The chapel door swung wide welcoming Jessica out of the December afternoon and into the warmth of dark wood and smiling faces. Catherine and Ashleigh had been hard at work, using the simple materials available to them in Hot Springs, and transforming the small chapel into a miniature fairytale world. A place Jessica never expected to see.
Holly surrounded white candles in the windows and garland dripped from window to window, meeting a fluffy white boy at the dome of each window. A magnificent wreath hung on the furthest wall, dripping with white and gold. Jessica’s vision misted over as her gaze caught on the row of faces drawing her forward down the aisle.
All the people she loved best in the world watched in anticipation as she entered, her father at her side ushering her toward the future. His steady hold balanced her slight limp so that she moved—no, almost glided—forward, shrouded in her mother’s frothy white gown.
Perhaps Jessica was living a fairytale, because she and August certainly had witnessed magic and miracles.
Strums of the wedding march reverberated in welcome from the small piano her father had purchased for the occasion. Her gaze landed on her dearest friend, Ashleigh, nestled beside her husband, Sam, who held their four-month old son, Christopher. Their bond of years, shared memories, and secrets, encouraged a fresh sheen of tears in Jess’ vision. How they both had discovered truth and healing in their journeys!
Granny held Faith while Jude peeked around her, his grin widening into dimples. He looked dashing in his little brown suit, his hair slicked back to add maturity to his dear face. Jess’ heart expanded with so much love for her children. Her gaze flickered to August’s as he waited in his fresh, dark suit. Their children.
He seemed to read her thoughts, dropping his attention to their little additions with a tender light. Oh, how I love this man.
David’s smile met her next, the joy in his eyes a matching spark to the pulse of her chest. Love bound them through the losses. He knew and understood. Jess’ gaze switched to Catherine at his side, a woman who understood very well the power of love to restore the broken. Jess’ grin broadened at the teasing tilt of her sister-in-law’s grin beneath her fitted maroon cap.
Kissing practice?
A flush of warmth enflamed Jess’s face as she turned forward, her gaze locking with the very focus of her thoughts. Her groom. Her prince. Her love. He stood tall in his dark suit, the golden mass of hair smoothed back but for the rebel curl. Cliff stood to one side, Anna to the other, and the minister waited in the middle as she and her father came to a stop before them as the music trailed to a close.
She never expected this fairytale for her life, but, despite her stubbornness and pride, despite her rebellious heart and reluctant love, God filled the hands she thought were so empty with more joy than she could hold. Love to last a lifetime, and much longer.
Her hand slid into August’s welcoming palm and his grin crooked in the heart-flipping way she adored. No one could have shown her the pursing, patient love of Christ like this long-suffering, tender-hearted man before her. She gave his hand a squeeze at the thought, stepping with him into a new future and thanking God.
***
August closed the door behind them as they stepped into the little cottage, the strains of Joy to the World still dancing through Jessica’s mind. Joy? Yes. After so much pain and loss, she embraced all of this beautiful joy and peace with a full heart. Her prince charming had spent last month preparing her parents’ former home for their newlywed life, even adding an additional room for future growth.
Jess scanned the familiar sitting room and beloved furniture, each with its own story. And now, she could add a new chapter to them. Lights still glowed from the farmhouse as all the wedding guests enjoyed Granny’s feast, but August had tugged Jessica away and brought her to their new home.
With Jude and Faith in the safe care of Anna and Cliff for the next week, Jess had little else to do but... love her husband. Quiet greeted their sudden aloneness. She turned to face him and found him directly behind her, slipping his arms around her in the beautiful way she loved best—completely. A cherished hold nestled close to his heart.
“I love you, my dear Mr. Ross.”
His smile stretched against her hair, inspiring her own. “And I love you, my dear Mrs. Ross.”
She looked up at him, placing a kiss to his chin as she did. “I am a little delighted that you took my name.”
His palms smoothed down her back and back up. He kissed her forehead and cheek, then slid a kiss down her neck, sending enough tingles to weaken both of her legs. “I was happy to take your name. You are my family. My heart.”
Her thoughts blurred from his attention to her neck, her breath uneven. “You are remarkably forward thinking.”
He pinned her against him, face to face, his lips grazing hers with his words. “Oh yes, I am most certainly thinking forward right now, my Mause.”
Her lips anticipated his kiss wavering at the very edge of her mouth. Even her body stood to attention, awaiting his next touch. “And what might be on that clever mind of yours?”
His eyes took on a smoky glow and his delicious grin perched with enough of an answer to send a delightful warmth flooding through her from head to toe. “A very intimate wager.”
He kissed her soft and long, pearling the air around her into a thick heat, his hold transitioning to a more possessive grip across her back.
She released a quivering sigh, submitting to the aura of his love. “I think, my sweet alien, just this once, I’ll let you win.”