Cameras flashed on the steps of the Oklahoma City courthouse.
This time, Stevie had been the one to notify the press. She wanted her actions today recorded for posterity.
She gazed up at Jake, and his chin dipped in a grin that only gave a hint at his true feelings. Tiny snowflakes dotted his hair and eyelashes.
It was cold, and she was starting to shiver, so they wouldn't be staying long.
Downtown Oklahoma City was ready for Christmas. Many businesses had decorated with lights and pine boughs. Evergreen wreaths strung with red ribbons hung from streetlights, and the sound of Christmas carols drifted from the manmade ice rink down the street.
Jake looked incredibly handsome in a black button-down shirt, black jeans, and boots. A black dress Stetson rounded out the outfit. He looked nothing like the professor, but he'd confided to her earlier that he wore one of his science T-shirts beneath. She was proud of his profession, even if she only understood it when he explained slowly and with much repetition. It was a part of who he was.
Her knee-length lace dress and brown cowgirl boots weren't doing much to keep her warm, even with the ivory coat she wore over her the ensemble.
The diamond on the fourth finger of her left hand caught the light just right from where she posed with her hands on Jake's shoulders, one foot kicked up behind her. The plain gold band didn't have as much shine, but almost meant more.
They'd opted for a short ceremony in front of a county judge. Mostly for expediency. Stevie's tour would start up with a vengeance again in January, and Jake's break would be up soon after the new year. They wanted to cram as much time together as they could before they were pulled in different directions.
Lily had witnessed the ceremony with them inside, but Jake's friends had taken her out the back of the building. Jake didn't mind some minor time in the media's spotlight, but neither of them wanted Lily exposed. Especially with Courtney's release date set for early next summer, the less drama for all involved the better. Stevie had gone to visit Courtney a couple times, once with her new publicist, and they'd talked over some strategies to keep Lily out of the limelight.
The media interest in Stevie had died down to almost nothing after she'd fired Zack. Turned out the jerk had been making up stories and circulating them, along with the occasional true tip about her whereabouts or inside details.
She'd hired a great attorney, and they'd placed a gag order on her former manager. Her new manager, Lorraine, had told a few people in the right places in the industry about the things Zack had done, and word had it Zack was having trouble getting new clients.
"Lorraine is giving me the two minute signal," Jake murmured in her ear, holding her even closer for some shots.
"About time," she returned, turning her face up to his for a kiss. His lips were cool, but the kiss warmed her from the inside out.
Stevie was insanely happy, but there was still an empty place inside that ached. Sienna's chunk of her heart.
"Ready?" Lorraine approached and handed them the white balloons filled with helium. The winter wind tried to tug them away. The manager backed down the steps again.
This would be the last photo op, and then Lorraine would shoo away the reporters.
Jake's hand closed over hers on the ribbons. They both craned their heads back, looking at the bobbing balloons. Maybe Jake was as lost in memories and wishes as she was.
One balloon each for the people who should've been here with them. Adam and Sienna.
Jake squeezed her hand, and they both let go and watched the balloons fly up into the sky. Past the nearest building. Past the skyscrapers until they disappeared in the snow-filled clouds.
She still missed Sienna. She always would.
But God had given her this chance with Jake and Lily, and she wasn't going to take it for granted. They'd wrangle schedules and tour dates and recording contracts, and they'd do it together.
And maybe eventually, they'd name their first daughter Sienna.
They were a family now. And there was no going back.