Chapter 11
Two years after the trial, we decided to get married.
It wasn't a big, fancy wedding.
We didn't want that.
We wanted something small. Intimate. Meaningful.
We got married in our backyard, surrounded by our closest friends and family.
The kids were there, of course.
Emma was my maid of honor. She was nine now, beautiful and smart and full of life.
Ethan was Lisa's best man. He was seven, energetic and kind and always making us laugh.
Mark's parents were there. They had become like my own parents again. They loved Lisa. They loved our family.
My parents were there. They had been through everything with me. They were so happy to see me happy.
Our friends were there. The people who had stood by us through everything.
It was a perfect day.
The sun was shining. The flowers were blooming. The air was warm.
Lisa looked beautiful in her dress.
I felt beautiful in mine.
We said our vows.
We promised to love each other. To support each other. To stand by each other through good times and bad.
We promised to be the best parents we could be to Emma and Ethan.
And when we kissed, everyone cheered.
Emma threw flower petals.
Ethan yelled "Woohoo!" at the top of his lungs.
It was perfect.
At the reception, Mark's mother pulled me aside.
She had something in her hand.
It was a necklace.
A beautiful diamond necklace.
"This was Mark's grandmother's," she said. "She would have wanted you to have it. You're still her granddaughter-in-law. In our hearts, anyway."
Tears filled my eyes.
"Thank you," I whispered.
She put it on me.
"It looks perfect," she said. "And you deserve every bit of happiness you've found."
Later, Lisa and I danced together.
The kids joined us.
We danced as a family.
And I looked around at all the people who loved us.
At the life we had built.
From the ashes of betrayal and pain, we had built something beautiful.
Something real.
Something that would last.
I looked at Lisa.
She smiled at me.
And I knew.
May you like
This was forever.
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