Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5)(125)

When Kylie confronted him earlier about appearing nervous, he'd told her, "Hell, yeah, I'm scared shitless that she'll realize she can do better than me."

The music started. Kylie looked back at the crowd. Her mom sat by the Brightens. She had been nervous about meeting them, but Kylie assured her that they would like her. On the opposite side of her mom sat Kylie's grandfather and her great-aunt Francyne. Kylie had introduced her mom to them, too. And a few minutes later, Kylie introduced the Brightens to Malcolm Summers and her great-aunt.

Because she couldn't tell them these were Daniel's real father and aunt, she introduced them as friends of the family. It was awkward for just a second, but then her grandfather shook Mr. Brighten's hand, then embraced Mrs. Brighten and told them sincerely what a pleasure it was to meet them. Kylie could tell her real grandfather was grateful to the Brightens for the love they'd had for his son.

Everyone from that row looked at Kylie and smiled. Oddly enough, they looked like one big happy family. And they were her family. Kylie had never been so proud. And deep inside she heard her father's voice say, Perfect.

In the row behind them, Kylie saw Miranda sitting beside Perry. Kylie would bet her best bra that those two were already planning their own wedding. And beside Miranda was Della, who stared at the row of chairs to her left. Stared at Steve. Would Della ever accept him? Yup, for a few days Della had cratered slightly where Steve was concerned, but she was back to pushing him away again.

Hayden, sitting next to Jenny, smiled at Kylie. To Jenny's right was Derek. Kylie didn't miss that his shoulder pressed against hers. Those two had something special and they deserved it.

Kylie's gaze shifted to the very back row to Fredericka, who sat with the new teacher. Kylie hadn't heard anything from Holiday about Fredericka's asking about seeing him. But Kylie got the feeling that something had happened and it had been in Fredericka's favor.

Inhaling, Kylie felt love in the air. All of a sudden, Holiday started moving down the path between the chairs. The "Wedding March" started to play. Burnett stared at Holiday, mesmerized. Kylie didn't blame him. Holiday, in all her fae glory, was beautiful. Her green eyes sparkled. Her skin practically glowed.

For some reason, Kylie recalled the day her stepdad moved out, how she'd thought it was the suckiest day of her life, and how she'd felt everything in her world was changing, and nothing would ever be the same again.

And she'd been right about one thing. Everything had changed.

Everything.

Some of it had been hard to deal with, but most of it ... Wow.She reached up and touched the ring hanging around her neck and looked across to Lucas, who was smiling at her. He mouthed the words, "I love you."

Kylie whispered those words back and she couldn't help but think that today might just be the best day.