Saturday, September 26
The sun was shining when Sonia arrived at the church near Bev Buchanan’s house. Katia was with her and they were riding in Tobias’ car. His driver opened the door for them and they got out together. Katia circled around, fussing with Sonia’s dress and her train. Sonia’s dress was sleeveless and looked like it was made of fabric flowers. They were white at the top, then became faintly pink towards the swirling hem. She carried pink roses with lilies and felt like a fairy queen. Katia’s dress was similar but hemmed just below the knee. It was pale pink at the shoulders and shaded to a deep fuchsia at the hem. They both wore fuchsia satin pumps.
“Don’t be nervous,” Katia said, even though she seemed to be the worried one. “You look terrific.”
“That’s not what weddings are about.”
“It’s part of what they’re about, otherwise you wouldn’t have spent so much on the dress.”
“It’s about making a commitment to the love of your life.”
Katia smiled. “Who knew Bucky had it in him?”
“I did,” Sonia said softly, feeling her sister’s sidelong glance.
“And there they are.” Kyle called from the doorway of the church and came to greet them. “Looking fabulous, superstar,” he said with an approving survey.
“You’re no slouch yourself,” Sonia said, straightening his bow tie. She met his sparkling blue gaze. “Thank you for doing this, Kyle.”
“Hey, I’m honored.” He held a hand over his chest. “I am, of course, far too young to have a daughter of your age, but it’s a worthy exception.” He winked and she kissed his cheek.
“I feel like you could be my big brother, like everyone at F5F is my family.”
Kyle grimaced. “True, we kind of grow on people that way.”
“There are molds that do that,” Katia teased.
“Bada boom.” Kyle pointed at Katia and gave Sonia a look. “Do you know her? Or is she just trying to crash the party?”
“She’s my maid of honor and you know it,” Sonia said. “Is everyone here?”
“We’re just waiting for the star of the show,” Kyle said. He then changed to a radio announcer voice. “That internationally famous yoga therapist superstar, Sonia, who urges you to become the person you were born to be!”
Katia cheered and they laughed at each other.
“Chica!” Maria exploded out of the church, wearing a gold suit that showed off her curves and fabulous heels. Pierce had located her, using the few details Sonia and Katia remembered, and they’d all been thrilled to discover that she was living in Baltimore. She kissed Sonia’s cheeks, then cooed over the dress, flicking at the skirts and checking Sonia’s lipstick. “You look so beautiful,” she said with a happy sigh.
“Thank you for being here today, Maria,” Sonia gave her a hug and had to blink back tears. “I’m so glad we found each other again.”
“You were in my heart all along,” Maria said, then glanced at Katia. “Both of you.” Then she frowned. “Where is Olivia?”
“She had to cancel,” Sonia said.
“I never thought she’d accept the invitation anyway,” Katia said. “The star of a wedding is always the bride.”
“But you had to invite her, chica,” Maria chided, a twinkle in her eye.
“She got a part in another holiday movie for the streaming service,” Katia said. “A lonely divorcée with a gift for matchmaking finds a love of her own at Christmas.” She rolled her eyes.
“Maybe the second time will be the charm,” Sonia said.
“Sounds like trouble out here,” Meesha said, peering out of the church with a smile. “Are you all going to stand out there all day and have your own party, or is there going to be a wedding?”
“You’re all good?” Kyle asked Sonia, as if he didn’t know the truth. His smile, though, revealed that he did.
“You know I am.”
“Nate’s officially the luckiest guy in the world today. I told him so already.”
“And what did Lauren say about that?”
“That she’d straighten me out later.” Kyle dropped his voice to a whisper. “I. Can. Not. Wait.” The sparkle in his eyes was enough to make all three of them laugh out loud.
Then Meesha ushered them into the narthex. Maria gave her one last kiss, then headed down the aisle on the arm of Nate’s friend, Dr. Rick. There was a hush, then the sounds of the Wedding March soared from the organ. Katia went down the aisle alone, casting pink rose petals on the ground.
