by Donna Alward
“I might be sick.”
Rory laughed. “Sucker. If you wanted sympathy, you should have asked Ethan to be your best man. He’s been through this before.”
“He has his hands full with the boys,” Aiden replied. “Besides, Bruh…” He and Rory had lived together. Shared a lot. He really didn’t want anyone else beside him.
“I know. And it’s gonna work out, so I’m going to say it now: congratulations.”
“I need to get out there.”
“Yes. You do.”
He got out of the car and immediately saw Oaklee bearing down on him. “Oh Aiden … you’re so handsome! And that tie is perfect. Here. I have this for you.” She whipped a little box out of her enormous handbag and before he could blink she was pinning a sprig of lilac on his lapel.
“Is she here yet?”
“On her way. How’re you holding up?”
“I’m a wreck.”
Oaklee met his gaze, and her eyes were soft. “I think this is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard or seen, so buck up, big guy. You got this.”
He laughed. He couldn’t help it. And he was laughing when he saw Laurel’s car pull up and Willow coming around the side to open the door.
And then the laughter died on his face.
She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
This was the most real, honest moment of his life. He couldn’t breathe. It felt like his heart stopped beating.
She was walking toward him, smiling. Smiling! And holding a beautiful bouquet of lilacs and something else that was fluffy and pale pink and her dress was perfection. She even had a veil, and it swirled on the breeze, waving behind her just a little bit.
This was the day she’d wanted only she didn’t know it yet. He just prayed she would be right there with him. Ready to take the leap.
“Well, don’t you clean up nice.” She was grinning up at him. “Quite the production, isn’t it? And chairs and people! I guess Oaklee was determined to have some real atmosphere, and not just the two of us for the shoot. Is the photographer ready?”
“Laurel.” His stomach turned over and over again, his throat tightened. He had to get a grip. “Before any pictures, can we talk for a minute?”
Her smile faded a bit. “You look so serious. Is it George? Is there something wrong?”
Oh, bless her heart. She really didn’t have any idea. And she cared about George so much. “No, it’s not George. It’s about today.”
Her eyes looked worried. “What is it?” She bit down on her lip. “Have you changed your mind?”
“No,” he said, “but you might. Though I hope you don’t.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Then just listen, okay? Hear me out.” He reached for her hand and pulled her over to the side. He knew Oaklee and some other people were watching and he tried his best to ignore them. For heaven’s sake, her parents, brother, and his family were all over on the other side of the war memorial, waiting for the all-clear. In all his life, even in the worst police situation, he’d never found himself more afraid than he did at this moment.
“You remember after Dan got married, and you told me about your wedding? That it was a big affair, but what you’d really wanted was something like Dan had had? Simple, outdoors, a few family and friends…”
“Ye … es,” she answered, hesitation in her voice.
“Laurel…” He held her fingers tight, while she clutched her bouquet in the other hand. “You’re always thinking of other people. I’ve seen it time and again. You listen and you try to make people happy, whether it’s choosing the right plants for their stupid backyard, or showing up for their wedding, or going looking for them when they’re missing. And know what else I’ve noticed? Your wishes take a backseat. Well, not today. Today you’re going to get the wedding you always wanted … I hope.”
“I don’t understand.” Her eyes were wide and her lips were open just a bit. He got the feeling she did understand and either didn’t quite believe it or didn’t want it. God, he hoped it was the first.
“All this … it can be more than a photoshoot. It can be real, Laurel. All you have to do is say the word.”
“Real … What are you saying, Aiden? What word?”
He reached into his pocket. “Say yes.”
He held out the box and opened it. Nestled inside was the ring she’d picked out at the jewelers. It sparkled in the sunlight and he watched as her mouth dropped open.
“That … but Oaklee said … it’s only on loan.”
