Joy smacked her on the arm. “For shame! But I’m so happy for you two. You’ll make the best parents.”
“What about you?” Grace poked Joy in the arm. “Are you guys working on any project? Not that I’m dying to know what either of you are doing with my brothers, but tit for tat and all that.”
Joy shrugged, but it was an elusive gesture. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
Kat looked at the time. “Joy, if we don’t leave now, you’ll be late to your own wedding.”
The ceremony went off without a hitch, the bride looking gorgeous and the groom looking like he couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Kat gazed at Gavin as they stood up for Adam and Joy, and he mouthed the words I love you at her more than once.
Unlike the unseasonal snow they’d gotten around Halloween, this Christmas Eve was the warmest they’d had in decades. Although they’d planned to have the reception inside the vineyard’s main building, they were able to set up tents outside with heaters running.
Kat and Gavin stopped to speak with Officer Haldon, who’d been so helpful during and after The Incident. Kat had quickly discovered that Matt Haldon was wise beyond his years, and he’d gone above and beyond the call of duty. He’d stopped by Gavin’s apartment to ask how everyone was doing. Most of all, he’d been instrumental in convincing the judge not to allow Silas to have the chance to post bail.
“So glad you could come,” said Gavin, giving Matt a pat on the shoulder.
Matt looked a little embarrassed. “Am I allowed to say that weddings make me feel awkward?”
“You and every other man,” replied Gavin.
Kat just rolled her eyes at her boyfriend. “You’re such a liar. You were teary-eyed the entire ceremony.”
“That was allergies.”
Matt gave them both an amused look. “Well, I appreciate the invitation anyway. I’m glad to see your family is doing well.”
Gavin’s expression turned serious. “You know I can’t thank you enough for all of your help.”
“You’ve said it a few times. It’s my job. Don’t even worry about it.”
Matt said goodbye, heading toward the wine bar. Kat had heard that Matt had a girlfriend, but he hadn’t brought a plus one to the wedding.
“What’s that look?” said Gavin with suspicion.
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
“How a great guy like Matt could be single, that’s all.”
Gavin snorted. “Don’t turn matchmaker, Kat. I doubt Matt would thank you for it.”
Kat didn’t reply, only because she didn’t have anyone in mind for Matt. But if she met a great woman who’d be interested in dating a great guy… Well, wasn’t it her civic duty to help things along?
“I’m just so happy with you that I want everyone else to be happy, too,” she said as Gavin led her out to the dance floor.
He couldn’t help but smile at that. “Okay, I’ll give you that.” He kissed her forehead.
Kat tilted her head back to look into his eyes. “I love you,” she said.
“I know.” When she pinched him, he added, “I love you, too. I adore you, actually, and I’m going to buy you the most amazing engagement ring to show off.”
She smiled. “I don’t need a huge ring, but I won’t say no, either.” She kissed him, and then they danced together, swaying to the music.
Later, Emma cut in, and Gavin danced with his daughter. Emma was already making strides, and her episodes had grown less frequent since she—and Gavin—had started seeing a therapist. Emma had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but Gavin hadn’t taken it as hard as he might have months earlier. He knew that Emma wasn’t Teagan, and that he couldn’t blame himself for Teagan’s struggles, either.
After Gavin had gotten out of the hospital, Teagan had arrived, in a frenzy and desperate to see her daughter. She hugged Emma until the girl couldn’t breathe, and Kat finally had the opportunity to meet the woman she’d been so curious about. Teagan was a slight thing, all blonde and wispy, but her eyes revealed how much she’d gone through. When Teagan had hugged her, thanking her for helping her daughter, Kat had hugged her back and hoped with everything inside of her that Teagan found her own happiness, too.
Gavin told her later that he and Teagan had had a much-needed talk. After they’d discussed everything that had happened between them, Teagan had apparently looked him straight in the eye and said, “It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.” She’d then squeezed his hands. “You couldn’t save me, Gavin, but that doesn’t mean you failed. It just means that the illness was stronger than any of us. But I’m getting through it. Every day I’m better. And soon I’ll be able to be the mother Emma deserves.”
As Kat watched Gavin and Emma now, her heart warmed. Her new family meant everything to her. How had she gotten so lucky?
The pair of them came up to her and grabbed her, hauling her onto the dance floor as she laughed. They danced together, happiness and love flowing through them, and Kat knew without a shadow of a doubt that they’d all live happily ever after.
The End
Thank you for reading Make Me Yours! I hope you loved Gavin and Kat’s story.
Don’t miss Matt (Officer Haldon) and Holly’s story in the novella Hold Me Close.
When Matt saves a woman stranded during a blizzard, he never expects to fall for her…
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