A month later

Lizzie smiled at al of the guests.Her soon-to-be family had thrown a surprise wedding shower for them.She smiled up at her groom.“So what do you think?” he whispered to her.“Do you think you can handle being a James?” he teased.

“Even if I couldn’t…I’d have you…and I’d do anything for that,” she said smiling at him.

“Good,” he said kissing her, much to the delight of everyone in the room.

♠

A week later

Lizzie bustled around one of the church’s Sunday school rooms.Everything was ready.She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.The white strapless gown fit her perfectly.Jonathon was going to be so surprised.She giggled to herself.She’d been surprised at how good she looked and felt in the dress.

Kylie ran into the room, her blue flower girl’s dress flying.“You look beautiful,” Kylie told Lizzie.Lizzie bent down carefully and pulled Kylie into her arms.She stopped her tears before they could start.She was going to have a family. A real family.Brothers and sisters, too.Kylie hugged her back tightly.

“Thank you.”

Kylie smiled and said, “I can’t wait for another big sister!”

Lizzie smiled and said, “I can’t wait for all of the new siblings I’ll get.”

Kylie smiled.“The boys aren’t that much fun.”She wrinkled her nose.

“I’m sure you don’t think so….but I can’t wait.”

Virginia rushed in and said, “The groom is frantic.Are you OK?He’s having a melt down,” she said trying to keep a straight face.

Lizzie looked at her and said, “Are you serious?”

Virginia nodded.“He’s just my twin,” she said shrugging.“I have no clue how his mind works.”

“Ahh…tell him that I’m fine.It’s only a few more minutes.”

After Virginia left, Kylie giggled along with Lizzie.“How silly!” Kylie commented.

“I know, but at least he’s not getting cold feet.”

Next, Alex ran in.“I’m going to kill my brother!”

Lizzie smiled at her.“Why? And what one?”

“Trevor!He’s being so stupid!”

“I’m sorry, Al.Boys are that way.”

“I know and you’re marrying one of them…I don’t understand it,” she said slipping into her blue bridesmaid dress.

Tasha ran through the door and said, “I can’t find my other shoe!”She pointed at her bare left foot.

“I haven’t seen it,” Lizzie said honestly.

“Found it, Tash,” Virginia said coming in behind her.

“Thank you,” Tasha said gratefully.

“Come on everybody.It’s almost time,” Virginia’s dad, said sticking his head in the door.

Lizzie took a final look in the mirror and smiled.

“Here we go,” Virginia said taking Kylie’s hand.

Then Alex walked down the aisle.Soon Lizzie was the last person in the Sunday school room.She took a deep breath as she heard her music.She tried to walk forward, but she couldn’t.Her mother had refused to fly in from Europe, and her grandparents had been too ill.She didn’t know her father, so he wasn’t there either.Lizzie started crying.Then she heard a knock on the door.She opened it and flew into the outstretched arms.“Papa, you said that you couldn’t make it,” she said.

“No girl should have to walk down the aisle by herself.Come on, that young man of yours is waiting.”

Lizzie smiled at him and saw her grandma slip into a seat.She looked up at the front of the sanctuary and saw all of her sisters and her brothers, then her gaze landed on the groom.Jonathon looked more handsome than she’d ever seen him.His smile grew bigger as she approached.When she go to the front by Jonathon, her grandpa kissed her cheek.When the minister asked who was giving her to Jonathon, her grandpa said, “Her grandma and I.”Lizzie smiled through the ceremony with tears in her eyes.Then the pastor said, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Jonathon carefully lifted her veil and kissed her.“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Jonathon James.”

Lizzie kissed Jonathon again, and thought, This is where I’m supposed to be, forever.