“No, it’s not.” He lowered his hand, still holding onto the box. “Oh, God. You know I’m not good at expressing my feelings, but today … with you…” He took a deep breath. “It’s all real, Laurel. I knew the day we took George to the hospital and you said you loved me. I love you, so much. I probably always have, and you scare me to death, but I’m man enough now to tell you and be at your mercy. This is the most terrifying, amazing feeling and I’m so scared you’re going to break my heart. But I just … I want to be with you. Forever. And I want to give you the wedding of your dreams. I want to make you feel special, and seen, and heard.” His voice caught. “I want to make all your dreams happen.”
Her lip wobbled. “You did this?”
He smiled, nodded. “I had some help. I wanted you to be able to pick things out just the way you wanted them, without a bunch of pressure.” He reached out and touched her face, skimming his fingers ever so gently along her jaw. “You said once that you just wanted something simple with a backyard barbecue or something afterward. I listened, you see. I heard you, Laurel. Today when the photographer takes our picture on that bridge, it doesn’t have to be us posing for the camera as Aiden and Laurel, the two kids from the last photo. It can be that ring bearer and flower girl, now husband and wife.”
It felt as if his heart was right in his throat, his pulse was pounding so hard. He knelt down, held her hand. “Marry me, Laurel. I’m pretty sure now that there’s never been anyone for me but you. I screwed it up when I was seventeen, but I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
He waited for her answer. And while he did, he saw two tears slide past her mascara and down her cheeks, and her lower lip trembled.
* * *
Laurel was still reeling in shock from Aiden’s pronouncement. Marriage? That was what he was asking? He was kneeling on the ground before her and she couldn’t say anything. Her throat wouldn’t work and she glanced around frantically. People. Chairs. A minister. Oh, God, a minister.
And that was a real diamond ring.
She didn’t want to cry, but she couldn’t help it. Willow would cuss her out for ruining her makeup.
“You did this?” she repeated. “For me?”
“It’s all for you, Laurel. My heart and my soul. Like the night I kissed you, remember? It was like all the layers were peeled back and it was just you and me and this chemistry we couldn’t avoid. But it’s more than chemistry. It’s your heart I love. I know I’ve made mistakes. I’ll make more. I’m human. But I promise that they’ll always come from a place of loving you.”
More tears. No one had ever done anything like this for her before. When she’d married Dan, it had been about what was appropriate and right and suitable. She’d had very little input. In some ways her life had been that way up to this point. A useful degree. A good job. A husband, a good home, money in the bank. Secure and boring and a life full of shoulds rather than coulds. Safe rather than full of possibilities. Now she could do what she wanted. And she had someone in front of her who cared enough … who listened enough … to give her the one day she’d wanted and had missed out on.
She’d said that when they were kids, she’d just wanted a grand gesture to show he cared. Well, he’d certainly got that right this time. This was the granddaddy of all gestures. And even though he’d set it up in secret, the power to decide her future was completely in her hands. He had put himself at her mercy. On his knees.
“
Aiden,” she murmured, sniffing back a few tears. “Get off your knee, you big goof.”
That he did as she asked, without question, surprised her. And it said something about the seriousness of the moment. The gravity.
“You want to share my life.”
“All of it.”
“We’ll fight.”
“And make up.” A ghost of a smile flirted with the edges of his mouth.
“I’m insecure.”
“I’ll hold you tight.”
Oh, damn. That was a good one.
“I want babies, Aiden. I want a family.”
“I know that. And I do, too. Maybe a few months to chase you around the house naked first.”
“You want kids?” Did most guys in their mid-twenties think about starting a family? “You don’t want to wait until we’re more financially stable, or our jobs are more secure, or…”
“Laurel.” Oh, the way he said her name just sent a shiver of delight down her body. His eyes were deep and serious as his gaze held hers. “I have nothing to hide. I love you. I want to marry you. And I’m filled with awe at the thought of you carrying my baby. I wasn’t ready before. It wasn’t a flaw. I know that now. It was the wrong person at the wrong time in my life. But this is right. I know it … in here.” He pressed his fist to his heart, right below the lilac pinned to his jacket. “Believe in me, Laurel. I swear I won’t let you down.”
