I curled my lips into my mouth as I picked her up in my arms.
“I love you, too, Lizzie,” I said breathlessly.
I turned around to see Graham’s cheeks stained with tears. I watched him take Deacon from Jake’s arms as Joanna handed me his wedding ring. I slipped it onto his finger, bringing the back of his hand to my lips to kiss.
Then the minister cleared his throat.
“By the power vested in me by the State of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mr. Alexander, kiss your beautiful bride.”
Graham wrapped his arm around me and planted a kiss directly onto my lips. Lizzie wrapped her arms around our necks, pulling us both in for hugs. The audience behind us erupted into glorious applause, a ruckus of noise that drowned out Daniel and Deacon’s grunting and groaning to get down and run around.
“Should we let them take off?” I asked.
“I think we should,” Graham said.
We put the kids down and they took off down the aisle. I held Graham’s hand tightly, leaning into him as I waddled down the aisle. I could hear Jake and Joanna talking about the reception behind us and which one of them was going to field which kid. But all I could think about was the man at my side. The strong, handsome, intelligent man with a heart of gold, a body of steel, and a soul filled with pride.
“I love you, Graham Alexander,” I said as we walked out to the limo.
“And I love you, Libby Alexander.”
One year later
Graham
“Daddy, story time!”
“Not tonight, Daniel. But I promise you, tomorrow night I’ll read you two stories. Okay?”
“Please Daddy, story time?” Deacon asked.
“No Deac. Mommy and I are going to go spend some time together,” I said.
“Mommy story time?” Daniel asked.
“Knock knock.”
I looked up at Libby as she smiled from the doorway. The boys took off from their beds, catapulting their bodies at her. She bent down and wrapped her arms around them, then hoisted them into the air. Their little legs were kicking as she slathered them in kisses, their giggles filling their big boy bedroom.
“Story time!” Daniel exclaimed.
“Please?” Deacon asked.
“How about a short one?” Libby asked. “But it’s gotta be really short, okay?”
“Yay! Mommy story time!” Daniel said.
I shook my head and got up from the floor. Libby never could resist the boys at story time. I walked over to her and kissed her forehead, then stood by the door and watched as she tucked the boys in. They wiggled around while she blew into their necks, making noises they thought were hysterical before tucking them in tightly.
“Story time now?” Deacon asked.
“Okay, okay, my impatient little boys. Ready?” Libby asked.
I crossed my arms over my chest as I leaned against the doorway.
“There once was a prince in a tall, magical castle. And he was trapped by an evil witch.”
“Why the prince?” Deacon asked.