Page 33 of Christmas Rings

“I don’t know what to say.” Her throat ached from how much she loved him. How good he was. How perfect he was for her.

“Say you love me.”

“I love you. You know I do. And I was wrong about howthe photos would affect my job.” She told him then about her discussion with Principal Hughes. “He assured me that my job is safe.”

“Even with the PTA coven of witches?” he asked.

“He’s not afraid of them.”

“That’s amazing,” Jed said. “I’m surprised, though.”

“I was too. My mom was fine with it all too. I should never have kept it from my family.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Jed said.

“Will you lose your house?” she asked, matter-of-factly. “If so, we need to find a new apartment.”

“What? No, no. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. The house is mine. I bought it during a downturn in the market for cash. We’ll always have a home.”

She sighed with relief. “I’m so glad. I hated the thought of you losing something you love so much.”

“Let me be clear. The only thing I really care about is you, but yes, having a home to raise our family in means a lot.”

He reached his hand across the arms of the chair and caressed her forearm. “Are you sure it’s me you want, even with all my baggage?”

“I’ve been sure since the first.” She smiled back at him. “You and me forever.”

“You and me forever.”

And although they were not yet husband and wife, they fell together on the bed and made sure the other knew exactly how committed they were to their future.

The day of the wedding was clear and cold. Freshly fallen snow glittered in the sun outside the window. Mom and Nan had already done their makeup by the time they arrived. Once everyone was assembled, Mom did Jo’s and Stevie’s faces. Even Stevie was into it, only complaining a few timesabout how long it took and that she didn’t want too much eye makeup. When Jo’s was finished, she looked as glamorous as a movie star.

When it was time for them all to don their dresses, they got Hailey into hers first. She looked like a fairy princess in the dusty-blue dress. “Oh, Hailey, you’re so pretty,” Alissa said. It wasn’t just the dress either. She had a glow about her. If she didn’t know better, Alissa would have thought her little sister was in love.

“You’re absolutely perfect,” Nan said.

Next, Hailey zipped up Mom’s dress, a light gray in a mermaid style with fluffy feathers around the neckline.Mom always has to have her feathers, Alissa thought, smiling. The skirt, made of tulle and layered with sequins at the top, swirled around her legs.

“Mom, you look even more stunning than usual,” Alissa said, as she fluffed the feathers.

“Your turn.” Hailey bounced on her feet. “I can’t wait to see you in your dress.”

Mom brought the wedding gown from the closet and held it open for Alissa to step into, then buttoned her up.

“Oh, honey, you’re just perfect,” Mom said.

“You’re the most beautiful bride in the world,” Hailey added, before reaching for the veil. With deft hands, her little sister secured the delicate material into her hair, then set the skinny tiara in place. They’d pulled the front of her hair back, leaving her bangs loose and her long neck exposed.

Alissa stared at herself in the mirror, pleased with what she saw. Since meeting Jed, she saw herself differently; perhaps she saw herself as he did? All she knew was that she felt beautiful and so very joyful. “I’m going to be Jed’s wife,” she whispered.

Mom and Hailey stood next to her, and all of them beamed into the mirror. “We’ve come a long way from thescared little rug rats we were that first night together, haven’t we, Hailey?”

Her little sister nodded, obviously too choked up to answer.

“Do you remember how scared we were?” Alissa asked. “How unsure we were of the future? Now look at us.”

“I’m very proud of both of you,” Mom said.

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