She wasn’t sure how a heart could break and heal all at the same time, but those words seemed to accomplish it. There was a bittersweet-ness to them that touched her in her most vulnerable places. His words … they gave her hope like she hadn’t known in a long, long time.
A leap of faith.
It was time.
She put her bouquet in her right hand and held out her left. It was shaking. So was her voice as she said, “Put the ring on, Aiden.”
His face blanked. “Really? You’re saying yes?”
“I’m saying yes. I love you. I think I always have. I’m tired of making choices with my head. This time I’m going to follow my heart. And my heart is here, with you.”
He didn’t slide the ring over her finger at all. Instead he swooped her up in his arms and held her close. “Oh my God,” he whispered in her ear. “I was so afraid you’d say no. And you made me wait, dammit. What am I going to do with you?”
She was crying now. “Make an honest woman out of me?”
“Damn right.” He set her down and they laughed, their laughter thick with emotion. Then he finally took out the ring and slid it on her finger. A quick kiss and he turned to the crowd. “She said yes!”
Cheers went up and Laurel started to laugh again. This was all so surreal. Conversation buzzed all around them now as everyone came to offer their congratulations. Her mom and dad came up, dressed in their Sunday finest, beaming at Aiden. “Aiden Gallagher, you are full of Irish blarney,” her mom chided, grinning from ear to ear. “Well done.”
“Do I get to call you ‘Mom’ now?”
“You’d better.”
He shook hands with Laurel’s dad. “I won’t let her down, sir.”
“About time,” was all her dad said, and they went off to find their seats.
She looked up to see George hovering around the fringes. Her heart warmed at the sight. “Aiden, look.”
George had on a suit. And a tie. The bruising on his face was almost gone, and he smiled a little as he came forward, still moving gingerly.
“Oh, George. You came! And you look so handsome.” She looked up at Aiden. “Maybe I’ve just said yes to the wrong guy.”
George chuckled and then put a hand to his side. “Laughing still catches, dammit.”
“Then can I hug you? Gently? I’m so glad you’re okay. And the new place? You’re settling in?” They’d lined up some VA assistance and he was in a place of his own.
“It’s good,” he responded. And he came forward and gave her a small hug. “Thank you for saving me,” he said quietly. “Both of you.”
“You’re welcome. And I expect to see you at work as soon as you’re ready. Got that?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He looked up at Aiden. “She’s bossy. You’ve got your hands full.”
“I hope so,” Aiden replied.
After George moved on, Oaklee was Johnny-on-the-spot with Sally Ingram in tow. “You need a makeup fix. Sally’s got the emergency kit. You come with us. Aiden, you get to the front. Rory’s waiting for you and the minister has some last-minute details to discuss.”
Laurel was tugged along to a bench beneath a tree, where the light was slightly more consistent. “There’s not much damage,” Sally said, giving her face a quick look and digging into the cosmetic bag. “I had the girls use the waterproof stuff. It’s important for weddings.”
“Thank you, Sally,” Laurel said, smiling at the older lady. “For yesterday too. Nails, toes, my facial … Oh my gosh. It feels like the whole town’s been in on my wedding.”
“Most excitement we’ve had in a long time,” Sally decreed, giving Laurel’s lashes a swipe of mascara. “Here, stop talking. I need to fix your lips.”
Oaklee was tapping on her phone again. “Laurel, this is so amazing. Look.” She held the screen out for Laurel to read. The tweet read, She said yes! #somethingoldsomethingnew #laurelandaiden.
There was something about seeing their names paired together that way that gave Laurel a silly thrill.
Oaklee adjusted Laurel’s veil and then Willow came around the corner. Laurel gasped, delighted at the sight.
