Sienna turned away from the freestanding mirror after double-checking that her gown was in place. It was not only in place—it was fabulous.
The simple white bodice fit her perfectly. She wore a small clip in the back of her hair with rows of tulle tucked underneath, pearls stretched around her neck and beneath the billows of her skirt, she’d donned white Converse sneakers. When she put it all together, the look summed her up nicely.
Sienna had never wanted a fancy wedding. No, this ceremony with only her closest family and friends at a small, traditional church in the mountains was exactly what she’d always envisioned.
Just like Devin was who she’d always envisioned being by her side—for life.
Someone knocked at the door to her makeshift dressing room, and she called, “Come in!”
Devin stepped inside, looking dapper in his black tuxedo. He let out a low whistle as he closed the door behind him. “You look gorgeous.”
She curtsied. “Thank you. You look handsome yourself—even if you’re not supposed to be in here. Don’t you know the rules?”
As Devin stepped closer, Sienna straightened his collar, her heart feeling so full that it could burst. She couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with this man.
“I thought maybe we could pray together before the ceremony,” he said. “I thought it would be the perfect way to start this day—to start the rest of our lives together.” He brushed his knuckles softly across her cheek.
Sienna’s heart warmed even more. “I think that’s a great idea. And here I was afraid that you were getting cold feet.”
“Never.” He smiled reassuringly.
Sienna still couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe that she was getting married. Couldn’t believe that Devin had turned out to be the man of her dreams.
Gone was the brooding neighbor who isolated himself. Everyone said he was back to being the person he used to be—back before tragedy had altered his world—and she really liked this Devin.
The two of them had decided to buy a house away from their original neighborhood, somewhere they could make new memories together. They’d sold their furniture and purchased new items, ready for a fresh start.
Sienna couldn’t wait to dive into her new life.
Anita was going on trial next month, but everyone knew the case would be a slam dunk. The body in the woods had turned out to be Lisa’s. Her name was mentioned in the subsequent news articles, giving her credit for helping to solve the case. And Colby—Liam—was doing great.
“Hey, you two! You’re not supposed to see each other before the ceremony,” Viviana said, stepping into the room in a lovely wine-colored bridesmaid’s dress.
“We couldn’t resist,” Sienna said, keeping her hands at Devin’s waist as she turned toward her friend.
“Oh, you guys are too cute. I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Thanks, Viviana.” Sienna smiled at her friend.
“I just came back here to let you know that your special guests have arrived.”
Sienna drew in a deep breath of excitement. She’d asked Viviana to let her know. “Great. Can you send them back?”
Viviana’s eyebrows shot up. “You don’t want to wait until after the ceremony?”
“Absolutely not. I need to see them now.”
“I’ll send them back then. Your wish is my command.”
A few minutes later, the Brightons appeared inside the old Sunday school classroom with the sky-blue walls. Sienna felt the smile spread across her face when she spotted Colby—or Liam, she should say. He’d always be Colby in her mind.
He’d gotten bigger since she’d last seen him a couple of months ago. And his hair was longer, and his smile wider. Overall, he looked like he was doing great.
“Hey there, sweet boy.” Sienna leaned down to look at the boy’s handsome face. “How are you?”
“Good…” He jabbed his finger into Joyce. “Mama.”
Sienna smiled. “That’s right. That’s your mama.”
Liam’s finger then went into George’s chest. “Dada.”
“What a smart boy you are.” Sienna took his hand into hers and kissed his little fingers. “A very smart, blessed boy.”
“Yes, he is,” George said.
Sienna swung her gaze back up to the couple. “I’m so glad you could come.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Joyce said. Her face said it all—the gratitude she felt, along with thankfulness and completeness.
It was a beautiful sight.
“How are things going?” Devin asked.
“It’s great,” George said. “Honestly, it couldn’t be better. Liam is happy, and he’s adjusted well. We’re staying in touch with a psychologist, just to make sure we’re on track. But we couldn’t be happier.”
“That makes me happy.” Sienna stepped back toward Devin, and his arm went around her waist again.
“We just want to say thank you again for everything you did,” George said. “You both put your lives at risk to help us. I don’t know how we could ever repay you.”
“I’d hope someone would do it for us, if the roles were ever reversed.”
“Sienna, it’s time for the ceremony,” Viviana said, peeking her head back inside. “I hate to break this up, but we have a crowd waiting for you.”
“Thanks, Viviana.”
“We’ll let you two go,” Joyce said. “We can’t wait to see the ceremony, and we’ll talk to you afterward.”
“Sounds good. Bye, Liam.”
The boy waved to Sienna, melting her heart yet again. He just had that effect on her.
When they were gone, Sienna turned toward Devin. “You ready for this?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ve been ready. Now, about that prayer…”
“Of course.”
They bowed their heads together as Devin began speaking. “Father in Heaven, we trust You for all of our days. Please bless this union. Make us stronger. Help me to be the man Sienna needs. Guard our hearts. Protect our relationship. And Lord, we praise You for bringing us together, even if it was in ways that we might have never foreseen.”
As he said amen, Sienna was still smiling. Yes, God had definitely brought them together in a way Sienna would have never imagined.
But she was thankful for the good that had come from the bad.
“Okay, get out there, and I’ll meet you on the stage,” Sienna said. “And then…forever. You and me.”
Devin grinned. “Forever. You and me. I like the sound of that.”
* * * * *