“One small thing,” Ash said as they pulled into the farm. There was already a line of cars parked halfway out to the highway. “I’d really like to get married tonight. When you sign the adoption paperwork saying you want to be Levi’s mom, I want to be there promising to be his dad.”
“I love the idea, but I’m signing the adoption agreement paperwork tomorrow.” She looked out the window. “What are all these cars doing here?”
His heart was hammering inside his chest as he parked the truck next to the farmhouse. Why had he thought this was a good idea? “If you’re okay with it, we’re having a wedding tonight. If you’re not okay with it, we’ll have a big party and pretend this never happened.”
“What are you talking about? We can’t get married tonight!” Her voice was a high squeak. “I’m wearing shorts! There’s no plan!”
There was a knock on the passenger-side window of Ash’s brand-new truck. Claire pulled the door open. She, Wynn and Allison stood in a semicircle around the open door. Their dresses were different styles, each a shade of pale blue.
Claire’s eyes were suspiciously shiny, but she held out a hand to Jordan. “We’re your bridal party. We have everything you need inside. Come on. We have a lot to do!”
Jordan looked back at Ash. Her eyes were wide and sending him a message. Something like, I love you and can’t wait to marry you. Or it could be, I’m gonna kill you when all these people are gone. He wasn’t quite sure which.
She reached back into the truck and grabbed his hand. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I love you, Jordan.”
She nodded. “Okay. Okay. We’re really doing this.”
He got out of the truck and watched as the women led her into the house to get ready. He was getting married tonight!
The guys had the lights strung across the backyard and the twins were setting up chairs. His mother bustled by with a big box of flowers, stopping to give him a one-armed hug. “I could just kill you for doing this on such short notice, but I’m so ridiculously proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love her. Now, does anyone know where my son is?”
Joe looked over from where he was stretching an extension cord across the yard to where the band was setting up. “Yeah, he’s at the cottage with Mrs. Matthews. Your clothes and the ones Claire got for him are in his room.”
Ash walked around the pond to the small cottage where Jordan lived with Levi. He found Mrs. Matthews sitting on the floor with Levi and his blocks. Ash smiled at Levi and would have sworn he could feel his heart expanding. “Hey, Mrs. Matthews. I’ve got him from here.”
Levi looked up with a big toothy grin. “Doc!”
Mrs. Matthews stood and gathered her book and reading glasses. “I don’t mind staying.”
“Thank you very much, but me and the little guy here need to have a man-to-man talk.”
She patted his hand as she passed him. “All right, then. I’ll see you boys in a few minutes.”
Ash lifted Levi into his arms and walked to the window, where they could see the preparations taking place in the backyard. “You see those pretty lights over there? We’re having a big party because your mama is getting married.”
Levi pointed. “Mama?”
“Yes, buddy, Mama is right over there getting ready. And we’re going to get ready, too, because today is a big day. We’re going to be a family.”
Levi pointed out the window again. “Mama?”
“That’s right. You and me and Mama. I’m gonna be your dad.” His eyes were stinging with tears.
Levi turned big brown eyes on Ash. “Dad?”
“That’s right.” Ash forced the words over the huge lump in his throat. A tear tracked down his cheek when those little arms latched around his neck. “I’m the luckiest dad in the whole world. Now we better get ready, because Aunt Claire will not be happy if we’re late.”
* * *
Jordan stood at the kitchen door—dressed in a tea-length lace gown and cowboy boots—and watched her best friends walk down the aisle between the chairs on the back lawn. Allison had piled Jordan’s hair on top of her head and Wynn had done her makeup. She’d held their hands as they prayed for her and Ash and their new life, just beginning to unfold.
Someone had taken the swing down and decorated the arch with flowers and twinkle lights. In less than five minutes, she would walk out that door and down the steps and promise that she would love Ash forever. It was fitting that they would get married under the big old oak tree. She prayed that their roots as a couple would grow deep, their arms would stretch wide and their love would cast shade for those who needed it.
With tears in her eyes, Claire handed Jordan a bouquet of hydrangeas and lilies that Bertie had picked in her backyard. She caught her twin in a hug. “I wish Mom was here to see how beautiful you are. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Okay, here I go, before I cry all my mascara off.” Claire walked slowly down the wide steps of the old house and down the aisle, and then it was Jordan’s turn.
Joe offered his arm as Jordan stepped over the threshold. He would walk her down the aisle to give her away.
It was a beautiful night, stars scattered in the vast sky, and below, all the people she loved, gathered to witness the start of a new family.
When she started down the aisle, she saw Ash waiting for her at the altar, Levi held safe in his strong arms. Joy exploded in her chest. They were hers, these two men, beyond all reason and logic.
She realized, finally, that she didn’t have to listen to that voice, the one telling her she didn’t deserve this family, this life. Maybe she and Ash weren’t perfect, but they had each other and they weren’t giving up.
And that was the lesson, she thought, as she stepped into place beside Ash. You didn’t give up. You never gave up. You kept trying and trying until the trying became the joy.
It was the journey that was beautiful, not how it ended.
And she and Ash had a beautiful journey ahead.
* * * * *
If you loved this story,
pick up the other book
in the FAMILY BLESSINGS series,
THE DAD NEXT DOOR
from author Stephanie Dees.
Available now from Love Inspired!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from AMISH CHRISTMAS TWINS by Patricia Davids.
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