Ending with Forever (33 page)

M
y panties are officially wet from the last kiss Carson gave me. I’m still panting for air as my excited heart finds its steady rhythm. Literally, we had oral sex in front of everyone and I didn’t care that all self-control was lost in the heat of the moment. It had been two weeks too long. It wouldn’t bother me to bypass the remaining formalities to have more time in bed with Carson. All it took was one taste of his lips and I was hooked.

The emcee calls us over to the middle of the garden, where endless strands of lights drape above our heads like hundreds of dancing fireflies. They meet at the center of a dazzling chandelier made of pearly glass petals—another impressive detail to make my night as magical as possible. “It’s time to cut the cake,” he announces. What a shame it is to have to demolish our magnificent three-tier masterpiece. Together, Carson and I slice through the top layer and then take a sample bite of the white cake with raspberry and chocolate ganache filling for the photographer. It’s even more delicious than it is beautiful; melting in my mouth with ease and pure indulgence and then it’s over. On Nikki’s cue, the cake is promptly wheeled away for our first dance as husband and wife. This is one tradition I insisted we’d keep as part of our special day.

The orchestra is signaled to begin playing—predominantly the violinists and clarinetists. The melody, evocative of classical 1950’s era, is absolutely enchanting and very familiar to me. It’s “Moon River,” a popular song from many of my favorite movies. Carson takes a bow and then offers me his hand. “Will you do me the honor, Mrs. Bradley?” he asks with his gorgeous dimpled grin. I nod and curtsy politely like a princess would before accepting his hand. Drawing me into his hard chest, he circles one arm around my back while his free hand supports my left. “Do you remember how to waltz?” he whispers.

“Kind of,” I reply, offering him a glimpse of my intimidation. I’m a rotten dancer compared to him. All the lessons in the world can’t correct my two clumsy left feet.

“Follow my lead and it’ll come back to you,” he encourages while tightening his hold on me. The first thing I do is drop my eyes to his feet, fearing I’d puncture them with my heels. “Look at my eyes, Lil,” he reminds. “I’m right here with you, babe. I’ll never let you stray without me.” With his promise, I let myself go. We glide gracefully around the dance floor like a pair of swans courting on a pond of lilies. All adoring eyes are on us, watching Carson’s suave moves and my efforts to keep up with him. “See. You’re waltzing, baby,” he praises, never letting me out of his sight.

“My heart will always follow your lead,” I tell my husband, reveling in this dream-come-true moment. We’ll never conquer the world alone from here on. We’ll face every challenge together as husband and wife.

“Good. Because my lead will always show you to my heart. I love you, angel,” he murmurs along my neck and then gives me a finishing dip.

“Let’s give the newlyweds another round of applause,” the emcee rouses. At once, our guests hoot and whistle with a standing ovation, showering us with their love. He stalls until the cheering died down and then announces, “It’s time for the mother-daughter dance. Lia, come meet your stunning daughter on the floor.”

With a handkerchief conveniently in her grip, Mom makes her way toward us. I know she’s happy for me, but the abandoned expression on her face breaks my heart. Carson nods respectfully, places a kiss on her cheek, and then surrenders my hand to her. “Mom, thank you for raising such an incredible woman,” he tells her before walking away to take a seat at our table.

The musicians shift music sheets around to prepare for the mother-daughter song, which was selected by the wedding planner. Nikki struts in front of them to grab the mike, looking as if she’s going to sing. “Lillian and Lia, this song’s for you.” She points a finger at us with her signature red lipstick smile and then blows us a kiss.
Omgeez, she really is going to sing
. “It’s “Mamma’s Song” by Carrie Underwood. I hope I do it justice for you.”

Making a circle with my arms, I lasso them over my mom’s neck and hug her snugly into my chest, cherishing this tender moment with her. We’re both sniffling already and the music hasn’t even started. Mom squeezes me tighter yet, hoping to keep me from leaving her protective wing. “I’ll always be your little flower, Momma,” I assure her. “I’m not leaving you.”

