Molly was absolutely beaming. She’d been waiting years to see her children marry and start families of their own. All of them had been more focused on careers than romance, much to her chagrin, but things had turned around and fast. It seemed like each of them had gone from single to engaged in the blink of an eye.
Today was Brody and Samantha’s big day. It was the ceremony that she’d lain awake nights worrying she might never see. Molly had always hoped that Brody would find a woman who could look beyond the scars. She couldn’t have imagined a more perfect match for him than Sam.
She had thought for certain that Brody and Sam would opt for a wedding in Boston. He’d promised her a huge ceremony with half the eastern seaboard in attendance, but when it came down to it, Sam had wanted something far more intimate at the farm, which thrilled Molly. That didn’t mean a simple affair, by any stretch—this was still Sam’s wedding they were talking about. Her new daughter-in-law imagined an event that was pink and covered in flowers and Swarovski crystals.
All of “her girls” were so different, and Molly was so pleased to be able to finally say that. She had four daughters now, and each of their weddings would be unique experiences that would keep the farm hopping all year.
When Ken had his heart attack, Wade and Tori had postponed their plans for a fall wedding. Since Brody and Sam were already planning a spring ceremony, they opted to wait until the following autumn and keep with the rustic theme they’d designed. Xander and Rose were marrying over the long Fourth of July weekend in an appropriately patriotic extravaganza.
And as for Heath and Julianne...they hadn’t gotten very far into planning their second wedding when it all got chucked out the window. They’d promised Molly a big ceremony, but when they realized they’d come home from Paris with more than just souvenirs, they moved up the timeline.
Molly stepped away from her duties as mother of the
groom to search for her daughter in the crowd. Julianne was sitting beneath the shade of the tent, absent-mindedly stroking her round, protruding belly. The delicate pink bridesmaid gown Sam had selected for her daughter to wear did little to hide the fact that she was extremely pregnant. Although Julianne had sworn she had no more secrets, in only two months, Molly would be holding her second grandbaby and she could hardly wait.
Julianne and Heath had had the first of the weddings on the farm—a small family ceremony while everyone was home for Christmas. It was the polar opposite of today’s circus. Brody and Sam had a band, dancing, and a catered sit-down meal.
A new song began and Brody led Sam onto the dance floor. They might as well have been the only people here since Brody couldn’t take his eyes off of her. His bride was beaming like a ray of sunshine. Her white satin gown was stunning against the golden tan of her skin. The intricate crystal and bead work traveled down the bodice to the mermaid skirt, highlighting every amazing curve of Sam’s body. Her veil was long, flowing down her back to pool on the parquet dance floor they set up on the lawn. She was stunning.
Brody, too, was looking handsome. Molly had always thought he was a good-looking boy, but the first round of reconstructive surgery with the specialist had done wonders for his scars. There would be more surgeries in the future, but Molly could already see the dramatic change in the way he carried himself. She’d never seen Brody look happier than he did right now.
It wasn’t long before Wade and Tori joined them on the dance floor. Then Xander and Rose. Julianne took a little convincing, but eventually Heath lured her out to dance, completing the wedding party.
The sight of all of them together brought a happy tear to Molly’s eye. The last few years had been so hard with nearly losing Ken, the crippling financial burden of his medical bills and dealing with the police investigation. Even when all that was behind them, Molly and Ken had to work through their guilt over what had happened with Tommy and how their children had suffered silently for all these years. It had been rough, but the Edens were made of stern stuff and they had survived and become stronger for it. The year of weddings at the Garden of Eden was a fresh start for the whole family.
Molly felt a warmth at her back, then the slide of Ken’s arms around her waist. He hugged her to his chest, pressing a kiss against her cheek.
“Look at our beautiful family, Mama,” he whispered into her ear.
Molly relished the feel of his still strong arms holding her and sighed with contentment. “It’s hard to believe there was a time we thought we might not have any children,” she said. “And here we are with a full house. And grandbabies.”
“It’s better than I ever imagined or could even have hoped for. I think the fairy tale I promised you on our wedding day is finally complete.”
“Yes,” Molly agreed. “We’ve reached our happily ever after.”
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