The question hung in the cold night air like a fragile ornament. Regina blinked hard, then exhaled sharply, almost like she couldn’t believe she was doing it. “Fine. I won’t stand in your way.”
She turned to Aurelia, still mostly ignoring me, but I was absolutely okay with that. This woman and I were going to need a long, long time to mend what she’d tried to break between her daughter and me. It would happen but not right then.
For Aurelia, I would put in the effort tomakeit happen.
She sniffed and reached for Aurelia’s hand, taking a step closer to us. “I was just doing what I thought was best, baby. I see now that I was mistaken, but that doesn’t change the reasons for which I did it. I would never stand in the way of something that would make you truly happy, and if you’re sure that this is it, then you have my blessing.”
Regina turned, noticing that my mother had started looking around the garden again. Their gazes lingered on the chairs packed in such a way to create an aisle between them, the arch,and the lights. As if some cosmic motherly instinct kicked in for both of them at the same time, their expressions shifted.
My mother scoffed. “Thisisthe wedding, isn’t it?” she mused out loud. Sighing, she brought her gaze to mine. “It’s your wedding and you planned it all without any input from us, you little devils.”
Regina’s eyes widened, her gasp turning into a laugh. “We both managed to raise ungrateful children, CC. I suppose we have that in common.”
My mother nodded her agreement, like they’d been on the same side all along. She chuckled and shook her head. She kept talking, but their muttering faded into the background because Aurelia had turned to face me, her eyes coming up to mine.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her eyes glistening under the glow of the lights. “I love you, Harrison. I’m so sorry for hurting you. I?—”
“Hey, there’s nothing to be sorry for. I get it, Aura. I understand. The only thing that matters is that you’re here now.” I stepped closer, brushing my thumb over her knuckles, and I leaned in, lowering my voice just for her. “Let’s get married, shall we? We don’t want to keep our guests waiting all night, and personally, I’m about ready to start celebrating.”
Her answering smile was the kind that burned into my bones, the kind that made me believe this fight had always been destined to end this way. With us together, uniting even the forces that had tried to keep us apart.
CHAPTER 44
AURELIA
After the ceremony, the Christmas party seamlessly transformed into a wedding reception. The house was littered with garlands and ribbons. Twinkling lights were strung from every ceiling beam and every tree branch outside.
The scent of pine and cinnamon drifted through the air, blending with the sound of laughter, carols, and champagne corks popping. I’d never seen anything so fun, so lively, or so perfectly alive.
It was a little hard to believe that it was all for us, but here we were, me in my dress and him in his impeccable tux. That dark hair wasn’t so perfectly styled tonight, falling in a longish sweep across his forehead in a way that told me he’d shoved his hands through it a lot before he’d realized I would be here.
Meanwhile, my new sisters-in-law had banded around me in the master suite upstairs as soon as Harrison and I had come back inside. They’d helped me change out of my jeans and hoodie into the dress, Sadie hastily pinning up my hair while Laney did her best with my makeup.
Maisie had rallied the troops downstairs, commandeering the help of the Westwood boys to urge all the guests to their seats. Garvey, the Westwoods’ old butler, had seen to fires beinglit outside, and outdoor heaters were ignited in an attempt to break the chill where the ceremony had taken place outside.
Everyone had worked together like a well-oiled machine, and with their help, we’d pulled it off, getting married right here on the Westwood Estate on Christmas Eve. Our reception was the best kind of chaos, with family and our closest friends dancing to pop versions of traditional Christmas carols.
I spotted Trent, Jameson’s best friend and Sadie’s brother, but it was hard not to see him. The man stood out like a six-foot-four billboard for Texan men who refuse to be humbled.
He had one elbow propped on the bar, drawling something to one of the wedding guests. A pretty brunette who worked with Laney. Very pretty, actually, and she was leaning in like he’d either hung the moon or owned it outright.
He was showing her pictures on his phone, and even from here I would bet money they weren’t of him. It would be his horses or the view from the porch on his ranch. Maybe even that one cowboy-leaning-against-a-fence-post shot men like him pretended was candid.
“Is he seriously flirting at my wedding?” I muttered.
Callum, who had appeared beside me as if by magic, snorted. “That guy flirts the way other people breathe. It just comes naturally to him. You should see him sweet-talk the feed-store lady. The man’s got a problem.”
As if we’d summoned him, Trent looked up, saw us, and grinned. He tipped his glass like he was already winning.
Callum cupped a hand around his mouth. “Hey, ranch boy! You showing her the cows again?”
Trent didn’t miss a beat. “Damn right. Women like a man who’s good with his hands. Can you say the same, city boy?”
Callum smirked. “Iamgood with my hands!”
Trent lifted an eyebrow at him, “We’ll have to get Maisie’s opinion about that.”
The brunette giggled and tucked her hair behind her ear, totally taken by Trent and his southern charm. I leaned toward Callum. “She’s into him.”
