Embracing the Fall (26 page)

It had a sweetheart neckline that displayed her breasts to mouth-watering perfection,
and draped off her shoulders and down her back in a waterfall of sparkles. All her
lovely hair was piled on top of her head in fat, shiny curls, with a real diamond
tiara at the base of them.

Ziporah’s dress was in that same almost white shade and it too had a train. But her
train was long; it dragged behind her regally with every step she took. There were
no gemstones sweetly sewn into her dress, instead the shimmer came from the fabric
itself as it flowed around her, almost like liquid, as she moved.

With an empire waistline that showcased her trim build, she looked like Audrey Hepburn
and Grace Kelly floating down the aisle. She’d grown her hair out and pulled it up
as well, only instead of curls it was in a sleek twist. And in place of a tiara, there
was a diamond clip at the crown of her head, with a small thin veil that trailed down
her back and along her train.

As soon as they reached him, Evan stepped between Cami and Z then took his place.
When they faced each other and recited the vows that they had written themselves,
Evan felt tears and laughter threatening. His life had been full before he’d walked
into Cami’s bar that night. He had a wonderful family that he adored. A job at the
helm of his family’s empire and a strong connection with a tight-knit group of friends
he trusted and loved. He hadn’t known what true happiness was though, not really.
Life had a richness to it now that he’d never known was possible. It was like he’d
been living in black and white until they brought color to his world.
They
were his life now. His happiness was irrevocably tied-up with theirs. Every sadness
that life brought their way would be faced and weathered together. Miraculous was
too small a word for the breadth and scope of what he was feeling in that moment,
but that’s what they were to him,
miraculous
.

Ziporah was vowing to love him as long as he breathed, and to stop that breathing
should he ever stray. Sweet Cami vowed to sing to him when he was sick, comfort him
when he was sad, and put up with him when he watched football.

In return, standing on his family’s land under the tree his ancestors had planted,
Evan vowed to give them everything. His heart, his soul, and, with a wink for Z, even
his very breath.

He was theirs, he told them, he had been theirs from the start, and he was going to
spend the rest of his life loving them. “And to sum up, I’d like to quote the immortal
words of Spike, amended just a bit to fit you two. ‘
When I say, “I love you,” it’s not just because I want you both. It has nothing to
do with me. I love what you are, Ziporah, what you do, and how hard you try. I’ve
seen your kindness, Cami, and your strength. I’ve seen the best and the worst of you
both. And I understand with perfect clarity exactly who and what you both are. You’re
each a hell of a woman.
”

Then, for Z and her beloved bubbe, Evan placed the crystal goblet within its satin
bag on the ground at his feet and crushed it. The Jewish symbol of breaking with the
old and starting with the new, and the same reason Cami had chosen the fall for their
ceremony. As the satisfying sound filled the air, he gathered his brides close and
finished. “
You’re it for me. You’re the ones
–
my own Buffys.
”

When his brides burst into delighted laughter, Evan could only guess that the people
who laughed with them were more Joss Whedon fans.

As they kissed, with his hands cupping the backs of their heads, he could hear the
cheers and applause of their families and friends, and at that moment, as though it
was a blessing from above, the sun broke through the leaves overhead. Evan felt the
dazzling rays bathing them in its warm embrace, and it seemed to chase every shadow
of the past away with a promise of only light from this day forward.

The End

Lainey lives in beautiful Lake Stevens with her daughter and their many pets. When
Lainey isn’t writing or reading she enjoys cooking for her friends, going to the theater
or movies and exploring the nature hikes in the Cascade Mountains. For more on Lainey,
visit her website:
www.laineyreese.com
or her
Facebook page
.

Other Titles by Lainey Reese

The New York series

A Table For Three

Damaged Goods

Innocence Defied

~ Novellas ~

Snowfall

Guarding Nadia