Gus and I both laughed with tears in our eyes, and he placed my hand in Ladd’s.
Leaning down, Ladd whispered, “You look so beautiful.”
“And you look so handsome.”
We turned and stepped up to the preacher, who smiled at both of us.
The rest of the ceremony was a blur. I was lost in Ladd’s eyes as we stared at one another. We said our vows, and rightbefore the preacher told Ladd he could kiss the bride, Ladd drew in…then stopped.
“Look at the sky, Viv.”
I turned to see the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on. The sky was a gorgeous dark orange, casting its show down on the tops of the mountains and clouds. The lake below held a mirrored image of the skyline, and I nearly lost my breath.
This was home now. This was where I would live the rest of my life. Where I would have kids and watch the wonder on their faces as we showed them this same view. Where I would grow old with Ladd and, if we were both blessed, watch our children be married in this same spot, and our grandchildren be born and raised.
This was the place where I discovered what family truly meant, and where love bloomed and grew.
This was heaven on Earth.
Facing Ladd, I slowly smiled up at him.
“Ready for this?”
“I’ve never been more ready, cowboy.”
He laughed, cupped my face within his hands, and kissed me.
Vivianne
Six months later
My class was about ready to jump out of their seats as I leaned against my desk and held up a hand.
“I know we’re all excited about Christmas break, but I need your attention for at least a few more minutes.”
They settled down and gave me their full attention.
“Now, over the holiday break, I want you to do two things for me.”
A chorus of moans echoed through the room. I folded my arms, and they came to a stop.
“I want you to take a moment and be thankful for your blessings. That includes your family and friends. And the second thing…I want you to think about something you can do for someone else during your break. It doesn’t have to be big, but I’d like each of you to do something kind for someone you don’t know. Even just a ‘happy holiday’ to a stranger at the grocery store while you’re out and about with your mom or dad.”
All the kids nodded with excitement. I had little doubt most of them would meet the challenge, I knew from experience, this group of kids had very giving hearts.
We’d decorated a special tree in the classroom earlier in the month with snowflakes. Each snowflake held a wish from one of the kids at River Falls Haven, and each of my students could pick a snowflake, if they had permission from their parents, and fulfill a wish. Every single snowflake had been taken, the wishes fulfilled. It was one of the highlights of the semester. I had the best group of kids for my first year of teaching, and their parents were a blessing as well. I was one lucky teacher.
“The bell is about to ring, so let me take this moment to wish you a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and happy New Year.”
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Wilde!” they all sang.
The bell rang, and they were off like a herd of cattle heading for their dinner.
“Slow down! No pushing!” I cried out as they all raced out the door.
Jimmy was the last one out. He stopped and held out a small box for me. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Wilde. This is from my mom and me. It’s for your baby. Don’t open it until Christmas morning, though!”
I reached for the box with one hand, while my other came up to rest on my small baby bump. “That is so very kind of you, Jimmy. Tell your mother I said thank you, and I promise not to open it until Christmas morning.”
