Page 131 of Have a Bear-y Little Christmas

“What about it?” Jeannie asked before looking to the officiant. “Any reason why we can’t continue?”

Of course, it helped that the officiant was Cuz Amédé, who had seen many first shifts in his time.

“Ain’t no reason that I can see.”

“See?” Jeannie said. “It’s all fine.”

“It is?”

“Of course it is. Now, why don’t we all get up?”

We did, rising as one, and Jeannie kissed Addy’s cheek. I kissed her other cheek, making one of the cutest little smooch-sandwiches possible.

Jeannie used the hem of her dress to gently wipe at Addy’s tears, and I swore I was so deeply in love that I could fly. But with my daughter taken care of, my soon-to-be wife turned back to whoever was manning the speakers.

“I believe you were about to play my entrance?”

There was a ripple of laughter before the notes of the traditional wedding march filtered through the air. Together, the five of us strode right up to the altar, a family united. Adelaide, Evangeline, Max, Jeannie, and Remington Wolfe-LeBeau. There was a cheer from our guests as people settled and everyone returned to their places.

Was everything pristine and perfect? No. Not at all. But what in life was? As Cuz went through the usual questions, and we said our vows, I stared at the beautiful family I’d ended up with. Once, I had been lost and in denial, pretending I was all right because I thought that was the promise I made. But nowI understood what true happiness was, and at the center of that happiness, was the beautiful, kind woman standing in front of me.

“Do you, Remington, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health? Do you promise to protect her, to keep her den warm and your cubs healthy?”

I had been through that sickness part before, so I was one hundred percent aware of what I was promising when I spoke. “I do.”

“And do you, Jeannie, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health? Do you promise to shield him from humans, to keep his secret, and rear the cubs you have together?”

“I do.”

“Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”

And oh,didI kiss my bride. I pulled her to me, crashing my lips to hers. I dipped her, wanting her to feel like the queen she was being swept off her feet, but once I righted her, I picked her up and spun her around. The crowd let out a raucous cheer, and this time, there were no cries of “Ew”or gagging noises from any of our trio. Even they knew that this was truly a happily ever after.

For all of us.