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Extended Epilogue
Two Months Later
Ashlee
It’s not long after he proposes, and we get the official word I’m pregnant from the doctor’s office, I find out something else.
I don’t snoop when it comes to Brandon and he definitely doesn’t spy on me, except maybe when I shower alone or when I get dressed.
And sometimes when I fall asleep on the couch.
But we never check each other’s phones.
So when the day comes, and I accidentally see something I know I’m not supposed to, I’m not sure how I feel.
I’ve been messaging Brenda, really worried she’s never going to get married.
It’s been some months, and the money is long gone. Spent on the rarest lace and fabrics from around the world but she still keeps wanting changes made to her dress.
Making sure it fits me for some reason, claiming that we were exactly the same size still.
Even though I’m like five months pregnant now.
So I’m straightening up the kitchen after messaging her and in between sewing jobs, getting myself a snack, when I spot Brandon’s phone.
He’s gone to the bathroom or something. Always doing six things at once, as usual.
But my heart stops when I see the same message Brenda just sent me, on his phone.
It sends a chill through me that I don’t like, and as much as I respect his privacy, I pick up his phone and start scrolling.
Oh. My. God.
Brandon is Brenda.
I mean, he’s the one who ordered the wedding dress. He’s the one who paid all that money up front and it’s been him all this time making sure I make the most elaborate dress that I myself would want if I was getting married… Because I am. And I have.
I mean, on the one hand, the man’s a genius. A sneaky, romantic genius.
On the other hand?
My hormones go into overdrive. I’m not sure if I want to kiss him or throw a frypan at him.
Isn’t that lying to me?
No, not really.
Hasn’t he deceived me?
Nope. Not at all, he’s made sure I have the dress I know I’ve always wanted and it fits perfectly.
“But why? Why the secrecy?”
“Because if I’d asked you to marry me on day one, I was scared you’d run a mile and I’d never have you all to myself, and our kids would never have the greatest mom there ever was.” I hear him tell me from the doorway behind me.
I take a sharp breath in, turning to face him, my eyes narrowing.
Trying to be mad. Trying to feel like he’s wronged me somehow.
But I can’t.
It’s the sweetest, single most amazing, weirdest thing anyone’s ever done for me.
Ever done for anyone as far as a wedding dress goes.
“Don’t be mad,” he says, moving over towards me. “I wanted to tell you, I really did. But every time we messaged it was like I got to know a different part of you. A part I’d never get to see otherwise.
“Brenda?” is all I can manage out loud. The more I say it to myself, picturing Brandon as Brenda the funnier it gets.
But I’m trying hard to be serious. Trying hard to stay mad.
“Brenda?” I say out loud again, feeling the laughter welling up inside me until I laugh so hard I have to hold my belly, worried I’ll deliver our baby early I’m laughing so much.
Brandon looks genuinely hurt, but only for a moment before he starts to chuckle to himself.
In the end, we’re both cry-laughing it’s just too silly to be true, but it is true.
He’s got me good, and now more than ever we both feel the need to not only set a date because time’s a ticking.
I’m ready to be Mrs. Brandon Silver more than anything in the whole world.
Except of course being a mom to our little one.
But the two things go hand in hand. Mommy and wife. Best friend and lover.
ONE MONTH LATER…
Nobody’s surprised when we make the arrangements so suddenly.
There’s a general vibe of ‘about time’ in between the best wishes we get from everyone at the construction company as well as my own growing list of clients.
Brandon asks Brett to be the best man, naturally. And I ask Cynthia to be my maid of honor, with Mark walking me down the aisle and giving me away.
It’s an honor and they both get pretty emotional about it when I ask them, and only because (they finally admit to me) that I’m like the daughter they could never have.
Brandon still has his suit from Brett’s wedding but I’m like “no way.” I whip up a new suit for him, using some of the satin I used for my dress to line it with so we have a matching theme, even though it’s hardly noticeable.
I know it’s there, and that’s all that counts.
And because it’s a suit I’ve made, Brandon fusses over it and makes sure he treats it like he does his woman.