“Every woman needs a Maid of Honor,” Willow said. “I hope you don’t mind. I just assumed…”
“Of course! Oh, you look beautiful!” Willow had changed into a flowy, wispy dress in a slightly paler shade of green than Laurel’s sash. She carried a matching bouquet of lilacs and peonies, and there was a just-blossoming peony in her hair, right next to the pretty pink stripe.
“Happy?” Willow asked.
“Shocked. Happy. Overwhelmed.”
“You love him?” Willow’s eyes were dark and serious. “You need to be sure.”
Laurel caught her breath. “Willow, when he walks in a room I just get this feeling. I can’t explain it. I can talk to him. I can argue with him. He’s … and don’t take this the wrong way … he’s my best friend. I’ve cared for him for so long. We’ve both made mistakes. But he’s a good man, and he loves me, and he makes my heart glad every time I see him.” She felt like crying again and held it together, barely. “He wants a family. It’s just … it’s right. I feel it right down to my bones. I fell in love with him this spring. I just spent a lot of time fighting it because I was scared.”
“You’re not scared anymore?”
She shook her head. “I’m terrified, but golly, it’s a beautiful kind of terrified. Besides, you told me that if I had a chance at happiness I’d better take it. Oh my Lord. You knew. You sneaky thing.”
Willow came forward and hugged her. “Be happy, my friend. I’m so excited for you.”
They pulled apart and Laurel smiled. “Okay, I think we’ve made him sweat enough. Should we go out and do this thing, Maid of Honor?”
“Why yes, I think we should … Bride.”
Oaklee led the way and made sure everyone was in position. Near the front, a single guitar started playing softly, something simple and beautiful that suited the atmosphere perfectly. And there was her dad, waiting to escort her up the aisle.
Willow smiled and started her slow walk to the front, where Aiden and Rory waited with the minister.
Laurel took her dad’s arm and began the walk over the grass to where her future husband waited, smiling at her as if she were the only woman in the world, then tucking her hand inside his as she reached the front and they faced the minister together.
And her heart healed that last little bit when Aiden said, “I, Aiden, take you, Laurel…”
CHAPTER 21
The main event of the day was to have been the photos on the bridge, but no
w, as Laurel sat at a table in the Gallaghers’ backyard, she realized the pictures had been rather anticlimactic. She remembered group shots, and laughing, and kissing Aiden while he held her bouquet. Then they’d been ushered into someone’s borrowed Cadillac and Ethan had driven them out to the house.
Aiden sat beside her, enjoying a glass of champagne, watching the kids run around with their shirttails untucked.
“You remembered everything,” she said, shaking her head. “I said I wanted a simple wedding, then something in a backyard that was casual and with all our favorite people there. And you did it. You did it all. That’s pretty amazing.”
“I had a lot of help. Mom looked after this, with some help from Willow’s staff. Oaklee is a dynamo. Everything else was just simple. Not a lot of fuss. You’d already looked after the flowers and I did the rings.”
She held out her hand. Her diamond engagement ring was now nestled next to a matching band. And he was wearing a plain band of his own.
“What would you have done if I’d said no?”
He laughed. “Spent a lot of time returning things around town.”
“You paid for all of it. Oh God, Aiden. I didn’t watch what I spent because it was supposed to be on loan.”
“I’ve got it covered,” he said, putting his arm around her. “I’ve been working and living with my brother for a while now. I consider this a solid investment in my future.”
She leaned over and kissed him. It was meant to be a quick, sweet kiss, but it turned into something longer and lazy. Delicious.
“How late do we have to stay?” she asked. “And speaking of roommates, have you thought about the housing situation? Would you like to move into my place? Or do you want to find something together?”
“After all the work you’ve put into the garden? Sweetheart, all your place needs is a family to liven it up and make it a home.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
They drank more champagne, and ate cake, and spent a crazy amount of time chatting and laughing. Around seven Laurel was getting tired, and she wanted to go home with her husband and sort through the craziness of the day. She found Oaklee and suggested that she throw the bouquet so they could make their escape.
