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“Hey!” Charlie aimed a shoe at her sister.
“The point is we knew you’d say yes,” said Emily. “But poor Steven… I think the original plan was to ask you Monday night. And then at lunch you pulled that stunt with Ellen, and messed everything up. I think he cut it kind of close, waiting until last Saturday.”
“I think maybe there’s a lot of stuff you never told us,” Charlie check her hair in the mirror. “Care to fill us in on a few details? Like, hmmm, was last Saturday the first time he ever kissed you?”
“Oh… look at the time,” Anne said. “We’d better finish getting ready.”
“Eventually, we’ll find out what really happened,” said Emily.
There was a knock on the door, and they heard a man’s muffled voice. “Time to go!”
“Coming, Dad,” said Anne.
It all felt a bit surreal after they arrived at the Arboretum Japanese Garden. She could see people sitting in white chairs and hear the light melodies of classical music. When the cello started playing Bach’s Prelude in C, her dad said, “That’s our cue. Are you ready, Annie?”
Anne took her father’s arm, the unbroken one, and they started down the hill toward the small gathering.
“You look very beautiful, you know,” he said, his voice cracking a little.
“Thanks, Daddy. You look so handsome in your tuxedo.” She grinned up at him. “You know, maybe we should find a wife for you too. You’ve been alone an awfully long time.”
He chuckled. “I’m an old dog—too old. No new tricks for me.”
“We’ll see.”
“You’re shaking. Are you cold or nervous?”
“Just cold.”
She was scared out of her wits. What on earth was she doing, getting married at her age? How could she get used to living with someone when she’d been alone for so long? What would they do during holidays? What if he lost interest after a few months?
Then she saw him. Steven Gherring was standing at the front, waiting. He had eyes for no one but her. And she could see it in his expression—he treasured her. This was a man she could trust. He would take care of her. He would lay down his life for her. The closer she got, the safer she felt. And when her dad deposited her on Steven's arm, she knew. This was where she belonged.
“You look amazing,” he whispered in her ear, brushing her cheek with his lips.
“It’s not time for that yet.” Charlie’s words sent a ripple of laughter through the crowd.
The pastor spoke. It must have been eloquent and meaningful, but she’d have to watch the video to find out. Anne was only aware of Steven. His hand was caressing hers where it rested on his arm. The flex of his muscles against her. The adoration and promise in his eyes. Sometimes he would squeeze her hand or lean over to kiss her head. She couldn’t get close enough to him. How had they managed to stay apart for so long?
He had to nudge her every time she needed to respond, and she hoped she answered correctly. He slipped a ring on her finger, and she placed one on his. They promised to love each other until death parted them. Her heart turned over in her chest at that thought. She prayed it would be a long time before that happened.
But then, her face was in his hands. And he kissed her. And she lost herself in his kiss. At first his lips caressed hers gently, and then he couldn’t seem to stop. He kissed her harder and his mouth was demanding. He staked his claim on her, and his intent made her insides quiver.
“Ahem!” Emily cleared her throat. “Could y’all wait an hour, please? You’re still my mom.”
The preacher announced them as Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gherring. When they turned to face the crowd, Steven smiled and waved at a group of people standing a distance away, behind the bridge.
“Who’s that?” asked Anne.
“That’s the reporters. Let’s give ‘em a good picture.” She squealed as he scooped her up into his arms and kissed her full on the lips, to the delight and applause of the guests and other observers, alike. And then he carried her down the aisle.
“Are you sure you didn’t ask her to marry you after midnight?” Katie asked Steven. “I was so close to winning the pool!”
“What pool?” asked Anne.
“The company pool on when you guys would get engaged,” answered Jared. “I started it and today was my day—I should win something for picking the wedding day.”
“You were no help to me at all,” complained Sam to Anne. “I was trying to get some inside information so I’d have a better chance of winning. You threw me completely off.”
