I leave them for a moment, smiling and making small talk as I make my way through the crowd. The house is busy, packed with guests. Friends, workmates, and Luke’s relatives all stand around chatting and laughing.
I head back to the kitchen and pick up the phone, dialing the bakery’s number. “Hello? Yes, I’ve got a cake that’s supposed to be delivered today? Tessa Alder . . . What? But I specifically said today. It’s my daughter’s birthday!”
The cake isn’t ready. There’s been a mix-up about the date. I’m all ready to chew them out, but I take a deep breath and look around.
Everyone’s smiling and having a good time. The house feels like a home, something I never had growing up. There’s the clinking of glasses, the laughter of children, and that special buzz of contentedness that warms my heart.
“Never mind,” I find myself saying into the phone. “Just cancel the order, please. Have a great day.”
I set the receiver down and smile. Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff, especially when everything else is going so well.
I never could have imagined, in my darkest days, ever being this happy. I’ve got everything: a handsome, successful husband, a beautiful little girl, and good friends by my side.
I interrupt Claire and Brock, who are getting along like a house on fire. “Claire, did you say that you brought a cake with you?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a little caterpillar one, it’s really cute! It’s only a grocery store one though.”
“That’s fine. In the fridge?” I ask.
She nods, her gaze already drifting toward Brock.
“I’ll leave you two alone, shall I?” I ask. But she’s already forgotten me, her hand on Brock’s arm, her eyes devouring him hungrily.
Poor guy. He doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. Ah well, he’s a big boy, he can handle himself . . . I hope.
I retrieve the dinky little cake and carry it through to the den, where Luke is now on all fours, stalking around the room with a yelling Kayleigh on his back.
“Okay, Mr. Tiger,” I laugh. “Time for some cake!”
I scoop up Kayleigh while he sticks a single candle into the cake. He throws me a questioning look. “Didn’t we order a different cake?”
I shrug as he lights the candle. He clinks a fork against the side of his glass and everyone crowds around, singing Happy Birthday as Kayleigh does her best to blow the candle out, probably covering the cake in dribble. She looks thoroughly impressed with herself as the candle eventually sputters out and everyone cheers.
Luke hands Kayleigh off to his mom, then beckons me over. He wraps a loving arm around me, smiling warmly.
“I just wanted to say a few words,” he says, clearing his throat. “Humor me, then I’ll let you get back to your wine.”
A ripple of good-natured laughter, then silence. All eyes are on us.
“As all of you know, about a year and a half ago I went on a little weekend trip to Vegas. And, as most of you also know, I came away from that trip a married man. To say that it was planned . . . well, it wasn’t planned. My beautiful wife here, she gets some wild ideas in her head sometimes. I’m just along for the ride.”
My face is burning and I elbow him, to the amusement of the crowd.
“But that night in Vegas . . . it was the best night of my life. Tessa taught me what it means to be spontaneous, to just let life grab you and drag you, kicking and screaming, wherever she wants you to be. It was fate that we met that night, it was meant to be. I really believe that.”
I’m struggling to hold it together as I listen to his heartfelt words.
He turns to me and looks me deep in the eyes. “Tessa, I know it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, and I know that we’ve had our difficulties. But I want you to know that you make me the happiest, luckiest man in the world. You’ve given me the greatest gift a man could ever have in our beautiful daughter, and I can’t wait to see what our future holds. Together, forever.”
It’s not only my eyes that are watering now. I hear a few sniffles from our guests.
Luke leans down and kisses me, just like the first time, his soft lips pressed against mine. Cheers and applause all around as we kiss. I feel safe in his arms—secure, comforted, loved.
I know that I made the right decision that night in Vegas. I used to think that I was too impulsive, that I made bad choices.
But that all led me here, to this: wonderful, loving husband, a beautiful family, and the best friends a girl can possibly ask for.
I can see our future, stretching out in front of us, and I can’t be happier.