NEW YORK COUNTY COURTHOUSE
60 CENTRE STREET
LOWER MANHATTAN
DECEMBER 24
WEDDING DAY
Everything was in order by the day of Christmas Eve.
The next thing Olivia knew, she was getting ready for in a courthouse dressing room. Harper and Sophia were helping her.
Olivia surveyed her company as she thought about how much they'd grown in the time time that she'd come to know them. The ways were immeasurable.
Proud was the word to describe how Olivia felt when it came to them.
Harper interrupted her thoughts. "You with us?"
"Yeah, mom." Sophia chimed in. "We did your hair and your makeup, but now you're like a space cadet."
Olivia just smiled at her daughter and her sister. "Today wouldn't be complete without either of you. I'm so pleased that you're here; it's a real honor."
"Oh, I could cry." Sophia gave her mother a quick hug. "I could, but I'm not going to. Agnes and Esme just fell asleep—they still kick when the circumstances are too mushy."
She looked at Harper.
"How are you still standing? Sheer determination?"
"Correct." Harper said simply. "The babies are welcome to come any time after tomorrow because I don't want to miss a wedding, or spend my own birthday in labor."
"Well, you're in the final stretch." Sophia said encouragingly. "I've got you."
"Thanks, niece."
They continued their banter for a few moments before turning to see that Olivia was watching them with fondness.
"What?" said Harper.
"I was also thinking about how I love you both, and how proud I am of both of you. I'm also delighted that you and Harper are friends with each other." Olivia told her sister. "Mother would be absolutely over the moon about today. Remember how I told you about the letters she left?"
"Mhm."
"I'll have you know that all mother ever wanted was for me to find you and Harper, be your friend, and to make sure that all three of us have our happy endings."
Beside them, Harper marveled. "Wow."
Olivia turned to her. "For instance, you had a beautiful life with Xander, and you even made two lives with him. You're not alone. We'll always catch you if you fall."
"I love knowing that that." Harper gave her baby bump a gentle rub. "I'll always miss my husband, but I keep moving forward for the kids, and for him. He would want me to."
"Good. That's what I want to hear."
Olivia moved to Sophia once more.
"All the things that you thought would never happen for you are, with Casey. You're engaged to her, and you've even made a family together. I find that all so amazing."
"I do, too. I've never been so happy before."
"Now you and Harper, and your precious babies are part of the family I've made with Alex. That brings me an indescribable amount of joy."
While Olivia and Sophia spoke, Harper just made a humming sound.
The others looked at her.
"I've been reflecting on the timeline of events as I understand them." she said to their imploring looks. "I had an epiphany—everything that's happened since what I gather to be October all started with Sophia falling out of the sky, like an angel."
"That's a good point." agreed Olivia.
"You wouldn't be with Alex, Diana wouldn't be Diana, Sophia and Melissa would have never known Casey, you wouldn't know Sophia or Melissa, and none of the twins would have their names or their other mother. You wouldn't even found out about Amanda's connection to the family." Harper ticked each bullet point off on her fingers. "You would have never met Serena, and you still wouldn't have known me or my kids for a long while. Sophia's arrival unlocked all of it."
Harper's words hit Olivia like a jolt. "All of that has happened, hasn't it?"
"I might be missing some things here or there, but yes. All of this is because of Sophia."
Both sisters looked to the woman in question.
She took a small step back. "All I did was decide to look for my mother. I just ended up bumping into my future stepmother, and my future wife in the process."
"Think about how fantastic that sounds." Harper deadpanned. "That choice—ordinary to you—was life changing for the rest of us."
"Everything that's happened since is a direct result of that choice, and we owe you." Olivia added. "All of this is a result choice of that choice. Thank you, Sophia Rose."
She blushed. "You're totally welcome. Is it alright if I hug you, mom?"
"Me, too, please?" Harper chimed in.
Olivia nodded and held out her arms. "Come here now."
The three women shared a hug, and just as they pulled apart, there was a knock at the door.
Sophia and Harper bowed themselves out of the conversation when they saw that the visitors were Violet and Casey. They knew what was coming. Plucking up Alex's present, they left the room altogether, saying that they were going to go deliver it to her. They even closed the door behind themselves as they went.
Violet began, "We've just been to see Alex. Is it alright if we come see you for a little bit?"
Olivia nodded eagerly. "Yes, please. I would love that."
The Novaks drew closer, and Casey marveled over her friend.
"Oh, wow, Liv." she set aside a vase containing the bridal bouquet. "You look so incredible."
Violet nodded as she studied her. "She's right. Let's have a look at you."
