Page 121 of Some Kinda Romance

Finn and Asher showed up too, each with a girl I’d never met but assumed belonged to Richard’s family on their arms. Mom laughed delightedly when she saw Zach and me with the cousins and nodded her thanks at me before scooping the little girl out of Zach’s arms and putting her in a hug of a dance with her and Richard.

It all set a light, happy, playful tone for the evening and the reception was off to a great start. When the time came for the speeches, I took a deep breath, taking the microphone and bringing my gaze to my mother’s.

“I think most of you know that I wasn’t too sure about Richard when Mom first told us they were engaged.” Some chuckles rippled across the crowd, but I saw more than a few people exchanging confused looks. Mom smiled though and Richard laughed softly. “I looked at him and I wondered how he’d convinced her to say yes to him just three short years after my father had passed.”

I paused for a beat. “What I’ve realized since is that life is short, but those years were long. I’ve learned that it’s not often people get second chances. It’s not every day you meet someone that you can see yourself spending the rest of your life with. The night they told us they were getting married, they asked us one very important question. Why wait?”

“At the time, I had a dozen answers to that question,” I said honestly. “All of them snarky and filled with evidence of just how little I understood what they’d both been through and their hopes for the future.”

I sighed. “I’ve since gotten to know Richard a little bit better and I’ve realized that he’s a lot like my father. He’s smart, funny, and wise. He loves deeply and he gives advice freely. He genuinely cares about my mom and I know he’s going to make her happy, so the only answer I have to that question now is don’t.”

I paused for a moment to let that sink in. “Don’t wait. I’m really glad they didn’t and I’m really glad they ignored us when we tried to suggest that they should. The truth is that life is for the living and the longer we wait, the less life we’ve got left. Congratulations to Mom and Richard. We love you both and we can’t wait to see what other surprises you’ve got in store for us.”

Laughter rang out and guests toasted to the happy couple, but I wasn’t done yet. After taking a sip of my own champagne, I brought the microphone back to my mouth. “As a family, we’d also like to thank Serenity Halverson for throwing such a fantastic wedding. I couldn’t have done it better myself, and that’s the biggest compliment I can give.”

The crowd laughed again. My mother grinned and shot me a thumbs-up, clearly ecstatic that I had chosen to make this particular move. I’d mentioned to her that I might and she’d been all for it, but I hadn’t been sure if I was going to follow through until I’d been sitting in that chapel, watching my mother promise to love another man for as long as they both shall live.

It had reminded me of what Richard had said about regrets, and I wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass me by. “Over the last few months, many of you have speculated about why my mom and Richard chose to get married here instead of at our venue. At first, I asked that question myself. The answer isn’t mine to give, but what I can tell you is that none of us, not even me, have ever regretted choosing the venue we’re at today.”

Getting the crowd focused on her, I smiled and found her staring at me with wide eyes from the opposite side of the room. She’d frozen right where she had been before, looking like she might just bolt at any second.

“Throughout all the planning and uncertainty, Serenity has been absolutely incredible. As you might imagine, I wasn’t the easiest customer to deal with initially. Yet, she impressed me almost right from the start with the way she welcomed my mom like family. She made her feel comfortable and at home, and she supported her in absolutely everything she wanted, moving heaven and earth to make sure she got it.”

I locked my eyes on hers. “Serenity’s heart is one of a kind and it’s thanks to her that this day has turned out so completely perfect. I’ve heard a lot of you whispering about how much of a hand I’ve had in this, and I would be remiss if I didn’t address the assumption that I’m responsible for today. I’m not. I was a family member and that’s it. From Serenity’s amazing treatment of an older bride, to her tolerance for the bride’s difficult know-it-all son, and her insight into what would make this a day to remember, it has been a real honor having her plan this special day for us.” I smiled at her.

“Everyone who knows me knows that I don’t say that lightly,” I added. “Giving up control isn’t exactly in my nature.”

More laughter rang out, with everyone on Mom’s side of the guestlist nodding enthusiastically. I waited for the chuckles to die down before I looked right at Serenity again. “I was wrong about what I said before. Reality stars aren’t just there to gain fame and be laughed at. I mean, I’m sure those people are out there too, but it was a crass generalization I should never have made. It occurs to me that I’ve never known what motivated people to let the cameras into their lives like that. I’ve never bothered to ask, but something tells me that for many, it’s about a lot more than just fame.”

I released a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry, Serenity. All I want to do is to make you happy and I’ve failed miserably at that at every turn. I have nothing but respect for you, not only for who you are, but also for the gentle way in which you changed my perception of the world. Of people. With every challenge we’ve faced, you’ve made me better. I know things haven’t been easy for us, and I can’t say they ever will be, but I want to try. If you’ll have me.”

The crowd held their breath while I spoke. When I moved out from the podium and walked up to her, they went wild. I left the microphone behind, but I spoke loudly enough for most of them to hear me.

“I don’t want to live with regrets. I want all of this for us one day and I want it with you. You can even plan it. I won’t interfere at all. What do you say? Do you think we can make it work?”

Tears streamed down her cheeks and she nodded and buried her face in my chest. “We can make this work, Dash.”

Joy streaked through me and I dipped my head, waiting until she looked at me again as I held her in my arms. “I love you, Serenity. I’m sorry for all the hurt I’ve caused you, but I’ll make it up to you. I’ll keep making it up to you, no matter what it takes because I do. I love you.”

“I love you too,” she murmured, her palms sliding up my arms to my cheeks, and she pushed up on her toes to kiss me. “I’ve been too scared to admit it, but I love you and I believe you. And I’m sorry too, Dash. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to conquer my fears.”

I kissed her, sliding my arms around her waist and dipping her down. If we could get through everything we’d already gotten through, then we could get through anything else life would throw at us. Serenity and I had fought to get this far and we’d keep fighting—I would keep fighting—to give her the happily ever after she deserved.