The air was crisp, and the wind fluttered the curls cascading down my back. The lace of my veil lifted and settled around my shoulders to brush my arms. Fingertip length. All the things I’d learned about weddings had gone in one ear and out the other, other than a little of the background on my veil. The piece offered a touch of the traditional. As did the empire cut of the gown that hid some of the swell of my belly.

I slid my hand over the bump growing larger every day. February was coming like a freight train and so here I was…getting married on the first of October.

I peeked around the gazebo to the long pier I had to walk down.

Alone.

“I’m here, I’m here.” A little voice carried on the wind.

I glanced behind me to see Laurie coming around the corner in her pink tulle and ribbons. “What are you doing down here? You’re supposed to be next to your dad.”

“Nuh-uh. I walking you down the aisle, silly.”

My eyes burned. “Oh, sweetie.”

She held out her hand to me. Such a big girl these days. Four going on forty sometimes. Her nightmares had faded away with family reading time every night. We’d all settled into a crazy sort of normal. “It’s okay, Mommy. I’m a big girl, I can do it.”

“Oh, I know that you can. I just thought you had to be brave for Daddy.”

She shrugged and stepped next to me. “Nah. He has Unca Ollie.”

“Are you ready?” Sage rushed down the hill to fuss with my train. “What did you do? I told you to stay still.”

I looked over my shoulder at my maid of honor decked out in a navy off-the-shoulder dress. “Wind.”

Sage sighed and set down her tight bouquet of Gerbera daisies in burgundy, orange, and gold. “You’re going to take off like a sailboat today with this wind.” She fluffed my little train and shifted one of the buttons of my bustle. Why had I let her talk me into this thing? It was too formal for an outdoor wedding. I should have just gotten the little tea-length dress.

Sage tucked the daisy crown behind Laurie’s ear. “Hey little mama, what are you doing down here?”

“I’m gonna walk Mommy down the aisle.” Laurie clutched my hand.

“Oh, I swore I wasn’t going to cry until the actual ceremony.” Sage tipped back her head and blinked rapidly. “You’re just the best little girl.”

Laurie smiled brightly. “I know.”

Sage and I laughed.

My maid of honor slapped her thigh. “Well, I think it’s time to get this show on the road. I know there’s a very nervy groom waiting at the end of that pier.”

I slid my hand over my bump and the little boy kicking around like crazy. “I think both of us…” I looked down at Laurie and swung our clasped hands. “All three of us are ready to go down.”

Laurie patted my belly. “He’s gotta stay in there cooking.”

I laughed. “Yes, we still have a few months to go.”

“Okay. I’m heading down.” Sage picked up her bouquet, stood, and looped her arm around my waist. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks.” My eyes misted. “Now go, before I start bawling. You know all it takes is a stiff breeze these days.”

Sage fanned her face. “Right. No tears. At least not for a few minutes.” She blew out a breath. “Was the pier always that long?”

I laughed. “Yes.”

“At least we’ve got two hotties to look forward to at the end.”

“Yes. Well, at least one.”

Laurie wrinkled her nose. “Ew.”

Sage shook back her blond hair and checked her earrings. “Here we go.”

My mouth went dry as she walked over the uneven ground in her stilts. I had no idea why Sage was suddenly interested in fashion and things like heels, but she pulled off the look.

As for me, me and my ballerina flats were going to do this long walk.

I tightened my hold on Laurie’s hand. “You sure about this?”

She nodded. “I can’t wait for Daddy to see your pretty dress.”

“Then let’s do this thing, huh?” I bent down, wrinkles in my dress be damned. I kissed her cheek. “I’m so excited to be marrying your dad.”

“Me, too!” Laurie moved forward, tugging me after her. “Let’s go.”

There was no slow processional down the pier. White and red daisies dotted the railing with lace snapping in the breeze. I didn’t really get to take it all in. In fact, I didn’t even get to catch my breath before Seth came into view.

He took a step forward, and his brother yanked him back.

Seth lifted his fisted hand to his mouth and the shock and happiness on his face tumbled every nerve out of my body. Laurie and I nearly jogged down the pier to get to him.

To get to my very happily ever after.

I glanced down to the daughter of my heart and then to the man who’d owned it since I was fifteen years old.

Sage took the bouquet I forgot I was holding and then it was Seth’s hand in mine.

The preacher behind Seth cleared his throat as he looked down at Laurie. “Would you be giving this beautiful bride away?”

Laurie squeezed my hand and looked down at her feet, then up at her father. She nodded. “I would.”

Seth crouched down and held his arm open. “Thank you, Munchkin.” She launched herself into his chest and he gathered her up against his hip, and never let go of my hand. He turned to me. “You’re so beautiful.”

“I love you so much.” I leaned in to rub my nose with Laurie’s. “Both of you.”

His eyes were red-rimmed as he brought our joined hands to rest on the little life between us. I sniffled and laughed then all three of us turned to the preacher.

“We’re ready.”