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Mom, Maya, and my niece, Cora, were in the kitchen making cookies while Della, Henrietta, and Farrah were in the living room picking a movie for us to watch. As I took it in, it struck me that I was already living my dream.
I had a big family full of love, regardless of whether I had biological children or not. The surgery to remove extra tissue because of endometriosis had gone well, and my gynecologist was hopeful for my fertility, but conceiving would still be a miracle.
“Need any help?” I asked Mom and the girls as I took off my jacket.
Maya looked up and said, “Can you make some of that homemade frosting so we can decorate the cookies?”
“Sure thing,” I replied, going to the fridge for the cream cheese. I worked for the next half hour, making frosting in multiple colors and separating them into Ziplock bags with a corner cut off.
We took the bags of icing and the cookies to the living room, vegging out and watching Maya’s favorite movie,The Parent Trap.
When we finished with the movie, Mom said, “We did something before my wedding to Liv’s dad that I thought was so special. We went around the room, and everyone gave me advice for my future. I’ll go first.” Mom scooted closer to me across the floor littered with pillows and put her hand on my cheek. “This is something Fletcher’s mom told me before the wedding. Lead with love, always. It was the best advice I ever got.”
I smiled, holding her hand to my cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”
Farrah smiled, saying, “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in marriage, but I think the best thing you can do is make sure you’re marrying a man with a good heart. Because even if he makes mistakes, he’ll do all he can to heal them. Your brother is one of the best there is.”
I grinned at my sister-in-law, reaching toward the couch to squeeze her hand. I loved knowing that at least two of my brothers had found their happily ever after.
Della said, “I’m not married yet, but I’ll give you a piece of selfish advice. You might be Mrs. Madigan, but you’re still Liv. Don’t forget us while you’re living your happily ever after.”
I hugged my friend tightly. “I could never forget you, Della. You’re still my soulmate.”
Della wiped at her eyes, making moisture form in my own.
Mom brushed back Cora’s hair. “What about you, honey?”
Cora tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Gage always picks Mommy dandelions from the yard. Tell Fletcher he should do that too.”
I giggled at her sweetness, and Farrah sent me a wink. “I’ll tell him that,” I said.
Maya said, “I think you should make Daddy the pancakes with his name in chocolate chips. That always makes me really happy.”
“Sweet girl,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “Of course I will.”
Henrietta was last. She smiled at me as she said, “Before I married Tyler, my dad told me to see disagreements as opportunities to come back stronger than ever. It’s been huge in helping us have a marriage and a business together.”
“It’s good advice,” I agreed. I took in the room at these women who were here to celebrate Fletcher and me. They’d been with us every messy step, always looking out for me, even when it meant having hard conversations. “I want to thank you all for being here with me. I know it hasn’t been easy, and it might seem fast, but when it comes to Fletcher, I feel like I’ve been waiting all my life.”
68
Fletcher
All the guys were dressing at my dad’s house while the bridal party got ready at the Griffens’. I never thought I’d be having another wedding, but today felt so different than the first time.
Instead of marrying out of a sense of obligation, I was marrying Liv because I couldn’t imagine living my life without her. These past six months had been the best of my life, and even though I knew troubles were sure to come, so would endless amounts of love and happiness.
I thought back to what Doctor Deb told me about finding something that fills my soul, and Liv was it. She made me gentler with Maya, more fun around the house, open to new adventures like having a roadside puppy (who Maya insisted on being a flower dog today) and even planting roots in a small town like generations of Madigans before me.
Hayes came behind me in the mirror and said, “Let me help you with your tie. It’s crooked as shit.”
I laughed. “Thank you.”
Hayes adjusted the knot, and from the desk chair Knox, said, “Looking good, brother. Especially now that your head’s out of your ass.”
I rolled my eyes at him, but then said, “Thank you for your help with that extrication, by the way.”
The door to the room opened, and I heard Rhett say, “I have something for you, Fletch.”