Giving her a sideways hug, I smile at her. “Your time will come.”
We stare at the ocean, then she murmurs, “It’s so beautiful here.”
“It’s perfect,” I agree.
To think, six months from now, I’ll be standing here with Christopher.
Overwhelmed by the thought, I lift my hand and cover my mouth as the first tear falls. Danny instantly pulls me into a tight hug, then she whispers, “You deserve this and so much more.”
I nod as I hold onto her, trying to regain control of my emotions. “I’m so happy.”
“Aww… thank the mother of fashion for permanent makeup,” Miss Sebastian coos as she comes to hug us both. “Y’all have my eyes leaking, and we haven’t even been here an hour.”
We make our way to a beautiful hall where the reception will be held. “It’s big enough to fit everyone,” Mom states.
“God, there’s so much to do. The invites, the dresses, the flowers,” I begin to ramble.
“What colors are you going with?” Aunt Della asks.
“I really like gold, baby blue, and white.”
Her lips instantly curve up. “Oh, a daughter-in-law after my own heart.”
“I was thinking, you and Mom can wear gold dresses, and Mamma G and Danny could wear blue ones?” I glance at the most important women in my life.
“As long as I sparkle,” Miss Sebastian says with so much flair it draws laughter from us.
“Do you have any ideas for the wedding dress?” Danny asks.
I shake my head. “I’ve looked at a couple designs, but none of them stand out for me.”
“We can look at some dresses tonight,” she mentions.
“A PJ party in the suite,” Miss Sebastian adds.
“Are you happy with the venue?” Aunt Della asks.
I begin to nod fast. “Yes, I love it.”
“So I can book it for March twelfth?” she asks.
Waving a hand, I say, “I’ll take care of it after brunch.”
Aunt Della shakes her head. “It’s a wedding gift from Carter and me.”
My bottom lip juts out as I go to hug Christopher’s mom. “Thank you so much.”
When I pull back, Mom places a hand on my lower back. “Your father and I will take care of the rest.”
“Aww… Mom.” Feeling blessed beyond measure, I can’t keep the tears back any longer.
Crying in my mother’s arms, I whisper, “I’m so happy.”
My mom doesn’t cry easily. I’ve seen her lose her composure twice in my life, with my prom and when Hayley was born. So feeling her shudder and hearing her uneven breaths has me ugly crying. I tighten my grip on her. “Because of you and Dad, I didn’t settle, and now I get my own fairytale.”
“Oh my God,” Miss Sebastian sobs. “I need wine. All this crying is drying out my skin.”
I make a weird sound, something between a sob and laughter, as I pull away from Mom.
Drying our happy tears, we walk to the restaurant.
My cheeks hurt from all the smiling, and I’ve given up on fixing my makeup.
CHRISTOPHER
With Dash visiting the venue, I’m at the office because the penthouse is too quiet with her not there.
One week is all it took, and she’s everywhere I look.
I hear familiar laughter, and then Dad, Tristan, Uncle Jax, and Noah walk into my office.
“See, I told you he’d be working,” Tristan says as he plops down in one of the chairs.
Dad smiles at me, then says, “We’ve come to kidnap you.”
My lips curve up. “Yeah? You don’t think it’s too soon for a bachelor party?”
“Just drinks,” Uncle Jax explains.
Getting up, I walk to where my jacket is hanging, and before I can shrug it on, Dad says, “For God’s sake, we’re going out. Lose the jacket.”
A burst of laughter escapes my lips as I place it back on the hook. “Second nature.”
Walking out of the building, we cross the street and head to the upscale bar on the corner of the block.
“Your mom called,” Dad says. “Apparently, they’ve been crying all day long.”
My lips curve up. “Five women planning a wedding. It’s bound to happen.”
We enter the establishment, and once we’re seated at a table with a glass of bourbon each, Dad says, “Your mother and I will carry the cost of the venue.” Before I can argue, he continues, “It’s our wedding gift to you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Then Uncle Jax leans forward. “And we’ll take care of the rest.” I instantly begin to shake my head, which has my future father-in-law scowling at me. “It’s not negotiable. We want to do this for Dash and you.”
Letting out a breath, I chuckle. “I like how you start with it’s not negotiable.”
Dad laughs. “Remember what we called him when he was little… Mr. But.” It draws a chuckle from everyone, then Dad adds, “But I don’t want to… but this… but that.”
Smiling at my father, I mutter, “I wonder who I got that from.”
His eyes widen. “Not me, that’s for sure.”