Baby Makes Six (17 page)

“I still love you, too. I don’t think I ever stopped.”

Gently he kissed her, then at her invitation, sat on the side of the bed and carefully enfolded her in his arms. “You’re mine, Shawn, and I’m yours. We need to be together. For always.”

She cuddled close. “That’s good to hear. Being with you is where I want to be.”

It was good. It felt wonderful and good and right. They’d become a family again. In the most wonderful way imaginable.

“Hurry! You’re gonna be late!” Kit exclaimed, the shiny yellow streams of ribbons playing softly around her face as she flounced into the dressing room.

Shawn looked at her mom, who’d flown in a week ago and was already so settled in it seemed like she’d been in town for months. Standing a few feet behind her mother was Sharon.

Both looked amused.

Neither looked in a hurry to say anything.

Kit stomped forward and reached for her hand. “Mommy, come on!”

Dutifully, Shawn stood, but finally couldn’t help teasing her oldest daughter a bit. “They won’t start without me, honey.”

“Daddy’s real anxious. He told me to tell you to get a move on.”

Sharon hid her chuckle with a poorly executed cough.

“That boy never learns,” Bill murmured under his breath. “Go tell your daddy that your mommy will be there when she’s ready.”

But her oldest didn’t move. Nope, Kit just folded her arms over her chest and glared. “Are you ready?”

Shawn couldn’t pretend she wasn’t. “I am.” More
softly she said, “Kit, tell Daddy I’ll be there in a sec—I just want to check my hair.”

“Your hair looks good.”

“Thank you, but I want to make sure. A woman doesn’t get married every day, you know.”

Her mother hugged Shawn. “You finish getting ready. Bill and I will walk Kit down.”

“Thanks.”

When they were alone, Sharon looked her over. “You look beautiful, you know. No woman ever looked lovelier.”

Shawn stood in front of the full-length mirror. Unlike eight years ago, she wasn’t wearing a long white satin wedding gown.

This time, she wore a tea-length pink dress.

The folds in the material didn’t accentuate a tiny waist. Instead, the portrait collar framed her shoulders, neck and face. The cap sleeves were cool, and the thick silk made her skin glow.

“I don’t look like I used to,” she said, turning a bit to her left.

“Do you really want to?”

That was a good question. Eight years ago she’d been tinier, but she hadn’t had five pregnancies. She hadn’t been a part of a wonderful second family.

She hadn’t been through a miscarriage or a divorce. She hadn’t almost lost Eddie, then realized just how much she loved him.

Eight years ago she hadn’t been the same person.

“If it means I’d have to give up everything I have, no, I wouldn’t want to look the same. No dress size is worth that.”

Sharon raised an eyebrow. “You really do look beautiful. And I imagine that Eddie is more than ready for you to appear. That man can only wait for so long.”

“I’m ready, too.”

They shared a smile as they left the dressing area, Sharon leading the way. A few women stood outside the sanctuary. With a wink in their direction, Sharon said, “I’ll go tell them we’re ready to begin.”

Within a minute, the organ blared. Sal opened the door. Then her two bridesmaids approached. After giving Shawn a quick gentle hug, Melanie walked down the aisle. Next, Ramona approached.

“I can’t believe I’m dressed up like this. I’m way too old to be a bridesmaid, Shawn,” Ramona said before disappearing through the doorway.

“No, you’re not,” Shawn whispered to her retreating form. “It’s never too late.”

The music rose to a crescendo, then changed to the ever familiar wedding march. Clasping the bouquet of roses orchids, and tulips her dad had left out for her, Shawn started down the aisle. Last time she’d been on her dad’s arm.

This time she was on her own.

Just like before, Eddie was waiting for her at the end. Just like before, he looked resplendent in a uniform.

Now he was a sergeant in the police force, not in the Army. But his expression was as filled with love as it had ever been.

Very slowly he scanned every inch of her, then he smiled.

She smiled back. And felt deliciously warm all over. She was about to be Mrs. Wagner all over again.

Even though some would say she’d never stopped.

Just as she approached the altar, Elsie called, “Mommy! It’s Mommy!”

She was firmly hushed by Mary, the little mother.

Next to Mary, Kit looked like an angel, sitting very properly in the first pew next to Sharon.

On the other side of the aisle, Shawn’s father was holding Christopher Edward Wagner. And he was gazing at that little baby with so much love it took her breath away.

Finally she stood next to Eddie. “I’m sorry about the wait,” she whispered, leaning in close. “I kept fussing with my hair.”

His lips twitched. “I didn’t mind. You look beautiful.”

“You think?”

“Oh, honey, I know so.”

The pastor cleared his throat. “Shawn and Eddie, are you ready to get married again?”

Eddie held out a hand. Shawn clasped it without hesitation. “We are.”

The pastor nodded. “Then let’s begin.”

As the minister spoke to the assembled audience about patience and love and trust, Shawn thought about new beginnings.

About being a family.

When she vowed to love Eddie Wagner all over again, Shawn thought about how hard it had been to be alone. And how glad she was that she was going to be a wife once more.

When Eddie slipped a shiny new gold band on her finger, Shawn remembered holding their newest child in her arms and Eddie making a different vow. Of promising never to leave her. Ever.

When the congregation clapped and Eddie pulled her in his arms and kissed her like they were twenty-two again, Shawn knew that this time nothing could break them apart.

And when cheers broke out and Mary, Kit and Elsie
scampered forward, Kit holding her baby brother very carefully, Shawn knew everything was perfect.

Yes, it was a wonderful amazing moment. They’d just become a family again.

A family of six.

ISBN: 978-1-4268-4671-7

BABY MAKES SIX

Copyright © 2010 by Shelley Sabga.

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