by S. M. Smith
I dig through the overnight bag and am actually glad Daphne thought up half the stuff in it, although the cherry red lacy babydoll lingerie isn’t necessarily something I would have picked out. The contents of the bag make me realize I haven’t packed for the honeymoon.
“Oh no! The honeymoon!”
“You’re all packed and ready to go.” She holds out her hand to stop me from continuing my panic.
“You packed me already?”
“Yep. It’s already at Stephen’s. He knows which bags to take. I didn’t think he would look through this one.” She points to the overnight bag in my hands. “But I didn’t wanna chance him sneakin’ a peak so I held onto it just in case. So you’re all ready to go.” She gives me a warm smile and for the first time, the reality of how much this girl has done for me hits me.
“Daphne, I don’t know what to say. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough.”
“It isn’t. So I’ll be writin’ my own Christmas bonus check this year. Don’t worry, I’ll leave you a li’l somethin’.” She winks. Before either of us know it, I’m on my feet again, wrapping her in a strong bear hug.
“I love you so much, Daphne Thomas. You’re the best friend a girl could have.” I hear her sniffle, and tears threaten my eyes.
“No, honey. You married the best friend a girl could have. I just happen to be the second best.” She sniffs again, and I just hold her tighter, letting the tears fall for both of us.
“Okay,” she says after a moment or two longer. “Your very sexy husband is waitin’ for you so you guys can blow this Popsicle stand, so go on. Get outta of here.” She pulls back and wipes the tears from her eyes.
“Thank you, Daph. For everything.” I give her another quick hug before she pushes me away and toward the door.
Stephen is making his way up onto the deck steps when we come out the back door.
“And here I thought you’d stolen my bride,” he says to Daphne while beaming at me.
“Daphne was just loading me up with some goodies,” I hint to him.
“Oh. Anything I get to enjoy too?”
“Seeing as you won’t have to wear it, you’ll probably enjoy it more than I will.” I roll my eyes.
“Well in that case, please, take all the time you need.” That look is back in his eyes and I have to force myself to keep breathing again.
“Oh, trust me. She’s all set.” Daphne winks at me wildly. I think I might be sick. “I’m gonna go round everyone up to see you off. Let me have that.” She takes the bags from my hands. “You have ten minutes to tell your parents goodbye and be ready for your grand exit from the tent to the car. You better get a move on.”
I watch her as she scurries off to collect the masses. I feel a hand on the small of my back and I know I need to look at him, but my heart is threatening to explode out of my chest so I take a few more deep breaths in hopes of calming it down. When I don’t look at him, he steps in front of me and guides my chin up to look into his face.
“Hey—“
“Daphne said you guys are ready to leave?” Saved by my mother-in-law.
“Yeah,” I say, stepping around Stephen to hug Janine. She sniffs and hugs me tight.
“Okay. Well please check in before you take off and after your plane lands. And a couple of times while you’re away. You know, just so I won’t worry about you.” She places her palms on my cheeks and smiles brightly. “I’m so thankful and proud for you. Welcome to the family, honey.” She pulls me into another hug and I soak up this moment with her.
Mark exchanges some words with Stephen that make them both a little teary eyed, but the moment is quickly over as Janine interrupts to hug her son.
“Jessie, you make one stunning bride. Stephen is a very lucky man.” He gives me a hug and I thank him for his compliments.
When I pull back, I see my dad standing a few feet away, so handsome in his tux, watching me say my goodbyes. I walk over to him and take his hand.
“You look just like your mother.” He swallows and wipes a tear that forms in his eyes. “She...she would be so proud of you. I know I am.”
“Thank you, Daddy. For everything.” He smiles, but shakes his head as if to say it was nothing. But he’s done so much for me that, like with Daphne, I feel like words just simply aren’t enough.
“Take good care of him, kiddo. I know he will do the same for you. That boy loves you more than you may realize. Let him.” He gives me a stern look, before his features soften and he pulls me in to a firm hug.
“I love you, kid,” he whispers to me.
“I love you too, Daddy.” He lets go of me and holds his arms out for Stephen, who is standing not far behind me.
Stephen hugs my father before turning to me, offering his elbow. Our parents make their way to the crowd lining a walkway to my car while Stephen guides me back to the side entrance for the tent. Once we’re back inside, he wraps an arm around me and pulls me close, stealing a moment before we leave.
“You have made me the happiest man alive today. Thank you.” He kisses me, pressing into me so that I almost bend backward. His enthusiasm is contagious and makes me giggle. He straightens us both back up, keeping our foreheads touching. The fire is back in his eyes.
“Do you have any idea what that giggle does to me?” A nervous giggle escapes me and the hard lines of his face twitch as he suppresses a moan. “Come on, Mrs. Cahill. Our fans await us.”
He twirls me around, earning a full on laugh, and ducks out the front entrance of the tent.
“Ladies and gentleman, my beautiful wife, Mrs. Jessie Cahill.”
Applause and cheers erupt as I step out of the tent and take his extended hand to chase him down the walkway. Birdseed flies over us as we make our way to my thoroughly trashed car. Stephen stops and opens the passenger door for me, careful not to touch the mess on the windows. He helps me get the excess material of my dress in the car and shuts the door behind me.
