The pitter patter of little feet broke the moment as Abby and Rosaleigh launched themselves towards their sister.

"You girls did so great!" Allie told them as she hugged each of the little girls and kissed them on the cheek. Both girls hugged their new brother as Will and Jack walked up with Sarah still on Jack's arm from the procession. Neither moved quickly to let go as an amused glance and nod passed between Allie and Robert.

Following behind was Emily and Ray, then Angela and Ellis, with Opal and Cody meandering behind more lost in the moment with each other than trying to keep up with the rest of the bridal party.

Elizabeth and Nathan collected their younger children and initiated a family hug squeezing Allie and Robert together in the middle—much to Abby's delight.

"We love you both so much. Welcome to the Grant family Robert," his former teacher said with her hands on Robert's and Allie's shoulders.

Allie's eyes brimmed at the word Grant and Nathan put his arm around her and pulled her close kissing her on the temple. "Once a Grant always a Grant, Allie." She nodded with a somber smile for her dad.

"I love you Dad. I'll always be your little girl." Tears fell down Nathan's face as he pulled her back in for another hug before pulling Robert in as well.

Mary and Richard Wolf followed behind as they too greeted the newlyweds and hugged them.

William and Grace Thatcher made their way down the aisle as Julie and Tom Thornton corralled their crew of three young children behind with the help of Grandma Charlotte. Archie and Ada Grant slowly progressed towards the happy couple as Archie tenderly assisted his wife with her cane.

The ushers released the rest of the guests as the Coulters, Averys, Kinslows, Shepherds, Gowens, Hickams, and Canfields greeted the new Mr. and Mrs. Wolf.

A simple reception was held inside the schoolhouse where Robert and Allie met and grew in love.

It was a beautiful way to honor both of her mothers—by wearing her mother's wedding dress and sharing her adopted mother's wedding venue. Allie's wedding had mirrored Elizabeth's where she was married outside of the schoolhouse next to the pond and held the reception inside the school doors. Whereas Elizabeth and Nathan had married in the spring to enjoy a long summer together, Allie chose to marry in the beautiful fall colors and on her mother's birthday, October 15th.

Minnie Canfield had created a stunning three-tiered wedding cake with white cream cheese frosting covering a maple spice cake. Uncle Bill and Grandma Ada had prepared most of the wedding food consisting of favorite family recipes from both the Grant and Wolf families.

Aunt Rosemary had created beautiful wildflower centerpieces on each of the tables in the schoolhouse bringing a little of the beautiful outside to the inside.

Guests meandered in from the ceremony finding their seats at the round tables. When everyone was seated, Nathan stood and addressed the crowd.

"I want to thank you all for coming today. It is a little overwhelming to look into a sea of faces who have truly made us feel at home here. Each of you have become family to us and that has been such a gift to have that kind of community. Thank you for blessing my little girl and my newest son," Nathan's voice broke at the word son and his eyes brimmed again with unshed tears.

"Elizabeth and I are so grateful for you all. Now Robert, it's no secret that Allie and I have been quite the pair since before we even arrived here so I want to give you a few fatherly tips for living with Allie because she's all yours now." Nathan dramatically pulled an unreasonably long piece of paper out of his suit coat pocket which elicited a characteristic eye-roll from Allie preparing for an oncoming dad-joke.

"She likes her sandwiches cut diagonally. If and when she falls asleep reading, don't ever take the book out of her hand. Just cover her with a blanket and leave her there….trust me. She likes pancakes when she is grumpy, but don't ever tell her she is grumpy just start cooking."

At that, Allie rolled her eyes and laughed just as Nathan had hoped. He continued on more seriously now,

"Allie will be and already is the greatest cheerleader you will ever have. She is a wonderful best friend and she is fiercely loyal to those she loves. Be gentle with her heart and find ways to care for her as she'll naturally care for you. Take her fishing every chance you get. You'll never regret those times together.

I love you both and wish you many years of happiness and…no new postings."

"Daaaad!" Allie playfully scolded.

Nathan shrugged trying to hide his smirk as Elizabeth held his hand and kissed his cheek.

Joseph stood up and offered the blessing on the food and prayed for the new couple. Allie and Robert stood and went through the buffet line first. Guests followed after and returned to their tables with steaming plates.

As Nathan and Elizabeth helped feed their young daughters, they smiled over at Lee and Rosemary caring for their four-year-old daughter Marjorie as their older twins Patrick and Evelyn sat and ate with their best friend Will. So much had changed in just a few years, but their lives were so full and beautiful.

Rosaleigh swallowed her bite of chicken and turned to her mother, "Mama when will there be cake? I'm dryyyyying up without cake!" The four-year-old loudly lamented with a hand on her forehead.

"Oh Rosaleigh, not so loud…we'll have cake here in a little bit. Allie and Robert have to cut it first."

Lee chuckled to himself and nudged his wife, "She's clearly more your namesake than mine."

"Oh Lee, she's both of ours. She just favors her auntie…don't you Sweetheart?"

Rosaleigh nodded with a smirk as she shoveled another mouthful of chicken in.

At the next table over, Nathan noticed Gabe fumbling his way through feeding his two-year-old daughter Nellie. "Lillian makes this look so easy," he mumbled as plum sauce dribbled down her chin.

"Lots of practice, Love," Lillian teased as she returned to the table. "You'd better get used to it. I'll need more help when this little one arrives." She cradled her swollen belly tenderly. Gabe smiled up at her until a spoon was launched across the table—breaking his loving gaze. "Uh, Honey, I'm going to need some reinforcements here."

"Not so tough now are you Corporal?" Lillian teased as she wiped Nellie's face and kissed Gabe's cheek. "Thanks for the help though. I can take it from here. Watch and learn Sir."

Allie and Robert approached the cake table and sliced into the bottom layer of Minnie's spice cake as Carson documented the moment on camera. Robert helped guide the slice on to a plate as Allie stealthily smeared some frosting on his nose—much like her teacher did years before.

Robert's eyes flared in shock as he dabbed some frosting on her lip before claiming her lips with his in a sweetened kiss. Allie giggled as his frosting-covered nose smeared frosting on her cheek. She looked so beautiful as she stepped back giggling. She was completely lit up from the inside.

Nathan and Elizabeth smiled at each other recognizing the exchange as an echo of Allie's sleepover and flirty cupcake incident from years past.

The music started as the new Mr. and Mrs. Wolf took the floor for their first dance with freshly wiped faces. Family and friends watched the couple float on air in a bubble of their own happiness. Around and around they waltzed seemingly unaware of anyone else in the moment.

The cake was distributed among the seated guests—much to Rosaleigh's delight. The song ended and Nathan stood preparing for the moment he was still unready for. Elizabeth squeezed his hand and he smiled ruefully at his wife's sympathetic eyes before stepping forward to claim his little girl-turned-woman for one last dance.