“Of course, want to come along and be a witness?” Tanner asked him.
“Yeah, then we could go ride go-carts after.” Sophia said getting excited.
“You have to tell dad. He is having enough problems without you running off.” Jackson said sternly.
“He can come with us. He can give her away, then be the other witness.” Tanner nodded.
“Fine, you tell him. Now, where do I stay tonight?” Jackson asked impatiently.
“Here.” Sophia shrugged. “We are going home.”
An hour later, they had gotten home and were looking for places in Gatlinburg that were available tomorrow. He had offered to wait and have a fancy wedding, but that’s not what she wanted. They booked the place, then a honeymoon suite, and two rooms for her brother and dad.
“It’s time to call him.” Tanner whispered in her ear.
“I know, but what if he doesn’t want to go, or worse wants to bring mom.” Sophia wrung her hands in her lap.
“Then it will just be you, me, and Jackson.” He shrugged. “Do you want me to call?”
“No. I got this.” She told him.
“I will be right here beside you.” He promised.
*****
Sophia was terrified as she dialed the number. The phone started ringing and she tensed. Tanner put his arm around her and pulled her close.
“Hello.” Her dad answered.
“Hey daddy.” She sighed. “I need to tell you something.”
“You’re getting married.” He said before she could.
“Jackson told you.” She huffed.
“No, but I knew Tanner wouldn’t wait long to ask you.” Her dad laughed.
“We’re getting married tomorrow in Gatlinburg. I want you to come give me away and be a witness.” She rushed out.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Her dad asked.
“Yes, more than anything.” She answered immediately.
“Okay, tell me when and where and I’ll be there.” Her dad promised.
“Can you please not bring mom?” Sophia asked him.
“I am not with your mother anymore.” Her dad sighed.
“But daddy…” Sophia started.
“No baby girl. After everything she has done, I can’t stay with her. She did this, not you. I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner.” His voice was firm, but he was sad.
“We can wait, and give you time.” Sophia’s heart was breaking for her dad.
“No. I want to see you happy. So where do I need to be?” He asked.
Sophia talked with him for a while. He thought that go-carts were a good idea. He had wanted to pay for his room, but finally gave in. Sophia was sad her parents were splitting up, but her mom had changed a lot over the last few months.
“You okay?” Tanner asked turning her head toward him.
“Dad is leaving mom.” She told him softly.
“I thought he would. He isn’t the type of guy to let her hurt his family.” Tanner said pulling her in his lap.
“I don’t understand what has gotten into her lately.” Sophia confided.
“I don’t know, but there is no excuse for what you have been through.” Tanner said rubbing her back.
Sophia leaned forward and kissed him. Then she trailed kisses down his jaw. She wanted to show him that she wanted him. His hands gripped her hips, and he groaned. Within minutes, he had her in his room on his bed.
“You drive me wild, Soph.” He said as he kissed her neck.
“I need you to know that I always want you. You don’t have to push me anymore.” She smiled, running her fingers through his hair. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
They spent the night tangled up in each other. For the first time in a long time, she felt at peace. When she packed a bag, she grabbed his mom’s dress. She was sure it wouldn’t fit, but she had to try. Tanner held her hand the whole way to Gatlinburg.
When they got to the Chapel, her dad and brother were already there. She was whisked to a private room to change and get ready. She had a dress ready, but she had to try his mom’s first. The satin liner slithered over her body and she shivered. She pulled the zipper in the back up as far as she could, then called an attendant to help her. To her surprise, the dress fit her like a glove. The bodice had a sweetheart neck line, and small cap sleeves. At the waist, it flared out. The dress had a lace and pearl over lay and she fell in love instantly. It was snow white with a small train.
They had stopped on the way up and picked out their wedding bands. She had his on her thumb so she couldn’t lose it. Shuffling through the dress bag, she found a lace veil attached to a clear comb. When she put it on, the lace came down below her waist. When she was ready, she opened the door and let her dad in.