She led Olivia to the full-length mirror on the back of the door. Her dress was white, and short, even flaring out on her own. In spite of the cold weather outside, the dress had short sleeves, and was trimmed white satin. Even Olivia's new heels were a shade of white. Like snow.
In a word, Olivia looked regal.
Violet suddenly noticed something. "What's missing?"
Olivia gave herself a once-over. "The hair comb, the blue handkerchief, the anklet, and the veil."
"Then we'll help you get ready. Stay still for us, please."
She watched as the Novak women worked together to help her with her wedding tokens, and even make some last-minute adjustments to her appearance. They were both nimble and fastidious about it.
All the same, Olivia's heart swelled with love that the two people helping her get ready were going to be related to her by this time next year.
Because of Sophia.
This prompted Olivia to have a chuckle.
"What is it?" Violet asked curiously.
"Oh, I've just been thinking of all the miracles that have happened since we first encountered Sophia."
"There have been so many, haven't there, dear? I've always thought of Sophia as an angel sent from Heaven to be with us."
"That's definitely what happened—she just had a crash landing first." Casey said thoughtfully. "I fell in love with her because she's kind, gentle, and has a joyful heart."
Olivia's heart did a loop at these kind words. "Thank you, Casey. That's incredibly sweet."
"Then this is for you."
From her pocket, she handed off a small box to her mother. Violet opened it and displayed the object inside to Olivia. She was genuinely surprised to see a wristwatch.
It was old, but looked like it had been restored recently. Someone had gone to a great length to make the accessory presentable.
"This watch is mine, but it was my father's first." Violet fastened the timepiece on Olivia's wrist for her. "I wore it when I married Augustìn, and since then, three of my daughters have worn it for their own weddings. The rest of them will when it's time."
Olivia looked at Violet in surprise. "And you want me to wear it?"
"I do. You are so special to the Novaks, Olivia—so special." Violet held the younger woman's face in her hands. "One of mine and Augustìn's favorite things about you is that your bond with Cassandra has more than withstood the depths of time. You also waited twenty-five years for Sophia, and eighteen for Alex. Now look at all the rewards you've been reaping."
"More than I can count, and now Casey is going to be bonded with Sophia, Alex, and I for life."
"And what better way to show those beautiful bonds than with a watch that's also seen a lot of history?"
Olivia tapped the watch wristband. "I love it so much, Violet, and it means the world to me that you and Casey are both here. Thank you."
Off to the side, Casey watched them interact. Her mother was with her mother-in-law-to-be, helping her prepare for her wedding. Speaking to her like she was one of her own. It was beautiful.
She returned to reality when she realized that Violet was talking to her. "Sorry, ma—what did you say?"
"I said, why don't you come show Olivia her present from Alex now?"
"Right. Here we are."
She showed Olivia the locket. Yet again, Olivia felt her heart cartwheel with emotion over how beautiful it was. Then she saw the picture inside. Her precious mother.
It was all Olivia could do to not leave the Novaks to go find Alex, right then and there. She wanted to see her. To thank her. To hold her. To kiss her.
"This really beautiful."
"I'm glad you think so." Casey helped Olivia put the necklace on. "Alex's aunt and uncle helped her out—apparently, procuring this from them was what she was up to while you and I were at the emporium. They even had a locket like it made for her. It has her parents inside."
"That's lovely."
Violet stepped forward and put her hands on Olivia's shoulders. "It's almost time. Would you like to wear the veil over your face?"
"Yes, please."
And again, Olivia stayed still as the Novaks helped her get the final pieces of her wedding attire secured.
This gave her time to wonder how Alex was doing.
Finally, Alex was finally alone.
Her dress was taken care of, as were her shoes, hair, and makeup. Even her wedding tokens were in place. All that was left was the veil, but her aunt and uncle would be helping her with that when they returned from going to see Olivia.
Olivia.
Her best friend. Her soulmate. The absolute love of her life.
She sat up straighter when she felt Diana wiggle around.
"Okay, baby princess." Alex caressed her middle. "We just have to get through mine and mama's wedding. After that, we can relax at home. How does that sound?"
The baby responded with going into one of her kicking frenzies, as per usual. She was extremely animated for someone who hadn't even been born yet. Alex didn't mind; she cherished every moment because this was the last time she would ever be pregnant.
What wasn't fun at that exact moment was that Diana was getting carried away. Again. Calming her down was very important.
A voice called out from the other side of the door. "Alex?"
"Who is it?"
"Sophia and Harper! May we come in?"
"Sure!" she called back.
The duo let themselves in, taking care to close the door behind them. No need to risk someone accidentally seeing Alex before the big moment.
Sophia made a happy sigh when she saw Alex. "You look so beautiful."
