Bella was smiling broadly as Beckett took the ring. He positioned it on my ring finger and said, “I, Beckett LeBlanc, take you, Piper Dawson, to be my lawfully wedded wife…” He then continued to recite everything the priest told him.
Suddenly, it was my turn. “I, Piper Dawson, take you, Beckett LeBlanc, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to love and cherish you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better and for worse, and forsaking all others, keep myself only unto you, for so long as we both shall live.”
I could see Bella’s eyes were fixed on my belly. She was over the moon that we were going to live on the same street and had already informed us that she planned to babysit. And when the time was right, she’d introduce Charlotte, Simone, and the new baby to all things Harry Potter. It seemed to be her mission in life to convert as many new fans as possible.
The priest smiled at us. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Beckett leaned toward me before the priest even finished talking. Then his lips were on mine. I strategically put my arms on his shoulders so no one could see us and deepened the kiss. He groaned against my mouth. Oh, I so enjoyed it. I only hoped it wouldn’t reverberate throughout the church.
I couldn’t get enough of this man kissing me, but I knew we had to stop when the music started again. He didn’t pull back immediately, though. Instead, he hovered with his lips over mine. “I love you, wife.”
I smiled as we both straightened up. The guests were on their feet, clapping as we walked toward the huge double doors. Then they all followed us outside.
Bella was right behind us. My dress didn’t have a train, much to her chagrin, but I still didn’t want to risk tripping over it.
She was now holding Charlotte in her arms. The baby was alert and looking around, smiling at us.
I nudged Beckett, who looked straight at her. His face exploded into a huge grin. Charlotte was all smiles lately, and both of us melted every time she did it. I knew it was impossible, but I didn’t want to miss even one.
As we all stood in front of the church, the photographer hurried in front of us and said, “A group photo here, please.”
He’d been completely silent until now even though I knew for a fact that he’d taken snapshots inside the church. I’d been so consumed by my man and everything happening that I didn’t even take notice of the photographer.
“The sun is perfect right now, so let’s not miss the moment!” he added.
Beckett held my hand firmly as we were moved about. We were in the front, and everyone else was positioned around us according to their height. Bella was absolutely thrilled to be right next to us.
“Can we hold Charlotte?” I asked my husband.
“I was going to ask the same thing,” Beckett said, kissing my forehead. “We’re very in sync today, and I hope we stay like that forever.”
Bella handed him Charlotte, who gave us the world’s biggest smile, almost as if she knew it was the way to wrap us around her little finger.
“Ready?” the photographer asked.
“Yes,” I declared as we all smiled for the camera.
I wanted him to capture everyone’s happiness so we could remember it for many days to come.
SECOND EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER
Beckett
Mealtimes at the LeBlanc-Broussard mansion were always loud affairs, but over the past few years, with the addition of many more children, things were always on the verge of getting out of control. When you put six kids under seven years old in the same spot, you got mayhem.
Bella, Simone, and Charlotte were the oldest of the group. Then came our girl, Ariana.
Chad and Scarlett had a third daughter—Sheila. Julian and Georgie had two boys—Stefan and Nic. Xander was about to become a father—Bailey was heavily pregnant, sitting on the couch and just looking around at all the chaos the kids were creating. And Zachary and Grace also had a little girl--Daphne.
My parents were currently doing their very best to shield the small Christmas tree from the kids. They’d put it up on a table in the hope that no one would topple it over—which had happened every single year since Charlotte turned one. Even today, she’d already tried climbing the table to get her prize. Dad stopped her at the last moment, thank goodness, as I was worried she’d fall over with it.
“Oh, I love Christmas here,” Piper said as she sat down next to me on the couch.
She was pregnant yet again. We were having a boy this time. Both Charlotte and Ariana were thrilled with the idea of having a baby brother. After we found out about the new baby, Piper decided to be a stay-at-home mom for a few years. She loved being with the girls, and although she enjoyed running her own company—she’d set it up three years ago—she wanted to slow down right now.
I was 100 percent supportive—then again, I would be no matter what. I loved taking care of her. Some days I still couldn’t believe that she loved Charlotte just as much as Ariana. Charlotte asked me about her “real” mom from time to time, but I always redirected the conversation. We’d never heard a word from Ella after all these years ago, and that was just fine with me.
