“Oh, honey.” Lisa turns to face Abby. “I agree. Boys your age are terrible. It’ll get better. Give ’em a few more years.”
“Or ten,” I chime in.
Lisa turns to Penny and me. “Do you two remember what Liam was like at that age?”
Penny and I burst out laughing, because Liam in middle school was a mess. He’s a few years younger than I am, but I was with him plenty because of his connection to Penny and her family. Lisa must have had the patience of a saint raising him.All I remember is he had the dirtiest mind. Liam was obsessed with breasts, and day dreamed, aloud in long drawn out soliloquies, what it would be like to touch a pair. Pretty sure I remember him writing poetry about them.
Speaking of Liam… “Has anyone seen Cassie? I haven’t seen her all day.”
“Oh, I saw her with Liam earlier,” Abby pipes up. “I can go look for her if you need me to.”
All three of us speak over the other, saying, “No!” at the same time.
A knock sounds at the door, and Penny motions for me to hide in case it’s Tyler. She cracks open the door and peeks her head out. It’s Austin, but I hear Tyler’s voice not too far off. His deep voice calming my wedding day jitters.
“It’s time,” Austin says through the crack.
“Give us five more minutes.”
“’Kay, Penn.” He pauses. “I love you. You’re beautiful.” Then louder, he says, “Hey, Abby, come on downstairs. Grandma Ashley is getting everyone lined up.”
That’s another thing. My kids now have Grandma Ashley and Papa Brad in their lives. Ashley wasted no time, flying back into town to visit and spoil Abby and Jay. She’s even staying with them while Tyler and I honeymoon in Key West where we will, of course, visit the Ernest Hemingway house full of the famous polydactyl cats.
Abby follows Austin out and Penny shuts the door, leaving just the three of us. Turning back to me, Lisa joins her and my eyes bounce between my two friends.
“Josie, we have something for you. Your something new.” Lisa moves to the corner and grabs a gift bag I somehow hadn’t noticed all afternoon. She hands it over and slowly I pull out lacy fabric. I quirk a brow at my friends then burst out laughing. Penny and Lisa have bought me new panties to replace the ones Tyler stole.
“We know they were your favorite.” Penny pats me on theshoulder. “Now for your real gift.” From behind her back, Lisa produces a small box and hands it to me.
Lifting the lid, my eyes immediately mist over and words fail me. Inside sits a small hummingbird brooch. My girls know how much Mawmaw loves hummingbirds. Of late, her condition has declined, leaving no option for her to be with us today. Having her here would have been too confusing, being a new home and all. On one of her good days I’ll show her a recording.
“We know you wanted her here,” Penny says gently. She takes the brooch and pins it to my dress. “Now you have a small reminder of her for the day.”
I fan my face, blinking fast. “Damn you girls for giving this to me after my makeup is perfect.” I gather my two best friends into my arms. “I love it. It’s perfect.”
“We’re so damn happy for you, sister. You’re finally getting it all.”
When we break apart, it’s time. Time to start my forever. Following them from my studio, I descend the stairs, and head outside to the tent filled with everyone I love.
At the opening of the tent stands Abby and Jay, along with Tyler’s dad, Austin, and Penny. I take a quick second to pull my kids into a hug, squeezing them tight before everything changes. The melody of “How Long Will I Love You” starts to play, the perfect wedding song, and Austin and Penny walk into the tent first, followed by Abby and Brad.
Jay fidgets with his collar, and I glance down at him. “You look nice, Jaybird.” He even smells nice. Tyler had the talk with him about deodorant, and he remembers it a good chunk of the time.
Henry opens the flap of the tent and everyone stands, readyfor me to walk down the aisle. My vision blurs, unaware of who all is here, because I have one single focus.
Tyler.
His shimmering eyes find mine and don’t waver, but his lip is trembling with barely contained emotion. Confident steps carry me to him, the love of my life. If I could, I’d sprint down the aisle to him. Finally, I’m there, unfolding my arms from Jay’s and lacing both hands with Tyler’s.
“Hey,” I whisper.
Tyler leans in, voice thick with emotion. “You’re beautiful, love.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, Clark.”
Liam clears his throat, and we both look up.
“If you two are through flirting…” He grins wide, bringing a laugh from everyone here.
