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Now, it was hers.

“Are you ready?” Tami’s whispered question was full of excitement as she tied off the bow on the back of Pepper’s gorgeous wedding dress.

For the first day of spring, there was a chill in the air, but she didn’t care. All she wanted to do was show off the exquisite gown Jake had given her to wear.

The day they announced their engagement, he’d gone home and come back to their cabin to give it to her. Told her he and Addy would be honored if she wore it, but to alter it and make it her own.

She’d had the tailor cap the sleeves, so they cupped her shoulders, the waist was cinched tight as it could with her still being able to breathe, all while maintaining the flair of the skirt to her knees. Layers of lace and clear beading trailed down from the simple periwinkle bow at the small of her back, giving her a splash of color to the off-cream coloring of the original material.

“So ready.” Pepper turned to her best friend. The woman who encouraged her to live, to jump into the frying pan, and for the first time in years, she realized how right Tami was. “Thanks, Tam.”

“For what?”

“For pushing me, for being you, for being here. Just thanks.” Tears threatened her control.

“Don’t you do that. No crying, or we’ll look like scary-ass raccoons.” They both laughed just as James walked in.

He looked handsome in his black tuxedo and bright blue bow tie adorning his neck. He’d told her he needed color too, but one that wouldn’t clash with her.

“Wow, Pep.” He eyed her from top to bottom. “Mom and Dad would be so fucking proud of you.” His words were husky, her eyes tearful.

“Dammit, James. I just said no tears!” Tami gave him shit as a droplet rolled down her cheek.

“Come on, kid, let’s get you married. Those men of yours won’t wait much longer.” Holding his arm out for her, she gripped his elbow, leaving the small tent Nick and Ace had arranged for, close to the meadow that so much had taken place in.

Her first glimpse of real nature with the mother deer and her doe.

Where the cougars had made their presence known.

Roxie was sitting at the entrance, waiting for her to exit. She looked beautiful in her own right, with a matching periwinkle collar, freshly groomed, and a drape of wildflowers across her back. Making her stand out from her normal stark white fur.

“You ready, girl?” Pepper asked, bending down to pet the dog.

A tag wail and a yip were her answer.

Thankfully, they had plenty of sunshine in the last month, and the grass was mostly dry as she walked barefoot to her future. There was a sheer curtain hanging between two trees as she made her entrance into the open field. Rows of chairs lined ten feet in front of her as she began walking to the archway Jake had commissioned the first time he’d met her. That had been a surprise to them all.

The first strings of “Deep in the Meadow” by Sting began to play as Tami walked ahead of them. The song had been stuck in her mind for years, and when she’d told them she wanted to marry in the meadow, there was no doubt it was the song that would play while she walked down the aisle.

When she reached the first row of chairs, she finally looked up to see her men waiting for her to take her hands, binding them together for eternity. Her breath caught as she saw them in matching tuxes and bow ties in the same color as her bow. They had left that tidbit of information out when they’d shown her their attire for approval.

“Breathe,” James murmured in her ear as they reached the archway.

The lyrics of the song she’d chosen hit her as she initially grabbed Nick’s hand, his eyes alight with pure joy.

Deep in the meadow, under the willow.

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow.

Ace’s fingers twined with her other hand as he brought it to his lips. The song rang through her, the words meaning more than anything else could in that moment.

Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true.

Here is the place where I love you.

The pastor’s voice broke through her love haze. “Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today to bring three souls into eternal harmony.” She closed her eyes to savor his words.

Nick and Ace stood in front of her, their fingers smoothing across her hands. It felt like a dream. She was getting the fairytale ending, and it felt surreal.