He turned to me. “Lila, you’re my dream come true. Everything I could ever want is right here in this room—you, the girls. Raise a glass with me—to my future wife and our lovely daughters. Girls, come up here with us.”
Margot and Mia joined us, holding hands.
Everyone toasted whoever was closest to them. Vance kissed me, and the room erupted in applause and whistles.
“We’re getting married the day after Christmas,” Vance said. “Everyone here is invited, obviously. We’re going to keep it simple—well, besides the wine and food. We’ll have the ceremony right here in this room and then share a wedding feast.”
“A Christmas wedding?” Irene pressed a hand to her heart. “Oh, that’s perfect.”
Dorian stood, clearing his throat awkwardly. “I’ve known Vance my whole life. I never thought the two of us would move back to our hometown at the same time, but I’m glad we did. Lila, I’ve never seen my best friend so joyful and full of life. Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. To Vance and Lila.”
My friends got up one by one to say a few words. Delphine said she was skeptical at first but was happy to have been wrong. “Sometimes things are as good as they seem. Or—the man, in this case.”
Gillian cried through her speech, blaming pregnancy hormones. “I’m just so happy for you both. Love changes everything. Makes everything seem possible. Here’s to making wonderful memories together—with your girls, and with us.”
Seraphina, as usual, spoke eloquently about the twists and turns of life, how unexpectedly love can seize one’s heart, and how proud she was of me for not shying away, even after betrayal. “In the end, we have to keep believing that a better day might be tomorrow. To have faith in God and one another.”
Esme spoke next. “Lila, you’ve been the gentlest and sweetest friend to all of us. Always steady. Never flashy. The first to bring soup when one of us is sick. There is no one better to build your life around than Lila. I’m thrilled you see what we’ve known all along. To feel Lila’s love is like nothing else. Cherish each other, as we will continue to cherish you and one another. To friendship, love, and family.”
Irene stood, dabbing her eyes. “When I think back on what my boy went through, it’s amazing to me that he never gave up—continued to get up every morning and keep trying. If I’d known, Lila, that it was you waiting for him at the end, I wouldn’t have worried as much as I did. Welcome to our small but mighty family.”
Mia raised her hand. “Can I go?”
I nodded, smiling, wondering what on earth she was going to say.
“I’d like to say you’re welcome, to Mom and Vance. Without me and my friends, you two would never have found each other.”
More laughter.
“But seriously, Vance and Margot—thanks for making Mom and me a family of four. You’re both what I prayed for, over and over. Thanks for being awesome.” She hugged me and Vance, then turned to Margot. “Would you like to speak?”
Margot nodded, looking pale as everyone turned to her. Her voice wobbled as she began. “Papa was taken away from me for a long time. So long I thought he might not be real. But then he came back and brought me home. I remembered a whole bunch of things about my Papa and me—when we were together in France, how he used to sing to me at night, and how I rode on his shoulders when we went to the market. I thought when I first came here that I might get sent
away because that’s what happened with my mom. But now I have a new mom and a sister and new friends. And a therapist. Who’s helping me a lot.” She turned to face me directly. “Thanks for not sending me away or ignoring me. Also, I’m glad you don’t play golf.”
I would’ve laughed, except I knew the origin of that statement. I held open my arms, and Margot wrapped herself around me, holding tight. When I looked out at my friends, they were all in various states of tears.
When she untangled herself and stood back beside Mia, Dorian called out, “To Vance and Lila. To Mia and Margot. And the new family they’ve become.”
“To family,” Esme said.
“To family,” everyone echoed.
The evening continued with more wine, more food, more laughter. Around ten, the caterers started to pack up. Even though I never wanted the night to end, my friends were tired. Not the kids, mind you—they seemed ready to party all night. But everyone started putting on coats and heading out.
Vance and I stood near the front door, saying goodbye to our guests one by one.
“This was a special night,” Grady said, holding a sleepy Madison in his arms. “I’m thankful to be a part of it.”
“You’re one of us,” I said. “Whether you know it or not.”
Grady’s eyes glistened. “I’m grateful.” He turned to Esme, who was steering Robbie toward the door. “Ready to go?”
“You bet,” Esme said. “I’m glad you’re driving. I’m a little tipsy.”
“The most adorable drunk ever, this one,” Grady said.
Vance held the door open for them, and they slipped into the chilly night.
