A Family Forever (9 page)

Epilogue

The bells pealed in celebration of their wedding as Victoria and Adam stepped out of the church, surrounded by smiling faces.

Adam pulled Victoria close for a kiss. "Love you, Mrs. Cantrell," he whispered.

"I love you too, darling." She had to pinch herself sometimes to believe this wonderful man belonged to her.

"Dad, you need to stand over here by the tree with the flowers on it," Harry instructed. Dressed in a stylish navy suit, the boy had his camera in his hand and a serious expression on his face. He was taking his job as wedding photographer very seriously.

"We're coming, pal. Give us a moment." Adam took Victoria's hand. She picked her way across the grass in her cream satin pumps, around the clumps of daffodils and crocuses pushing their heads up to find the spring sunshine.

"Sophie, love, it's time for the photos." Her daughter was in the middle of a group of friends, in her pretty yellow bridesmaid's dress, enjoying all the attention. She skipped up beside Victoria, waving her bouquet.

They stood beneath a flowering cherry tree and Harry snapped away, giving directions on how they should pose. After a few minutes, Victoria beckoned her mother and father to join them. Her mum parked her dad's wheelchair. Victoria hugged her mother for the hundredth time and bent to kiss her dad's cheek.

Her mum wiped away a tear. "You look so beautiful, love. Adam's one of the good guys. You make sure to hold on tight to him."

"I will."

Next, Adam asked his parents to join them. Drifting between the other guests, they were there with everyone else, but somehow still apart, like exotic beings from another world—and in some ways they were. Corinne and Gregory Cantrell had arrived in a helicopter that landed in the field beside Willowbrook Farm.

Victoria had never met two more self-absorbed people. They were primped and groomed to within an inch of their lives. She tried to like them but it was difficult, especially knowing they had virtually ignored Adam when he was a child.

Greg Cantrell stepped up beside Victoria. "You should have booked a proper photographer, you know."

Victoria gave a tight smile. "Harry
is
a proper photographer," she said loud enough for Harry to hear. "Your grandson will have a successful photography career, if I'm any judge."

"Grandson." Corinne Cantrell shivered in distaste. "Please don't say that word. It makes me feel old."

Adam stiffened and Victoria squeezed his hand in silent support. Adam's parents had no idea what was important in life. They'd missed their son growing up and were now doing the same with Harry. She leaned closer to Adam and put her mouth to his ear. "I feel sorry for them."

He touched her cheek, a flash of comprehension in his eyes. "I've never thought of it that way before, but you're right. They're the ones missing out."

"What are you whispering about?" Corinne linked her arm with Adam's, demanding attention, her slender body and perfect face making her appear at least twenty years younger than she was.

"Nothing, Mother. Nothing," he said.

When the photographs were over, Adam and Victoria walked the short distance from the village church to the Plume of Feathers. After their small, low-key wedding, the garden behind the pub had seemed like the perfect venue for a reception.

Adam and Victoria sat with Harry and Sophie at the head table Felicity had laid for them and Adam's best man made the toasts. Then they were served with food while the rest of their guests helped themselves from the buffet.

After an hour, old Mr. Andrews made his way through the happy crowd seated in the warm spring sunshine, a large wrapped present in his arms.

"Do you see who's heading our way?" Adam whispered.

"I do." Victoria bit her lip, not sure how to react. She knew the ex-farmer had moved in to the pub and had purposely avoided him.

"Mr. Cantrell. Mrs. Cantrell," the old man said. "Congratulations to you."

"Thank you," they replied together.

He plunked down the present on the table in front of Victoria. "Wanted to give you something useful."

"Well…that's great. Thank you." She glanced at Adam, who looked equally bemused.

"You gonna unwrap it then?" Mr. Andrews said.

"Of course." Victoria pushed her plate aside and dragged the gift closer.

"Gosh. It's heavy."

The old man just nodded.

She tore off the gold paper to reveal a wooden box.

Adam's eyebrows rose in question.

A slow smile spread across Victoria's face. She knew exactly what the gift was and it lightened her heart. This must be the man's way of apologizing.

"A hedgehog box," she said. "It's wonderful. Thank you."

The old farmer's usually somber expression softened. "I made it myself."

"That was very thoughtful of you. I really appreciate it. And the hedgehog that ends up calling it home will be grateful as well."

Mr. Andrew's lips quirked, and he almost smiled. "That's all right then." He nodded and turned to go.

Felicity's two young boys came scooting through the crowd. "Granddad, Granddad," they shouted. "Take us to the playground."

The old man ruffled their hair affectionately. "You young scallywags never give me a moment's peace." He did smile then. It was the first time Victoria had ever seen him happy in the seven years she'd lived in the village.

"If Mr. Andrews can change, I guess there's hope for your parents yet," she said to Adam.

Adam squeezed her hand. "It would be nice to think so. But you, Harry, and Sophie are what's important to me now. I didn't know what it was like to have a proper family until I met you."

He leaned close and brushed his lips across hers. "I won't ever let you go. Whatever life throws at us, we'll be a family forever."

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