Epilogue

Christmas Eve, One Year Later

 

Emma looked at the portrait of her in the blue dress and Malcolm the rabbit hanging above the fireplace in her cozy blue and white room at the inn. This painting she would keep forever. It was her final gift from her dear mother. After much thought, she sold the Central Park painting to Griff in a private transaction.

Considering many options for a meaningful memorial for her mother, Jake’s idea was the one she chose. The Margaret Shay Oncology wing would be a living memorial serving others who were afflicted by cancer like her mother. To a handful of people, it was an inside joke that the painting George Kimball maligned was the cornerstone for the cancer wing at Mercy Hospital. In addition to the proceeds from the sale of the painting, Emma donated most of her inheritance to the project and spearheaded a campaign to raise the rest of what was needed.

She glanced about the room that had become home to her for the past year. Her gaze fell on her wedding dress. It still took her breath away. The dress was a magnificent white silk ball gown overlaid with lace and hundreds of shimmering crystals. She was a bride today, something she’d dreamed about since she was a little girl. Suddenly she couldn’t wait to meet Jake at the altar, to start their life together.

Slow down, Emma. Take a beat. Treasure every moment of today. These are the memories that will last a lifetime. Her mother’s voice echoed in her head.

Was Jake as excited as much as she was? Charlie had him at the cottage, where he and Griff were tasked with keeping the groom away from the inn. She hadn’t seen him since last night at the rehearsal dinner at the French restaurant, where he’d originally planned to propose.

The night before, after the dinner, her bridesmaids, Maddie, Remy, and Amber, returned with Emma to spend the night at the inn, which was closed during the week of Christmas for the first time in history. Excited to see the wedding decorations, Faith led them down the main stairs to have a look.

The grand staircase was adorned with garlands of pink peonies, wide lace ribbon, and white roses. Overhead the crystal chandelier was intertwined with flowers and a few sprigs of mistletoe.

“It’s magnificent,” she had told Faith, “more than anything I could have ever imagined. Married on Christmas Eve, exactly like you and Mr. Pennebeck.” Emma kissed her on the cheek. “Where did you ever find peonies this time of year?”

Faith took Emma’s hand. “Charlie insisted on having them flown in. He was adamant you would have your favorite flowers. We have enjoyed every blessed minute of the preparations, especially our trip to New York to find your perfect wedding dress.

Her bridesmaids trailed behind, taking in everything in detail. Then, when they walked into the main parlor where the ceremony was to take place, there was a collective sigh. The mantle was mounded with a profusion of pink peonies and white roses. Each rose petal was edged in crystals to shimmer in the candlelight.

Faith whispered to Emma, “In honor of your mother.” She hugged her. “To bed now,” she said, “tomorrow you are a bride.”

~ * ~

The next morning was filled with a flurry of makeup, hair styling, and getting dressed. Faith helped Emma with her wedding dress and veil. Charlie took hundreds of pre-wedding photos, then stepped into his role as the father of the bride. A colleague was photographing the wedding.

At the appointed time, she stood at the top of the stairs, waiting as each of her bridesmaids descended the front staircase. Alone now, she looked down the stairs where her father waited on the landing, a big, beaming smile on his face.

She paused, wanting to preserve every moment of this day in her memory. Then, with the first notes of the “Wedding March,” she went down the stairs to take her father’s arm.

“It’s our cue, Emma.” He winked, tears shimmering in his blue eyes, the same shade as hers.

When Jake saw her, his eyes widened, then the sweetest smile spread across his handsome face. Love and joy swelled within her, filling her heart with thankfulness. She’d found him again, and they were embarking on a future together.

To think, exactly one year ago, she’d arrived at the Cromwell Inn full of sadness and loss, and today she had a father who loved her and Jake, the man she’d never stopped loving. The Cromwell Inn had always been the special place of so many happy times and never more than today.

Breaking with tradition, he stretched out his arms, and with a laugh, she ran into them. Christmas was a season of miracles, and she was grabbing onto hers with both hands and never letting go.