“I know. It’s just I’ve been dreading this day since you told me you’re too big for pigtails.”

“I was only six then, Mom,” I remind, dabbing the trickling tears from her chin with her handkerchief.

“And in the blink of an eye, you’re twenty-two, pregnant and married,” she cries, resting her head on my shoulder, fighting her tears. Why is this so hard? It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. In the background, Nikki’s strong guttural voice belts out the moving lyrics, making it impossible for either one of us to hold anything back. She knows her little girl has found someone who loves and respects her, but it still doesn’t make it any easier for her to let go. Our bodies sway side to side as we wipe away our unceasing happy-sad tears. Finally, the song comes to an end, leaving us a hot mess.

As Mom and I collect ourselves, a mysterious towering man with deep-set eyes like mine creeps toward us. Mom’s body stiffens in shock. Her affecting expression tells me she recognizes him.
Who’s this man and how dare he interrupts my dance with Mom?
“Mom, do you know him?” I whisper.
Why aren’t Carson’s men stopping him?

“He’s…he’s your father,” she stammers, sobbing uncontrollably as her body trembles. My knees buckle under me.
Did she say father?
But how did he find me after all these years and on my wedding day of all days?
I look over to Carson and immediately know he’s the person behind this unbelievable surprise. His hopeful eyes caress me, offering me his support. My wonderful husband is making sure my happy ending is the happiest of all endings by finding the one crucial missing piece in my life—my estranged father. Is there no limit to how much this man truly loves me? It’s a good thing Mom and I are holding each up, or else we’d be a crumbling disaster on the floor.

“Lia,” he calls out softly, resting a hand on her shoulder while eyeing me with fondness.

“Collin,” she sniffs, dissolving into his watering eyes. Twenty-two years may have passed, but their love for each other still lingers. Their sentiment is very palpable. “This is Lillian…your daughter,” she tells him with a protective arm around my waist.

He extends his hand out to me, pleading with remorse. “May I have the honor of dancing with my daughter?” he requests, still embracing me with his eyes.

Why am I freezing up? I’ve dreamt of this moment all my life. This is my father—the man whose face I’ve only seen in my made-up world. He’s here to dance with me on my wedding day, so I can have my own fairytale ending. What am I waiting for? The guests are all whispering and staring at us, wondering what’s going on.

“Lily, dance with your father,” Mom urges. Shaking off my stupor, I take his unsteady hand and release my mom’s—the one that’s been nurturing and protecting me all my life. I’m shaking terribly.
I can’t believe he’s really here with me
. She trails away, leaving me with my
father
. My racing heart is untamable as I see his real face for the first time. He’s every bit good-looking like mom described, but misery has taken a toll on his splendor, aging him much more than her with silver hair and deep wrinkles along his forehead and around his eyes.

“We don’t have to say anything until you’re ready, honey,” he heartens, holding both of my hands. “I just want to cherish my first dance with my daughter.” His tone softens as he looks at me, his daughter, for the first time.

“I’m…happy you’re here,” I confess, feeling my hot tears glide down the corners of my eyes.
My comment brightens his face with hope. He reels me into his chest and I let myself fall without hesitation.
I can’t believe
I’m really holding my father.

Our hug must be the signal the orchestra is waiting for. Music fills the open space again. Luke, impressively polished in a tuxedo, marches up to Nikki. She hands off the mike to him and then slips to Carson’s side. What? Luke sings? He’s normally so monotonous it’s hard to believe he can carry a tune. Carson has pulled out all the stops to make me the most emotional bride ever. When he sets his mind on something, he’s going to overachieve.

“Congratulations, Carson and Lillian,” Luke applauds with a fetching smile I’ve seen maybe twice since I’ve known him. I wave excitedly at him. With all his soul, he sings “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts—another song full of beautiful lyrics that tugs at every one of my heartstrings. I’m dancing with my father on my wedding day. I never imagined in a million years that it’d come true. Never—until I met Carson. Now anything is possible.

