A/N Thanks again for all the wonderful comments!

I hope you enjoy this chapter! Who's ready for a wedding?

...

Sunday evening after dinner, Jack and I sat beside each other on the sofa, my head on his shoulder.

"Jack? Did you mean what you said earlier today?"

"I'm sure I did, but I said a lot of things today. What was it?"

I took his hand in both of mine, rubbing my thumbs across his fingers. "You said you fell in love with me on our first date."

"Oh, I definitely meant that." He grinned and put his hand on my cheek. Butterflies rose in my stomach at his touch. "When I went home that night, I just knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would marry you someday."

"Jack Thornton, look at you predicting the future." I tilted my chin up, meeting his lips with mine. "I'm glad you were right."

"I love you." He kissed me again.

"I love you, too. And for the record, I was in love with you by our second date."

He slid his arms around me, turning me slightly so my back was against his chest. "So I won you over with The Sound of Music?"

I laughed softly. "I guess you did. That will be a fun story to tell our kids."

As he did every time our future children were mentioned, he brought his hands to my stomach, slowly brushing his thumbs back and forth.

"Jack…"

"I know. I know. There's nothing in there right now." He rested his chin on my shoulder. "I think it's just become a habit. But think about it. Someday, there will be a baby in there."

I smiled. "Someday," I agreed.

He kept his hands on my stomach, and I knew he was imagining what it might be like when I eventually would be pregnant. I took a deep breath and pulled his hands away.

"I know I've asked you before, but are you sure that you're okay with waiting a little while to have kids?"

"Yes, Elizabeth. I will wait until you're ready, even if it's not for a few years."

I kissed him softly. "How was I lucky enough to find you?"

...

Our families came into town on Wednesday afternoon to help with all of the last-minute wedding preparations. Jack's mom and brother were staying at his now-almost-empty house. My parents and Julie were staying with me until Friday, when they would go to a hotel so Jack and I would have the house to ourselves. Viola and Lionel planned to arrive with the baby—my five-week-old nephew, George—on the morning of the wedding.

Wednesday evening, we all met up at Abigail's for dinner. Though my parents and Charlotte had very different personalities, they seemed to get along well. I was very thankful for this, imagining that we could have big family gatherings in the future where our children could spend time with all of their grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Julie and Jack's brother, Tom, hit it off as well. They spent the entire evening in the corner of the booth, laughing and talking softly. It was as though they forgot everyone else was there.

I brought them to Jack's attention. "It looks like you Thornton men really have a way with us Thatcher women."

"Apparently." He squeezed my leg under the table, making me squirm. He smiled and brought his lips to my ear. "Two more days, and I get you all to myself."

My cheeks flamed at the thought.

We ironed out some more of the wedding details in between stories that our parents told each other about our childhoods. Though Jack and I already knew a lot about each other, it was nice to learn even more.

At the end of the night, Jack pulled me around the back of the café while our parents said goodbye to each other in the parking lot.

I leaned against the wall as he brought his hands to my waist and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me deeply.

"I've been thinking about doing that all evening."

"Thank goodness. So was I."

"Two more days, and it's just us." He kissed me again, gently this time. "I love you, Beth."

"I love you, too."

He held my hand as we returned to our cars, letting go only when it became absolutely necessary. "I'll see you Friday."

"I'll be the one in white." I scrunched my nose and smiled at him.

As I lay in bed that night, I could only think about how, the next time I saw him would be at our wedding.

...

The school day seemed to last forever on Thursday. I should have been focusing on my students, but all I could think about was how close my wedding was. It was only one day until I married my best friend.

I reminded the kids that I would be absent for a few days and that, when I returned, I would be Mrs. Thornton. Butterflies filled my stomach when I said the name out loud.

They kept asking questions about the wedding: what my dress looked like, why I would be gone next week if the wedding was just one day, where I was going on my honeymoon.

