And they’d forgotten Murphy.
Inez tore off to the bathroom and came back victoriously; her best friend cradled in her arms.
“Can we go now?” she questioned.
Vince laughed. “Yes. Let’s hit the road.”
On the way to their destination, Lace actually pinched herself.
Was this her life? Was this really happening?
She looked at her watch. In a mere twenty minutes, she’d be marrying Vince at the local courthouse. Then, as soon asthatceremony wrapped up, they’d be going toanotherjudge next door where they’d sign papers and make their adoption of Inez, final and legal.
Lace Heiger would become Lace Heiger-Sothard, and Inez…
Oops, not to forget Murphy.
InezandMurphy would become Sothards, as well,
It all seemed like a dream.
Or a miracle.
Just like both their cancer prognoses.
Neither one of them would be considered cancer free for another few years, but all the signs and tests were pointing toward complete remission. Their doctors were very encouraged, and encouraging.
Lace had undergone her breast removal surgery following her chemo, and after her radiation regime, she’d eventuallyopted to have reconstruction surgery with one permanent implant. She’d kept her other breast, which was given a spiffy up-lift so it would match her new one.
Her boobs, both new and old, looked perky.
It had been the right decision for her.
Looking down at the front of the short, white dress Bobbie had helped her pick out for her wedding, she felt nothing but peace and happiness.
Today was something she’d never expected to happen; her health, a husband, and a child all bundled into one.
If life threw them curveballs from here on out, at least they’d have each other.
The crowd in front of the courthouse was all for the three of them.
Friends and relatives had come out of the woodwork to celebrate.
All the close-knit Sothard families were there, for sure, along with many, many Sothard cousins, aunts, and uncles whom Lace had gotten to know over the past year.
Obi-Wan and Zita were also cheering them on, along with a man Lace had met just a few months earlier.
Tex.
He’d insisted on coming; saying he could spare an hour or two for them, but would be flying out before the reception. Nobody questioned him on his tight schedule. He had people to help, and worlds to save.
Both ceremonies were joyous, short, and sweet, which was just the way Lace and Vince had wanted it. By the time theyallhad rings on their fingers—because, of course, Inez had been given one, too—they were ready to party and let their hair down.
Lace and Inez’s hairhadgrown back; curly and fluffy for the pair, which made them both laugh, since previous to losing it, their tresses had both been stick-straight.
The festivities were being held at the Sothard compound, naturally, even though Bobbie had nixed Ellen doing any of the food prep. Bobbie had also taken the day off, and instead left everything to her highly competent catering staff.
They ate and ate, laughed and joked, talking until they were almost hoarse. And just when Lace thought they might sneak away, Kyle, bouncing on the soles of his feet, approached them and loudly announced, “It’s time for presents.”