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I’ve been torn about the decision. This job is the first thing I’ve ever done purely because I love it. Grayson has made it more than clear he can support us if I want to stay home with the girls, but I genuinely enjoy working for Holt.

On the other hand, leaving Reina every day won’t be easy. She’s my entire heart in a tiny little body. How can I spend hours without holding her in my arms?

“Mama! Look at my pretty dress!” London’s voice pulls me from my spinning thoughts. The white dress she picked out has a pretty lavender ribbon tied around the waist and a full tulle skirt. Behind her, Russell bounds out of her room with a lavender bow tie on his collar.

“Wow. You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

She reaches out to feel the silky material of my long-sleeved white dress. Mine also has a tie around my waist that makes it flattering on my postpartum body while still being incredibly comfortable.

“You look so pretty, Mama. Are Daddy and Reina ready?”

Before we can move, Grayson comes striding out of the nursery with a sleepy Reina. She’s still on theme with her white sweater dress, tights, and lavender bow in her dark hair. Grayson is in grey slacks, a white button-down shirt, and a lavender tie. “We’re ready. Had a minor poo incident, but we’re fixed up now. Thank god we bought an extra outfit just in case.”

A knock on the door has us all heading downstairs. Grayson lets Bethany in while I help Luddy retie the bow on her dress so it’s straight.

“Hello, Reed family,” Bethany says with a mile-wide grin. She’s in her forties and has been the go-to photographer in Pine Creek Falls for years.

I give her a quick hug. “Hey, Bethany. Thanks so much for coming all the way out here.”

“I’m happy to. I’ve found that sessions at people’s houses tend to result in more candid photos, so I typically prefer it this way.”

“That’s my baby sister Reina.” Luddy introduces her with pride.

“She’s wonderful. I’d bet you’re a pretty good big sister,” Bethany says.

“I’m a great big sister. Right, Daddy?”

Grayson smiles down at her. “You sure are, baby.”

“Okay, family. Let’s start in here, then maybe we can get some pics in the nursery.”

We follow directions, posing where Bethany tells us to until Grayson decides we need a dance party break. He turns on some music and starts to dance with Luddy. His ridiculous moves have us all giggling like fools. Even Russell gets in on the dancing, jumping and weaving around our feet like this party is solely for him.

We finally move things upstairs to the nursery. Bethany gets some great shots of Reina in her crib as well as some with Luddy holding Reina on her lap.

By the time we’re done, it feels like we’ve taken a million pictures in the last hour. Bethany looks at Grayson, asking a silent question he answers with a nod. I’m about to ask what’s going on when Gray turns to me. “We wanted to take a few more pictures outside, if that’s okay?”

I shrug, still unsure of what’s happening. “Sure.”

Taking Reina, I hold her to my chest as I follow Gray and Bethany outside. They step off to the side on the back deck, and that’s when I see a white altar has been put up in the backyard. Our friends are standing on either side of it, grinning at us.

“Surprise, Ladybug,” Grayson murmurs in my ear.

I open my mouth and then close it again because I’m still not sure what I’m looking at. “What’s going on, Gray?”

“How would you feel about marrying me today? You told me you weren’t sure you wanted to plan some big, elaborate shindig for our wedding. I thought surprising you with a ceremony might make up for not having a ring when I proposed.”

“You— I don’t— We’re getting married today?”

“If you want to. If not, we can save it for another day.” His expression tells me everything I need to know to decide. He wants to marry me today, but he won’t be mad if I’m not ready.

A smile grows on my face, easing the tension in his shoulders. “Let’s go get married, you crazy man.”

Grayson whoops, punching his fist in the air. He wraps an arm around my waist and escorts me down the aisle our friends and family created. I hand Reina off to Gray’s mom, and she kisses my cheek. It sends a pang of disappointment that my mom isn’t who I need her to be.

My attention is pulled toward the end of the aisle where my childhood pastor, Dan, appears at the altar, grinning from ear to ear.

“I was floored when Grayson asked me if I’d be interested in marrying him and Kylie. I had the privilege of watching Kylie grow up into the beautiful woman she is today, so getting to be a part of the next chapter of her life is an honor.