As I blink away my tears, I see Gabby swaying and twirling on the edge of the dance floor, watching me with wishfulness. I wave her over to join me. She’s also a brave little girl who’s had to battle life without her father. I learned from Jane that he died in Afghanistan shortly after they found out she was pregnant. Gabby was named after her father, Gabriel. Who else is more deserving of a moment like this than Gabby? Timidly, she treads toward me, pulling at her dress and then slips under my arm.

“Gabby, this is my daddy,” I tell her proudly, smiling past my joyful tears.

“Hello, Gabby.” He pats the top of her head affectionately. She grins at him and then burrows her face shyly into my dress. Together, we dance wordlessly to the end of the song while our minds process this miraculous experience.
Everything is perfect
.

Carson joins us as soon as the music cuts off, reaching for my and Gabby’s hands. “By far, you two are the most beautiful princesses I’ve ever seen,” he praises us and gives me a private wink.

“I absolutely agree,” my father adds. “Carson, thank you for this unforgettable day,” he expresses gratefully and then fades into the crowd before Carson could comment. He probably understands it’s our day and doesn’t want to affect it any more than he already has.

“I love you, Carson Bradley,” I profess with all my heart. “You’re more than a dream come true.”

“And I love you Lillian Bradley from one lifetime to the next and forever,” he replies.

~~~~

“Come on, prego. Get off those heavy feet of yours and party,” Belle yells out to me after an hour of non-stop dancing.

“You’ll have to carry me on your back. I can’t feel my feet anymore,” I complain as the throbbing courses through all my toes.

“She was never able to keep up with me, even when she wasn’t pregnant,” Amelia taunts.

“It’s true. I don’t know where you store all your energy, Ame,” I surrender.

“Are you ladies and gent ganging up on my wife?” Carson defends. “She looks like she’s in dire need of extra TLC from her husband.”

“Not so fast, cousin. We still have her for another hour before you sweep her away on your honeymoon,” Nikki reminds, waving her finger sassily back and forth at him. There are very few people in the world who can get away with giving Carson attitude. Nikki and I are the few.

Looking down at his Rolex, he corrects, “Fifty-two minutes and counting. Enjoy your time with her because I know I will when I have her all to myself.” He stoops down to kiss my lips and then strides away to join his father, Wesley, Luke and Owen.

“Carson, don’t leave me with these crazy women and Andrew,” I beg. “Think of your babies,” I whine and giggle at the same time.

“Grab her, ladies!” Andrew yells. “We have fifty-two minutes. Let’s make every one of those minutes count,” he cackles.

~~~~

After exactly fifty-two minutes, Carson comes to collect my spent body from the dance mob to sweep me away to an undisclosed honeymoon location which will take us about eight hours. “Momma, I love you. You’ll always be right here,” I blub with my left fist over my heart and my right arm around her quivering shoulders. Carson and I are preparing to leave for the Massimo tarmac. But before I go, I want to make sure she’ll be okay.

“I know. I love you too, honey,” she replies, hugging me as tight as possible, not wanting to cut her strings. “
Xìngyùn, xiao shuìlián
.” Good fortune, little water lily.

Parting with bubbles or handfuls of confetti? That would be too simple for Carson. He wants us to go out with a big bang. Fireworks shoot off to conclude the wedding festivities, filling the dark heavens with sparkling fairy dust from our happily forever after ending. Everyone is completely mesmerized, including the surprised bride who’s watching in awe.

“Lil, ready to go, babe?” Carson wraps his arm around my waist to urge me.

“In one second,” I reply and then pivot to face Belle, Emi, and Hayden. “Isabella Marie, you need to join our band wagon. And Hayden, don’t make her wait too long,” I stress teasingly as Carson shakes his head at my forwardness.

“Mrs. Bradley, don’t you worry. Your wagon will have another passenger soon.” Hayden winks with a sly grin.

I circle my arms around all three and squeeze them affectionately. “I love you guys,” I tell them and follow Carson out.