“Have the bouquets arrived yet?” I asked frantically.

It was my wedding day and I was freaking out. Nothing had gone to plan all morning. I just wanted something to go right for once, but the beautiful day I had planned was a mess from the start.

“Bethany, stop freaking out. Everything will be beautiful,” Olivia tried to reassure me. I was possibly freaking out because my hormones were all over the place, being three months pregnant could do that to a girl.

“I’m trying. Just tell me the bouquets have arrived and I can calm down. I think,” I said as I peered up at my best friend who was typing away on her phone.

“Yes, I just got a message Mrs. Stevens has arrived and has all the bouquets,” Olivia cheered as she sprinted to the door in her red bridesmaid dress.

The last six months had brought so many changes to my life. Leaving Los Angeles was easier than expected, I adored my new hospital and practice in Portland. Liam and I settled into a new home with Serenati and it didn’t take long before I was pregnant.

Liam opened his own garage and he had a pretty steady client base of people who owned classic cars. It seemed the news of his knowledge spread quickly among the community. He couldn’t be happier to live out his mechanic dream.

Being closer to Fort Shasta, we were able to keep an eye on the building of the new community center. We’d come down to attend the grand opening and I announced my pregnancy. The only thing left was getting married and we’d decided to do it in the church where Liam’s parents had married. It meant so much to him.

“I have bouquets!” Olivia announced as she entered the room in the church we’d used to get dressed in.

She handed me the bouquet of roses and I turned to the mirror behind me. It was the first time I was seeing myself ready to get married the man who’d always had a hold on my heart.

“You look beautiful,” Olivia whispered as I wiped a tear away.

My blonde hair was pulled back in a bun with a few strands left out in front. My dress a simple lace that fit my body like a glove, showing off my small bump. Only one thing was missing. My fingers gripped onto the pendant of my necklace. It was a little something Liam had gotten me, a locket.

I clicked open the heart shaped pendant and stared down at the smiling man in the photo inside. He held a cigarette in his hand as he always did and on his lap was a little blonde girl. I sniffed as my tears dripped from my eyes. He was missing from my day, Dad.

As a little girl and growing up, he’d tell me about how one day he’d walk me down the aisle. He couldn’t wait for that day, though I could never imagine him in a tux.

“He should be here,” I told my best friend who wrapped her arms around me.

“He’s here in spirit. He’s watching and he’s so happy,” she said as I ran my finger over the photo of the man who gave his all for me every single day until his final breath. Not a day went by that he didn’t cross my mind.

“It’s time ladies,” a voice called from the door.

“Can I have just a minute?” I asked Olivia.

“Yeah. I’ll be waiting.” She patted my shoulder and left me alone.

I stepped to the window and peered outside. The sun was shining bright and the snow peaked top of Mount Shasta in clear view. I smiled up at the only place besides Crossroads Dad would find his peace. I sat on the window sill and thought of the man who raised me all on his own.

“I miss you so much Dad and today I marry the only man who could love me just as much as you. I never thought this day would come and you wouldn’t be here with me, but you are here. You’ve always been here and you’ll always be with me. I love you Dad, more than anything. You’re my angel.”

I wiped away my final tears and stood. It was time and nothing would hold me back from my bright future. I wouldn’t have Dad giving me away in person, but I think he’d placed his truth in Liam to keep my heart safe a long time ago.

Maybe it was all part of a plan. Some big and elaborate plan that was meant to bring Liam and I together again. It was almost like Dad was in on it and his Homegoing was a chance to bring my heart home to Liam. It was home–I was home.

THE END