“Jai. Oh, Jai. How can I even begin to tell you what you mean to me? A year ago, when I met you, I was so alone and so…afraid. I’d moved my life here, to this funny little town, but I was still outside of it, still removed. Meeting you last Valentine’s Day was like opening a window. The light came in, and I could see again.”

He had to pause to wipe his face and clear his throat a few times, and Ryann heard several people around her sniffling, too.

“You are, without a doubt, the kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever met. In fact, when I first met you, I couldn’t even believe that what I saw in you—your actions, the way you treated others and animals, and a host of other things—was the real you. I couldn’t allow myself to hope there was someone like you in the world that truly liked me, too. I tried pushing you away, but that honesty—that character—that allows you to walk around in the world actually caring about everyone and everything, finally drew me back. Jai, I love you. I pledge to you my heart, my life, and my own attempts at honest caring. And I know with you that I’ll be the happiest man alive.”

People rocketed to their feet with applause, most everyone crying as the newlyweds kissed and embraced. A sob broke loose from her lips, and Maddie, hearing it, pulled her close under one arm. Their eyes met again, and Maddie was clearly just as overwhelmed as she was. Ryann had never been this happy about anything, possibly ever.

Some brief speeches followed. Jos spoke for Jai’s side of the family, Dick for Stuart’s. Jos was funny, of course, Dick touching—more than Ryann could have imagined. Once again came a chorus of sniffles and a flutter of tissues passed around, and Stuart and his father embraced for a very long time.

Finally, it was time for the first dance. Jai and Stuart had told the wedding party, their spouses and dates, and their parents to join them halfway through their song. Ryann and Maddie had been shown the signal, and they waited through the first half of an extended version of Etta James’s “At Last” until Stuart made eye contact with them and touched his nose, very obviously. Maddie grabbed her hand and pulled her into a spin, and soon enough, several couples were twirling around the dance floor.