42. Annette #3
Liam immediately appears beside it.
"I've been instructed to remind Captain Jamie that smashing cake in his bride's face is strongly discouraged."
Jamie looks at him. "By whom?"
"Every woman at this wedding."
More laughter ripples.
We pick up the silver knife and cut the first slice together. I hold a bite toward Jamie who smiles as he eats it.
"Perfect."
"So, no frosting attack?"
He looks genuinely offended.
"Annette..."
"What?"
"I have an image to maintain."
Liam snorts. "You absolutely do not."
The room erupts again.
Jamie cuts a small piece for me.
When he gently feeds it to me, someone whistles from the back of the tent.
"Aww..."
Liam shakes his head dramatically.
"They're emotionally healthy."
Coach chuckles. "It's disgusting."
***
Twilight settles gently over Briar Cove.
The café lights glow overhead now, casting warm pools of golden light across the reception while someone quietly begins gathering the last of the dessert plates.
Neither Jamie nor I notice. We are too busy saying goodbyes. Or at least trying to.
Every farewell seems to become another conversation. Another hug. Another promise to visit the cabin. Another photograph.
We catch a quick glimpse of a little blonde fur ball with a white frosting nose scuttle by and just laugh.
Carol from the foundation squeezes both my hands before stepping back with tears shining in her eyes. "I've watched Jamie grow into an extraordinary man."
She smiles warmly. "I'm so glad he found someone extraordinary too."
Before I can answer, she wraps me into another hug.
Across the lawn, Noah races over carrying the painted sign one last time.
"I didn't want you to forget it."
"I don't think that's possible," I tell him.
Jamie kneels beside him. "We're hanging it by the front door tomorrow."
Noah beams with unmistakable pride. "I knew you would."
Jamie quietly hands it off to Caleb to slide it behind the truck seat.
One by one the children from the foundation gather around us for one last picture.
Someone jokes that we'll need a bigger cabin if they all decide to visit at once.
Jamie smiles.
"They'll always be welcome."
No one doubts he means it.
***
Outside the tent, a line begins quietly forming. Long silver sparklers appear from somewhere.
Liam, naturally.
Coach shakes his head. "I specifically told you not to buy fireworks."
"They're sparklers."
"Details."
"They're festive details."
Coach sighs.
Within minutes two glowing rows stretch toward the gravel drive leading to the truck.
Tiny lights flicker against the deepening blue evening while laughter drifts across the lake.
Jamie reaches for my hand.
"Ready?"
I look back once.
At the tent.
At the people still smiling.
At the families who have become one.
At the life I never expected to find.
I turn back toward Jamie and smile. "I'm ready."
Together we step between the sparkling lights.
Cheers erupt around us.
Liam whistles loudly enough to make several children cover their ears.
Coach pretends not to know him.
Everyone laughs.
Toby has somehow managed to gather the puppies and tuck them into his pockets – little noses poking out in an apparent effort to stay awake for his final goodbyes.
***
The air fills with laughter as Jamie's truck comes into view.
Blue and silver ribbons flutter from the mirrors.
JUST MARRIED stretches proudly across the back window.
Jamie doesn't even have to guess. No doubt Liam, who places a hand over his heart. "I regret nothing."
Coach folds his arms. "You should."
"I also may have hidden biodegradable confetti somewhere inside the truck."
"Liam..."
"What?"
"Don't tell him where." The laughter follows us all the way to the truck.
***
One by one we hug our families and the rest of the people who carried us to this day.
Keisha wraps me in one last fierce hug. "You happy?"
I nod before she even finishes asking. "Happier than I knew was possible."
She smiles. "I can see that."
Jamie shakes Toby's hand before pulling him into a hug.
"Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I do."
Toby smiles, with his elbows suspiciously holding his wiggling jacket pockets closed. "Just be happy."
"I plan to."
Finally, Liam steps forward.
He hugs Jamie hard enough to make him wince.
"Easy," Coach warns.
"Right."
Liam steps back and points a finger at Jamie.
"One piece of married-man advice."
At least three of the guys yell that he is not married.
He shrugs with a long, “Sooo?” and continues.
"She outranks hockey."
Without hesitation, Jamie nods. "That I know."
Liam turns to me. "And if he starts acting stubborn..."
Coach clears his throat. "When.”
“Yes. WHEN he starts acting stubborn, call me."
Everyone laughs again.
I slip my hand into Jamie's. "I don't think that'll be necessary."
Jamie smiles down at me. "I don't either."
***
Together we climb into the truck.
As Jamie starts the engine, I look back one last time.
I raise my hand in one final wave, and blow kisses to our parents.
They wave back until the lights of the reception disappear behind the trees.
And together, my husband and I begin the drive home.