"Thank you, sweetheart. Have either of you seen Olivia recently?"
Sophia nodded, and Harper chimed added, "We just came from seeing her. She's so excited."
"Fantastic. Is anyone with her?"
"Violet and Casey are, now." Harper motioned towards Alex's middle. "How is Diana?"
"Super fidgety—but there's a stretch. How are Junior and Zoelle?"
"Very quiet. They just fell asleep."
Sophia suddenly groaned, holding a hand to her middle. "I think you just jinxed Agnes and Esme. They're jumping around now."
"My bad." Harper cast around for something to do while Alex helped Sophia sit beside her on the sofa. "Why don't you give this to Alex?"
She handed her the gift box with Alex's new wristwatch.
Sophia took it and handed it to its new owner. "Olivia just asked us to give this to you."
Alex examined her new watch as Harper helped her put it on. It was very smart, with its titanium-colored face and black hands, and where a regular strap should have been, there was a rose gold chain of interlocking seashells. All of it was very much in line with Alex's love of the ocean.
Harper looked around again. "Is there anything you need right now?"
"Just the company. Diana is awake, and I can feel her moving, but she has a new trick now."
"Do tell." Sophia said as they sat with her stepmother. "Agnes and Esme always go extra crazy if I sneeze."
"Diana kicks incessantly if things are too quiet; her self-awareness is incredible." Alex blanched. "I don't need anything to jolt her into kicks or hiccups right now."
Harper gave Alex a sympathetic pat on the back. "Junior and Zoelle do the same thing. Barring Diana being her usual jumpy self, how are you feeling?"
"Nervous, and so overjoyed. It's only ever been Olivia."
"She's your soulmate, huh?"
Alex bobbed her head. "She is in this life, she was in my previous life, and she will be, in the next life."
Harper flashed back to her own marriage. "It was the exact same for Xander and I."
"That's really sweet." Alex told her sincerely. "And before you and Sophia came in here, I was doing some thinking."
"What about?"
"How you're about to be my sister-in-law, and how, because of you, Olivia and I now have Serena as a daughter."
Harper promptly blushed. "But I didn't even carry her. Dana did."
"True, but you were a mother to Serena when Dana couldn't be. Now Serena makes us complete. Thank you."
Alex turned to Sophia.
"Thanks also goes to you, as well."
Sophia also turned red, so Alex went on.
"This wedding wouldn't even be happening if you hadn't shown up when and how you did. You brought the missing part of my heart back to me. Thank you, Sophia Rose."
"You're most certainly welcome. I love our family."
Harper spoke up again, this time addressing her niece. "You know... I would be experiencing the life of a pregnant widow by myself."
"But now you and the kids have the rest of us."
"Because you showed up." Harper affirmed. "You've touched all of these and saved a few lives just by being yourself."
Sophia grew bashful. "There's nobody else I know how to be."
"Definitely something I'm glad of."
Alex watched them chat again and grew more content. This time last year, she had still been in the planning stages for IVF treatment, but all the same had been planning to raise the baby alone. It was different now.
Sophia and Harper even gave her extremely heartfelt hugs when they left her again to prepare for their parts in the wedding.
Things can only get better from here, Alex thought as she watched them go.
And she wad right.
It was time for a wedding!
While Bill and Molly Cabot walked Alex to the altar, Sophia and Harper did the same for Olivia. It was perfect.
When Olivia entered the room, she was the only person whom Alex had eyes for.
She was breathtaking.
The sight of her even caused Alex to start crying openly with joy.
Olivia had the same reaction when she saw Alex and the end of the aisle.
This was it. After all these years, they were finally getting married. This was their happy ending.
Olivia heard the nice things that Judge Donnelley was telling their friends and family, but she blanked out for awhile because of the excitement. Alex would jog her memory later.
Thankfully, Olivia started paying attention just in time to hear the most important part.
Judge Donnelley turned to Alex first. "My dear friend, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
Donnelley turned to Olivia now. Every eye in the room was on her.
"Olivia, my other dear friend, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
Donnelley turned back to Alex. "Take Olivia's hands and say the next part, if you will, please."
Olivia did as asked, and at that moment, Alex was the only other person in the universe. "In the name of God, I, Olivia, take you, Alex, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Alex repeated the words back. "In the name of God, I, Alex, take you, Olivia, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
They exchanged their new rings, and continued to hold hands as Judge Donelley spoke into the existence the words that sealed the deal.
"With the sense of incomparable joy that you have found emotional sanctuary for your heart, that you discovered your life's true love, I now pronounce you married."
Olivia and Alex kissed soundly as everyone around them cheered.
At last, at long last, they were married!
