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“Erin,” he says.
“Does she look happy about it?”
Shane chuckles. “She does. Very happy, in fact. And so does Mack because he just scooped her up in his arms and is kissing her.”
“Good,” I say. “She deserves to be happy. They both do.”
A moment later, Molly comes up beside me and links her arm with mine. “Erin caught the bouquet.”
“So I heard.”
“I also happened to notice she’s wearing a ring. I think she and Mack are engaged.”
After the folding tables are pushed to the edge of the space to make room for dancing, the four-piece string quartet we hired begins to play.
“Ready?” Molly asks me.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” She and I have been practicing our first dance for days.
The room grows quiet as Molly and I make our way to the center of the dance floor. As the quartet begins to playPerfectby Ed Sheeran, I take my bride in my arms and we begin to move as one. She’s leading, of course, making sure we don’t bump into anyone or anything.
When the song ends, applause erupts all around us. Then the quartet starts playingJust the Way you Areby Bruno Mars, and everyone joins us on the dance floor.
After a few more dances, Molly and I return to our table for a much-needed break. We’re both breathless and laughing.
“Your parents are dancing, and they look adorable,” Molly says as she narrates what’s going on around us. “Shane and Beth are dancing, Jake and Annie, Erin and Mack. Erin looks so happy. And—oh, my God, Sam just pulled Cooper out onto the dance floor. Tyler and Ian are dancing. Jason and Layla, Liam and Jasmine.” She squeezes my hand. “Hannah and Killian, too. Lia and Jonah have their hands full entertaining the kids.”
Molly leans close and kisses my cheek. “Best day ever.”
I hear a faint buzzing sound coming from Molly’s purse, which is on the floor beneath the table. “Is that your phone ringing?”
Molly grabs her purse. “I put it on silent during the ceremony.” A moment later, she gasps. “Oh, my God, Jamie. It’s Christy.” A moment later, Molly answers the call. “Hi, Christy.” She listens for a moment. “Sorry about the music. We’re at our wedding reception.” She pauses to listen again. “What! No, of course we don’t mind. Thanks for calling. Please tell Melanie we’ll be there as soon as we possibly can.” She grabs my hand. “Jamie, we need to head to the hospital. Melanie’s in labor.”
We had to leave the reception early, but of course everyone understood. After changing out of our wedding clothes, we hopped in the car and headed back to the city. Molly drove us directly to the hospital.
On the way, I texted Christy to give her our ETA, and she told me where we should meet her.
Christy: She’s in active labor. She said you can be in the room with her if you want. Let me know when you arrive.
I pat Molly’s leg. “Are you ready for this? Our daughter is about to be born.”
Chapter 11 – Molly
Jamie and I walk into the hospital hand in hand. Most people would never even notice he’s blind. He matches my steps so perfectly, and I can guide him around obstacles with the slightest pressure on his hand.
As we follow the signs to the maternity ward, I’m a nervous wreck, but he seems perfectly at ease.
We texted Christy as we arrived at the hospital, so she’s waiting for us at the doors to the unit. Understandably, she looks a bit frazzled.
“How’s Melanie?” I ask.
“Good,” Christy says, a bit breathless. “The delivery nurse says everything’s progressing fine. She’s only one week early, so there shouldn’t be any problems. Do you want to see her? She said it’s fine for you to come into her room.”
Jamie squeezes my hand.
“Yes, we’d love to,” I say. “If you’re sure it’s not a problem. We don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re not intruding,” Christy says as she motions for us to follow her. “She wants you guys here for the birth. You’re family now. She wants you to be here when the baby’s born.”
