"It's beautiful," Chloe breathed.
"It's chaos held together with string and stubbornness." Twyla appeared beside her, clipboard in hand, hair escaping its bun in seventeen directions. "But yes. It's beautiful."
"How can I ever thank you?"
"Name your first child after me."
"What if it's a boy?"
"Twylliam." Twyla's eyes sparkled. "I'll make it work."
The afternoon slipped away in final preparations. Emmett's wife Katniss handled the place cards, her sharp hazel eyes ensuring no feuding families sat too close together. Elias did a final check of the heaters while his mate Kaia wandered throughthe setup with a dreamy expression, occasionally stopping to touch a flower or straighten a chair.
"She's seeing something," Freya said quietly.
"Good something or bad something?"
"With Kaia, it's usually just... something." Freya squeezed her hand. "Don't worry. Tomorrow's going to be perfect."
As the sun began to set, Corin found her standing by the orchard, looking out over everything they'd built.
"Having second thoughts?" he asked.
"Third and fourth, actually." She smiled at his alarmed expression. "All of them are variations of 'how did I get this lucky.'"
He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'm the lucky one."
"We can both be lucky."
"Deal."
They stood there for a long moment, watching the last light paint the sky in shades of rose and gold. The orchard spread before them, ready and waiting. Tomorrow, they'd stand beneath that arch and make promises in front of everyone, but tonight, tradition demanded they sleep apart.
"I should go," Chloe said reluctantly. "Diana's expecting me."
"One more minute."
She gave him five, then gently pulled away. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll be the one at the altar."
"Bold assumption. Maybe I'll run off with Elias."
"Kaia would kill you."
"Fair point." She kissed him, soft and quick, then made herself walk away before she lost her nerve entirely.
The Hearth & Hollow Inn glowed warm against the gathering dusk. Diana met her at the door with a cup of tea and a sympathetic smile.
"Hardest part of the whole thing," Diana said. "Sleeping alone the night before. Rowan said he could hear me pacing from his house the night before our wedding." She led Chloe upstairs to the corner room, all soft quilts and mountain views. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
"A good long day."
"The best kind."
Diana left, and Chloe stood at the window, looking out at the darkening mountains. Somewhere out there, Corin was probably doing the same thing. She could feel him through the bond, a warm pulse of anticipation and love that matched her own.
A knock at the door made her turn.
