Page 129 of Hello Doctor

Hayes laughed, saying, “If you have to get married, I guess Liv’s a good one to do it with.”

Ford wanted us to get married in the off season, and Bryce made us promise to check with his class schedule before setting an official date.

But then we saw Liv’s mom’s car pull up in the driveway, and she ran downstairs, hugging her mom and telling her the good news.

Tears shined in Deidre’s eyes as she looked between the two of us for confirmation. “I’m so excited for you both!”

As I looked between my future wife and her mother, embracing with tears in their eyes, it all felt real.

We were getting married.

“Have you decided on a date yet?” Deidre asked, pulling back and holding Liv’s hands.

Liv and I exchanged a glance. “We haven’t discussed dates. Yet,” Liv said, sending me a cheeky grin. “How’s tomorrow, Fletch?”

I smiled at her, imagining having her as my wife right away, but I realized that I wanted more. I put my hand on Liv’s back and said, “If you don’t mind, I want to do this right. My last wedding was rushed because we had Maya on the way. With you, I want it to be perfect. I want to send the invitations in the mail to everyone in town, I want to taste test cakes with you and pick out flowers and get fitted for tuxes with my brothers and hire the expensive photographer and make it the best day of your life. And most of all, I want time to write our own vows, so I can tell everyone we know how much I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Liv’s mom held her hands to her chest, crying even more now, but Liv came to me. “Are you sure? I know it’s a lot with your new practice and Maya and...”

I silenced her with a kiss. “I will never ask you to sacrifice because I’m busy. You are my priority.”

“You mean it?” Liv asked.

I nodded. “Absolutely.”

Liv glanced back toward her mom and grinned. “Mom, you ready to plan a wedding?”

Her mom was smiling so big her cheeks must hurt. “Thank God you’re not springing a wedding on me like Tyler and Henrietta.”

Liv laughed, holding her mom’s hand and mine. “Their wedding was perfect, and ours will be too.”

Her mom’s voice cracked. “I’m just so happy for you.”

I held Liv close to my side, never wanting to let her go. “Is it okay if we have it at your family’s ranch?”

Liv nodded. “I’d love that.”

“Of course,” Diedre said. “Nothing would make me happier.”

For the rest of the night, as Liv’s family and friends showed up to celebrate. The food, beer, and tears flowed freely late into the evening. Even though our wedding wouldn’t be for a while, I already felt like we were living happily ever after.

67

Liv

Six months later

I drove to the Cottonwood Falls Cemetery and got out of my truck, carrying a bouquet of flowers to my future mother-in-law’s grave. With mine and Fletcher’s wedding the next day, I knew he was feeling her absence more than ever. So was I.

Maya’s namesake was an amazing friend to my mom, but also to me. She made sure the boys looked after me and always helped me feel included, even though I was younger. She told me I was the daughter she never had, and I couldn’t help but wish she could be my mother-in-law in person instead of in spirit. I knew she would have been an amazing Grandma to Maya and cheerleader to me.

I reached her headstone and ran my hand over the rough marble at the top. “Fletcher and I are getting married tomorrow.” I smiled tearfully. “I always thought of you as a second mom, and now you really are.” The spring wind cooled the tears falling down my cheeks, and I wiped them away. “You raised an amazing man. He’s not perfect, but he has your heart, always there for other people and trying so hard to do the right thing. He’s the best dad to Maya, and I want you to know I’ll always love them both with my whole heart.”

I looked at the bouquet in my hand and said, “I asked our florist to make an extra bouquet for you, because I knew if you were here, you’d be walking him down the aisle and dancing with him in the backyard.” My smile shook as I laid the flowers among all the other gifts her family had left. “Thank you, for raising my future husband.”

I kissed my hand and dropped it atop the stone, feeling so much love for this woman, and when the wind stilled for a moment with the sun shining down, I swore it was her, loving me right back.

I left the cemetery and drove back to my parents’ house, where all the girls and I were having a sleepover before the big day.

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