They also asked questions about married life: if I would live with Jack, if we were going to have children, what we liked to do together.

I indulged them. I wasn't going to see Jack that day, so I enjoyed the excuse to talk about him at least.

Though I knew I would miss my students over the next few days, I was ecstatic when the day finally ended. As I walked out the door, it hit me that, the next time I stepped into that building, I would be a married woman. The thought made me smile. I couldn't wait.

...

"You're getting married tomorrow." Julie lowered her head onto the pillow beside me.

"I know." My mouth curled into a smile.

"I'm so happy for you, Elizabeth." She took my hand. "I can tell you and Jack really love each other."

"We do."

"So, when are you going to give me another niece or nephew?"

"Julie! Let me get down the aisle first. Besides, Jack and I have discussed it, and we're going to wait a little while. We're still young. We have plenty of time to have babies."

"Well, when you do decide to have kids, they will be the prettiest kids anyone has ever seen. I don't know how you managed to find someone as handsome as Jack."

I giggled. "I don't know, either. I got very lucky with him."

"So where is he taking you for your honeymoon?"

"We're spending the weekend at a cabin just northeast of here, but he's promised to take me to Vancouver in the spring, so we can have a little more time away with just the two of us."

"How romantic." She had a dreamy look on her face.

I pulled my quilt up to my chin. "Well, I should probably try to get some sleep. It wouldn't be very good if I fell asleep during my own wedding."

"Good night, Elizabeth."

"Good night, Julie. Thank you for being here."

...

"You know, it's strange." I looked down at my dress, processing everything that was happening around me.

"What's strange?"

"I feel nervous, but I also feel at peace. Those are two feelings that don't seem like they should exist simultaneously."

"Both of those are perfectly normal things to be feeling on your wedding day. There's a lot to take in." Abigail waited to place the veil on my head while Rosemary—who was now nine months pregnant—finished doing up the rest of the buttons on the back of the dress. "Everything is going to be great. You and Jack are perfect together."

"Elizabeth?" There was a soft knock on the door before my mother entered the room. "How are you feeling?"

"Nervous. Excited. I don't really know, but everything feels right." I smoothed down the front of my dress.

"Well, it's almost time to get out there. Your dad is ready and waiting, and I'm sure Jack is, too." She put her hand on my shoulder. "You look beautiful, Elizabeth. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you, mom."

Abigail situated the veil in my hair. "Okay, you're ready to go."

I looked in the full-length mirror on the wall. I had chosen a simple sleeveless dress with a chiffon, A-line skirt and a lace overlay on the bodice. My headband was borrowed from my mother and my veil from Abigail. Happy tears filled my eyes as the situation really sank in.

Even though it had only been three months, it felt like it had been an eternity since we got engaged, and now, in less than an hour, Jack and I would finally be married.

"Elizabeth, are you okay?" My mother touched my arm, concerned when she noticed my tears.

I nodded. "I'm just ready to be married to him."

"Well, then, let's go." Abigail held out her arm.

I walked with Abigail on one side of me and my mother on the other, keeping me steady as we made our way to the sanctuary.

My mother kissed my cheek and went through the doorway, finding her spot beside Viola, Lionel, baby George, and Charlotte.

I took a deep breath as I heard the music start playing in the sanctuary. I watched as Rosemary and Lee stepped through the doors, followed by Julie and Tom, and finally, Abigail and Cody.

Cody had been so excited when Jack had asked him to be a groomsman, and he was more than happy to escort his mother down the aisle.

My father took my arm to steady me as we approached the doors. "I'm so happy for you, Elizabeth. Jack really is a great man. I can't imagine anyone better for you."

"Dad…" I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

As soon as I stepped into the sanctuary, it was as though Jack and I were the only two people in the room. It was all I could do to keep myself from running down the aisle to him. When I reached his side and he took my hands in his, I noticed tears in his eyes. My fingers were trembling, and he rubbed gentle circles with his thumbs, calming me. I wished he could pull me into his arms.

