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“You think they are buying our love story?” I ask.
He nods. “People are eating it up like candy. You look gorgeous, by the way.” He pulls me close. “You’re a beautiful bride. I want to eat you up.” He brushes his lips against my forehead again.
My cheeks heat, and he spins me around, then pulls me close.
The music stops, and I turn around and see a projection screen being pulled down.
I glance at Jasper, to see he has a smirk on his face. “What’s going on?”
He stands directly behind me, slinging his arms around my waist. “You will see.”
The guests are quiet, their gazes focused on the screen. The singer we hired hands Jasper a mike. “I want to give my wife a wedding gift. This is for you.” He hands the mike back to the musician.
Two men wheel a large box and pull out a gigantic painting of my father and I dancing. In the background of the painting, my mother, my stepfather, my sister, my brother, and Jasper are watching us dance. I’m wearing the exact same wedding dress I’m wearing now.
Tears well in my eyes and slither down my cheeks and a lump forms in the back of my throat. This is the best gift anyone has given me. I study the facial expression of my father as he gazes down at me, and he’s wearing the biggest smile on his face. I often wonder if my father would be proud of me. If he sees me as the person I’ve become, would he still love me? Him not walking me down the aisle hurt like hell. Him not being here hurts like hell. I wish he knows how much I love him, and how much I miss him. I would give anything to see his face right now.
Jasper wipes the tears from my cheeks.
He had this painting made for me. Why would Jasper give me such a sentimental gift? He doesn’t seem to care about anyone but himself, but this gift shows he’s more than capable of thinking about other people.
“When did you get this made?” I say through teary eyes.
“A few days ago. I wanted you to feel as if your father was here with you. I know how it feels to lose a parent, and I would give anything for my mother to be right here with me.” His words are filled with raw emotion.
“Thank you,” I say, and I stand on my tippy-toes and kiss him on the lips.
“You’re welcome, Angel. I know I can never give you love, but I wanted to make your wedding day special.”
My heart melts like butter, and I don’t know how to thank him for this lovely gift.
“This day doesn’t mean anything to you, so why did you go through the trouble?”
He strokes my cheeks as I stare into his chocolate eyes.
“You didn’t take the money.”
I raise my eyebrows, not understanding what he’s speaking about.
“You didn’t take Tommy’s money. He offered you enough money to change your life and you didn’t take it,” he clarifies. “Anyone would have taken the money and thought about themselves, but not you. People usually don’t care about me enough to stick around unless it’s benefiting them. You decided to stay, even when you thought your mother wasn’t going to accept you back.”
I move his hair from his face, and I tilt his chin to look at me. His chocolate eyes are filled with sadness. “I was wrong about you. I knew my father was going to offer you the money, and I was certain you would take it.”
It’s sad that no one cares about Jasper or sees beyond what’s in his bank account. It’s sad they don’t see that he’s a person who has feelings. I feel bad for him. So bad. No wonder he treats people, especially women, like business transactions.
Before I can reply, my mother waltzes over and brings me into an embrace. “I need a minute with my daughter.”Jasper nods and walks toward Trent and Atlas, and I step back to stand in front of my mother. “When can you two have dinner at our place?”
Happiness floods my chest and I grin from ear to ear. “After our honeymoon, I suppose,” I answer.
“Thank you for doing this. You don’t know how much this means to me and our family. Your marriage to Jasper means everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
She loops her arms with mine and gently yanks me to the dance floor. “Dance with me. We have some bonding to catch up on before you leave for your honeymoon.”
This is the moment I’ve been waiting for, and I finally got it. “Thank you for accepting me back into the family. When will I receive my inheritance from my father’s will?”
“It will hit Monday morning. Now, show your mother the newest dance moves. I’m not as hip as I used to be.”
