Epilogue

Two years later…

Reed Conway walked his mother down the aisle. Waiting for her at the altar was her groom, Webb Porter. At Webb’s side stood his son-in-law, Mark Leamon, the best man. The wedding was a small affair and the guest list kept to only family and close friends, like the newlyweds Heather and Dan Gilmore. An intimate ceremony suited the recently retired senator and his bride, who wanted a more private lifestyle in the future.

Ella thought her father looked handsome as always in his black suit. And Judy, whom Ella had grown to love dearly in the eighteen months she’d been married to Reed, looked beautiful in her pale ivory suit. But no one could outshine her husband. Reed was utterly, devastatingly gorgeous. She knew that as soon as the reception was over, he’d divest himself of his tie immediately. Even in his job as a teacher at the local community college, Reed never wore a tie.

Ella watched as Judy handed her bridal bouquet to Regina, then leaned over and kissed her daughter. The huge arrangement of cream roses and baby’s breath almost covered all of Regina’s protruding belly. She was due to deliver her first child in approximately six weeks—a daughter.

Judy then walked past Regina and went to Ella, who was acting as her second matron of honor. Ella accepted her mother-in-law’s kiss and gave her a hug, her own rather large belly getting in the way. She and Reed were expecting their first child any day now—a son.

While the minister spoke the words uniting Webb Porter and Judy Conway, Ella glanced to the front pew. There sat Cybil and Jeff Henry, their hands clasped together. Her mother had been sober for almost two years now, ever since she underwent treatment at a rehabilitation center. Not only had Cybil given up liquor, but she’d given up other men, too. Jeff Henry had become besotted with his wife, and it was rather sweet to watch the two lovebirds together.

As the minister pronounced Webb and Judy husband and wife, they turned to each other and shared a tender kiss. And then, as if on cue, Reed, who stood at Mark’s side, came to Ella, took her in his arms, and kissed her. Mark followed suit and kissed his wife. Then, together the three couples marched down the aisle and out to the waiting limousine that would take them to the country club, to the gala reception hosted by Cybil and Jeff Henry Carlisle.