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They all moved into one huge hug, careful of makeup and hairstyles.

“No crying, bitches!” Willow called out, sniffing, and they all laughed.

The hug broke up and Shannon instructed Ember in where to walk and when.

“Your father should be here any minute to walk you.”

There was a brief knock at the door, and Hank stuck his head in. “Are you ready?”

Then he caught sight of Ember, and his face crumpled. Ember had seen her father cry only a few times, and she worried that this was finally going to put her in tears. She breathed deeply, though, and held her hands out as he looked at her.

“You look like your mother when I married her. You are beautiful, Ember.”

Her father pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her temple. “I love you, Daddy.”

A new set of arms encircled her waist, and she looked down into the dark eyes of her son. “Oh, my gosh, look how handsome you are!” The little tux fit him perfectly.

Drew beamed, even as he looked her up and down. “And you look like a princess. I told him that’s how you needed to be.”

Ember nodded, kissing her son’s head. “I feel like a princess!”

“We’re going to walk you down the aisle,” Drew said, beaming proudly.

“Both of you?” Ember gasped.

Drew nodded. “Dad said it would be the most special thing if we did.”

Ember shook her head slightly. “He was very right. Let’s go, buddy.”

* * *

Zeke glanced at the watch on his wrist, checking the time. He knew when he needed to head to the dais. He had two minutes. Then she would be there.

“You okay?”

Zeke glanced at Joe Flynn. The guy had come through for him, and his wife had as well. They were a strong couple who loved deeply, and he was proud to have them as friends.

Damn. Who woulda thunk a SEAL and a Marine would be best buds.

“You’re an incredible friend,” Zeke told him sincerely. “I wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without you guys.”

Flynn grinned, just a flash of white teeth behind the dark, trimmed beard. “Probably not,” he agreed, and Zeke busted out laughing, clapping him on the shoulder. The groomsmen and the kids were lined up in the hallway, chatting, waiting for the music to indicate when they were supposed to come in. Zeke had been watching the door of the princess room, but it had been closed tight. All of the bridesmaids were in there, and they should be joining them any minute. Hank had just gone in, as well as Drew.

Duncan ducked his head into the hallway. “We’re ready.”

“Let’s go, Tiny,” Flynn said, turning Zeke by the shoulders.

Zeke walked out of the hallway, but he couldn’t help but glance back just once in an effort to see Ember. The door was opening, but it wasn’t her.

Zeke allowed himself to be guided down the aisle. There were people here he hadn’t seen for years, and he pasted a smile on his face. His skin was prickling from being under scrutiny, but he pushed through it and moved to stand on the dais, at parade rest. Flynn waited in the foyer for his wife.

Judge Miller was there, and Zeke took a minute to shake the man’s hand. “Thanks for coming, Judge.”

“No problem, Zeke. More than happy to be a part of the surprise.”

Then Zeke turned to watch the room. The wedding procession started, with the maid of honor and the best man walking down first. Flynn and Willow kissed briefly before going to opposite sides of the dais. Then John and Shannon came down the aisle, her hand on his shoulder as he rolled down the carpet. She turned at the end, and he took a quick kiss from her as well. Shannon had been given a chair, because she needed to be off her feet at this stage in her pregnancy, and the symmetry worked. Then the rest of his groomsmen and Ember’s bridesmaids came down the aisle, looking beautiful and happy to be there.

Mercy and Raven were flower girls, the older girl trying valiantly to lead Raven in a straight line down the carpet as they threw pale blue rose petals. A giggle rippled through the crowd as Raven stopped and started emptying the basket, fistful of petals after fistful of petals, like she was digging for the bottom. Willow knelt down and whispered for her to get her attention, and she waddled to her mother. Mercy rolled her eyes and went to her place in the line.