Chapter Twenty-Three

Tabby smoothed the pale green ribbon sitting just below her breast as Becky tied the two ends in the back. The swell of her stomach hid most of the accent color, but it had been Eli’s mom’s favorite color, and they had tried to incorporate tributes to those missing as much as possible.

Becky hugged her from behind. “I am so glad you’re officially becoming my sister, even if I have always kinda thought of you as one.”

Tabby turned and hugged the young woman. “We are still severely outnumbered. Thank God these two,” she rubbed her belly, “will even the score a bit.”

Thinking of her impending motherhood to two daughters brought a new round of tears, and Becky sprang into action, dabbing lightly so as to not mess with the perfect makeup her stepsister Norah had applied.

A knock at the door sounded, and the two women turned to see a dark head sliding in.

“You ready?”

Tabby smiled at Sam. “I feel like I have been ready for this day my whole life, only I was convinced it would never come.”

Becky slid out, grabbing her bouquet of mountain laurel. “See ya in a few.”

Sam kissed her cheek. “Anyone who ever saw you and Eli together knew that, if given the chance, something magical could happen. Maybe that is what Isaiah and Maisie were doing when they named you two guardians. Creating the chance for magic to bloom.”

“Darn it, Sam, I just got myself calmed down. When did you get so mushy?”

Sam shrugged as a blush crossed his face, a face nearly identical to the man she would spend the rest of her life with. “I’ve always been mushy. Just don’t tell anyone.”

She rose up on her tiptoes and bussed his cheek. “You’re going to make some woman incredibly happy one day.”

He laughed. “Nah, I think I’m destined for bachelorhood. I mean, who else will keep this family in tip-top shape as it expands?”

He ducked back out of the small room and left Tabby alone. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled, her hand rubbing over her belly. She was rewarded with a sharp jab. “You two settle down for the ceremony and I promise lots of goodies afterward.”

Two swift kicks and she took that to mean an agreement. Grabbing her bouquet off the small side table, she left the room and stepped into the bright mountain sunshine. Becky, Norah, and Sam stood together under the shelter of a tree.

“Lead me to my groom.”

The walk to the small chapel took less than a minute, the breeze lifting the lace veil behind her. Sam squeezed her hands and went inside to pick up his guitar. Becky and Norah flitted around her, adjusting and tweaking until she swatted them away. “If you two don’t stop, I’ll give birth before I’m married.”

They laughed but ceased their fussing, and Norah walked up the steps and waved. The opening strains of “I Love the Way You Love Me” filtered out, and Tabby smiled as first Norah then Becky made their way down the small aisle. She stepped up to the double doors and looked at the man who would love her for the rest of her days. Whose support and guidance and faith in her had paved the way for them to love one another. She glanced at the stained glass window and said a small prayer for those who weren’t there, and then she made her way toward Eli.

…

Eli swallowed the lump in his throat and brushed his cheek, the moisture sliding away on his thumb. Tabby was a vision of loveliness. From the simple dress sprinkled with green leaves to the ring of pale pink flowers anchoring her veil, she glowed.

She marched steadily down the aisle to him as Sam plucked out the simple melody. The church was full of only their family and dearest friends. Neither he nor Tabby had wanted the spectacle of joining two of the richest families in Gatlinburg. This wasn’t about fame or money. Theirs was a story of love.

She reached him and smiled, tears spilling down onto pinkened cheeks. She handed her bouquet to Becky, and he grabbed her hands, planting a kiss on each of them.

The service was short and simple. Nothing but two people pledging their love and commitment to one another and the future generations of their respective families.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Tabby ducked her head, and Eli stepped forward and slid his hands onto her cheeks. “I love you, Tabitha Ellis.” The kiss was too simple and sweet for his liking, but the guests sighed all the same.

“I love you, too,” Tabby said and wiped her thumb across his cheek, collecting the tears they both were shedding.

Hand in hand, they left the church and stepped into the Smoky Mountain air. Eli hugged his wife and dropped a kiss on her head. “Thank you.”

“For what?” Tabby asked, her eyes growing misty gain.

“For being my reason to stay.”