need the over-the-top wedding, but she’d loved every minute of planning it with her dad, who was so thrilled to have her back in his life.
Wade opened his eyes and caught her staring at him, which happened at least once a day. He smiled as he reached for her.
Mia cuddled up to him and closed her eyes against the rush of emotion that surprised her. She would’ve thought she had things under control, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.
“What’re you thinking about?” he asked.
“You and us and today and everything that led us to this day.”
“If I hadn’t lived through it, I might not believe it actually happened.”
“I didn’t think I’d be excited for today, but I am. Does that make me a typical girl wanting to play dress-up?”
“I’m excited, too, and I didn’t think I would be either. At first, it was like we were doing this for your dad, and now…”
“Now, it’s for us.”
“Yeah. I’ll always love the way we got married the first time, in my grandfather’s living room with the rings he and my grandmother gave each other and only Ella and Gavin there to witness it.”
“That was perfect.”
“It was the best day of my entire life.”
“Mine, too.”
“But it’s okay for this one to be just as good.”
“Is it?”
“Absolutely,” he said. “This time, we get to do it up big, with everyone we love there to see it.”
“Not everyone.” Mia’s feelings toward her mother had been complicated since she found out her mom had basically stolen her from her father when she was a child and had gone to elaborate lengths to keep her hidden from him. “She called the other day.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“What’s there to say? I’m getting married—again—and she’s not invited or welcome to attend. I never thought I’d be estranged from her, and I don’t want to be. It’s just hard to reconcile what she did with the man I’ve come to know.”
“It’s impossible to fathom why she felt the need to take you from him.”
“And I’ve yet to hear an explanation from her that makes sense.”
“You may never hear one.”
“I’m starting to realize that.”
“I know how it pains you to have tension with her, but you ought to just let things ride for a while and see how you feel in a few months. She’s lucky you still talk to her at all.”
“We shouldn’t talk about that stuff today. This is our day, and none of that crap has any business being part of our celebration.”
“You’re right. None of that matters today.”
“I can’t wait for you to see my dress.”
“I can’t wait either—for that and everything else I get to have with you, Mrs. Abbott.”
“I love you so much, Wade. From the first time I ever saw you, you’ve had my heart.”
“I love you, too, my sweet Mia, undisputed love of my life.”
She smiled up at him. “How about we get married all over again?”
“Let’s do it.”
The wedding Cabot threw for his daughter and son-in-law would go down as one of the most spectacular things Amanda had ever witnessed. Someone compared it to a royal wedding, and Amanda found that description fitting. Every detail had been seen to with loving care by a man making up for more than twenty years without his child in his life.
Possibly more than anyone else in attendance, Amanda understood how he must feel about having Mia back. Amanda had always known where her child was, but living without her had been brutal. She couldn’t imagine what he’d gone through not knowing where Mia was or if she was safe for all that time.
But none of that drama was present in the celebration that day as their two families came together to celebrate Wade and Mia. The entire day was magical, from the astounded expression on Wade’s face when Mia first appeared at the back of the cathedral in her stunning dress, to the tears streaming down Cabot’s face as he escorted his daughter down the aisle, to the hug Cabot and Mia shared at the end of a very long road that had led to them finding each other.
Amanda barely knew these people, and yet, like everyone else, she was in tears by the time Cabot finally gave his daughter’s hand to Wade. On his way to join his family in the front row on the bride’s side of the church, Cabot hugged Molly, Lincoln and Elmer in the front row of the groom’s side.
Dani handed Amanda a tissue that she happily accepted. They were