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“I still don’t know because Anthony planned it. He said he’s taking me somewhere I’ve never been.”
A knock at the door had both of our eyes widening.
“Showtime,” I said with a wink.
“I’m coming for you Big Dick!” Bree yelled before I pulled her into a hug.
My mother’s laughter rang out from the other side of the door.
“Keep the blindfold on, baby.” Anthony led his wife through the doorway as we all stood silently in wait.
“What is going on!” Bree asked excitedly. “The jig’s up, husband. The car ride wasn’t long enough to make it to O’Hare and we didn’t even cut the cake! Everyone is going to be so pissed off we missed our own reception.” Anthony guided her outside as we all held in our chuckles.
“Do you trust me?”
“Are things about to get freaky? If so, babe, you need to let me limber up—”
“Hold that thought,” Anthony said, cupping her mouth as his face turned crimson. A chuckle was heard, and Bree paused her footing. “I just heard my nana laugh. Anthony, what is happening?”
When he had her centered where he needed her, he took a step back. “Okay, babe, now.” She removed her blindfold as we all watched.
She looked into the faces of her small wedding party and handpicked guests and tilted her head. “Uh, hi . . .” she said with a weak smile before she looked back at her groom. “Anthony?”
“I told you I was taking you someplace you’d never been before.”
Bree, true to form, looked back at him with irritation. “This is my backyard.”
He chuckled as he twisted her to the right and the crowd parted.
Her gasp was audible. Her eyes filled with tears as the photographer took a few snaps and then smiled at them. “It’s our place,” she said as she moved toward the cascading waterfall and down the intricately placed path that resembled the legendary stone wake with aqua water flowing in the center.
“The fairy pools,” Anthony said as he slid his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. “It’s beautiful.” The crowd parted again on the left side of the backyard and Bree’s eyes bulged. “Oh my God, Japan!”
Anthony guided her over to the wood walk and fawned over the intricately laid Zen garden. It was stunning. Japan was my favorite. She leaned down and trailed her fingers along the empty koi pond and looked at him in question.
“April is too cold for fish. The ground barely thawed enough for us to get this done.” Her eyes filled with tears as the photographer took a few snaps and then wiped a tear from her own eye. Anthony admired his design as the cluster of guests watched on while Bree turned to her love.
“Baby, how did you pull this off?”
“Like I said, you’ve never been to your backyard.”
Everyone chuckled as she palmed her forehead. It was no secret Bree wasn’t much of a housekeeper, let alone a gardener. Her idea of weed eating was winter. But I had to admit it was a genius idea, even as Anthony spoke the words.
“We may not always be able to go on these amazing trips. Life might get in the way. We’ll have a baby, maybe two,” he added pointedly, hopeful. “But we’ll have this to help us remember.”
“Anthony,” Bree said, completely stunned. “I’m . . .”
He leaned in and kissed her ring finger. “I just wanted you to know it’s adventure enough just to be your husband. And I’m never going back to Thailand.”
Everyone laughed as she flew into his waiting arms. “I love you so much,” she whispered before she pressed a fiery kiss to his mouth. “This is perfect. I don’t need anything else.”
“So, I can cancel our trip to Spain?”
“Hell no, when do we leave?”
Oh my God, I’m at another wedding reception in a bridesmaid dress eating another third piece of cake. Fuck you, life! Seriously, FUCK YOU!
“Would you care to dance?”
