Page 67 of Savoring Christmas
Mia blinked rapidly. “You’re all such dear friends. Thank you. You’re going to make me cry before I even get down the stairs.”“Don’t mess up your makeup,” Reese said, teasing.
“Now, come along,” Thelma said. “Your man awaits.”
Reese picked up the bouquet made of winter greenery and white roses, hand-tied with twine, and placed them in Mia’s hand. “Are you ready?”
“Is everyone here?”
“Yes. All Logan’s family and our cooking family. All here to celebrate you and Logan. It’s such a sweet day.” Reese clasped her hands, shaking her head. “And you just look perfect.”
Reese escorted her down the stairs and into the living room where everyone had gathered for the ceremony. Instead of traditional seating, they’d asked their guests to stand around them during the vows. The sight of their loved ones forming an intimate semi-circle around Logan brought a lump to her throat. He stood before the fireplace with Max beside him, Cannoli pressed against his leg wearing a miniature floral wreath around her collar.
Everyone turned toward her as a string version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” played softly through the speakers. She took it all in—the warm, happy faces of people who had become family—promising herself she would always remember this moment. Remi stood off to one side in his usual formal attire, smiling like a proud father. Patty was there with the kids, all of them scrubbed clean and beaming, while Abby and Luke stood nearby with their four children, the baby perched on his father’s hip. Charlie held Bianca’s hand as they stood with Grace and Walter, all radiating joy. Harold and Thelma stood together looking very much like the couple they’d become, while Kris and his wife watched with the fond expressions of proud parents. Finally, there was Reese, lovely as always but with a wistful quality that tugged at Mia’s heart. Please bring Reese her person,Mia thought. On wobbly legs, she started to walk toward Logan, who looked impossibly handsome in a blue suit. He watched her with his hand pressed against his chest, tears falling from his eyes.
When she reached him, he took her hands, kissing them in turn. “You look absolutely stunning.”
Cannoli barked twice, wagging her little tail but miraculously staying put.
Max cleared his throat. “Friends and family, thank you for being here today to witness the marriage of Logan and Mia. I know I speak for my family when I say how truly blessed we feel to welcome Mia into our clan. As Mom said last night, Mia’s an answer to all our prayers.”
Mia tried to keep it together but her lip trembled with the effort to keep from crying. “Thank you, Max.”
“Logan and Mia have written their own vows, thank goodness, because I’m not really qualified to marry anyone.” Max nodded at Mia. “You may go first.”
She turned to Logan, tears already brimming. “The last thing I expected when I moved here with nothing—not even my pride intact—was to find love. Sugarville Grove was supposed to be temporary while I figured out how to restore my life. But it wasn’t until I fell in love with you that I understood why everything happened the way it did. I was supposed to find you, Logan Hayes. You’re my soulmate, my true love, the one I was waiting for without even knowing it. I vow to be your best friend, to dance with you in our kitchen, and to show you how much I love you with every meal I make for the rest of our lives.”
“He does love to eat,” Max said.
Laughter rolled through the room.
Logan nodded, swiping at the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand. “Mia, I think I fell for you the first time I saw you at the food bank. I wanted to ask you out then, andfor years after, but you seemed too good for me—too beautiful and talented for this grumpy Hayes brother. But somehow you fell in love with me anyway, and I swear I’m the most grateful man alive that you chose me. I promise to look out for you, to be your biggest supporter, and to never ask you to compromise your dreams or what feeds your soul. And I’ll never let you down when it comes to enjoying every single morsel you put in front of me.”
Max shuffled his feet, looking uncertain. “And now, I think this is the part where you exchange rings. Right?” He darted a glance toward his wife. She nodded, smiling encouragingly at him. “Sorry, I’m nervous.”
“You’re doing great,” Mia said.
“All right then, let’s exchange those rings right now,” Max said.
Logan nodded and took Mia’s left hand, slipping the wedding band onto her finger. Then, she did the same to him.
“Okay, great, I know exactly what comes next,” Max said. “By the power vested in me by the great state of Vermont and the internet, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Cheers rose up around the room as the bride and groom kissed as a married couple for the very first time.
“If that’s not meant to be, I don’t know what is,” Reese said, perhaps louder than she’d intended.
“Amen to that,” Thelma said.
Cannoli chose that moment to bark once, as if adding her own approval, which made everyone laugh.
“Even the dog agrees,” Harold said, wiping his eyes.
“And now, let’s eat,” Mia said, holding up her bouquet.
One more chorus of cheers filled the room before they all headed into the kitchen.
“Thank God for trivia night,” Mia said to Logan.
“And interfering brothers,” Logan said.
