Once upon a time I thought this day might kill me.

I guess it was inevitable from the moment Adam and Lily first saw each other that they’d marry. After twelve years apart and two children, nothing’s going to get in the way of them being together.

I couldn’t be happier for them. They decided to delay the wedding until the spring. It meant all the bad things were behind us. Mum’s death and everything Constance went through battered the family a bit, but today we’re together and nothing is going to go wrong.

And, in the absence of Lily’s father, I’m the one giving away the bride.

She takes a deep breath.

“Are you ready?” I ask.

“I’ve been ready for years.”

I lean over, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I know you have. Adam’s a lucky man. Don’t you ever forget that.”

Tears well in her eyes. “I’m the lucky one. Not only do I have Adam, but I have all of you as my family.”

“We’re getting pretty good at this family stuff.”

She smiles, and her whole face lights up. “We really are. All of us.” Lily wraps her arms around me. “Thank you.”

“What for?”

“For today. For always being there when I’ve needed you. Max and I couldn’t have got by all those years without you being around to take care of us.”

I shake my head. “Lily, you took care of you.”

“Once, you asked us to move in with you. And over the years there were times I almost wished I’d said yes.”

“Almost?”

She raises her head. “You’re going to make an amazing father, Corey. I know this because you’ve always been so good with Max. Because you love him.”

I nod.

“And now you’re with the right woman, and I am so happy that you two are together and you’re having a baby.”

I smile. “She is the right woman.”

“I knew it when I first saw you two together.”

My smile grows. “We weren’t even ‘together’ together then.”

“No, but there was a real connection between you. Besides, I’ve never seen you devastated over a woman. Not to the extent you were when you thought she’d gone back.” She pats me on the chest. “That, my friend, is true love.”

It’s a small gathering, with family and close friends attending. After all this time Lily and Adam wanted something small and intimate. I think they would have been happy with no one else there. It’s all about making the commitment to one another.

I wink at Lily as I pass her hand into Adam’s. He’ll take good care of her, and he’ll love her for the rest of their days.

I thought this would leave behind a hole, but my heart’s full of love instead.

I turn to take my seat, my eyes going straight to the woman whose smile is just for me. Lacing my fingers with hers, I pull Constance’s hand to my lips and plant a kiss on it. Her eyes are full of so much love, and I lean over and peck her lips.

“Love you,” she mouths.

“Love you too,” I whisper

I slip my arm around her shoulders, and she leans against me as we watch my brother and the woman he loves exchange vows. I place my hand on her baby bump. She’s five months pregnant now, and I love it.

“I promise to always love you and be there for you. Every single day for the rest of our lives.” Adam grips Lily’s hands. “I’ve loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. I never stopped, and I swear to you I never will.”

Constance squeezes my hand in hers, and I press my lips to the top of her head.

“Through the good and the bad, I promise to love you always. And you know we’ve had more than enough of the bad. I only want the good for us from now on.” Lily’s eyes are full of tears as she says the words.

I’m so proud of her. Of both of them.

We all seem to be getting our happy endings.

“So, you ready to give up that secret?” I nudge James.

He chuckles. “Not yet. Maybe next year.”

“It must be pretty big.”

Shrugging, he reaches for another beer. “I promise I’ll tell you one day.”

“You’d better. This family’s suffered enough because of secrets.”

His mouth falls open. “I would never hurt anyone. You told me you lied to Graham Taylor over Constance being at your place at first.”

I nod. “That’s right. But, dude—”

“Did you ever stop and think that maybe I’m not talking about my love life to protect someone too?”

“I was just going to say that I’m just giving you shit. I worry about you, little brother. But if you tell me that you’re safe, then you can keep your secret.”

He lets out a loud breath. “I’m sorry. Just on edge a little. I hate that Mum missed this.”

I grasp his shoulder. “I know. She did her best to meddle in their lives, but they beat all the odds. I think at the end, she appreciated that. I’m just glad she got to know Max and Rose. Along with her other grandkids.”

“I’m sorry she’ll miss meeting your baby. She was always so proud of you.”

I chuckle. “Not always. We had our moments.”

“We all had our moments with her.” Drew walks up behind us. “Some pretty recently.”

James pulls away. “I’m gonna go see how Dad’s going.”

As he walks away, I spot Constance heading toward me. She stops just before she reaches us and lets out a big yawn.

“Have you had enough, sweetness? We can get out of here.”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine. We can stay as long as you want.”

“Nope. If you need to rest, then we’re going home. Go get your stuff.”

“Okay.” She presses a kiss to my cheek. “You take such good care of me.”

“I like taking care of you.”

Drew shakes his head as she walks away. “You are so pussy-whipped.”

“Look who’s talking.” I laugh.

“True. I guess we’re both in the same boat now. Mind you, so are Adam and Owen. James must be next.”

“James has something going on he’s not talking about.”

Drew’s eyebrows rise. “Really?”

“Dude. You see more of him than I do. How can you not know that?”

He shrugs.

“Did you two want another drink?” Hayley walks toward us with two beers in her hands.

“I won’t say no,” Drew says.

“I know you won’t.” She hands him one. “Corey?”

“Where are the twins?”

“Ginny and Constance have one each with them. I think they’re practicing.”

“Constance was on her way to get her things.”

Hayley grins. “Well, I might have distracted her.”

“Do you want to take one of them with you? If Ginny takes the other one, we’ll get a night alone.” Drew slips his arm around his wife’s waist.

“No, you can look after your own children. I have plans for tonight.” I waggle my eyebrows.

“I don’t want to know.” Hayley laughs. “Today’s been such a good day. I’m glad it all went well.”

“It can’t have gone worse than the last time.” Drew pulls away from her as Hayley elbows him in the ribs. “Ouch.”

“I’m going to go and rescue my lady from your baby and get her home. I’m sure she’s exhausted,” I say.

Drew hooks his arm around Hayley’s shoulders. “I’m sure that’s why you want to get her home.”

I grin. “See you two tomorrow?”

“We’ll be here for lunch. Maybe dinner, too, if history is anything to go by,” Drew says.

“Make the most of it while they have all the food.”

Lily’s over-catered a little, considering it’s family and close friends. Tomorrow’s going to be like the days after Christmas with us grazing on leftovers all day.

I walk over toward Constance. Lily’s beside her as they both fuss over the baby. Getting out of here might take some time.

Lily stands as I approach. “You’re going home?”

I nod. “Time to get this one to bed. So she can sleep, for a change.”

Constance blushes, and I laugh while Lily punches me in the arm. I smile at my sister-in-law. “I hope you guys get some time alone.”

Lily nods. “Max and Rose are having a sleepover at Owen’s place with Ava. They’re all camping in the living room.”

I laugh. “That’ll be fun.”

“They’re pretty good. Max is taking the book he’s reading so he can escape from the girls.”

“Wise move.” I grab her hand and squeeze. “Congratulations. Today was amazing.”

“Thank you. Both of you. Having you here made it even better. See you tomorrow?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Mrs Campbell.” I lean over and peck her on the cheek.

Lily lets out a loud breath, reaching over to take Amelia from Constance. “That’ll take a bit of getting used to.”

“You waited long enough for it.”

She grins. “It was worth the wait.”

“Thank you for letting me give you away.”

Her eyes light up with happiness. “Thank you for being there for me.”

“Always. You know that.”

She nods. “I know.”

I plant a kiss on top of Amelia’s head. She kicks and squeals.

“Look at what you started.” Lily frowns.

“I’m leaving now.”

“You’ll have your own to deal with shortly, Corey Campbell.”

I grin because I really can’t wait.