The music began, and she leaned down, encouraging Amelie to walk forward and throw the rose petals to either side of her.
A excited thrill went down her spine. She turned to Sierra. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Sierra looked puzzled. “For what?”
“For giving me this job, for helping me meet my soulmate.” Her eyes filled with tears, but Melanie was determined not to let them flow for fear of ruining her makeup.
Sierra leaned in and hugged her. “Always happy to help.”
Melanie watched as the other woman also blinked back tears. They were a fine pair.
“Hurry up, Melanie,” Amelie shouted from the archway where she stood with her Papa. “It’s time for you to be my Mama.”
Everyone laughed but that didn’t deter Amelie. She stood with a pout on her face, and her hands on her hips. Philippe leaned in and whispered something to her, and Amelie dropped the basket, then ran back to her, her little arms outstretched.
When she arrived, Amelie took Melanie’s hand. “Come with me,” she said confidently. “I will show you the way.”
And that’s exactly what she did.
* * *
It was difficult for Philippe to keep his place at the bridal table. He kept stealing glances toward the kitchen.
“They’ll be fine,” Melanie whispered in his ear. “Do you honestly think your staff would dare to let down the great Philippe?”
She grinned and he chuckled.
“No, mon amour,” he said. “They wouldn’t dare.”
Braxton stood up to make his speech as Best Man. Melanie groaned.
“I’ve known Melanie since we were small – we are cousins after all. There are so many stories I could tell you, most of them pretty darned juicy. She used to get up to a lot of questionable stuff, but I think Mel would never forgive me.”
There was a collective groan around the room. “So instead, I’ll ask you to raise your glasses and toast the bride and groom.”
Melanie breathed a sigh of relief as everyone raised their glasses. “To Melanie and Philippe.”
The music began and Braxton introduced the bridal waltz.
The new bride and groom and got up from their seats and headed for the dance floor, Melanie in her beautiful wedding dress, and Philippe in his smart white suit.
They stood close together and the music began. “I can’t believe we’re married, mon amour,” Philippe whispered in her ear.
“Same,” she said. “It seems like a dream. I keep wondering if this is real.”
They floated around the room, moving to the rhythm of the music, and Melanie rested her head on Philippe’s shoulder.
Until she felt tugging on her dress. When she looked down, Amelie stood there, her hands on her hips. “When do I get to dance with Papa?” she asked innocently.
Philippe reached down and scooped her up. “Right now, little one. You can dance with Papa and Mama.”
Melanie’s eyes filled with tears. They were finally a family.
Epilogue
One Year Later…
“Papa, Papa! Come quick!” Amelie called to her father who was fixing lunch.
Philippe dropped what he was doing and ran to her. The urgency in her voice told him something was very wrong.
“It’s Mama,” she said as she ran into the kitchen. “She’s wet herself,” she whispered conspiratorially. “And now she’s laying on the floor in the loungeroom holding her tummy.”
He ran to his wife. “What can I do,” he asked, panicked at the thought their baby was on the way.
Melanie winced as she smiled up at him. “It’s time,” she said as she winced again.
“I’ll call Danielle first. She’ll need to collect Amelie.”
He was running around collecting up her suitcase and other necessities for the hospital. “Philippe,” she said abruptly. “There’s no time. Get me to the hospital now or you will be delivering this baby.”
“Surely you jest,” he said.
“Do I look like I’m joking? Get me to the damned hospital,” she said between clenched teeth.
Amelie started to cry. “What’s wrong with Mama?” She leaned in and hugged her precious Mama. “Papa, what’s wrong with Mama?”
“It’s time for your little baby brother or sister to arrive,” Melanie said gently. “No need to cry.” She hugged Amelie tight and rubbed her hands over the child’s back to comfort her.
Amelie pulled back and looked into her face, her eyes wide. “Really? Our new baby is coming today?”
Without another word, Philippe scooped her up and carried her out to the car. “Amelie, come now. Aunt Danielle will collect you from the hospital.”
Without another word, Amelie ran to the car and climbed into her booster seat, and they were soon on their way.
* * *
Danielle met them at the emergency department.
Philippe had called ahead and they were waiting for Melanie’s arrival. They were taken to a birthing suite immediately.
“Mama, Papa!” Amelie called urgently as they were whisked away.
“Be good for aunt Danielle,” Philippe told her gently. “Soon you will see the new baby.”
Her little eyes lit up, and she hugged her Papa tightly.
Danielle had to hold her back. It broke his heart, but he had to stay with Melanie. Wanted to stay with Melanie.
Philippe sat on the side of the bed holding Melanie’s hand, where he’d sat for the past couple of hours, despite a chair being beside the bed.
He leaned in and kissed Melanie on the cheek. “I love you very much, mon amour,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” she said, her expression questioning.
“I just wanted to hear you say that before you become murderous,” he said, chuckling and moving away as she tried to punch his arm.
A midwife came in and checked her over. “Okay, Melanie,” she said. “It’s all happening now. I’ll go and get the doctor. Philippe will be right here with you.”
His heart thudded. Their baby was about to arrive.
* * *
“Shhh, quietly now.”
Philippe carried Amelie into Melanie’s hospital room. “Baby Gabriel is asleep. Be very quiet and don’t wake him up.”
Amelie put her fingers to her lips, her eyes wide with excitement.
She put her arms out to hug Melanie, so Philippe took her closer. Amelie kissed her on the cheek, then he took her closer to the baby.
He was wrapped tightly in a blanket and sound asleep, his little fingers peeking out the top. Philippe leaned over so she could see him better.
“Oh!” she said with excitement. “Look at his tiny fingers!”
“He is tiny,” Philippe said. “And you are his big sister.”
“Oooh,” she said quietly. “I am Gabriel’s big sister?”
She closed her eyes and began to cry. “That is wonderful, Papa,” she said between tears.
Melanie reached out to her husband and daughter. “We have our own little family,” she said between her own tears.
Melanie said a silent prayer of thanks to Sierra and Braxton who set this all in motion.
The End
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If enjoyed Melanie’s cousin Braxton, you might like to read his story. It can be found here:
A Bride for Braxton
About the Author
Multi-published, award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.
She writes both contemporary and historical western romance, as well as romantic suspense.
She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married with two adult children and has six grandchildren. When she’s not writing, she can be
found in her craft room making greeting cards.
Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.
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