“You are beautiful, Sophia.” Her dad whispered.
“Thank you, daddy.”
“Here’s the bouquet Tanner picked out for you.” Her dad said handing her a bunch of wild flowers with the stems wrapped in burlap and tied with a white ribbon.
“It’s beautiful.” She smiled.
“They wanted to do roses, but he told them you are allergic.” Her dad told her. She glanced into the mirror, making sure she had all the tiny cuts covered as best she could.
“It’s time.” The attendant told them.
“We can still run.” Her dad grinned at her.
“True, but he would come after me.” She smiled at him.
When the music started, the doors swung open. She looked up and her eyes locked on Tanner. His smile was so bright she was sure it could light up any night. His eyes traveled down, and she watched his mouth open when he realized what she was wearing. When she got to the end of the aisle, she could see the shimmer in his eyes and knew they matched her own.
“You are stunning, Sophia. The dress was made for you.” He told her taking her hand.
The service and pictures were quick. She could hear the pride in Tanner’s voice as he said his vows, and prayed he heard the same. They all went to the hotel, and quickly changed so they could goof off and ride go-carts the rest of the day. She knew it wasn’t traditional, but it was right for them. That night when they went to bed, she thanked God for giving her everything she didn’t know she was missing.
Epilogue
“How was work?” Tanner asked when she walked in.
“We were short staffed, and my stomach has been queasy all day.” Sophia sighed.
Tanner walked over and kissed her, then guided her to the kitchen table. She had mentioned being queasy earlier, and he had his own theory, so he stopped by the drug store on his way home. He gave her a bowl of chicken noodle soup, and some crackers.
“How did work go for you?” She asked smiling at him.
“We have almost finished the garage we’re building, and have two more big jobs lined up.” He couldn’t believe how fast their business took off.
“That’s great.” She smiled brightly.
“We need to talk.” He said sitting beside her. She scrunched her nose up and he laughed. “We have been married for three months now.” He told her.
“Yeah, and I thought things were going good.” She said confused.
“Things are perfect, but I need to ask you something.” He smiled.
“Okay.” She shrugged.
“Did you ever go get birth control?” He asked.
“No, I thought we agreed not to.” She said quietly.
“We did. Are you usually pretty regular?” He asked waiting for her to catch on.
“Always, why?” She still didn’t get it.
“When was your last period?” He watched her wrinkle her forehead trying to remember. “You haven’t had one since we’ve been together.” He said gently.
“Of course, I have…” She started, then her head jerked up.
“Go take the test, baby.” Tanner smiled setting the bag in front of her.
He followed her into their room, and sat on the bed to wait. She came out and sat beside him. He had b
ought six just to be sure. He figured she would take one now and one in the morning. When his alarm went off for them to read the test, he walked in the bathroom with her and laughed. She had taken them all, and they all said pregnant.
“Tanner.” She looked at him, her eyes wide.
“We’re going to have a baby.” He wrapped her in his arms and swung her around.
“Stop.” She squealed and he froze. She pushed away, and leaned over the toilet.
“Sorry.” He said, then pulled her hair out of her way. After a while, she sat back and wiped her face, then brushed her teeth.
“I have to call Chad.” She whispered.
“I’ll call Jackson if you want me to.” He had gotten used to her friendship with Chad. It didn’t hurt that he had moved about forty-five minutes away to a town called Cedar Springs either.
“We’re going to be a family.” She smiled with tears in her eyes.
“We have always been a family. The type of family has changed, and it is growing, but we’re always a family.” Tanner promised kissing her forehead.
~ The End ~
My name is Angela Franklin. I live in the foothills of North Carolina. I have been married for 13 years. I started writing for myself and hope ya’ll enjoy this. If you do enjoy this, please be kind and leave a review.
Stand alone book
A baby for the Horse Rancher
Cedar Springs Series
Chase’s Teacher
Jacob’s Sweet Temptation
Luke’s Recovery
Kara’s Protector
Sophia's Hero Page 12
