Bring It Home (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 3)

I see the pain on Harper’s face from losing what would have been her last child, but she quickly looks to my mom as she nods, and Mom looks at me. “So, really, it’s a toss-up.”

“I just want a healthy baby. I want them to be okay.”

“We all do,” Mom says, kissing my cheek as she pats my lower back. “All right, turn around.” I do as she asks and then look into the tall mirror in my mom’s bedroom. It’s like I’m stuck in a time warp. I can remember hiding in my mom’s closet and gazing at this dress. Dreaming of my Prince Charming and having all the babies with him while living in our castle in Ireland. Don’t ask; I watched P.S. I Love You when I was a kid and never truly recovered.

I can’t believe this is real, yet here I am, standing in my mom’s dress, ready to marry the man of my dreams, and pregnant to boot. My mom’s dress—well, I guess my dress—is a showstopper. It’s a classic white, with a puffy skirt like a Disney princess’s dress. The overlay on all the poof is a beautiful, complex lace, showcasing beautiful and complex flowers. At the top are thin straps, and it has a wide-open back, with a modest but sexy V for the neckline. The bodice has the same designs of flowers and vines all over it, making the dress timeless but Southern. Which describes my mom to a T.

And now me.

I swish the skirt around, and a small smile pulls at my lips.

“Oh, Posey.”

“I think if we take in the straps a bit, she won’t need a bra,” Grace says as she pulls a strap tighter, which completely helps the boobie situation. “You look stunning, maybe even more gorgeous than your mom on her special day.”

I scoff. “Doubtful.”

“It’s true. We were both there.” Harper pulls my other strap, and it’s perfect. I look like a bride. I swallow thickly as emotion takes over. I didn’t even know I wanted to wear my mom’s dress and have a ceremony, but now that it’s happening, I feel like I could cry with happiness.

My mom, who is on the verge of tears, nods her head. “Totally. You’re perfect, my love.”

I smile softly as I exhale. “Thanks, guys.”

“Now, you have a choice in veils,” Mom says, holding up her birdcage one. “I did this.”

Grace grabs her long, cathedral veil before presenting it to me. Harper does the same with her tiara. I’m unsure how to make this decision since I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. “I think I want to do flowers.”

Mom squeals as Harper nods. “That will be stunning,” Grace gushes. “What kind?”

“White orchids. It’s the flower Boon brought me when I was recovering.”

They all three beam with tears in their eyes. “It’s going to be stunning, all of this,” Mom says, taking my hand in hers and swinging our arms together. “I rented a taco truck for the reception dinner. All the chairs are being set up as we speak, Grace sent her team to decorate the gazebo with candles, and it’s going to be perfect!”

“I’m honored you want to get married there,” Grace whispers, and I’m overly emotional at the moment. My uncle James bought Grace land and put a gazebo on it to woo her. She was reluctant after being hurt so many times, but James was the love of her life. It’s the reason she hasn’t found anyone else since his death. She’s still so heartbroken without him, as are all of us. Cancer is a coldhearted bitch.

I always said I wanted to get married in the gazebo; it’s a beautiful white structure in the middle of a field of flowers. I thought my cousin Amelia would have gotten married there, but she chose the beach for her ceremony. Ryan and his wife, Sofia, had a gorgeous wedding, but they didn’t use the gazebo either, which is crazy. I wonder why?

I can’t wait to be Mrs. Boon Hoenes. I love my last name and the people who gave it to me, but I’m ready for my new name. My unbelievable exciting future that he has been promising me since the moment we met. He may never have said those words, but his eyes promise me endless excitement to come.

Remembering that Grace just spoke to me, I say, “Thank you for allowing us on such short notice.”

She winks. “I’m just glad I get to come.”

I chortle a bit as I look back in the mirror. “I hope Boon likes it.”

“He’d be an idiot not to.” At the sound of Shelli’s voice, I meet her gaze in the mirror as she enters my mom’s room. She shakes her head slowly as she takes me in. “Man, I knew I couldn’t pull off that dress, but you… Wow, Posey, it’s perfect on you.”