I don't think any mother wants to see their daughter grow up so quickly and marry young. But this was the life for my daughter. She might be only eighteen and starting her own family, while I had started mine when I was twenty-three, but I wouldn't ask for this moment to happen differently.
Through the ceremony, I held Isabelle in my lap. She was being fussy since she wanted her parents, but she had to stay with me. Noelle got to stand as the flower girl for her sister's wedding and Jack had little Alex as the ring barer. I thought the two of them were so cute together. I hope when they're teenagers that they won't repeat what Jack and Stella did.
"They remind me of us," Alex whispered in my ear.
"I know. Only Stella is you and Jack is like me. You had a way with words and I didn't. But at least I didn't ramble," I whispered back to him.
"Ga," Isabelle cooed at Alex with her little finger pressed to her lips.
Alex stopped talking as we watched as the minister said his closing words.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present Mr. and Mrs. Jack Barakat," everyone rose and clapped as Jack and Stella led the wedding party back up the aisle. I watched as Jack leaned down to whisper into her ear. I smiled, remembering when Alex did that with me so many years ago.
"I love you, Mrs. Gaskarth," Alex whispered in my ear as he helped me down the aisle, "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
I smiled at the memory as I walked up the aisle, Isabelle on my hip and my arm linked with Alex's.
"She not just our little girl anymore," I told him, "She's a Barakat now too."
"I know Jack will make her happy. He's been doing it since they were toddlers. Plus he gave me a happy granddaughter," Alex smirked before he kissed my cheek.
Once everyone had gone over to the reception area for cocktail hour. Alex and I stayed back with the wedding party and the bride and groom for pictures along with Jack and Jasmin.
"I told you so," Jack smiled, "I knew we'd be in-laws Julibean."
"Jack, I didn't doubt it. I'm just a little upset that it was so early in their lives," I told him as I watched Jack and Stella pose in their pictures with Isabelle in their arms.
"Sometimes life likes to throw us curveballs. At least Stella will keep him grounded and help him mature a bit more," he replied.
"I think little Izzy will make that happen," I told as I watched Izzy pull on her father's dark hair.
"You have a point," he replied.

---

"The mother of the bride has a speech for the happy couple," Danny announced as I got the mic from him.
"I want to say I am so proud of both of you. You both got the career of your dreams. You two are wonderful parents to a very happy little girl. Now you two are married. I am so happy to now have Jack as my son-in-law. I know he will take great care of my daughter and granddaughter. I wish nothing but the best of luck to you both. You two have many happy and not so happy years ahead of you as you raise your little princess and plan to grow your family. You make us all proud everyday. To Jack and Stella Barakat," I raised my champagne flute and my toast was done.
"Now the father of the bride has something to say," Danny announced as I gave the mic to Alex.

Notes

This is the last time we will hear from Jules. She will still be in the store as the caring mother and help Stella and Jack, she just won't play as big of a role as she has before now that Stella is on her own.
The sequel is up but no chapters are posted yet. You can check it out here and subscribe early so you won't miss a thing.