Page 103 of Consuming Logan

“Remember, baby girl. I’m not giving you away.” He cut his eyes to Logan. “The Walters family is taking him in.”

Logan grinned, grateful the invitation had been extended once more. Seeing Ava rushed off to surgery to stabilize the twins and staunch the bleeding had refocused both families.

Ava angled her head to look up at him, and then her father.

“I know, Daddy.”

His father-in-law turned, fixing him with a hard stare. “You’ve found the right one, Logan. Don’t mess this up.”

Slowly Drew took Ava’s hand and placed it in Logan’s larger grasp. Logan squeezed, relishing that he held his bride.

Yes, he had been lost before Ava entered his life. Now, he’d found love, trust and acceptance in her arms.

Not taking his eyes off Ava, Logan said, “No way, Drew. I was blind,” he looked down into Ava’s upturned sweetheart face, “but now I see.”

He saw his whole life, filled with happiness, in his woman’s eyes.

Drew nodded and took his seat. Then his mom and dad, walking hand in hand, came to stand at the podium. Maribelle spoke first.

“We want to thank Andrew and Ariss Walters for allowing us to be a part of the ceremony.” She cleared her throat. “To my future daughter-in-law. I’ve learned a lot from you on how to be a wife. Thank you for being the Proverbs woman.”

Logan hadn’t known the passage before meeting Ava, but he knew of God’s description of a woman who showed her love for the Man upstairs by honoring her husband in word and deed. The verses epitomized his Ava.

“Wow,” Ava said, looking at him with tears in her eyes.

This was what Ava had wanted all along. A family filled with love and acceptance to welcome their children.

“Thank you,” he whispered to his mom.

“I love you,” she mouthed, and then began reading.

Finally, Pastor Stewart moved closer to stand before them at the podium.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in the renewing of their vows.

Ava blurted out, “I do. He does.”

“Yes, he’s talking too much.”

In one swoop, he hauled his wife in closer, and covered her mouth with his. She was his dream come true. He had lost himself after the attack, but with Ava’s love, he’d found everything he ever needed to be happy.

Logan laughed, keeping her safe in the security of his arms. “I love you, Ava Mine.”

“I know,” she grinned.

From the first pew, both babies started to cry. Ava groaned. London and Logan Jr.’s call had triggered her breast milk let down. Dueling wet stains began to spread across her dress.

Granny Lou appeared at his side. “Here’s the cape.”

He smiled, knowing the future before them burned brighter than any dream he’d sheltered from the past.

Epilogue

The Sunday dinner table needed a third extender. Since Tyson’s extended stay in Shell Cove, Logan added another chair to the lineup.

“We’re going to miss you brother,” Logan said extending a hand to Gideon. Ava’s best friend and her husband had made the decision to leave Shell Cove.

“You can always visit us in West Virginia,” Gideon grinned, giving his hand a squeeze.