Chapter 23
The gym at the academy had been transformed into a magical woodland scene.
Even though it was still cold and snowy outside, the area where the wedding guests sat appeared to be a sunny meadow on a perfect early summer day.
White chairs with sprays of flowers were lined up on a patch of grass so green it looked fake but felt real, if a guest were to reach down to touch it.
Jeani had gone all out on the decorations.
The budget had been blown, but no one minded. It was a special day.
Mia was getting her hair done while the others in the room helped Christina into her dress.
Her mother and Jessica had declined to attend this wedding, claiming that the Boise one would be their chance to celebrate with the bride.
That wedding would be held tomorrow, delaying the happy couple’s departure to Hawaii for the honeymoon by a day.
Mia didn’t think Christina minded. The girl loved all the ceremony around the wedding.
The bridal showers, the bachelorette party, the teas with all the parents and grandparents.
Christina shone in the spotlight, and the babies were doing their best to make sure she didn’t look five months pregnant until after the wedding.
Having two ceremonies just made the event more magical. And she bought two dresses.
The hairdresser laid the wreath of baby’s breath on top of Mia’s head and started to pin it in so it wouldn’t fall. She turned to her grandmother, sitting next to her in the other chair. “Are you sure it’s not too much?”
“You look beautiful and special.” Grans reached over and squeezed her hand. “I can’t believe we are doing this.”
“It makes sense. Christina has to get two of these done before she starts showing.” Mia reached down to touch her own belly. “And with ours following along soon after, we need to get hitched before the secret comes out.”
A few weeks after Nathan Boyle was arrested for killing Suzanne Parker, Mia had finally taken a test when she kept falling asleep during the day.
She was pregnant. Not quite as far along as Christina, but close.
The second test hadn’t taken it out of her; the baby growing inside was draining her life force.
The baby let out a laugh. He or she wasn’t letting Mia know their sex, but the bug did talk to her a lot. Like Gloria, they liked to talk in giggles.
Gloria had recently moved from songs to actual conversations, particularly when Mia was in the potions room practicing.
She had created eight elixirs that Grans had approved for her to write down in her grimoire.
One was a protection spell and the other the truth potion she’d used on Blake.
She continued to use it off and on with her boss, just in case.
Fool me once.
“It’s time to get down to the first floor,” Finn called from the doorway. “The grooms are all upfront and getting antsy for the wedding march to start.”
Mia stood and grabbed her grandmother’s hand. Then she reached for Christina’s. “Thanks for making this day special. To many years of wedded bliss for all of us.”
“You’re going to tax the Goddess’s blessing,” Grans said, but she was smiling. They walked over to the elevator as the rest of the group went down the stairs.
As they stepped out of the elevator, Finn got everyone situated.
Grans would walk with James and go first. Then Christina would walk with Isaac, because her father hadn’t come to this wedding.
Finally Mia would walk with her dad. Her mom kissed her on the cheek before being sent out to be seated with an usher. Finn had everything in order.
Mia watched through the gym door opening as Grans walked up to the altar. Dorian helped her up the stairs and then kissed her as they separated to wait for the other couples. Three weddings was a lot, but the academy society didn’t do anything small.
Just before Christina and Isaac left to walk the aisle, he turned to Mia. “I’m so glad you’re happy. This is where you belong. I know that now.”
Mia watched them walk out, and her dad leaned into her and asked, “Is it too late for me to punch him at the reception? I wouldn’t hit him hard, but he needs to learn to read the room. This day is not about him.”
“I love you, Daddy.” Mia kissed him on the cheek and waited for Christina to be handed off to Levi at the altar. This day was perfect, and the joint honeymoon in Hawaii would be even better, even if she couldn’t partake in fruity hard drinks. She had everything she ever wanted right here.
Buttercup, the library ghost cat, rubbed up against her leg, and Mia saw several of the library ghosts at the back of the gym, watching.
They were here to celebrate as well. Mia could see Buddy looking in from a second-floor window, and Cerby was up on the altar with Trent.
Mr. Darcy hissed at Buttercup to go back to the library ghosts, then sat next to Mia’s large skirt.
He’d come to walk her down the aisle as well.
Her world in Magic Springs might not be usual or normal, but it was hers.
She loved it and all the people she’d added to her family.
The vows she and Trent would take today would just seal the deal in others’ eyes.
They were already family. And that family would continue to grow as their lives expanded.
A new life was starting for Mia and her family. A new life with new adventures.
“Are you ready, dear?” her father asked as he moved her closer to the gym entrance. “Your new story awaits.”
She turned and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ve never been more ready.”