Page 125 of The Addendum

Heather joined her. “Yeah, the constant lovey-dovey stuff. Even in front of our friends. Ugh.”

Penny laughed as she came in. “I always thought it was sweet. My friends envied me.”

The others rolled their eyes, but they were laughing. Ashley met my gaze, hers a touch sad, yet she smiled. I knew she was thinking about her mom and her own upbringing. How much she missed out on.

“I don’t really mind,” she admitted. “I hope Luc and I are that way in fifty years.”

“Hey!” I protested. “I’m not that old.”

Everyone laughed, and Greta walked in. “Okay, let’s do your shots, Richard. You and your girls.”

She arranged us in a group, taking some fast photographs. There were ones of all of us, a few of Katy and me with Ashley, and a couple of just Ashley and me.

“Great. I’ll get more later. I’m heading downstairs to set up.”

She left, and the girls all did last-minute checks in the mirror, then with air kisses, followed Greta down the steps to the small chamber. Katy and I were alone with Ashley, who smiled at us. Gone was the bitter, angry young woman I’d feared would never allow me to be close. Instead, before me stood a lovely, engaging woman I was proud to call my daughter. Who returned my affection and blended into our family well.

“Before you go, I wanted to thank you,” she said to Katy. “For everything. All your help with the wedding, with making things go so smoothly.”

Katy smiled. “I’ve loved every second of it.”

Ashley nodded, looking unsure, then spoke again.

“I also wanted to thank you for being such an amazing woman, Katy. For welcoming me and being so patient while I found my feet.” She paused, swallowing. “For stepping in and being a mom to me.”

Beside me, Katy’s eyes filled with tears. I pulled her close and kissed the top of her head as Ashley kept talking.

“I have something I always dreamed of—a big family. I think…in fact, I know my mom is happy I found you. I was hoping you would let me call you Mom from now on. Because you deserve that title.” She swallowed again. “I spoke with the girls, and they’re good with it—as long as you are. I always referred to my mom as Momma, so I think she’d be okay with it too.”

Katy stepped forward and opened her arms. “Dear girl, there is nothing that would make me happier.”

Ashley wrapped her arms around Katy, bending to hug her tight. It always brought a smile to my face to watch them—Ashley, so tall, bending to hug my tiny Katy. Seeing the genuine affection between them made me happy. It was something I had been unsure would ever come to pass, but thanks to Katy’s gentle soul and enduring sweetness, it had. The same way she had changed me with her light, she had drawn Ashley in as well.

Katy stepped back, tapping at her eyes with a tissue. “I will never replace your mother, but I am honored to follow her. She raised an incredible human being, and I know how proud she is of you. I am so happy fate brought you to us.”

Ashley smiled, her eyes glinting in the light with emotion. “I asked Reed to escort you personally to the mother of the bride’s seat.”

Katy nodded and turned, meeting my eyes. Her brilliant blue irises were bright with emotion and happiness. I bent and kissed her. “I’ll see you in a few moments.”

She left, still dabbing at her eyes. I looked at Ashley.

“Thank you. You just made me very happy.”

She shook her head. “Thank you, Dad. For everything.”

I wondered if I would ever get used to her calling me Dad. Ever get over the small thrill it caused in my chest. I hoped not. “No thanks are needed. I’m happy to do all of it for my daughter.” Then I crooked my arm. “You ready to get married?”

“You ready to give me away?”

I pressed a kiss to her head. “No. I’ll never really give you away. I’ll let you go, but I’m always here, Ashley. Remember that. I always have your back.”

She squeezed my arm. “Got it.”

* * *

ASHLEY

Richard—Dad—peeked out into the room where Luc and I would exchange our vows. The space was decorated with flowers and pine, the scent filling the air. I hadn’t wanted an over-the-top Christmas theme, but I went with gold, ivory, and burgundy and some fir and evergreen to add to the mix.