He was choked up, unsure if he would be able to get through what he needed to say. But Chelsea was crying outright now. The baby in her arms was still and quiet, as if he could sense the significance of the moment.
Someday we’ll tell him about the way his family sealed around him the moment he was born.
Miles cleared his throat. “Chelsea, you’ve shown me so many things I didn’t know I always wanted. My life will forever be changed because of you. Not only because of our son, but because of the way you’ve opened my heart. And I’m begging you now. Stay with me. Be my wife. Let us be a family together — all three of us. This was my father’s dream for us… but it’s mine, too. And I’m hoping it will make you as happy as it would make me.”
Chelsea was beyond speech. She simply nodded.
He slipped the ring onto her finger and leaned over to kiss her tenderly, one hand resting on his son’s head.
Love and family.Everything they needed.
EPILOGUE
CHELSEA - 18 MONTHS LATER
“I’m surprised Miles went for this,” Heather said, taking a seat beside Chelsea at one of the tables that had been arranged around the lawn. “A garden wedding? I mean, it’s the most beautiful garden wedding I’ve ever seen in my life, don’t get me wrong.”
Chelsea had to agree with her friend’s assessment. The space had been decorated, not only with the tables but with massive standing flower arrangements and rose-covered trellises. A dance floor had been erected in the middle of the lawn, and several of the guests were currently taking advantage of it as the musicians played. It was difficult to imagine an outdoor setting looking any more beautiful. “This is exactly what I always wanted,” Chelsea said. “I know Miles knew that.”
“I just would have expected him to want something more elaborate,” Heather said. “If you had told me a few years ago that Miles Aspin was getting married, I would’ve expected the American version of a royal wedding. You know — ornate church service, posh venue for the reception. Loads of press.”
Chelsea shook her head. “Miles hates press,” she said. “Truth be told, I think he was relieved when I suggested a private wedding. But I also think he would have gone along with whatever I wanted.” She smiled fondly at the man she had married just a few short hours ago. He was out on the dance floor now with Chelsea’s mother.
Heather watched too. “He’s really been getting along with your mom.”
“That was an uphill battle,” Chelsea admitted. “Mom’s not very trusting when it comes to romance — and really, who could blame her after Dad left her the way he did? She’s always worried that the same thing would happen to me. She kept Miles at arm’s length for a long time.”
“Well, she seems like she cares about him now,” Heather said. “They look like they’re having a great time."
Chelsea nodded. “In the end, I think Silas made the difference.”
As if summoned by the sound of his name, baby Silas came toddling up. He was still fairly new to walking, but once he had discovered the skill, he had immediately abandoned every other means of getting around. He loved his new powers of mobility.
Perhaps his favorite part about being upright was that he had his hands free. Now, as always, he was dragging Bear along behind him. There had been no one to tell Chelsea that Miles had once done that very same thing, of course — he couldn’t remember those days himself. But she had studied photos of his baby days enough now to recognize the pattern, and to see that her son was reflecting his father’s behavior.
As always, her heart swelled with love at the sight of it.
“Hey, Si,” she said, holding her arms out to him. He came running straight to her and flung himself into her embrace, still gripping the bear tightly. She lifted him up and sat him on her lap. “Have you been enjoying the party?”
“Cake,” Silas said.
“We’ll have cake soon,” she promised. To Heather, she added, “We probably shouldn’t have brought it out as early as we did. Of course he was going to see it and get ideas.”
“He’s not the only one,” Heather said, looking over at the elegant confection.
The cake was the one concession Chelsea and Miles had made to opulence today. It stood five tiers high, and each layer contained a different filling. She had discussed the cake with Heather multiple times, so her friend knew exactly what they were in for when it was cut. But in the meantime, it was so beautiful that Chelsea could hardly bear to slice into it. The frosting was pure art, the edible flowers blending seamlessly with the real ones that had been used as decoration.
Even Chelsea’s wedding dress didn’t compare when it came to pure fanciness. That was by choice, though — she had selected a simple white dress, adorned with lace, that flattered her figure but didn’t make her look or feel like she had been wrapped in tulle. She liked the feeling of being free, at ease. That was how being with Miles always made her feel.
The song ended and Miles bowed over Chelsea’s mother’s hand. She giggled and stepped forward to embrace her new son-in-law.
Chelsea couldn’t have been any happier. Seeing her loved ones come together like this… it was a kind of joy she had never imagined finding.Familyhad always meant just Chelsea andher mother, and now Miles and Silas — and Silas Sr., though he couldn’t be with them — they were all part of it. They were all family together.
And now Miles was walking over to them. He was beaming. “Your mom is a hoot,” he laughed.
Chelsea couldn’t help but laugh, too. “I’m so glad you two are getting along,” she said. “Did you enjoy your dance?”
“Very much, but now I want to dance with my wife.” He held out his hand to her. Emotion surged through Chelsea at the sound of that word.Wife.
