Straddling the Edge (25 page)

“They are. They’re just waiting for the bride.”

“Well, let’s go get me married off.” Shelly and Melissa get to their feet and Mel sticks her hands in each side of her dress, scooping up her saggy tits just one more time before we make our way down the aisle.

The resort ballroom looks breathtaking. I couldn’t have imagined all
of this if I tried. They really know their stuff. Dean scheduled a couple’s massage for us tomorrow afternoon so we can relax after months of planning and a night full of dancing. He even managed to book the massage with Micah and Frieda. They were beside themselves when we told them we were engaged and getting married here at the resort. I couldn’t think of any place I’d rather have my wedding. Our ceremony, reception, and the dance are all in one room. I wasn’t sold on the idea at first, but the more they described it the more I came to like it. And the addition of a selection of beers from our favorite local brewery was really the tipping point that sent me over the edge. How could I say no to five-star resort and hand-crafted beer?

“You’re up,” Mel says to Shelly.

The wedding coordinator signals that it’s time. Shelly makes her way to the entrance and pauses at the door way. I hear the shift of people as they all turn to look at her. I can’t see it, but I can definitely hear it. She smiles her beautiful smile, holds her bouquet of white roses in front of her, and glides out of sight.

Mel is next. Before she takes her first step into the ballroom, she glances over at me and winks. Then with her wicked smile, she sashays out of view.

The little ones are next.

“You guys ready?” I ask, bending down to their eye level.

Noah and Mia are wide-eyed and probably terrified, but they nod. Mia tosses a few rose petals at me.

“Not yet, sweet pea. Wait till you get out there.” She nods. I know they’re too young for this but I had to ask if they could be in the wedding. They’re the only kids I know and I just adore them. Dean’s little cousin is also our flower girl, and she’s going to pull them down the aisle in a Radio Flyer wagon. At rehearsal, everything went perfectly. Let’s see what happens when the room is filled with people.

And they’re off. I can hear the ooos and awws as they make their way down the aisle. Mia shouts, “Mama!”

“They’re the cutest kids ever,” I tell my dad.

“Until my grandchildren come along,” he says, taking my hand in his.

We look over at the wedding coordinator who flashes someone a signal. The bridal procession begins to play and my stomach does a back flip.

“Did you like Dean’s wedding present?” Dad asks.

“Oh my. It’s amazing. You have to come over and see it.”

“We have. Dean invited your mom and me over to get our opinion. He wanted your mom’s input on the color scheme. Actually, he knew exactly what you’d want, but I think he wanted to make your mom feel special.”

Dean’s new project, the last room in the house that he’s been working on, was actually
another
surprise for me. Knowing how much I love to read romance novels, he turned it into my own private sanctuary with a floor to ceiling wall to wall bookcase, a chaise lounge, table lamp, and an electric blanket in neutral colors to keep me nice and toasty. That was just one side of the room. A drafting table and stool take up space on the other side. Dean said he loves to watch me read, so he wanted a place for us both to do what we love—me read and him create new plans. It is absolutely perfect, and what’s even better is that he’s not selling the house. It’s ours. It’s where we’ll live, raise our children, and grow old together.

“He’s pretty amazing,
that soon-to-be husband of mine.”

“
Congratulations, honey. I’m so proud of you, and I’m so proud of Dean. Your mom and I are so honored to invite him into our family. I wish you many years of joy, Summer.”

Hi
s eyes tear and his shaky voice chokes me up. I haven’t even seen Dean yet and my eyes are already puddled.

I keep my head down
until we’re at the doorway. When I look up and see my handsome fiancé standing at the end of the aisle waiting for me, I want to run to him. He is absolutely stunning in a suit and Dodger Blue tie.

My dad takes the first step, and I take two hurried ones to catch up. I smile at my guests as I make my way down the aisle.

The minister asks something about my dad giving me away and then I’m in Dean’s arms for the first time today. He was supposed to take my hand, but being in the warmth of his arms is so much better.

“You’re beautiful,” he says into my ear.

“And you’re gorgeous,” I murmur.

“Are you ready to marry me, sweetheart?”

I gaze into his crystal blue eyes and see nothing but love reflected back to me. And then I think about the damn game. “What if my team wins?”

He laughs, but asks right back, “What if
my
teams wins?”

I shrug. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Let’s not make these wonderful people wait any longer. I’m ready to get married now.”

“Summer.” I love the way my name booms from his mouth, all sexy and so deep and smooth. He puckers his lips to me, and I meet him the rest of the way for a big muah. Our guests chuckle at our loud smooch. “Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter who wins the game tonight, because I’ve already won more than I’ve ever dreamed of with you.”

The end.