Chapter 24

Even small weddings take lots of time to plan and organize to ensure that the occasion will be beautiful, enjoyable and memorable with minimal stress.

Luckily, Liam and Jenny counted on the help of family and friends.

The following weeks would forever be categorized as the best time of their lives. They saw each other every day since Liam asked for a transfer to Middletown High and moved in with Jenny.

“Move in with me,” Jenny told Liam when told her about his transfer.

His brows shot up, and he looked at Jenny in surprise.

“Seriously? You’d want me to live with you?”

“Well, yeah. We’re already together almost every day. I mean unless you don’t—”

“I’d love to.” Liam smiled and swooped down to take his mouth in a sloppy kiss. “On one condition.”

Jenny froze. “What?”

“Anything.” She’d promise almost anything to keep Liam close to her.

“I’ll pay my part of the lease and contribute to the household.” Liam laughed and pulled Jenny’s shirt, dragging her back for another kiss.

At the same time, Kara moved to a small apartment a few blocks away from them. “I’ll be watching you, Liam. You better take good care of my sister,” she warned her future brother-in-law with a smile, pointing at him with her pink bat.

Liam’s mother and grandmother gathered with Jenny’s mother and Kara to organize the wedding.

Liam joked around about most things to do with the wedding, but Jenny caught him, more than once, staring at her with a look of love and adoration on his face. She was sure he cared about all of it more than he allowed himself to show.

Then, the big day finally arrived.

“Oh, my God, I’m going to be married this evening,” Jenny exclaimed.

She had a special breakfast with Kara and her mom and then started getting ready for the wedding. They took care of Jenny’s hair and makeup. Mrs. Grant was overjoyed, humming the wedding march.

When they were done, Jenny looked at herself in the mirror and could not believe her eyes. They had done a very good job. Jenny tried to hold back the tears so she wouldn’t ruin her makeup. The person in the mirror couldn’t be her.

She gently held her daughter’s face between her hands. “Getting married doesn’t change the fact that you’re still my little girl. I still worry about you. I love you and I’ll always be there for you whenever you need me.”

“Thank you, Mom. I love you.”

Liam and Jenny had decided to get married at the gazebo. It looked amazing. Its white wrought ironwork entwined with a profusion of flowers, and lights. Jenny’s students, directed by Georgina, had pulled out all the stops to make the venue as spectacular as possible.

A string quartet, composed of members of the school band, struck up ‘Pachelbel’s Canon’.

Jenny could barely control the turmoil of emotions she was feeling.

Her father pushed her chair up the ramp. It felt as if she was riding on clouds. When she looked up at Liam and he looked back at her, she saw a man who loved her more than she could ever imagine.

The wedding ceremony took place sitting down. Liam was wearing a suit for the first time since his father’s funeral. Jenny was sitting at his side, wearing a very simple white dress with a garland of flowers in her hair, radiantly beautiful.

Jenny had her sister as a witness, and Liam chose his grandfather. Liam didn’t invite any of his colleagues from Tacoma. On the other hand, all the pupils of the school and all the teachers were there.

When Liam saw Jenny at his side, shaking a little from the nerves, he knew for certain he was doing the right thing. She leaned against him as she repeated the vows, clutching onto his arm.

The wedding service itself was very brief but poignant.

Liam lifted Jenny’s hand to his mouth and kissed her wedding band and engagement ring. “I’ll love you no matter what,” he whispered.

As newlyweds do, they signed the deal with a kiss. Liam lifted the veil and bent to kiss Jenny with such tenderness that she had to fight tears.

He captured her face between his hands, feeling the warm flush with his fingertips. He pressed his lips against hers and felt them trembling.

Liam broke the kiss reluctantly and searched Jenny’s face. There was nothing but love in her eyes.

Jenny’s heart floated above her, riding the wave of whistles, cheers, and applause.

“We’re married now, my love. Can you believe it?” she said.