Page 54 of A Winter's Wedding

As she stepped forward and owned the secret that she was carrying, her eyes set upon Leo’s. He stood just to the right of center at the end of the lace aisle runner, his jaw relaxed, and he exhaled what looked to be a long-held breath. As he sucked in fresh air, his eyes lit up and he blinked back tears. Even though they were already married, they had been denied a moment like this one. As she approached Leo’s position, she mouthed,I love you.

I know, he mouthed back, and she about lost all of her composure. Carol quietly cleared her own throat. America knew better than to mess with Carol and righted her face.

Chapter29

Carol stood to the side across from Leo and Edwin, where maids of honor are supposed to stand, and watched America make her way down the aisle. Regardless of America’s legal marital status, she made a stunning bride. To everyone in the chapel, America was the picture of elegance and happiness. Her gentle smile showed no hint of nerves or discomfort. Carol’s stomach, on the other hand, was a ball of tangled wires slowly electrocuting her to death from the inside out. Or so it felt.

The last time she was this tense was the night she had saved Edwin’s life outside the winter formal. That night, she hadn’t even been able to cry due to the sickening sensation brought about by the adrenaline that flooded her system. Today was different. She needed to ground herself and look at Edwin for fear of bursting.

Edwin matched her spot about six feet away to her left and just behind Leo’s shoulder. Without moving her head, she shifted her eyes from America over to Edwin. His face was alight with joy. Only his eyes weren’t trained on America, his were locked on Carol. The terrible knot in her stomach became a thousand butterflies that swarmed into her chest. Focusing back on America instead, her heart pounded against her ribs.

America mouthedI love you, to Leo. She caught Carol’s gaze for a moment as she approached and gave a small nod. It was now or never, but Carol pleaded with America, with a single look and a clearing of her throat, for a savior from what she was about to do. But America only smiled, having not received the distress signal.

The officiant stepped forward as America and Leo stood face to face. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of America Greene and Leopold Thorpe. If there is anyone here who objects, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Even though Carol was hiding behind America at the moment, she heard a slight giggle, and Leo bit his lips between his teeth. His eyes fell on Carol, indicating it was time. “I need to say something. Sorry America and Leo, but…” she said and wanted to crawl in a hole. In all her years, she never imagined breaking a wedding ceremony in this way. It was something that happened in sappy romcom movies, not in real life and certainly not in hers.

America stepped to the side and backwards, effectively switching places with Carol. Leo did the same thing with Edwin and pushed him forward.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Pa said and tried shoving Leo back to the center spot.

Leo, knowing what had to be done, thrust Edwin towards Carol. He kept a hand on Edwin’s shoulder for good measure.

“You got this,” America whispered from behind Carol.

But did she?

“Carol? What’s going on?” Edwin said.

“I…” She fiddled with the flowers in her hand and plucked a yellow petal from one of the sunflowers nearest her fingers. “Edwin, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“Right now? Here?” His brows were threatening to climb off his forehead.

Carol took a deep breath and waited a moment for it to sink in—that this wedding was no ordinary affair. “Forty-odd years ago, I fell in love with a boy. And forty years ago, I saved that boy from the wrath of a drunken man. My heart broke that night in a way that I allowed to remain in pieces for far too long. I let that shattered version of myself become my whole identity and hurt that boy more in the long run than I ever intended.”

Carol turned to America and caught a glimpse of all the guests wiping tears from their cheeks. America nodded once and placed a hand on Carol’s lower back.

“I’ve been a villain in my own story for long enough. A million bandages could never cover the cuts I made, but I’d like to try. Even if takes the rest of my life.”

“About that—” Edwind began.

“I’m not finished,” Carol interrupted and handed her flowers to America. She took Edwin’s warm hands in hers. The rough calluses of his palms were a comfort to her knowing that this boy, this man, would work as hard to keep them close as she had worked at keeping him away. If he would have her. “I… I love you.”

Edwin stood there, silent, and Carol swallowed her fear like a lump of dough down her throat. “Say something,” she whispered and glanced into the crowd of faces. Dozens of eyes bore into her. She cleared her throat and felt America’s reassuring hand on her.Take a breath, she told herself.

“Carol,” Edwin said with wide glassy eyes. “I have loved you since the moment I met you. Even though you hated me, why do you think that I moved back to Christmas Cove after the war? I had to be near you, even if that meant the only interaction that we ever had was when you were carping about something.”

“I never hated you. Not even for a single minute,” she admitted. “I only despised myself for the way I treated you. And everyone else.” She turned to the guests and said, “Sorry about that, by the way,” which drew a few giggles and awe love you, from someone near the back.

When Carol turned back, Edwin was down on one knee in front of her, offering himself to her. She covered her slack-jawed mouth with her hand and felt tears pushing at her waterline.

“Carol Noel Smithe, it would be my greatest pleasure to have you as my wife. Will you agree to marry me?” Edwin looked up at her with a broad smile and pinched brows as he awaited her reply.

Leo leaned in and handed Edwin a faded yellow velvet box. Edwin opened the lid and held it up to her. She opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. For the first time in her life, she had no snarky remark, no complaint, nor any other words in mind but joy.

“Is this what happiness feels like?” She nodded her answer before the words came out. “Yes. I will marry you. Right now. If you want.”

Edwin took a silver ring out from a little box and slid it up her ring finger. It was a perfect fit and the yellow stone attached at the center glittered like a sunrise.Dawn, she thought,just like our new beginning.

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