Epilogue
MEL
Pete didn’t want to wait for the wedding, and since we’re having it at his parent’s house, we get to have a fancy summer society wedding. Bee is over the moon - so is Philip.
I smile at myself in the mirror, smoothing down the skirt at my waist.
“You look beautiful, Melinda,” Mom smiles, her fingers skating over the flowered embellishment at my shoulder - the only embellishments on the dress.
I am in love with it. The bodice is fitted, wide straps at the shoulder decorated with my floral embellishment, the same color, and material as the dress. The waist is classical, the skirt flaring out immediately, yards of smooth, satiny silk falling outward to brush the ground. I have a headband with small white star jasmine flowers but no veil.
Small diamond studs adorn my ears, and my medical bracelet, which I never take off, are my only jewelry, apart from my engagement ring. My hair brushes my shoulders, and my makeup is understated. I wanted to feel like me on my wedding day.
Pete’s mom gave up arguing over a veil when I agreed the wedding could be here. I know I probably wasn’t what she imagined for her son, but we’ve come to an agreement, Laura Rampwood and me. I’m going to makeover their Aspen vacation home, and if she likes it, she’s going to introduce my company to all her rich housewife friends.
If I have a super successful business, she can accept that Pete married someone not from their social circle. I’ll take what I can get, but Pete said we don’t have to see them more than once a month.
Mom moves across the room to help Dad with his tie, and Bee comes to stand beside me in the mirror, admiring her blue dress. She still insists on covering her freckles, but at least this dress shows her slender figure to advantage. There was no way I was going to return the favor and dress her in a sack.
“What are you most looking forward to tonight?” she asks, waggling her eyebrows and looking remarkably similar to my Bartle-Bee. I still catch flashes, so I know she’s in there somewhere, biding her time.
“I’m going to tongue kiss Luigi,” I reply, a naughty grin tugging at my lips.
Bee frowns, pursing her lips. “Uh, who?”
I waggle my eyebrows back at her. “Pete has a cartoon tattoo on his dick. It’s Luigi, from the Super Mario video games.”Her eyes are wide. “On his….” She points to her crotch. I nod, and she blinks. “Ouch.”
“Yeah, that’s what he said. But I love it. Everything else about him is so…Rampwood. But it feels like Luigi is our little secret.” Shit. “You can’t tell anyone!”
“I won’t,” Bee giggles. “They’d all want to know how I knew.”
There is a knock at the door, and Bee glides over to it, opening it a crack and peeking out.
“Oh!” She opens it wider, accepting a white box from a grinning Andy. He peeks in, his eyes trailing over me and winking.
“Looking good, Mel.”
“Feeling good, Andy,” I laugh back. It’s how we start each day at work. I have no idea how we fell into the routine, but it’s fun.
Working with Andy is great. I love my job. I’m totally in the middle of looking for offices. I’ve had six referrals from Andy’s buyers for other design work so far. Classic Interiors by Mel Rampwood is taking off. I’m glad I took Pete’s advice. I have had inquiries from some seriously big names.
Bee closes the door on Andy’s face, bringing the box over. We peek in, and my face flames as white lacy panties with silk ribbons at the sides stare back at us.
“There’s a note,” Bee giggles. I snatch the heavy cream card off her, my cheeks heating even more. Wear these, Tinker Bell. Love Peter x
“Cute, like Peter Pan and Tinker Bell,” Bee breathes. I blink up at her. It honestly never occurred to me that Pete nicknamed me after Peter Pan’s constant companion. Talk about foreshadowing.
“Let’s go into the bathroom. I need help getting these on under this skirt,” I hiss. Bee giggles and nods, following me into the ensuite bathroom, closing the door so my parents can’t hear what is happening in here.
“They’re heavy,” Bee mutters, weighing them in her hands before handing them over.
I just giggle, my cheeks red. Of course they’re heavy. They have a vibrator in them. Bee holds my skirts as I step into them, wiggling to make sure the vibrator is sitting properly and they’re comfortable.
“Cute,” Bee offers, peeking at my bottom half before settling my skirt again.
“Is there anything else in the box?”
“No.” She shakes her head, rifling through the tissue paper. “Just the panties and the note.”
Crap. Pete has the remote. I’m wet already with anticipation. Who knows when he’s going to turn it on.
“I can’t believe he sent you special panties. That’s so hot.” Bee sounds a little jealous, but I shove it out of my mind. Oh, Bee. You have no idea.
I jump as a knock sounds on the bathroom door.
“Are you okay in there, Mel?” Mom calls through. “It’s time to go.”
“Ready!” I call back, smoothing my skirt again and following Bee out.
Mom presses a kiss to my cheek and hurries out of the room as Bee picks up the two bouquets, handing me the larger one.
“You look beautiful, Mel,” Dad rumbles as we follow Bee out of the room, down the sweeping staircase.
“Thanks, Dad.”
He squeezes my hand as we stop where the wedding planner indicates. Music starts, and Bee smiles brightly, stepping out into the sunshine. This is it. I’m marrying Pete. I can’t wait.
The music changes, and the wedding planner nods to us. We step out of the house, off the back porch, and into the sunshine, along the green carpet laid out.
My eyes lock with Pete’s, where he stands at the other end of the flowered aisle, beneath a floral arch, waiting for me. My future. Just like that.
His eyes are heated, roaming over my body and coming back to meet mine. He smiles, his hand sliding into his pocket. I jolt, pressing my lips together, tugging my smile back up as I manage not to whimper when my panties start vibrating.