Grumpy Doctor’s Holiday Twins (Forbidden Doctors #17)

Epilogue

Melody

The entire morning, I had felt so rushed and excited that I forgot to give Ethan his gift, and now, the only time left would be later tonight when everything was over and done with. It had been one year since we'd been back together officially, and both of us could think of nothing more perfect than a small wedding on Christmas Day.

His parents had, with a great deal of difficulty, secured the chapel here in town for our ceremony, though we had to squeeze it in between afternoon mass and midnight mass. And we had two family Christmas events to attend before preparation for the nuptials, first thing in the morning with Dad, and lunchtime with his parents.

But as I stood in the bridal room next to Ethan's brothers' wives, who doted on me and promised me I looked gorgeous, I felt more ready than ever to walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Ethan Sinclair.

"Oh, my gosh, whoever picked poinsettias for your bouquet was a genius. You are so gorgeous." Luke's wife kept fluffing my hair and smiling at me. She was the very impractical type who was focusing on building me up and making me feel encouraged, while Rick's wife did all the pragmatic things.

She opened my train and stretched it out, then made sure my veil was pinned correctly. Ethan was right about having me select her as my matron of honor since I hadn't really established strong friends in town yet. I was too busy with working and being a mother of twins, and it was a great way for me to dive into building relationships with his family. I already felt like I fit in and we weren’t married yet.

Dad knocked on the door and opened it, and when his chair rolled in, I thought he looked so dapper.

"We're ready to roll," he said, "pun intended." Dad held out his elbow, and the girls grabbed their bouquets and scurried through the door.

Noel and Holly were waiting with their items, a basket of poinsettia leaves and a pillow with fake rings tied to it. They smiled and jumped up and down as I walked out.

"Mommy, you so pretty," Holly cooed.

"Can I have cake now?" Noel grinned, and I knew the fake rings were a good idea. He dropped the pillow and picked it back up.

My sisters-in-law each took one of them by the hand and headed toward the sanctuary, and I laid my hand on Dad's elbow as we moved closer to the doors. He gave me sound advice about marriage, but it went in one ear and out the other. I was too nervous to pay attention. Getting married had been on my mind for months, but today, it would be real. Today, I'd have the husband of my dreams.

One by one, my wedding party started toward the altar and the music wafted out to greet me. My hands were sweaty and my mouth was dry, and even though I had looked forward to this moment for months, I couldn't wait for it to be over. I was so nauseous, I might throw up on this beautiful gown that cost Ethan thousands of dollars.

Dad's chair rolled next to me as I walked the aisle. They had gone to the trouble of moving the pews outward a few inches for me so we could walk side by side. Ethan paid for the expense of it, and it was the most precious wedding gift he could ever have given me.

I wore the barrette he got me last year and the ring he gave me in August when he proposed. We knew a Christmas wedding was what we wanted. I had given him a few warmer thermal shirts, one of which I knew he wore under his suit now. Our recessional would be to an open carriage which would take us across town to the square where we would all do caroling and get cocoa and cake. Compliments of Mrs. Nelson's bakery.

My stomach roiled, and I stood across from Ethan as Dad gave his blessing to the priest. Ethan looked dapper in his suit and tie. He had never seemed so happy, not even when he was offered that position he wanted so badly last year. This whole year, we had spent building our life and recommitting and connecting to each other. And today was the culmination and yet the commencement of something new, something bigger.

We shared our vows, then we prayed. When the priest handed me the cup for communion, I took the tiniest sip and Ethan looked concerned as he had a big gulp. I could only smile at him, and I almost started crying.

When we turned and the priest said, "You may now kiss your bride," Ethan took me into his arms. His grip was firm, but his kiss was gentle.

Our family and loved ones cheered, and then he whispered in my ear, "You didn't take communion?"

Above the din of the applause and laughter, I whispered back, “Drinking isn't good for a pregnant woman." And before he could even pull away so I could see his expression, I felt the tears on my cheeks.

The happiness in Ethan's eyes was unmistakable. The joy that bubbled up as he spun me around and tangled our legs in my train made me laugh while I was crying. And it also made me a bit more nauseous. He set me down and kissed me hard. His lips crushed mine, and all I could do was grin. I felt hands reaching for my train, probably Rick's wife doing her matronly duty, and then all of a sudden, Ethan pulled away and thrust a fist into the air.

He shouted, "We're having another baby!" and the whole place erupted again.

My heart had never been more full. I clung to him, and we kissed again and again while the organist started playing the wedding recessional music and both of us shed happy tears.

I wondered how very different life would have been if Ethan had taken that job. My heart might never have recovered. And the way John worked behind the scenes pulling strings had only made me appreciate his affection for me more. I heard some rumors that he was interested in someone now too, and I prayed I'd be able to return the favor someday.

Until then, my happy budding family was together, and that was the best Christmas gift any woman could hope for.