“Ah,” I stumbled, confused on why he wasn’t waiting until tomorrow. “Sure.”
“Good. Here, sit.” He pointed to the chair, and I sat, glancing at Jaci, who just shrugged.
“I know I have been a bit busy lately, but I wanted this to be special. First, I want to give a big shout out to Kim and to Lisa and G for all their help on this. Okay,” he pushed a button on the TV, “here we go.”
My parents popped up on the screen as they danced at their wedding. My hands flew to my mouth at the sudden flood of emotion that rushed through me. My mother’s stunning white dress floated around my father as they waltzed to an old classic. The video switched to them racing down the steps of G’s house and out onto the snowy lawn to take photos and celebrate. Slowly, it faded to my brother being carried through the door after he was born and to their old dog who was obviously unsure who the new intruder was. Again, it faded then went to my mother in her rocking chair that now sat at the cabin, and to me as a newborn lying on her chest as she sang me a song. Tears streamed down my face as I watched the screen. Most of the footage I had never seen before.
“Spencer.” My father’s voice could be heard as he called from another room, and I went running out in my Little Red Riding Hood dress to see my dad wearing a Big Bad Wolf outfit.
“Daddy!” I screamed and leaped into his arms, clearly excited he was joining in on the fun.
I dried my cheeks as I laughed along with the rest of the room.
The next was of us swimming at the lake after my parents bought the land our cabin now sat on. It wasn’t long before the videos became just the three of us. My brother had turned to drugs by that time and was rarely at home. But, to my surprise, it didn’t bother me, because I was seeing my parents happy, and that was all that mattered right now.
“Wow.” Jaci laughed as G popped up on screen with a full-on light blue velour outfit.
“God, look at those thighs.” He whistled at himself.
Next was a video of me behind my desk at the cabin, working away on my books with earphones in. My dad was behind the camera.
“Who would have thought my baby would be a best-selling author?” His voice was so proud. “She’s something else, isn’t she?”
“She sure is,” Lisa agreed, and I looked over and gave her a smile. She mouthed, “So proud.”
I blew her a kiss and went back to watching. After a few more memories rolled past, and I felt like I was ready to sob with happiness, the movement on the screen went still on a picture of a snowy window and scrolling appeared.
Philip and Molly Peters – Married 12/24/1974
Blake and Spencer Daniels – Married 12/24/2020
My gaze jolted to Blake and then to Shannan, who stood and pulled out a small book.
“I know how much you miss them, and I know this isn’t bringing them back, but maybe we can marry on the same day they did.” Blake’s voice filled the room.
I swallowed hard, unsure if I could stand. So many emotions were already at the surface, but this one, this feeling that flooded my whole body, was one I had never felt before. Pure, unbelievable happiness.
Blake pulled me to my feet and took both my hands in his.
“You always said you wanted a small, intimate wedding, just the ones you love, no dress, no fuss. Well, here we are, with your parents in our hearts, standing in the same room where they were joined together.” He paused while I let out a small sob, and he gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Spencer Peters, will you marry me right here, right now, so you can be mine forever?”
“Yes, yes,” I cried as everyone stood and clapped. Whoops of joy filled the room while G pushed forward a small raised platform for Shannan to stand on.
As she spoke her sweet words, and my family stood all around us, for just a frozen moment in time I could feel my parents in the room as if they had never left. Although the pain of them being gone would never leave, tiny cracks in my heart started to heal.
Blake slipped a ring on my finger, and I did the same as his lips sealed with mine. We only pulled apart at the sound of a cork being pulled on a bottle of champagne.
“Sorry. Guess that was premature,” Kim apologized.
The entire room broke into laughter as we finished the ceremony.
Pictures were taken, kisses were given, and we partied well into the holiday night.
***
“Mrs. Daniels,” Blake called from downstairs.
“Yes, Mr. Daniels.” I grinned into the mirror.
