the big windows, the snow and mountains made a glorious setting, but she had only eyes for her groom.
Jed wore a suit in soft gray and a dusty-blue tie that matched Hailey’s dress. Alissa’s stomach fluttered when they locked eyes. He wiped at his eyes with a tissue, as she and Mom moved toward the small wedding party.
When they reached Jed, Mom took both her hands, then kissed her softly on the cheek. “I love you, sweetie.” She turned to Jed. “You’re part of our family now. No matter what, we’re here for you. Now, take good care of my girl.”
“Always,” Jed said.
Mom took her seat next to Nan .
“You look like a princess,” Jed whispered in her ear.
She smiled up at him. “You look nice too.”
The pastor cleared his throat. “Thank you for being here today, to celebrate and witness the union of Jed Marsh and Alissa Mann Kirby. They’ve written their own vows, which they will now recite.”
Alissa had written vows last week but in all the confusion, she’d left them behind. It didn’t matter. She knew what she wanted to say.
“Jed, I’ve never known a better man. You’re a gentleman, kind and compassionate, and so very generous.
From the first day, you’ve made me feel cherished.
Your innate goodness has made me want to be a better person.
I could not ask for a finer man to spend the rest of my life with.
I hope God blesses us with many years together, making memories.
I promise to be your wife and best friend.
I vow to never let anything or anyone come between us.
I’ll always be honest and keep no secrets from you.
I’ll be your biggest champion and fan. Together, we will build a life we’re proud of. ”
Jed’s eyes had filled while she spoke. He released one of her hands to reach into his pocket for a tissue.
“Alissa, I never knew there was such a thing as love at first sight, until I saw your face for the first time. I knew you were the woman I’d been searching for.
Yes, I’m a romantic. I’ve been accused of believing too much in the power of love to right what’s wrong.
I lost sight of that for a moment this week, but I won’t again.
As you say, no matter how hard anyone or anything wants us apart, our bond is too strong.
I’ll be here for you from this day forward.
Whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together.
I love you more than even our favorite country songs could convey. ”
Alissa giggled through the lump at the back of her throat.
“I can’t believe it’s me you chose,” Jed said. “But I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure you don’t regret your choice. ”
“Now, we’ll have the bride and groom exchange rings,” the pastor said.
Alissa took the ring from Hailey’s outstretched hand. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
Jed did the same with the ring from Mitch. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Everyone, I present Mr. and Mrs. Marsh.”
A roar erupted, much louder than the small crowd warranted.
“You may now kiss,” the pastor said.
They did so, lingering for longer than they should on this first kiss as a married couple. When they looked up, Alissa saw that there was not a dry eye in the group.
“Let’s party,” Alissa said. “I’m starving.”
Jed grinned and took her hand. “Lead the way, beautiful wife.”
As Alissa lay in her groom’s arms in the early morning, when the world was still dark, she woke and listened to him breathe.
She thought of all the twists and turns of her life, and how they led her to this man.
An image of her mother and father on a Christmas morning when she was six or seven came to her.
They’d sat on the couch holding hands and watched her open presents.
Someday , she’d thought then, I’ll have a love like they do.
I’ll have a handsome husband and babies of my own.
Someday was now. Her mother and father were still with her, watching over her. There were many joyous times to come with her sisters, Mom and Nan.
She shifted to snuggle closer to him. He pulled her close and murmured her name. She drifted off, warm and safe. Someday was now.