Hold on to My Heart (Maine Sullivans)

Flynn kissed Cassie, long before I do, and as they walked hand in hand the rest of the way to where the officiant stood, there didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the house.

Ruby had gone to sit on Beth’s lap after she’d emptied her basket of rose petals, but when she saw her parents standing together beneath the rose arbor, she scrambled off Beth’s lap and moved between Cassie and Flynn so that the three of them could all hold hands.

It looked exactly right to Nash. Flynn and Cassie weren’t complete without Ruby.

It was how Nash felt about Ashley and Kevin—he couldn’t imagine the woman he loved without her son.

Just as Nash could no longer imagine his future without either of them in it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Cassie looked so beautiful. So did little Ruby. And Flynn looked like the proudest man in the entire world. They were the perfect family, meant to be together.

Ashley was barely holding back a flood of tears, the numbness of the past two days having disappeared as soon as she’d set eyes on Nash. But today wasn’t about her impossible feelings for Nash, or his for her. Today was about Cassie, Flynn, and Ruby and the rest of Ashley’s family, all of whom were thrilled by their union.

Flynn cleared his throat as he prepared to speak his vows. “I never dreamed of meeting a woman like you, Cassie. I never believed I’d be lucky enough to fall in love with someone who radiates goodness the way you do. But then there you were, at one of the darkest points of my life, with your smiles and laughter, your help and support, and most of all, your love. Not only love for me, but also for my little girl.”

“I love you, Mommy and Daddy!”

Everyone laughed at Ruby’s declaration, even as they wiped away tears.

“I vow to love you with all that I am,” Flynn continued, “and try to bring just as much light into your life as you’ve brought into mine. You and Ruby mean everything to me, along with the new little one we’ll have soon.” He paused to place a gentle hand over Cassie’s slightly rounded belly. “I love you, Cassie. Now and forever.”

Ruby tugged on Cassie’s hand. “Don’t cry, Mommy.”

Cassie bent down to kiss Ruby’s cheek. “They’re tears of joy, honey. So much joy.”

Then she looked into Flynn’s eyes. “From the first moment I set eyes on you holding Ruby in the doorway, I knew you both were meant for me. And though the road wasn’t always smooth, I never doubted for one single second that we were meant to be together and that I was meant to love both of you, just as you were meant to love me. You and Ruby are the brightest lights in my life and my heart. Every morning when I wake up, I can’t wait for our next adventure. And every night when I go to sleep, my heart is full, because I have been blessed with so much more than I could ever have imagined. I love you, Flynn.” She smiled down at Ruby. “I love you, sweetie.” Cassie’s smile for Flynn was radiant as she told him, “I can’t wait to be your wife.”

And then they were kissing again as the officiant proceeded to declare that, under the laws of the state of Maine, they were now Mr. and Mrs. Stewart. As everyone cheered, Flynn and Cassie lifted Ruby to hold her between them. When the little girl puckered up to give them both smooches, it was the sweetest wedding scene imaginable.

Tears ran down Ashley’s face as she applauded the newly married couple. Happy tears, just as Cassie had said to Ruby.

But if Ashley was being totally honest with herself, they were sad tears too. Because although Ashley had also found love at first sight with Nash—and knew that the love she felt for him ran to the furthest depths of her soul—the two of them weren’t going to get a happy ending.

After everyone hugged Cassie, Flynn, and Ruby, and champagne and sparkling apple juice were poured and passed around for her parents’ toast, their father asked for everyone’s attention.

“To Cassie, Flynn, and Ruby. May you forever be as happy as you are today. My heart is full to the brim knowing that the three of you will always love and support each other, through good times and bad, through bright days and dark. Flynn, I have not only given you my trust to be there for my daughter and grandchildren, I also want you to know that I now and forever think of you as a son.”

Everyone clinked and drank, then Beth lifted her glass. “I’ll keep it short and sweet with a traditional Irish blessing. Otherwise, I’ll be blubbering long after the cake has been cleared away.” She already seemed to be on the verge of tears as she lifted her glass to the wedding couple. “May your hands be forever clasped in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love. I love the three of you so much.”