Epilogue
They actually took a week to prepare for their wedding. Mabel, along with her cohorts, drove the entire town crazy with their plans.
Instead of a bachelor party, Cal had a quiet dinner with his three friends. They all seemed happy for him, but he knew his marriage would change things.
“Guys, we’ll always be friends,” he said, raising his beer for a toast. “To friends.”
“Of course we will,” Mac agreed.
“But it’s not going to be the same,” Spence said slowly. “Not that I would have it any other way. You and Jess are perfect for each other.”
“And don’t worry,” Tuck said. “The three of us will continue to hold out against marriage.
We
won’t weaken.”
Cal grinned. “If this is weak. I pray I’m weak for the rest of my life.”
He thought of those words now as his friends stood beside him at the altar, waiting for Jessica. Even though he knew they wouldn’t appreciate his hopes, he wanted for them the same kind of happiness he’d found with Jessica.
When Jessica came down the aisle, she took his breath away. She wore a beautiful silk bridal gown and a fingertip veil that reached her waist, covering her long black hair. But her glowing smile meant more to Cal than anything she wore.
He felt his life had come full circle.
After the ceremony they shared their happiness with their friends at a reception with all the trappings. The baker in town had dropped everything to prepare their huge cake. The florist had called surrounding shops for help, and the church and the reception hall were filled with white gardenias, Cal’s special request.
He wrapped his arm around her as they shook hands with their guests. Leaning over, he whispered, “I love you, Mrs. Baxter.”
Before she could reply, Mabel and Ed came up to them. “We’re so happy,” Mabel said, her eyes full of happy tears. “We’re all a family. Your mother would be so proud, Jess.”
“Thank you, Mabel. I couldn’t ask for a better family.”
“Aw, you’ve always been family, little one,” Ed said, hugging her. “But now you’re going to be the mother of my grandchildren.”
Jessica smiled, expecting Mabel to say something, too. But, after a quick look at Cal, she led Ed away.
“What did you say to your mother?”
Cal repeated his threat.
“Cal, you didn’t!”
“Hey, she deserved it.”
“No, she didn’t, and you need to tell her she’s forgiven. I don’t want any problems in our family.”
“Baby, our family has been perfect ever since you showed up. You were the most adorable four-year-old I’ve ever seen.” He pulled her against him again.
“Maybe, in a few years, you’ll discover another four-year-old that’s even cuter, with silver-gray eyes.”
“Or big green ones.”
“And if you do, you’ll have to stop calling me baby,” she noted, laughter and sadness mixed in her voice.
He dropped a warm kiss on her lips. “No one will ever take your place, Jess. You and I belong together.”
“I wish Mac, Spence, and Tuck would find someone and be happy, too,” she said, catching sight of Mac leaning against the wall.
“Hey, their mothers are as intent on matchmaking as Mom. Concentrate on me, sweetheart. I want all your attention.”
With a smile, she whispered, “You’ve always had my attention, Cal. Long before you ever knew it.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I may be slow to figure some things out, Jess, but once I do, I stick to the course. You’re never going to be rid of me.”
As her lips joined his, Jessica couldn’t think of a better promise.
“WE’RE ALL REALLY HAPPY for you, Mabel, and for those two. They’re perfect together,” Ruth said, smiling.
Mabel nodded, beaming.
But Ruth wasn’t finished. “But don’t think you’ve won our bet!”
“Yeah,” Edith said. “Our bet wasn’t about getting them married. It was about a grandbaby.”
“That’s right,” Florence agreed. “I certainly haven’t given up.”
Mabel considered her friends. Then she smiled. After all, she could afford to be charitable. “You’re right. And you still have a chance, of course. But I can’t help but feel I have a head start.”
“So did the hare,” Florence pointed out, “but it’s the tortoise who won the race.”
Mabel sniffed. “At least my hare made it to the church. I’ll trust nature to do the rest.”
Florence looked at Ruth and Edith and broke out in a smile. “Well, then, we’ll just have to give nature a little helping hand for those other three.”
ISBN : 978-1-4592-5016-1
ONE HOT DADDY-TO-BE?
Copyright © 1999 by Judy Russell Christenberry.
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