"It never felt right. Every time I thought about it, something held me back. Good thing, huh?" he jokes. "Here. I'll help put them on."
"Dr—Dad. This. Thank you so much."
"You've always been like a daughter to me, so it works out perfectly." When he finishes fastening the clasp, he steps back and we look at the necklace and earrings on my neck and ears. "I was right. Perfect."
I turn around and hug him tight. "Thank you. Not just for the pearls."
He kisses the top of my head. "I know, but you never have to thank me."
Mrs. M walks in and smiles. I turn to face her.
"So beautiful," she whispers. Mr. M steps in behind her.
"I better get up to the altar. I am best man, after all," Dad says. Wow. Dad.
"See you in a few minutes."
"Let's see if the tradition is complete. Dr. Mackenzie gave you something old. Your dress is something new. Something borrowed?" she questions.
"The jeweled hair clip is Shea's."
"And here's your something blue," Mr. M tells me, handing me a small velvet pouch.
Inside is a gorgeous sapphire and pearl bracelet.
"We know your favorite gem is the sapphire and when Dr. Mackenzie mentioned giving you the pearls, we thought this would complete the set perfectly."
"I don't have words," I admit. "Thank you."
"I know I am not your mother," Mrs. M begins, "but I think of you as my daughter. I am so happy for you, mi hija."
I hug her and whisper, "Mom."
I turn to Mr. M and he pulls me into his arms. "Papa."
"You make me very proud, mija."
Shea bursts in. "It's time! It's time for you to marry your Prince Charming."
Linc pushes Shea to the side and she protests.
"I can't believe you're getting married, but if there's anyone out there in the world I trust to take care of you, it's Xan. No other guy will ever love you like that," Linc tells me, pulling me into a hug. "I can't see any other guy ever putting up with you either, so you got pretty lucky there." He laughs and I punch him.
Mrs. M scolds him. "Let's go, Lincoln."
"Yeah," I taunt. "Go walk our mom down the aisle."
He startles and looks at me, then to Mrs. M. He smiles softly. "Let's go, Mom."
"Crap. I'm gonna cry," Shea announces.
"Knock it off," Jesse orders. "We gotta go. Dr. Mac is waiting for you, Dawkins, and you don't want to look like a raccoon."
"Nice. Real nice, Kingston."
"That's all you're gonna get."
"Dick."
