Page 361 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"There you are," my mother says with a smile.

"I thought we might need a proper toast."

Right behind her is Jamie's mom, my wedding gown over one arm.

Jamie's mother laughs. "And I was promoted to official dress delivery."

I can't help smiling.

"Come in."

Watching them together still catches me off guard, not because it’s surprising anymore, but because it feels so wonderfully natural.

My mother immediately sets the tray on the table while Jamie's mother carefully hangs my dress near the window.

Without missing a beat, they begin chatting about whether the florist included the greenery we'd chosen for the reception.

It's the sort of conversation women who've known each other for years might have.

Not that many months ago, they'd never met.

My mother hands us each one of the flutes before wrapping me in a hug that lasts just a little longer than usual.

When she finally steps back, she studies my face carefully. "You slept?"

"A little."

She laughs knowingly. "I didn't either."

"You've done this before."

She smiles. "But I've never married off my little girl before."

"Before everything becomes wonderfully chaotic..."

She lifts her champagne.

"...I'd like a moment."

We raise our glasses together.

"To love," she says softly.

"To family."

"And to new beginnings."

Our glasses touch with three quiet chimes.

***

For just a moment...none of us speaks.

Then Jamie's mother smiles at me. "I've been waiting a very long time for today."

I tilt my head.

"You have?"