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“How’s irl?” he said

She s ready?”

He shrugged, feeling his nervousness return “I hope so I spoke with Father MacLaren about a million times yesterday He said my choice in music was … unusual, but he let me do what I wanted”

This time her smile was a little shaky “Good”

He took her hand, gazed into her eyes “Are you up to this?”

She nodded Before she could answer, Madelaine cael walked into the house

He couldn’t believe how breathtakingly gorgeous Madelaine looked She earing an elegant navy blue wool dress and a single strand of pearls She smoothed the creaseless lines of her dress “Why are you looking at me that way?”

“Nothing Coo,” he answered

For a second she looked scared, and he understood He reached out her hand and smiled when she took it “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered

The three of them left the house and climbed into the warhts and memories, they drove to the church

Angel pulled up at the curb and killed the engine The huge brick church glinted in the last rays of the setting sun Frost glittered on the mullioned s and sparkled on the slanted roof

Together, hand in hand, they walked up the ay to the two huge open doors of the church The first thing Angel noticed were the candles—they were everywhere, dozens and dozens of white candles standing on brass and silver candelabras, their dancing golden light sprayed against the walls Boughs of evergreen were looped along the pews, held together by huge white bows Noble firs lined the all, their green branches draped with glittering golden ribbon and tiny white lights

And on the altar there was a huge heart-shaped wreath, olden ribbons In the center of the wreath was a picture of Francis, his face crinkled in a big sn

He looked so young and naive and full of life…

“Ah, Jesus,” Angel whispered as the grief hit