“Not to mention you and Eric already have a kid together,” Amy said.
“Ash is performing the ceremony,” our mother said.
“But who will walk her down the aisle?” Phee asked.
“You will. All of you.” Jo reached out and took our mother’s hand on one side, Meg’s on the other. Her smile reached out and embraced us. “All the March women, together.”
“Oh, Jo.” My voice broke. “That’s perfect.”
Meg wagged her finger. “Uh-uh. No crying.”
“I never heard of such a thing,” Phee said. “Tromping down the aisle like a bunch of cows.”
Our mother laughed. “Goats, maybe.”
“If you can’t do it, I’m sure everybody will understand,” Amy said to Phee. “I mean, nobody expects you to walk that far at your age.”
Phee drew herself up, elegant in lavender silk. “I’m perfectly capable of walking myself down the aisle, thank you, missy.”
“So is Jo.” Amy smiled sweetly. “But for some reason she wants you.”
Phee snorted. “Don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing, young lady. I won’t be manipulated.”
“But you’ll do it anyway.” I kissed her cheek. “Because you love us.”
“Humph,” Phee said. But she looked pleased.
“Right.” Jo took a deep breath. “Let’s do this thing.”
“Daisy, here’s your basket,” Meg said.
“I’m a fairy. I don’t want a basket.”
“How about a fairy crown?” Amy suggested.
Daisy nodded.
So Amy bobby-pinned a circlet of flowers to Daisy’s head like a crown, and we went out into a garden full of guests and flowers and sunshine. The green lawn rolled away to the water. I hung back behind my sisters, peeking from the shadows of the porch at the rows of white chairs. No Colt. But our friends and family were all there, Eric’s parents and his sister from Germany, Miss Hannah wearing her best church hat, old Mr. Laurence in a yellow bow tie. Eric waited under the wedding arch, Rob clutching his pants leg. His tall sons, Bryan and Alec, stood shoulder to shoulder beside him. Trey and John were next to our father, solemn in his minister’s robes.
Trey saw Jo first. His face was white, his eyes very dark. Even though I was so, so happy for my sister, I felt bad for him. Poor Trey. He had loved her for such a long time. But everything happens for a reason, right? I knew Jo was making the right choice.
And I knew Trey. He would never do anything to cast a cloud on Jo’s special day.
Eric’s eyes were fixed on the porch. His great smile took over his whole face. Jo beamed back at him, starting down the steps, practicallyfloating. Not waiting. Not tripping. The musicians, a flute and guitar hired from church, rushed into the opening notes of “Be Thou My Vision” as the rest of us—my mother and sisters, Aunt Phee and Daisy—scurried after her.
“Nowshe’s in a hurry,” Aunt Phee remarked to no one in particular, and Jo’s wedding to Eric began with laughter and music.
A light breeze sent a scatter of apple blossoms across the yard. The guitar’s B string needed tuning, but that slight flaw only made everything more real. More beautiful.
Eric’s voice as he spoke his vows was almost too deep and low to be heard, but Jo made her promises in a clear, confident voice, looking him straight in the eye.
Our parents exchanged glances. Meg smiled at John. Aunt Phee dabbed her eyes.
I leaned my head on Amy’s shoulder, so happy to be with them, one of them. If only Colt were here, it would be perfect.
“Do you who represent their families rejoice in their union and pray God’s blessing upon them?” our father intoned, and we all said, “We do.”
“Mama!” Rob said, holding out his arms.
