The next evening, Nancy looked at herself in the mirror of Rebecca’s dressing table. She’d packed the gray dress that Adam and Rebecca had given her. Nancy brushed her hands down the front, giving it a final adjustment until it hung perfectly. She was ready. Her heart was light and she knew with all of her being that she was doing the right thing.
She heard Radford’s footsteps in the hall and pressed her palm to her thudding heart. Releasing a calming breath, she went to open the door.
Radford greeted her, a warm smile on his face. He looked so much like his father that she choked up with tears for a moment and fell into his arms. They held each other for a good long minute, the two of them understanding the significance of what was transpiring, that her son—Hal’s son—was giving her away and joyfully watching her marry another man.
Blinking back her tears, Nancy eased back and cupped her son’s face between her palms. “Thank you for finding your way back home. Watching you struggle to create a new life after having lost so much was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but you taught me so much, Radford. You showed me that no matter how broken a heart is, love heals all wounds, and that we learn our greatest lessons from our children.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Mother. My kids teach me something new every day.” He shook his head. “It’s terrifying to think that just one decision could have cost me this beautiful family I have. I guess this is why Dad always told us to follow our hearts, because our minds can’t be trusted.”
Nancy laughed. “Not when they’re filled with grief and fear and guilt, that’s for sure.”
For a moment they simply stood there, hands clasped, Mother and son saying so much to one another without speaking a word.
Radford tilted his head and “Are you ready, Mother?”
She nodded. “Do you think everyone back home will mind that Dawson and I married here in Crane Landing?”
“Not if we have another ceremony back home,” he said, making her laugh.
“All right then, I’m ready.” And she was.
In the parlor, Rebecca and Adam stood with Dawson and the local minister as Radford walked her in. Dawson’s family, his two brothers, their wives, and his several nieces and nephews were all there to support Dawson and welcome Nancy into their family.
Nancy saw Rebecca press her hand to her heart, where Nancy’s wedding band hung on the ribbon, and she knew her granddaughter would hold that great love in safekeeping… for her… for Hal… and for their ever-growing family.
As her eyes met Dawson’s, her heart fluttered with joy. He stood with his arms at his side, wearing a smartly tailored black suit, his eyes as blue as the Maine sky as he waited for her to join him. The nerves she expected to feel never materialized. Instead, she felt an incredible peace, knowing that she was placing the caretaking of her heart in Dawson’s capable hands. And he was trusting her with his.
Dawson’s eyes promised love, passion, and adventure. He’d said he would give her the world, but all she wanted was him and her family. As Radford placed her hand in Dawson’s and stepped back, she felt Dawson’s fingers close around her own. There was strength and certainty in his grip. He would stand strong beside her for the rest of their days.
And so in Princess Cecily’s little cottage, Nancy took her vows with Dawson Crane willingly, joyfully, and guilt-free. She embraced her love with Dawson and celebrated her love for Hal in their children and grandchildren. Hearts were made to love and life was to be lived fully.
Dawson spoke his vows with a steady voice and his eyes filled with love. “I promise to love and cherish you always. And when we cross the bridge to go to our house this evening, you won’t be leaving your old life behind, sweetheart. You’re just adding another chapter to it and another home and a few more family members,” he added, making everyone laugh.
Nancy smiled as she gazed into Dawson’s eyes. Everything that had weighed on her heart for all of these months was gone, replaced with love for this amazing man who was willing to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and help her stitch it back together like a weather-beaten sail.
The foghorn from the harbor sounded in the distance as if guiding her from the fog of her emotions and into the start of their new life together.
As the minister pronounced them husband and wife, Dawson drew her into his strong embrace and pressed a tender, loving kiss upon her lips. “We have so many adventures ahead of us, Mrs. Crane,” he whispered. “Hoist your sails, darling, we’re about to set sail.”
“Then let the wind blow. I’m ready,” she said, looping her arms around his neck and holding on for the first of many adventures she knew she would have as Mrs. Dawson Crane.
The End