Tears pricked the backs of Janna’s eyes as she struggled to keep them at bay. She had always thought that her mother was one of the wisest people she’d ever known.
“Thank you, Mama, for loving me and supporting my dreams. Though I’m not saying that our love wouldn’t have eventually gotten Austin and me to this point, you might be right about one thing. I know that by us going our separate ways and pursuing our dreams, we’re able to bring so much more to our marriage.” She accepted the hug from her mother and whispered in her ear, “Thank you for your unconditional love.”
Mama Adel gave her a squeeze before releasing her. “I can’t believe my baby is getting married,” she sobbed.
“Aw, Mama, don’t start,” Macy said, wrapping her arm around their mother’s shoulders. “You’re going to have Janna crying and then—”
“Too late,” Iris said as she snatched up some tissue and started dabbing at Janna’s eyes, careful not to ruin her makeup. “I knew I shouldn’t have let her come in here.”
Janna laughed through her tears as Iris fussed over her.
“Come on, Grandma,” Tania said, “let’s go and find your seat.”
“Okay, it’s time.” Phoenix hurried into the room, followed by Patrick Reynolds, who was walking Janna down the aisle. “You look absolutely gorgeous,” Phoenix said.
“Thank you.” Janna accepted a hug from her. “And thank you for everything you’ve done to make this happen in such a short amount of time.”
“It was the least I could do. Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day. It means everything to me.” Phoenix squeezed her hand, looking as if she were going to start crying.
“Okay, let’s get this show on the road.” Macy gently moved Phoenix away, knowing that tears were about to start again.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” Mr. Reynolds asked.
“Yes.” Janna looped her arm through his, feeling a little giddy that she was about to get the father she had always yearned for. “Thank you for walking me down the aisle.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” He placed a kiss on her cheek and guided her out of the room.
* * *
Austin glanced around the enormous backyard, taking in all of the decor and flowers. Everything had turned out even better than he expected. He and Janna hadn’t given their families much notice, but they’d pulled everything together in record time. And while they planned the wedding, he took care of things at his office. He would remain CFO of Reynolds Development, but most of his work would be done remotely with the help of his financial team.
Austin shook a few of their guests’ hands as he made his way down the makeshift aisle. Even though he and Janna had both agreed that they only wanted immediate family and close friends in attendance, they’d had a hard time keeping the guest list to a hundred people. They would have a big reception and invite everyone they knew after they returned from Milan, to celebrate their first anniversary.
He stopped at the front row of chairs, where his mother was sitting.
“Hey, Mom.” Austin sat in his father’s seat for a moment. “How’s it going?”
“Everything is incredible. I can’t believe how quickly they were able to transform the yard.” She looked up and patted his cheek. “Are you ready for your big day?”
“Definitely.” He grinned, still pinching himself that this was really happening. A few days after he’d proposed to Janna, he and his mother had made amends. He might have been hurt by her actions, but he understood why she’d felt she had to withhold the letter. He also realized later that seeing the letter gave him the push needed to do what he should have done sooner—ask Janna to marry him.
His mother squeezed his hand. “I am so happy for you and Janna. I wish you both many, many wonderful years together.”
“Thanks, Mom. Thanks for everything.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, son. And feel free to start working on my grandkids right away.”
Austin laughed and stood. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“All right, you ready to do this, man?” Malcolm, his best man, clapped him on the shoulder.
“More than ready.”
They walked up to the wedding arbor and got in place.
“It’s showtime,” his brother said next to him.
As soon as the music started, the wedding party marched in. Of course the kids stole the show. Macy and Derek’s son, Jason, pulled a decorated white wagon down the aisle. In the wagon were his one-year-old sister, Amber, who was the flower girl, and Iris and Nash’s twin boys, Stephen and Trevon, the ring bearers. Before Austin knew it, it was time for Janna’s entry.
Despite Mama Adel’s objection, Janna had chosen the song “I’ll Always Love You” by Taylor Dayne instead of the wedding march as her processional.
Austin readied himself when the music started, but nothing could prepare him for the vision of loveliness who stepped out of the house. Words could not describe the emotions welling up inside him at the sight of her.
“You all right, bro?” Malcolm nudged him, humor in his voice. “I’ll brace myself to catch you just in case you faint.”
Austin shook his head and smiled. Not even Malcolm could rattle him today. It felt as if he had waited a lifetime for this moment, and he couldn’t wait to make Janna his wife. Happy that the ceremony would be short and sweet, he was looking forward to getting her alone and out of that dress.
Fifteen minutes later, the minister said, “You may now kiss the bride.”
Austin stepped forward and cupped her face within his hands, staring into her eyes. When he lowered his head and touched her lips with his, it was as if he had come home. Their life had come full circle and she was finally his. He kissed with everything in him and she matched him stroke for stroke. He was so caught up in the moment, he would have forgotten they had an audience until cheers and whistles went up around them.
He lifted his head and smiled at his beautiful wife. “I will always love you.”
“And I’ll always love you.”
* * * * *
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We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Kimani Romance.
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ISBN-13: 9781488003516
Model Att
raction
Copyright © 2016 by Sharon C. Cooper
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