I close my eyes as his mouth crashes down against mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, breathing him in, kissing him deeply, knowing that everyone else I love in the world is in that kitchen, but right here in the hall, it's just Reuben and me.
"Is Plum going to be okay with all of this?” I ask.
He smiles. "She wanted me to find a princess. I found one. I found you."
"But you've had such a rough patch," I say. "Life has not been easy. I'm scared I—"
He cuts me off. “Meadow, that rough patch is in the past. I feel like when I walked into that forest and found you, I was given a new lease on life."
Our foreheads press together and our fingers lace. "I'm so happy," I tell him. "I'm so happy to be yours."
"You are, Meadow. You're mine. You're my home."
EPILOGUE
Reuben
Four Months Later…
After so much tragedy, finding and falling in love with Meadow was the best medicine for my battered soul. After our engagement, she, Plum, and I spent a month learning all about one another. We hiked the mountains, picnicked in the parks, and those traditions I was so keen on making with Plum suddenly felt so much more manageable. Taco night and family movie Fridays became the highlight of our weeks.
Now, it’s our wedding day. And a family of two is going to become a family of three. I try not to get too emotional thinking about it, but as I stand in my bedroom, knotting my tie and slipping on my navy-blue blazer for the ceremony, it is impossible not to feel overwhelmed at the reality of my life. Love has found me three times over. Once with Beth, then with Plum, now with Meadow.
“Hey, you ready?” Graham asks, knocking on my door.
“Yeah, come on in.”
The door opens and in walks my brother. He hands me a tumbler with whiskey. “In case you have wedding jitters,” he says.
“I’m not nervous,” I say before taking a drink.
“I just want you to know, I am always here for you, through thick and thin.”
“Thanks, Graham.” I pat him on the back. “And thanks for being my best man for the second time.”
Graham nods. “I know life hasn’t gone as you planned but you’ve proved to me time and time again that you should be the older brother.”
“Not true. When I was at my worst, after the accident, you were there for me. My rock.”
“That’s what family is for, right?”
I nod. “So are you next?”
He chuckles. “I am working too much to meet anyone. Besides, I think Mom and Dad have had enough weddings to throw this year.”
I chuckle. “Thing is, you never know where you might find someone and fall hard. Hell, Meadow was lost on the mountain.”
“You saying I should traipse the mountain ranges around here looking for a bride?”
I shrug. “You never know.”
“Well, I know you and Meadow are going to be so happy together,” he says. “You two are so perfect for one another. And I don’t think Plum has ever been so happy in her life.”
I grin at that. “She is walking on cloud nine today. That flower girl dress Fig made her is fancier than a wedding dress.”
“She deserves it though, doesn’t she?” Graham says, the look in his eyes telling me he remembers. Remembers all our loss that came before this newfound joy.
“Hell yeah, she does. That girl, she deserves the world.”
We walk from my room out to the cabin where my other brothers and brother-in-law Anchor are gathered.
“You ready?” Rye asks.
I nod. “Completely.”
The six of us leave the cabin and cross the small bridge that connects my property to that of my parents. There are hundreds of people here—Meadow’s friends and family live across the country and so many flew in for this occasion. Half of Home, Washington, is here too—after all, Plum is the light of so many people’s lives. To see her so happy gets everyone in town emotional. Me included.
My parents meet me behind the house. Mom looks beautiful, and somehow relaxed.
I gave them both hugs. “You look happy, Mom.”
“Well, I can’t stress about much when my son is marrying into such a generous family. The women in Meadow’s family have been helping me in the kitchen for days—making sure everything is done up right for you two.”
I grin. “I’m so glad it hasn’t been stressful. The girls all seem okay today?” I haven’t been allowed to see anyone all day.
Mom beams. “Everyone is doing wonderfully. Plum is with Fig, Lemon, and Lulu. Meadow is with her parents. Just breathe, Reuben, everyone is going to be fine.”
I exhale, relieved to hear that all is well. “I guess that just means it’s time for me to walk you down the aisle.”
Dad kisses Mom on the cheek, and then I take her arm. “I know I’m not your youngest son, and I try not to be a mama’s boy, but Mom, I couldn’t have gotten to today without you. You helped me so much the last few years, and I am a better man because of your support.”