Singing Heart (42 page)

“
Mama…what’s going on? I told you I wanted to tell him after dinner… with the family present.”

Rebecca patted her arm affectionately.

“
Just be patient Darling. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. You’ll have a chance to tell him and it will mean even more this way. Trust me.”

Since she really wasn’t being given a choice had been told to wait until she heard some music then to enter the drawing room she tried to quell her personal feelings and paste on a happy smile so the rest of her family wouldn’t know there was anything amiss.

Mystified Xzan did as she was bid even though she had no idea what in the world to expect. Then she heard the first strains of the melody. Mama was playing it softly. Tears of joy stung her eyes as she opened the doors. Surrounded by her family and greeted by her excited children who rushed forward with a bouquet of crimson roses and babies breath she glided gracefully in to the room. Down the aisle toward her husband who was waiting for her love shining in his eyes as she approached.

Tears streamed unchecked down her delicate cheeks. Her eyes were violet with emotions too deep to fathom. Papa was standing beside Sean. Mama was playing the wedding march. A man she knew to be a minister smiled as she glided forward. The whole room was miraculously hushed. Even the children seemed to understand this was a solemn occasion. Sean took her hand his voice deep and steady as he repeated their marriage vows.

Her voice was filled with the trembling of her heart as she exchanged those vows. Her eyes widened as Sean took Maggie’s ring off and replaced it with a dainty silver and black band with a single ruby in its center. It fit perfectly. He handed her his ring, a wider silver band that she placed on his left hand. When he kissed his bride this time it was with the blessings of her entire family and they both knew exactly what they were committing to. It was the sweetest kiss they ever shared. She felt it was like their first kiss. Full of their love for each other and hope for the future. The pain was gone. In it’s stead only the joy of being united the way it should always have been. While she had their undivided attention she turned to her family radiantly happy.

“
I have a surprise of my own. I was going to tell you at dinner but my husband had his own plans.’ she winked at him with distinct approval.

“
We’re going to have a new addition to our family!”

Excited congratulations erupted the reverent silence. Everyone crowded around the couple offering their heartiest hopes for the future. Sean looked stunned. He was just getting used to being the father of twins. The idea of having a baby he could see born and help raise from a newborn left him speechless. The twins were so tiny to him he couldn’t even comprehend a child the size George had been when Kerrie had him. The idea simultaneously thrilled and terrified him. His wife eyed him mischievously knowing exactly what he was thinking. She held out her hand supportively.

“
We’ll handle it together. One day at a time. We’ve managed to survive the twins.”

He relaxed visibly. Taking a shaky breath he hugged her close. It would be all right. He would never let her go. Like she said they could survive anything together. They already had. They would have their clan like the Winslow’s had. That’s what it was all about. Being with the ones that really mattered the most.

“
I love you Xzan.” he whispered trembling with the feeling.

She melted against him, trusting him with all her heart.

“
I love you more!”