Chapter Twenty-Seven
Naomi stood in front of the mirror, checking her makeup one more time.
She wanted today to be perfect. Regan, Beck, and Taylor were in the dresses they’d picked to complement her white pantsuit.
Regan was in a blue dress, Beck was in pale yellow, and Taylor was in lilac.
She’d let the girls pick the flowers, and they’d chosen daisies.
Naomi still couldn’t believe that Stone was able to get Jared to sign his rights away. As part of their wedding ceremony, Stone was pledging to her girls, too. They were waiting for Jared’s parental rights to be severed, and then they’d complete the steps for Stone to adopt the girls.
The girls had decided that they wanted twin beds in one room at what was Stone’s house but now was their house. In one of the other bedrooms, they wanted bookcases and desks for a study room and hangout place.
Today she was marrying the man she loved, with her girls by her side. She never imagined when she moved to Bluff Creek that all her dreams would come true. Last night, at the rehearsal dinner, Stone had presented her with her Ol’ Lady cut and the girls with the cuts the Bluff Creek kids all had.
Yesterday, Stone had shown her one of the buildings downtown that was available.
He’d asked her what she thought of a public library.
The town didn’t have one. They’d had council and approved money to help fund a head librarian position for Naomi and two staff if she’d like, along with funding for the renovations and book purchases.
It was the best wedding present Naomi could think of, but Stone had also shown her a tattoo he’d drawn that he would be having Roam ink on his skin. It was the purple flowers from her tattoo with butterflies representing her and the girls. She couldn’t wait to see it on his skin.
“Mom, it’s time,” Regan whispered, kissing her cheek, with Taylor and Beck next.
“Lead the way, ladies,” she smiled.
The music started, and she smiled at her Uncle Locks, who had agreed to walk her down the aisle. Stone said to have whatever she wanted. Lonestar’s Amazed fit perfectly how Stone made her feel.
Locks led her down the aisle. When her Franks cousins had talked about where they were married, Naomi decided it was a tradition she wanted to continue. It was outside on the beautiful, sunny prairie. Tents were set up for after the ceremony to get out of the heat and enjoy the food.
Locks paused by Stone. She handed her bouquet to the girls. Stone took her hand, and she faced him.
When the pastor Regina had arranged started, everything but Stone in front of her blurred. She answered and promised in all the right places, but what she would remember from the ceremony was the love blazing from Stone’s eyes.
“Regan, Taylor, and Beck, would you join Naomi and Stone?” the pastor invited.
Her girls moved over, but she could see the worry on their faces. She’d agreed with Stone that it would mean more as a surprise.
“Stone, you have the floor,” the pastor prompted.
“Regan, Taylor, Beck—today, as I marry your mom, I need to make my thoughts clear. My pledge to honor and love Naomi isn’t the only pledge I’m making today,” Stone declared, dropping to his knees.
“From the first, I knew you three were special. You made me smile on my grumpiest day, but as I got to know each of you, I realized there was love growing in my heart for you, too. You came into my life, and suddenly, I had the most perfect girls I wanted for my daughters. I don’t think you all know how very special you are, but I’m going to help you learn.
“I pledge that from this day forward, I will always love you. I will wipe your tears when you’re sad and celebrate all the joys you deserve with you.
My shoulder will always be available for you to cry on or to share your biggest dreams. I will protect you until my dying day because you are women of worth who deserve the world.
Once the paperwork is through, I plan on adopting you and officially making you my daughters, but paperwork is just for the world.
Here, with us, you’re already my daughters, and I’m giving you these promise rings to remember that today is the first day of the rest of our lives.
Will you accept these rings and the protection they signify? ” Stone pleaded softly.
Naomi pulled the handkerchief out of her pocket to wipe her eyes, seeing her daughters with tears in their eyes too.
“Yes, I do,” each girl echoed through her tears.
Stone slid the rings on their fingers and then pulled them in for a hug. When the girls started to walk away, Stone had them stay.
“By the power vested in me by the State of Kansas, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the pastor decreed.
Stone leaned over, his lips claiming hers, her girls crowding around them like the family they were. Once Stone pulled away, he nodded at the pastor.
“May I present to you, Stone and Naomi Ellis and the Ellis family,” the pastor announced.
Stone arranged them with Beck between her and Stone, Taylor holding Stone’s left hand, and Regan holding her right hand. The five of them walked down the aisle as the family they’d become. Today was one of the happiest days of her life, with the birth of her girls being the happiest one.