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Zane first noted the moisture in Cole’s eyes, but when he turned to smile at Sydney, he could see the sheen of unshed tears filling her eyes. When Zane handed Sydney off to Cole at the end of the aisle, he placed a light kiss to her cheek. He stepped back, the significance of the moment hitting him in the chest. He’d reached a point where he could let go of what wasn’t meant to be, and it was time to embrace the future that was his for the living.

He took the empty seat at the end of a row next to Bridget, who was flanked on her other side by Marlowe and Mathias. The sight of the three of them together warmed his heart. The Williamses had given up any attempt to split the small family apart, and though they tried to arrange visitation with their grandchildren, Bridget had refused at the kids’ request. Without the threat of a custody suit hanging over their heads, the small family was thriving.

He glanced up in time to see Cole whisper something in Sydney’s ear that caused her skin to take on a pretty blush, but then his gaze returned to the woman at his side. Her hair was swept up on one side and secured with a jeweled barrette, giving him an unobstructed view of her profile. He had never considered how sexy the slope of a woman’s nose or the gentle line of her jaw could be until he met Bridget.

Of course, there were a lot of things he hadn’t realized until Bridget came into his life. Like how much he could enjoy surprising a woman at work with a delicious picnic dinner, or how much he liked hanging out with her teenage nephew or how much he engaged in conversation with her genius niece. Like how much fun sharing intimate banter with a woman over the phone could be. Or how content he could be spending the evening watching a movie with the same woman nestled close to his side.

When Sydney and Cole began to recite their vows, he turned his attention back to the front, but not before he reached for Bridget’s hand and held it securely in his on the top of his thigh.

“Cole, I haven’t always made the best choices with my life, and I started to believe having a less-than-happy life was all I could hope for. I lived in fear for so long, but once I was brave enough to run from it, I ran straight into your arms. And it’s in your arms I found a joy I never knew existed. You make me feel strong and cherished. With you by my side, I’ve started to dream of better things, of a home and a family. You’ve made my dreams a possibility. You’ve given me the gift of hope and happiness and love. To think it all started right here, in this very garden, is surreal, but I vow to you today, in this place where we first met, that I will love you always. I will support you and be your friend and your lover for the rest of our lives. I love you, Cole, more than you’ll ever know.”

“Sydney, I knew the first time I saw you that you were special. I knew you were meant to change my life, and you did in the very best way possible. I’m not usually good at this kind of thing, and as much as you deserve to hear every word of praise and devotion I could think of to say, I think this sums it up. I love you, deeply and completely. You are a part of my heart and my soul, and when I think of our life together, I feel the most amazing peace. I love you, Syd.”

The minister brought the ceremony to a close. Cole and Sydney shared a lingering first kiss as husband and wife. Their guests applauded as they made their way down the aisle, followed by Tristin and Chloe. The celebration moved to the ballroom inside the hotel for the reception.

Zane turned to escort Bridget and smiled to see the tears glistening in her eyes. He hadn’t realized she was such an emotional sucker for weddings, and he found the newfound knowledge oddly sweet. He withdrew a handkerchief from his inside coat pocket — his mother had always insisted he carry one to any formal or social affair — and handed it to her.

“Thank you,” she murmured, wiping her eyes as she fell into step beside him. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t usually cry like this at weddings. I mean they’re happy occasions.”

“I thought women always cried at weddings,” Mathias said from behind her. “Momma always did.”

Bridget smiled at the innocent reminder of her sister, who possessed a hopeless romantic streak a mile wide. “Your momma cried at everything. I usually don’t, but I don’t know how anyone couldn’t tear up a little today. I mean if you know even a little of Sydney and Cole’s story, then you know how romantic and sweet today is for them. They are such a great couple.”

Zane shared her smile. “Yes, they are.”

As Bridget, Mathias and Marlowe preceded him into the ballroom, he was struck by how he could barely remember what his life was like before this little family came into it. A day didn’t go by that he didn’t remind himself how close he came to losing them and how much he was willing to sacrifice to keep them in his life.

The bride and groom shared their first dance as husband and wife, but soon, the band had the music pumping. More couples filled the dance floor, and everyone enjoyed a true celebration of love and friendship. Zane twirled Bridget around the dance floor as the band played an upbeat dance number. She laughed each time he spun her into his arms, their hips gyrating against each other.

Then the song slowed, the strains haunting and romantic. He pulled her close, relishing the feel of her against him. She tilted her head back to peer at him, her smile radiant.

“Thank you for inviting me. I’m having a great time.”

“There’s no one else I want to be here with.”

She rested her head against his chest. Their bodies moved as one in a seductive dance which had them blocking out everyone and everything around them. They were the only two to exist in this world they retreated to. He wasn’t a dancer, but he would continue for the rest of the night if it meant he could keep her in his arms.

“I love you.”

He wasn’t sure she heard him at first. Then she stopped swaying to the music. She kept her head down, their right hands still interlocked, their left arms encircling each other’s waists.

“What?”

His heart started pounding a rhythm which failed to match the slow strains of the song. “I’ve fallen in love with you, and I wanted you to know.”

They continued to stand on the dance floor, drawing curious stares they chose to ignore.

“When?”

“What do you mean?”

She raised her head then, her dark eyes searching his for what, he wasn’t sure. “When did you fall in love with me?”

He grinned because he knew the exact moment.

“Do you remember the day the kids brought Happy home?”

Mathias and Marlowe had been leaving Johnson Rainier High School one day when they noticed a stray dog hanging around the parking lot. Skittish and malnourished, the dog ran from anyone who approached until he saw Marlowe. Then his tail wagged so fast it was a blur to the naked eye. He ran up to her, laid on her feet and rolled on his back with his paws in the air. Marlowe had reached to pet his belly and convinced her brother into bringing the dog home. She’d named the dog Happy before Mathias parked the car in the driveway of their house.