sitting together while Landon, Lucas and the other Abbott brothers stood up with Wade. Dressed in black tuxedos, the brothers made for quite a sight. Mia’s bridesmaids included Ella, Charley and Hannah, each of them wearing navy blue silk gowns.
The bride and groom were married by a female Episcopal bishop, who was a close friend of Cabot’s. She walked the couple through traditional vows before they exchanged vows they’d written for each other.
Wade’s voice was full of emotion and love as he gazed at his bride and spoke from his heart. “From the first time I ever saw you at a yoga retreat years ago, I wanted you to be mine. I would’ve done anything to be able to take you home with me, to build a life and a family with you, but that wouldn’t happen for a long, long time. And when it finally did, it was the best thing to ever happen to me. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I love you more than you could ever know. I have since that first day, and I always will.”
Mia took a tissue from the bishop and dabbed carefully at her eyes. When she had recovered her composure, she looked up at her husband. “I fell in love that first day, too. I thought of you every single day that we were apart, wishing for all the things I have now, things I never could’ve dreamed of back when it seemed the universe was conspiring to keep us apart. I took a huge chance when I came to find you in the middle of a blizzard. I had no idea if you would even remember me.”
“I remembered you,” Wade said, smiling through tears.
“Thank God for that and everything that’s come since then. I’m so thankful for your family and their support of us even when you told them you were marrying someone they’d never met. I’m thankful for my new family, my dad and all the people who’ve loved us through this amazing season in our lives. But most of all, I’m thankful for you, Wade, and your love and the life we’re building together. You’re my dream come true, and I’ll love you forever.”
The bishop sounded tearful when she said, “It’s my great honor, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to once again declare Wade and Mia to be husband and wife. Wade, you may kiss your bride.”
Wade raised his hands to Mia’s face and kissed her so sweetly that Amanda was again dabbing at tears.
She joined in the applause that rang through the huge church. The wedding party followed Wade and Mia out of the church and walked the short distance to the Boston Public Garden for photos.
They’d scored a perfect bright, clear, sunny June day. The only thing marring this otherwise fantastic day for Amanda was that Stella hadn’t responded to her text that morning asking how her mom was doing.
Amanda walked with Dani and Savannah as well as Lucy, Emma, Simone and Cameron, who was moving very slowly.
“Are you okay?” Amanda asked her.
“I hope so.”
“What does that mean?” Lucy asked.
“Don’t make a thing of it, but I think I might be in labor.”
“What?” Lucy’s high-pitched shriek probably woke up all the dogs in the neighborhood.
“Hush, Luce. I’m fine. The contractions are twelve minutes apart.”
Lucy stopped walking to stare at Cameron. “You’re having actual contractions, and you didn’t think you should mention that to anyone?”
“I refuse to ruin another wedding. Will is a groomsman, and he didn’t need to be worried about me. It’s all good. By the time the contractions get closer, he’ll be done with his wedding party stuff, and we can find a hospital.”
Lucy glanced at her sister, Emma. “She’s insane, right? Tell me she’s insane.”
“She’s insane,” Emma said.
“I need two more hours, tops,” Cameron said. “Go about your business, and don’t mind me.”
“We’re skipping the gardens,” Lucy said.
“No,” Cameron said. “We can’t. Molly wants pictures with the whole family. We have to be there.”
“Right after that, we’re getting a car back to the hotel,” Lucy said. “I’ll give you exactly one hour, and then you’re telling your husband you’re in freaking labor.”
“Fine,” Cameron said. “If you’re going to be that away about it.”
“I’m going to be that way about it.”
Lucy and Emma linked arms with Cameron, supporting her as they walked two blocks to the gardens.
“Holy crap,” Amanda whispered to Dani. “When I was in labor, I couldn’t think, let alone participate in a wedding.”