“Wow, Sam,” Tracy said with a sigh. “You’re stunning.”

“Seriously,” Angela added.

“Thanks, guys, you look gorgeous too. Is everyone ready to go?”

“Dad and Celia already left with the kids,” Angela said, “but we needed a moment alone with the bride.

Tracy handed Sam a jeweler’s box. “Since Nick took care of your something new, here’s your something old.”

“Grandma’s diamond earrings! But she gave them to you.”

“Which is why they’re also your something borrowed,” Tracy said with a pointed look.

Sam laughed as she put them on. “Gotcha.”

Angela handed Sam a fancy lace garter with blue satin ribbon threaded throughout. “And your something blue.”

“Was this yours?” she asked Angela.

“It was originally Mom’s,” Tracy said. “Angela and I both used it our weddings.”

“But you didn’t give it to me last time?” Sam said, fingering the lace.

“We had a feeling that was your starter marriage.” Tracy rested her hands on Sam’s bare shoulders and went up on tiptoes to kiss her sister’s cheek. “This one is for keeps.”

“Yes, it certainly is,” Sam said softly as her eyes flooded with tears. She frantically blinked them back. “Stop the schmoopy stuff before I have mascara running down my face!”

Tracy smiled and stepped back.

Angela leaned in to kiss Sam’s other cheek. “We love you. We love him. And we’re so very, very happy for you.”

“Okay, now you really have to stop it,” Sam said, waving her hands in front of her face.

Angela laughed and handed Sam a tissue.

“The limo is downstairs when you’re ready,” Tracy said. “We can put the garter on in the car.”

“As long as we’re being schmoopy,” Sam said, willing the tears away, “thank you both for seeing me through some rough times. I doubt I’d be standing here in one piece if it wasn’t for you guys, and I love you both. Very much.”

“Aw, Sam,” Angela said, dabbing at her eyes. “Now you’ve got me going too. Not that it takes much these days.”

“Let’s get you to the church before we descend all the way to maudlin,” Tracy said, her eyes bright with tears too.

Sam stepped out her father’s front door to a warm spring day and a crowd gathered on Ninth Street to watch the proceedings. Police cruisers with lights flashing were positioned in front of and behind the black limo.

“What’s with the cops?” she asked Shelby.

“Apparently, Chief Farnsworth ordered an escort for you.”