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He took her delicate hands in his slightly shaking ones, holding them at waist height as his eyes locked on hers.

“Ginny, even if I weren’t so lucky as to get to be your husband, I would be forever grateful to you.

You brought my mother back to me, and you brought my childhood back to me, free of the pain and guilt that kept me locked away from enjoying this one life we’re each given.

I promise to spend the rest of my days returning those gifts to you in love and laughter, and in support for whatever you want to become and whatever you want to do.

You make the world a better place just by being in it, and you certainly make me better by being by my side. ”

She took one hand from his and tapped his chest lightly. “Are you telling me you’re a fixer upper?”

He shrugged. “I hear you’re quite the handywoman.”

She cupped a hand to his cheek and rubbed her fingers along his cheek bone. “Hmmm…the place could use some work, but it’s got good bones. Nothing a fresh coat of paint couldn’t fix.”

She leaned in for a kiss, but Sadie cleared her throat. “Ah hem. Sis, don’t you want to say some vows?”

Nico felt cheated out of a Ginny kiss, but he saw Sadie’s point. Once they started kissing, it would be impossible to pry them apart, and the wedding would be over. “Do you?” he asked Ginny. “It’s not fair. You didn’t get to plan anything in advance like I did.”

Ginny laughed the tinkly laugh that he hoped would grace every day of the rest of their lives together. “Knowing me, I wouldn’t have planned anything anyway, but I always have something to say, especially to you.” She lowered her eyes for a moment, then began.

“Something very dear was taken from me just as I entered adulthood. It made me realize how temporary everything is. But, instead of cherishing things even more for that wisdom, I took the opposite route, thinking that if I never let anything matter to me, I could never experience such a crushing loss again. I built a perfectly fine, but shallow, existence, only letting my sisters in, and only because they refused to be locked out.” She sent them both grateful glances, and they each rested a hand briefly on one of her shoulders.

“But you worked your way into my heart anyway—with your quiet kindness and your devotion to everyone around you. When I lost you, or thought I had, I finally understood. If we don’t love— all the way love —we don’t truly live.

It’s as simple, and as complicated, as that.

And I really, really want to live, with you.

” She squeezed his hands as she gave him a playful, half-wink.

“I’m kind of a mess, but you don't seem to mind.”

Nico leaned forward till their foreheads touched, then whispered, “I love the way imperfection tastes.”

As always, time stood still when he found himself this close to Ginny.

At least now he understood it. Her gaze made a clean slate of his mind.

His work, his responsibilities—they all vanished, leaving him in a timeless universe of her energy and immediacy.

It took her blinking and looking away for him to notice that Sadie hadn’t spoken in a while.

He glanced toward their unusually silent officiant to see tears streaming down Sadie’s cheeks.

“Good grief,” Ginny said to her little sister, “you’re not even the one getting married!”

“Sorry,” she said as she used both hands to delicately wipe at the wetness, “I guess I should stick to acting.”

“We said all the important stuff,” Ginny said. Grinning mischievously, she waggled her eyebrows at Nico. “When’s the kissing part?”

“We’re getting there,” Sadie said, but impatient brides must not have been part of her online training. She adopted the official sounding, plodding rhythm once again as she turned to look at Nico. “Do you, Nico Vita?—”

Ginny let out a frustrated sigh. “He does, and so do I. Just do the pronouncing thing.”

“Yes, please go faster, young lady,” Nico’s mother said from her chair. “I spotted a cake in the kitchen.”

“I want cake,” Vince’s youngest said.

“Roo roooooo,” said Annie. Jack and Mick did a little two-step of pent-up excitement as they pulled against their leashes, still clamped in Grant’s hand. Their nails clicked against the wood flooring.

Grant smiled as a chuckle passed through the room. He tipped his head toward Sadie and spoke low, “The hordes grow restless.”

A clearly flustered Sadie continued. “We’re only halfway…oh, fine! Then, by the power invested in me by the state of California?—”

Ginny spun irritated eyes toward Sadie. “Those Sacramento bureaucrats have nothing to do with my wedding!” She made hurrying motions with her hands. “ Just get to the kissing part .”

“But—” Sadie protested.

Monique bumped Sadie out of the way and spread her arms wide as she declared, “We now pronounce you man and wife!”

“Uh, yes, yes we do!” Sadie blurted.

A whoop went up from the room as Ginny threw herself into Nico’s arms and smashed her lips against his.

THE END