He looked so handsome in his gray suit and purple tie. I couldn't believe the man in front of me was about to be my husband.

Somehow, we both got through our vows without completely breaking down. He wiped a tear from my cheek after he placed the ring on my left hand, and I did the same to him.

Before I knew it, the pastor had pronounced us husband and wife, and Jack leaned in to press his lips to mine.

And we were married. Finally.

He squeezed my hand as we walked back down the aisle, passing by all of our friends and family. There was so much love in the room that I felt like my heart could burst. I was so incredibly blessed.

Jack pulled me aside once we were out of sight of everyone else.

"You look absolutely breathtaking, Beth." He brushed his lips against mine, his fingers sliding down from my shoulders to my waist. "How did I get so lucky?"

I reached up, pressing my palm to his cheek. "I'm the lucky one."

"I love you, Elizabeth Thornton."

Butterflies rose in my stomach as my new name passed through his lips. Elizabeth Thornton. I felt like I had waited my entire life to become Elizabeth Thornton.

"I love you, Jack Thornton."

He rested his forehead against mine. "We're finally married."

"Finally," I agreed, the corners of my lips turning up.

He brought his lips to my ear. "I wish we could just go home now."

I shivered as heat rose in my cheeks. "So do I. But we just have to make it a few more hours."

He kissed me deeply, his fingertips brushing across my stomach and around to my back, sending warmth throughout my body.

I stood in silence when he pulled back, trying to catch my breath.

"That'll have to tide us over until we get home." He drew his thumb across my lips.

It took every ounce of my willpower not to pull him out to the car right then so we could go home.

The reception was held in the church's fellowship hall. Jack held my hand tightly as we walked toward the room, the noise growing louder as we got closer.

We stepped through the doors and were greeted with cheers and applause.

...

Jack led me to the middle of the room as the music started playing. Had anything significant happened during that moment, I wouldn't have noticed. All of my attention was focused on my new husband.

There was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Jack? Are you okay?"

The corners of his lips turned up. "I'm more than okay. I'm just missing my dad. I hate that he wasn't here to see this."

I lifted my hand to his cheek. "Oh, Jack. I didn't even think about that. I can't even imagine how I would feel if one of my parents wasn't here. I'm so sorry."

He shook his head. "Don't be. I'm sorry for bringing the mood down. This is supposed to be the happiest day of our lives."

"It is the happiest day of my life. And don't you ever apologize for missing your father."

He leaned down and kissed me. "Do you remember the first time we danced together?"

I nodded and leaned my cheek on his chest, trying to get as close to him as possible. "My surprise birthday celebration. I believe there wasn't any music playing that time."

He kissed the top of my head, moving his hands to my waist. I linked my fingers behind his neck.

"I will dance with you any day, any time, with or without music." He grinned at me, his dimples showing.

"I'll take it. Any excuse to be in your arms is good in my book."

"Good, because I love having you in my arms. You fit just right." He pulled me closer, holding me tightly.

He stayed by my side throughout the entire reception, always with at least one hand on me, as if he was afraid that it was all a dream that would disappear if he let me go.

After a quick meal, we said goodbye to our guests, thanking them for being part of our special day.

We were quiet on the drive, taking the time to reflect on all that had happened in the past few hours and to think about what we had to look forward to over the next few days—and the rest of our lives.

The sun was just setting as we arrived back home. We stood on the front porch, Jack running his fingers up and down my arms. He leaned in, kissing me deeply.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?" His lips were on my neck as his fingers moved lower down my back.

"We should, um, probably go inside." Heat was spreading throughout my body, his fingertips fueling the fire.

"As you wish, Mrs. Thornton." There was a sparkle in his eye as he slowly turned the doorknob. Before I could take a step, he swept me up in his arms, carrying me across the threshold and into our house to begin our life as a married couple.