vice president to officiate at your wedding,” Gonzo said.
“I’m honored.” Nick joined them in the corner of the living room that’d been set up with flowers Sam hadn’t noticed before. “On behalf of all the loved ones who’ve gathered for this special occasion, let me say how thrilled we are to see two people who belong together getting their long-awaited happy ending. Since this is my first time officiating at a wedding, Tommy and Christina promised to make it easy on me by writing their own vows. Christina, whenever you’re ready.”
Tommy handed Alex to his mother and took hold of Christina’s hands. He looked healthy, happy, relaxed, and Sam decided she was most grateful on this Thanksgiving for his recovery.
“Tommy Gonzales,” Christina said, already battling tears, “almost two years ago, I met you on New Year’s Eve, and you changed my whole life in the course of that first night. I’d never experienced anything like the sheer thrill that came from being in the same room with you. I quickly found out that, contrary to what I’d thought, I’d never actually been in love before, because everything was different after I met you. In the last two years, we’ve been through a lot, including becoming parents overnight to Alex. You and Alex are the greatest blessings in my life, and I love you both so much. I promise to love, honor and cherish you as my husband for as long as I live. Thank you for choosing me, Tommy. You’ve made me the luckiest woman in the world.”
Gonzo was openly weeping by the time she finished.
Sam wiped tears from her eyes as she watched her beloved friend marry his true love. For a time, Sam had balked at them dating. Her world and Nick’s colliding had freaked her out, but it’d happened several times since then, and she’d learned to live with it as long as everyone was happy.
“I can’t believe you think you’re the lucky one, baby. That’s all me. From the first second you looked my way, I’ve felt like the luckiest SOB who ever lived. That a cool, classy, competent, successful woman like you would love me has always been one of the greatest miracles of my life. That you stayed with me after what I’ve put you through is yet another miracle. I know how incredibly fortunate I am to be standing here with you, having you vow to love me forever, and I promise to never take you or your love for me and Alex for granted. I can’t wait for everything with you and our little family. I love you always.”
Nick walked them through the exchange of rings, which brought about more tears when Gonzo kissed the back of Christina’s hand and then reached for Alex to make him part of their big moment.
“By the power vested in me,” Nick said, “it’s my great pleasure to declare Tommy and Christina husband and wife. Tommy, you may kiss your bride.”
“Yes, please,” Gonzo said, putting his arms around her and staring into her eyes before kissing her softly and sweetly.
They hugged for a full minute, and only when Alex began to protest did they break apart, laughing and crying and looking genuinely thrilled.
God bless them both, Sam thought as she clapped, wiped away tears and celebrated their beautiful friends’ joyful union.
Much later, Sam lay next to Nick in bed, still stuffed to the point of imminent explosion. “Why do I do this to myself every year?”
“Because it’s so good. Your stuffing was amazing, by the way.”
“It’s my grandmother’s recipe. It’s so easy—white stuffing bread, sautéed onions, ground-up sausage, Old Bay and water. You mash it all together, let it sit overnight and then bake it in the oven. I crisp up the top in the broiler. And just talking about it makes me want to sneak downstairs and eat it cold, even though I’m about to vomit from being so full.”
“That’s the sign of a successful Thanksgiving.”
“Feeling like you’re going to vomit?”
“Being too full to have sex.”
“Don’t make me laugh. It hurts to laugh. You know it’s bad when we don’t want to have sex.”
“It’s the best kind of bad. Today was awesome.”
“And you! Keeping secrets!”
Smiling, he looked over at her. “I didn’t think you’d mind since it was for such a good cause.”
“It was awesome. I’m thrilled for them and so hopeful he’s going to be okay.”
“I think he will be. It’s not like he’s suddenly going to be over what happened to Arnold, but