Page 115 of Green Card Christmas
“Mom had one stipulation on this stone.”
I peer from the stone to her face looking up at me, waiting for her to finish.
“She didn’t care if Dad added trees or mountains or a sunset. She wanted us represented. Mom and Dad,” she points to the word son. “Me,” her finger shifts to brother. “You,” she says, landing on friend.
I swat at a straying tear. But my throat is tight. I can’t say anything.
Stella stands, her warm hand finding mine once more. She pulls in air, her nostrils flaring slightly, and then, as if her brother were standing before us, says, “Brice, Roman and I are married.” Her chest rises and falls with another deep breath. “It didn’t come about normally. And probably not in any way that you would approve of. But—” She glances at me, then back to the stone with her brother’s name. “I love him.”
I clear my throat. “And I love her,” I manage to say.
Stella’s hand tightens around mine and she leans into me. “And we’d like your blessing.”
And then we wait. We stare at Brice’s stone until there are tears on my cheeks. Stella leans her head to my shoulder, letting the silence speak for her brother.
And yet, I have things to say. If only my body would let me.
Swallowing, I summon my courage. “I love you, brother,” I say—though I don’t know if Brice can hear me. Stella says he can. Stella says he’s with us. “And I’m going to take care of her,” I tell him.
“We’re going to take care of each other,” Stella says.
I nod. “Right. We’re taking care of each other.”
Stella leans her head on my shoulder; her hand still clutched in mine. “Ready?” she says after another moment of quiet.
“Yeah.” I am ready. Stella’s making sure of it. I feel like me again, in so many ways and I’m certain it’s all because of her. Brice would be glad to hear that.
“Oh,” Stella says, pausing before we’ve completely turned around. “I finally watchedStar Wars,”she says to the stone, to her brother.“And I am officially a fan. I thought you might want to know.”
A soft, quiet laugh rumbles in my chest. “It’s about time,” I say for her. For Brice. It’s what he would have said.
“It really is.” She smiles at me, then lifts on her toes, pressing one soft kiss to my lips.
It only leaves me wanting more, but that’s okay. I’m taking Stella home with me. And I intend to show her every single day for the rest of our lives, just how much I love her.
Epilogue
My mother could not waitfor summer. And if I’m being honest, I don’t think I could have either. Celebrating that I love Roman Graves might be the one and only time I’d ask for attention, for a party in our honor.
I even got a wedding dress. Mom made sure of it. Willow, Rosalie, and Fran came with me to pick it out and it’s kind of amazing. A soft tulle skirt, lace appliques down my arms and across my neck with a scoop neckline beneath. It’s so intricate. So detailed. And so me.
Roman stands with Mason right on his heels—his best man. And just behind Roman’s little brother is Lucca Cruz, best man number two. Who in their right mind saw that coming—and next to them, Zev and Callum. Roman’s friends. His teammates. His brothers.
As acting best man, Lucca of course threw Roman the bachelor party he never ever wanted. I think Roman loved it in the end. Though, I’m not sure he’ll ever admit to it.
As we’re already married, the ceremony is short and sweet. Still, it’s what it should have been all along. Willow atmy side as maid of honor, my tearful mother and joyful father in the audience, and Rosalie and Fran my new but very dear friends as bridesmaids.
The funny thing is, doing it as it “should have been” all along never would have happened had we not completely screwed things up in the beginning.
Roman and I will never have a traditional story, but we will have a happy ending.
“And now,” Judge Merrell, the same man who married us the first time around says, “You may kiss your bride.”
Roman grins with the prompt. He presses his palms into the small of my back, pulling me close. He leans in, his nose brushing mine. The warm air of his breath tickles my cheek and chin. “I love you, Mrs. Graves,” he whispers, only for me—and the fifty guests we’ve invited to this shindig.
Everything inside of me says it back, but I shut that man up with a kiss. He’s not getting out of it this time.