Sonia looked around, awed by the old church, glad that she was getting married in Nate’s family’s church. His parents had been married in this church, and she loved the tradition of it all. And so many people had come to celebrate the day with them. There was still social distancing, but many people had put aside their masks. Sonia was humbled by the sight of so many familiar faces, spread out so that she felt she could see every one.
On the bride’s side of the aisle, the team from F5F was out in force. Hunter and Chloe smiled and waved excitedly. Chloe had to be in the sixth month of her pregnancy by now and was absolutely glowing. Lauren was near the front of the church by the space reserved for Kyle with their daughter, Ariel, who looked adorable in her frilly dress. Tyler and Shannyn were there with their two sons, Joshua was asleep in Ty’s arms. Theo stood with Lyssa and Logan. Damon and Haley were in the second pew from the front with their daughter, Natalie. Cassie was visibly pregnant again, standing with Reid who was holding Marty. Her eyes were filled with tears when she met Sonia’s gaze and she looked so proud and happy. Sonia was glad that F5F was open again, with volume restrictions, but both branches of the club were recovering.
Nate’s mom and his sister were at the front of the church on the other side of the aisle, with Andrew. He and Diane were planning to be married in the new year and Nate’s mom was thrilled to have two weddings in close succession. The team from Silver Fox Security was on the groom’s side of the aisle, including Lisa Mack and her husband, Pierce and Jacquie, Jimmy and his wife and daughters, Simon, Jared, Sam and Regan. Lisa was holding Sheba on the aisle so she could be as close as possible to Nate. The dog was completely devoted to him, which Sonia could understand. Uncle Jed was there with his wife Bella and so many relatives that Sonia couldn’t remember all their names.
They’d worked out the details over the summer of commuting between Boston and New York. Even though the club was opening again and some people had gone back to their day jobs at F5F, Sonia was still working remotely except for the recording of her sessions. Sonia had kept her place for the days when she was in the city filming her podcast. They recorded multiple episodes at each session and usually she managed at least five days per week in Boston with Nate and Sheba. Nate had fit right in with Pierce’s team and was loving his new job.
The Wedding March began and everyone turned to the doors expectantly. Kyle led Sonia toward the altar and her tattoo seemed to hum a little more with every step. She located Chynna, the artist who had given her the tattoo, and that woman’s partner, Trevor, among the guests, too. She’d tucked a dried flower from Cassie’s bouquet, the one she’d caught years before, into her own for luck.
She knew that she and Nate didn’t need luck, though.
Nate’s friends from high school were standing up with him and were at the altar, looking elegant in their tuxedos. Sonia had met Dr. Rick, Dustin and Yvan at the rehearsal dinner and had enjoyed the easy familiarity between the old friends. Their partners and kids had come, too. Nate had made a mix and they were going to sing at the reception. She knew that everyone would be up dancing to the Manic Eclectics.
And then there was Nate. He stood with his hands folded in front of himself, waiting for her at the front of the church. His gaze was so bright that Sonia couldn’t take a breath. He was wearing his new myoelectric prosthesis for the occasion. It looked like a hand but was made of black steel and she knew he was proud of how he could move the fingers in a realistic way. She wasn’t surprised that Pierce had found a way to get Nate one.
Sonia patted Sheba as she passed Lisa Mack.
The music stopped when she was standing beside Nate. He offered his hand and she put her hand in his, her throat tight. She couldn’t believe that she had all these people in her life now and her heart felt ready to burst. They were gathered with all their nearest and dearest, friends and family, families of blood and of choice, with a few guardian angels.
Nate squeezed her fingers and gave her a sidelong smile, one that still had the power to make her heart thump. She squeezed his back, knowing she’d found her prince and he’d be hers forevermore.
It didn’t get any better than that.
Want to read more?
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book 10 of the Flatiron Five Fitness series of contemporary romances.
Coming April 2022!
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Book 1 of Heroes of Harte’s Harbor
Coming July 2022