Hailey’s wedding day . . .
Linc pushed Jayme’s wheelchair from the church into the gathering area where they would have a light lunch. “The ceremony was so wonderful,” Jayme gushed.
“Hailey made a beautiful bride.” He gazed down at Jayme, realizing he’d misspoke. This woman he loved with his whole heart would be a stunning bride.
“The only bummer is being stuck in this wheelchair.” Jayme grimaced. “Sorry, I know I promised to stop complaining.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me, Jayme.” He understood how frustrated she’d been with being restricted to a wheelchair. Being immobile and dependent on others wasn’t easy, especially not for someone who’d been independent as long as Jayme had been. The good news was that her burned feet were healing nicely. At their last visit, the doc seemed to think she’d be able to walk on them by the end of the month.
“How are you feeling?” Darby came over to stand beside them. Darby had been Hailey’s matron of honor, her little boy, Leo, the ring bearer. Cooper had stood up as Rock’s best man. Linc thought it was awesome how Hailey and Rock had included several of the fosters in their celebration.
And that they were all able to attend the wedding.
“I’m fine,” Jayme assured her. “Leo did such a wonderful job as ring bearer.”
“He was a star,” Darby agreed with a smile. She glanced over at her husband who was chasing Leo. “Gage is a wonderful father.”
Over the course of the reunion, he and Jayme had learned how several of the fosters had overcome their fears to fall in love. Hailey had tried to ditch Rock several times before accepting his help. Sawyer had convinced Naomi to trust him to help care for her younger sister. Darby had betrayed Gage to save herself and her unborn child, but Gage had won her back. Mia had tried to leave Cooper so that he wouldn’t have to give up his newly found foster family. Serena had refused to give up on Trent, despite his issues with alcohol abuse.
They emulated the epitome of love and acceptance.
When they were all gathered together, each holding a glass of sparkling grape juice, Linc cleared his throat. “I know we’re here today to celebrate Hailey and Rock, and I do want to congratulate the both of you on your new life together.”
“Here, here,” Trent shouted.
“But I hope you don’t mind if I take a moment for Jayme,” Linc pressed.
“Of course not,” Hailey assured him. “We each owe our lives to her.”
He nodded, suspecting most of the fosters would feel that way. He turned and dropped to one knee beside Jayme’s wheelchair. He held up the diamond engagement ring that Caitlyn had helped him choose. “Jayme, will you please marry me?”
Jayme gaped in surprise, then flushed and laughed. “Yes, Linc. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Cheers to Jayme and Linc!” Cooper said, lifting his glass of sparkling grape juice.
“Yay, sis!” Caitlyn rushed over to give Jayme a hug. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Does this mean you’ll invite us to your wedding?” Trent teased. “I really like these family reunions.”
Darby laughed. “I can get on board with that plan.”
“Me too,” Hailey agreed. “Having all of you here today has made our wedding very special.”
“Welcome to the family, Linc,” Sawyer said. “We’re happy to have you.”
Linc smiled down at Jayme. This was God’s plan for him, and as much as he missed Gina and Melody, he was truly blessed to be given a second chance at love. At a family. A much bigger family than he’d anticipated.
“How do you feel about a Christmas wedding?” he murmured to Jayme. “I’m thinking your feet will have healed by then. And there’s no better time for another family reunion than right before the holidays.”
“I love it,” she whispered. “But not as much as I love you, Linc.”
He kissed her. “I love you more.” Now and forever.
Thank you so much for reading Jayme’s Journey. I hope you enjoyed all the books in my Smoky Mountain Secrets series. If you’re curious about Caitlyn’s story, I’ve written a Christmas Novella to give her the happily ever after she deserves. Would you like to read Caitlyn’s Christmas? Click Here!