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Maia
We’ve been celebrating all night. I’m definitely glad we snuck back to the cottage first, otherwise I’d be insanely horny for him right now. I mean, I still am. He’s my fiancé, after all.
Fiancé!
I look down at the ring again, feeling like the luckiest girl in the whole damn world. Especially knowing what this ring means.
My mom sits down next to me and gently touches the ring. “Never would’ve imagined I’d see that ring on your finger, but it fits.”
“I can’t even explain what it means that he gave it to me.”
She smiles at me and bumps my shoulder. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you so happy.”
“Because I’m not sure I ever have been. Except maybe when Harper was born.” I watch Vince twirl Harper around as she screeches with giggles and my heart melts. I elbow my mom. “So, how are you feeling about this?”
She gives me a wry smile. “I’m happy for you. Of course, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit worried. You two are very young. But I’ve also learned that a lot of times when I think things like that, I’m thinking about me, not you. You’re far more mature than I was at your age.”
“What you’re saying is that you’re not going to freak out on me and tell me I’m throwing my life away?” I tease.
“Very funny. No. You have my full support.”
“And if it all goes to hell in ten years?”
“I’ll be right there to say I told you so.” She laughs. “No. I don’t think the two of you will fall apart. Marriage—relationships in general—is not easy, but I have complete faith that you and Vince have what it takes to work through whatever comes your way.”
“Thanks, Momma.”
She glances at the ring again and shakes her head. “Ella would be thrilled.”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
Mom chuckles. “Yes. While for so many years of your childhood, we all saw you with Braden. Long before that, Ella saw you with Vince.”
“What?”
“We used to have playdates with you kids multiple times a week. We were at their house and you kids were running around the backyard. Just you and Vince. Nick was young enough that he was still hovering close to Ella. The two of you were probably three. You were running around and picking flowers. You couldn’t get one you liked, so Vince got one for each of you. He handed it to you and kept one for himself and you both fell in the grass laughing together. Ella looked at me and said, ‘The two of them are going to get married one day. I can feel it.’ She always said things like that—like she just knew things. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe her, but you were three. She was right, though. She saw something none of the rest of us did, but that was pretty normal for her. Ella saw the world differently, like she had a key to understanding it that no one else did. She’d be so happy you’re wearing her ring.”
“Wow,” I whisper, voice thickening with emotion. “That’s incredible. Thank you for sharing that with me.”
She rests her head against mine and squeezes my hand. “I think it’s time I started sharing more of her with everyone. She was a beautiful light, and everyone deserves to know more about her.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, honey.” She stands up and holds out her hand. “Come on, let’s get back to celebrating you two, future Mrs. Ardito.”
My eyes nearly bug out at those words.
Holy shit. I’m getting married. I’m getting married to Vince. I’m going to be Mrs. Ardito.
I definitely never saw this coming when I was younger.
It’s extra special that Ella did. And I can’t wait to tell Vince that.
That his mom saw the magic between us before we ever knew it existed.
Why am I so nervous?More importantly, why did Vince actually let me do this alone? I’m surprised. After everything we went through when we first started dating, I figured he’d want to be here for this, to talk to Braden himself. But maybe he’s trying to respect me. I don’t know.
“Step down,” I say to Harper, who is insistent on walking into the restaurant on her own.
