BROKEN COURAGE (Broken Redemption Book 3)

Chapter 60

Emilia

"Oh Emi, look at you," Jen breathes, her voice filled with awe and her eyes glistening. "He's going to be a mess when he sees you."

My throat tightens, and I swallow hard, blinking back tears as I imagine Lucas's face when he sees me walking down the aisle toward him.

"Oh no you don't," Nic says, handing me a tissue and then waving Jen back. "Step away from the bride before you undo all our hard work. And you..." she points, fixing me with a hard glare, "keep those waterworks in check. Save all those tears for when Pastor David declares you man and wife."

"Please," Jen snorts, "the minute my brother sees her, it will be his tears that push her over the edge. Between the two of them, we might need to call an intermission."

"Don't listen to them." Hannah wraps me in a warm hug. When she pulls back, she takes my hands in hers. "Feel what you feel, Emi, and let it out however you need to. This is your day, so soak it in—every moment. You deserve everything good that life has to offer, and I, for one, am so happy you're finally getting everything you dreamed of."

"Thank you, Hannah." I smile softly, swallowing the thick lump in my throat while blinking back the tears that are so close to spilling. Jen's right. The moment Lucas and I see each other standing across that aisle, every bit of my composure will be gone.

A soft knock on the door pulls our attention, and when Aunt Rosie opens it, Uncle David steps inside. "You ladies ready?" Though he's speaking to them, his gaze is fixed on me, his eyes warm with pride.

"We're ready!" Jen grins, clapping her hands. "Okay, girls, give your Mama a big kiss, and then let's go. It's time for a wedding!"

I squat down as best as I can, the combination of my wedding dress and pregnant belly not making it easy. Mallory is the first to dive into my arms. Her little eyes sparkling with anticipation warms my heart. I remember a time when being put in a position like this—where all eyes would be on her—would twist her up into a bundle of shy nerves. But that's not my Mallory anymore. While still a far cry from a social butterfly, there's a confidence in her now, a spark of boldness she'd never shown the world before. And though Lucas denies it whenever I mention it, I know it's his steady, encouraging presence that has helped her blossom into the assured little girl she is now.

"I love you, Mally," I whisper, kissing her soft curls and breathing in her sweet scent.

"I wuv you too, Mama."

"Hey, Lyssie." I wait until those forest green eyes–identical to her father's—meet mine. "You okay?" She nods, her face lighting up when she catches the smile on my face. Though she's still quieter than the lively little girl she was before the abduction, she's made such incredible strides. Each day, we see more glimpses of the old Lyssie returning, and with every one of those moments, our hope grows stronger that someday she'll overcome the trauma.

"Yes, Mama." Her little brow furrows when she sees a single tear slip down my cheek. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, my sweet girl." I chuckle softly, brushing my finger across the soft skin of her face. "These are happy tears. Because I love you both so much." I take each of their little hands in mine. "So... are you girls ready? We're getting married today!"

"Yeah!" they squeal in unison, bouncing in their little white shoes as their energy infuses itself into my soul.

Lyssie tilts her head with that serious expression she gets when she's working through something important. "Us too, right, Mama? We're getting married too. And then we'll be a family."

"Yes, Lyssie baby." I glance between them, my heart full. "Though we're already a family, sweetheart. The wedding is just our way of showing everyone how much we mean it—how much we promise to always love and take care of one another." They both nod, wide-eyed and trusting, so open to all the love and opportunity life has to offer. It makes me happy, for it shows that despite everything, they remain free from the scars that could have stayed with them forever.