Buying the Bride

“I didn’t lie about anything,” I say. “It’s true, I was married before and it was the biggest mistake of my life. All I’m guilty of is picking the wrong man to love. I’m about to fix that right now.”

I look at the twins, challenging them with a glare to say more. They look shocked. They are used to me playing nice and hiding behind their brother, but not anymore. I’m going to stand up to these rich snobs from now on.

“Shame on you for trying to sabotage your brother’s wedding,” Heath’s mom scolds.

“Get your asses back on that lawn and stop meddling where you don’t belong,” Heath’s dad says.

The twins look like they got spanked and I couldn’t be happier.

Heath’s mom gives me a reassuring hug and says, “Welcome to the family, dear.”

Heath’s dad gives me a straight-faced pat on the shoulder. I’m guessing that’s the closest thing to affection I’ll get from him. Then they leave and I feel so much better. I may never have the twins’ approval, but at least his parents are happy for us.

My mom and Mandi help me get dressed. My hair and makeup are flawless. When I stand in front of the mirror when everything is done, I’m thankful for waterproof makeup. The end result is better than I could’ve imagined.

“You look like a princess,” Mandi says, shedding her own tears. There’s not a dry eye in the room.

“How do you feel, honey?” my mom asks. I can tell by the wrinkle between her eyes that she’s nervous. She hasn’t had much time to get used to the fact that I’m getting married.

“I feel happy,” I say, my smile lighting up my face as I stare at her through the reflection in the mirror. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been this happy before.”

Her smile mirrors mine.

There’s a quiet knock on the door and a woman comes in. She’s the wedding planner Heath’s parents hired. “It’s time,” she says.

I take a deep breath and we make our way to the lawn.

I’m so nervous that my entire body is shaking. I’m afraid my voice will do the same once I’m standing at the altar, saying my vows. But once I walk out onto those stairs and see Heath waiting for me, any traces of fear I felt dissipate. He is my future, my life, my love. He’s my rock and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

15

Heath

“Where are we going?” Sylph asks for the hundredth time as the driver takes us to the airport. He has instructions not to say a word so he continues to ignore her.

I laugh as she folds her arms over her chest and she sits back against the seat. “Everyone is so damn loyal to you,” she says, poking me in the side.

“Sit back, relax,” I say, though I know she’s incapable of it. She hates surprises. I do, too, so I can understand her frustration, but I know when she finds out where I’m taking her on our honeymoon she’ll love it.

“How can I relax? You wouldn’t even let me pack my own bag.”

“Mandi is fully capable of packing your bags. She knows where we’re going and what you will need.”

“I still can’t believe she wouldn’t tell me. She tells me everything!”

I just smile.

We get to the airport and check our bags. When we’re given our tickets, the woman at the counter says, “Enjoy your flight to Greece.”

Sylph screams. Literally screams in the airport with all these people standing around us. People are staring as she leaps into my arms, choking me in a bear hug. She’s stronger than she looks. We’re probably going to be pulled aside and frisked by the TSA because of her excitement, but it’s totally worth it to see how happy she is.

She finally releases me and I’m able to breathe again. “I’ve always wanted to go to Greece. How did you know?” she says.

“Besides all the travel magazines you leave lying around the apartment?”

“I didn’t think you were paying attention to those.”

“I pay attention to everything when it comes to you.”

The smile she gives me makes everything we’ve been through worth the struggle it took to get to where we are now.