”Lana?" Sookie leaned in over her shoulder. Lana could see her scrunched face reflected in the mirror as she analyzed the contents scattered across the vanity. "Can I borrow your lipstick? That one, there?"

Lana smiled. "Of course." She handed her soon-to-be sister-in-law the coral red tube.

"Thanks." Sookie withdrew like a furtive raccoon. Lana wanted to laugh at the other woman's behavior. Of course, she knew Sookie was almost a complete stranger to using makeup; that was partly why Lana had bought so much to choose from in the first place.

But maybe the raccoon comparison was unfair. Sookie looked radiant in her taffeta wedding dress; her dark hair was pulled back and pinned with gorgeous off-white lilies. Admittedly, she had looked like she was sporting two black eyes when she’d showed up to the wedding venue, until Lana gently dabbed away her overshadowed lids and helped her reapply a more flattering shade.

Alex leaned over from her own vanity. "Oh, Sookie, I don't know about that one." Alex was draped in an A-line gown a shade lighter—and several inches longer—than Sookie's.

"It's the one Lana used. It looks fine on her!"

Lana grinned and decided to stay out of this one for now. She enjoyed sitting back to watch her two best friends argue and waiting to lend a hand with putting the finishing touches on their makeup if required.

A year after the fire, and it was their wedding day. The three friends had agreed to be married on the exact anniversary of the wildfire being extinguished, and all three of their firefighting fiancés had agreed there would be no date more fitting.

And speaking of fiancés . . .

Lana glanced at the clock. "Come on, you two. Time to go. No sense in keeping the menfolk waiting." Lana dragged them both out of their chairs. They paused for only a moment, standing together, to admire the gradation of their gowns in the mirror. Lana, on the end, and getting married last in today's ceremony, was dressed in traditional white.

The three brides filed out of the tent and into the open summer air. A gorgeous yellow sun streamed down, and the blue sky was unmarred by haze or clouds. I almost wish it would storm, Lana mused, but pushed the thought quickly from her mind before it could become a reality. A summer rain would really drive home the memory of the date's significance, but it would get everything soaking wet as well.

And Sookie spent so long trying to perfect her makeup, and it would be a total waste, Lana thought as she glanced sideways, but it was already too late. Her future sister-in-law was already crying silently, her eyes fixed straight ahead. On her other side, Lana heard Alex choke a little. She watched as the nurse brushed, needlessly, at her already impeccable blonde locks.

Lana looked, and finally saw what they were seeing. Up ahead, the three grooms were ranged along the steps of the platform that had been brought into the park for their wedding. Behind them, the burned foliage was already starting to regrow. It was one reason they had chosen this spot in the park for their ceremony.

Lana's eyes locked with Hank's, and they barely looked away from one another. Even as Sookie and Chase stepped together, even as Landon and Alex traded rings and linked hands . . . Lana knew that all the while, her own moment crept closer to reality. Her heart beat like a wild bird in her chest. As Hank held his hand out to her, she lifted the hem of her dress a little higher and mounted the steps to join him.

The local fire chief presided over their vows. He spoke, but Lana barely heard him. Hank gazed into her eyes, and when the moment finally came, he gave her hands a gentle squeeze to let her know that they had arrived.

"I do." She could barely get the words out. Tears gushed down her face as she looked into Hank's eyes and saw that they were wet. It was the second time she had ever seen him cry.

"Then by the power vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Hank swept her up in his arms, and Lana shared her first kiss with her husband. She heard the cheering of the guests only distantly. She lost herself in the strength and warmth of his arms, in the complete and utter perfection of the moment. It had been a rough road, finding their way back to each other . . . but she couldn't imagine a better finish.

They grabbed hands, both grinning from ear-to-ear, and ran back down the aisle as their friends and neighbors showered them with petals. Lana had never seen Hank Logan’s smile so big. She thought his joy was bright enough to blind them all.

And there was Dyna, already waiting for them, cradling their baby in her arms. Lana put her hands out, and the precious life traded hands from old friend to mother. "You're so good," Lana cooed as she rocked the baby back and forth. A few rose petals had landed on the blanket-bundled three-month-old; the boy struck out with a plump, pink hand, and Lana laughed gently as she brushed him clean again.

Hank bent, near enough to her ear that only she could hear him. "I think it's time we made another one. What do you think? Maybe a girl?"

Lana laughed and elbowed him playfully. "Take it easy there, Chief. How about we wait until this little guy is at least two. Let me catch my mommy breath, will you?"

Hank chuckled. "Deal. But just letting you know, I want at least five."

"Stop it!"

"You don't believe me?" His eyes smoldered with the look of intense, unrelenting love he reserved only for her. "Why don't you try me on our honeymoon? I intend to make up for lost time."

Lana tried to elbow him again, but he wedged her arm beneath his own. He drew their family into an embrace, and kissed her just above the baby's head.

Their baby, Michael, giggled.