Page 104 of Let Me Love You

I chuckle and scoop up Summer. “Do you want to go help your mom cut the ribbon?”

Summer’s eyes light up. “Yes!”

We follow Serenity onto the stage, and Dr. Evans says hello. I haven’t gotten to know her too well since she agreed to help us. She’s quieter, but Serenity vouches for her great medical care and ethics, so that’s all I needed to hear.

Harmony, Elias, and Lana move to stand at the front of the crowd. At least a hundred people showed up. And I hope more people come to make an appointment eventually.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming,” Serenity says, her entire face lit up like she’s a kid in a candy store. “For too long we have gone without a doctor. And too many people go without medical care every day because they can’t afford it. But now, no matter who you are or how old you are, if you have insurance or not, everyone can get the medical attention they need.”

People cheer, and Serenity’s cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink. “After we cut the ribbon, please come inside and fill out the forms we have. Tomorrow will be our first day open, so please call and make appointments for a checkup.”

Tears gather in my eyes, and I wrap my free arm around Serenity’s shoulders. This is exactly where she should be. And being by her side is the spot I want for the rest of my life. I finally found the place I belong and a family who chose me.

Dr Evan’s picks up the big pair of scissors, and together, she and Serenity cut the ribbon. The crowd cheers, and tears stream down Serenity’s cheeks.

I pull my wife in for a kiss and say, “Congratulations.”

She sniffles. “Thank you. Without you, all of this wouldn’t have been possible.”

She doesn’t have to say anything else. I know what she wants to say, so I say it for her, “I love you.”

We move to the side, and people shuffle inside the clinic. By the time we’re done for the day, at least a hundred and fifty people have scheduled appointments. I’m sure more people will come. Finally, I can do some real good with all the money I’ve been blessed with.

Epilogue

Serenity

One Year Later

My palms are sweaty as I adjust my wedding dress, which isn’t necessary considering it’s a simple knee-length off-white dress. I drag in a deep breath as I put on my heels. My old bedroom at Sully’s house feels about ten times smaller with all of my vow renewal preparations cluttering the space.

But he insisted we have it here so he and Harmony could help prepare now that I’m a wife, mom of two, and run the clinic with Dr. Evans.

I reach for my necklace Victor bought me when I gave birth to our son, Callum, and wrap it around my neck. My hands tremble, and I can’t clasp it.

There’s no need to be nervous when you love the heck out of your husband.

A knock sounds, but the door swings open without waiting for my response. Isabella stands there, her brown eyes wide. “I’m sorry. Your sister opened the door.”

I wave her off. “It’s okay. I’m dressed.”

She wears a powder pink bridesmaid’s dress, and a blush tints her cheeks red. Over the past year, she’s been around more while training with Victor, and we’ve grown closer. It’s been agonizingly slow, but it’s a work in progress.

“Do you need me to help you with the necklace?”

I nod. “Please. I’ve never been great at doing it myself.”

She glides over. I’ve learned her every movement is always effortlessly graceful while I look like a charging bull. I hand the necklace to her, and she wraps it around my neck.

Harmony stands right outside my room with Callum, who is now six months old, on her hip. He came a few weeks early. His little chubbiness looks adorable in his gray suit. Summer bolts inside behind them.

“Mommy, look!” She twirls, and her flower girl dress swirls around her. She picked this dress because it sparkled with all the little gems adorning the fabric. “This is the prettiest dress I’ve ever seen.”

“That’s because the prettiest girl is wearing it,” I reply with a wink.

Isabella finishes with my necklace and moves to the side, as I’ve often seen her do. She grew up in the same family as Victor—one with no affection—and hasn’t grown accustomed to our lively, loving bunch yet. But I’ll live to see the day where she actively takes a part in the craziness.

“Are you only saying that because I’m your daughter?” Summer asks, pulling my attention back to her.