I look out the window to the crowd of friends and family all waving and cheering. I spot Daphne standing near my father. I mouth another “thank you” to her and blow my father a kiss as Stephen gets in and starts the car.
He rolls down the window so I can wave to everyone as we pull out. An obnoxious clanging noise comes from behind my car once we get onto the road. I look panicked over at Stephen.
“Cans.” He checks the rearview mirror. “Grady is going to meet us at the gas station up the road with my car.” He smiles over at me before picking up my hand and kissing the skin just above my now wedding band.
A few minutes later, we pull up next to Stephen’s Audi where Grady climbs out and switches keys with Stephen. Jason jumps out of the car, snapping pictures of us around the highly decorated car as Stephen helps me climb out.
“I’m so sorry they trashed this thing. I owe whoever cleans it big time.” Jason looks sadly over the top of his camera. I give him another sympathetic look before being dipped low and kissed by my highly energized husband.
After a few more picture are taken, Stephen helps me and my massive dress into his car.
“Will you be okay in the car for two hours in this thing?” he asks suggestively.
“Don’t you worry. I’ll be plenty comfortable in this thing.”
He laughs at me before kissing my forehead and closing the door. He climbs in the driver’s side and we wave goodbye to Grady and Jason as we make our way onto the highway.
***
Somewhere along the way home, I relax enough to drift off. I have shot plenty of weddings to know they could be exhausting, but I now have a whole new appreciation for brides and wedding planners. I wake up just before we get to the city to find Stephen softly singing to Sanctus Real’s Lead Me. Sweet tears nearly overwhelm me, but I wait until the song is over to let him know I’m awake.
“Heavy heart?” I ask, my voice a little rough.
He turns the volume down and smiles at me.
“More like overjoyed heart. We’re almost home.”
/> Hmm. Home. We agreed for me to move into his apartment and had started moving some of the nonessential stuff over the last couple of weeks. Everything else is boxed up and ready to be moved once we get back.
I start to panic a little when I realize that I didn’t pack any clothes for the airport, but then remember Daphne’s goodies. In the overnight bag she had put a toothbrush and a change of clothes that, now that I think about it, are perfect for traveling.
The thought of the overnight bag has me checking the back seat, where both it and the gift bag are sitting. I retrieve the gift bag, peeking at what’s in it before pulling anything out. The last thing I need is some fuzzy handcuffs or something equally embarrassing falling out and causing Stephen to run the car off the road.
Fortunately, there isn’t any risqué paraphernalia. Instead there is a handmade notebook; sheets of red and fuchsia paper appropriately tied together with strips of black lace. I gingerly flip it open to find the pages have handwritten notes from Daphne, Shelby, Shaina and even Janine.
Daphne’s and Shaina’s notes make me laugh, with their wild speculative antics of what they anticipate Stephen to be like in the bedroom, causing Stephen to look curiously over at me. I just shake my head to let him know he really shouldn’t ask. Shelby’s note is more helpful with advice that sounds legit. Janine’s note makes me cry, as she asks me to take good care of her baby boy while telling me she’s thankful to finally have a daughter too.
All too quickly we pull up to our apartment. Stephen comes around the front of the car and opens my door for me, helping me out of the car and to the front door. He unlocks the door and before I can take a step, sweeps me and my ninety pound dress into his arms and carries me over the threshold and all the way back to his, or ours now I should say, bedroom. He sets me on my feet in the middle of the room and holds me close.
“I’m going to go get that bag of goodies and I’ll meet you back in here in five minutes.” Before I can say anything he turns and walks out of the room.
The reality of what is about to happen kicks in and I find myself unable to breathe again. I find the en suite bathroom and splash cool water on my face and neck. I check my reflection in the mirror, fearful that I’m pale as a ghost. But instead, my skin is pink in all the right places and the color in my eyes is vibrant. Enough hair has fallen from my chignon that it only makes sense to pull out the pins and let the curls cascade down my back.
As I pull the last one out, I see Stephen lean against the doorframe of the bathroom, one arm above his head, in the mirror. I brace myself on the counter and take one last deep breath.
“Hey, where are you right now?” he asks. The familiar question makes me smile.
“Right here. With you.” I turn around and step in front of him. He takes my hand and takes a few steps backward so that we’re standing in the middle of the bedroom again.
“You’re nervous,” he states rather than asks. His tender fingers reach out and skim the lace covering my shoulders, causing a stream of warm goosebumps to snake down my back and arms.
“You’re not?” I hear my voice break, giving my fear away. He kisses my forehead. Then my temple. And the tip of my nose before pulling back just enough to look me in the eyes.
“A little. But,” he cups my face with both hands, “there is absolutely no one in this world that I have wanted this with more than you. I can’t say it is going to be perfect, and I can’t say it isn’t going to be awkward. But it’s with you. We have a lifetime to get it right, and I promise you. We will get it right, even if we have to practice. A lot.” He grins a sexy smile and I feel that pull that he has on me.
And for the first time ever, I choose to give in.
Also By S. M. Smith
A Girl Worth Waiting For (Worthy Series Book 1)
Also Coming in 2015
A Family Worth Fighting For (Worthy Series Book 3)
Forgiving the Past (In Heels Book 1)
Acknowledgements:
Where to even begin. First, and I know this is extremely cliché but, all honor and glory goes to my Lord Jesus. You are faithful, always.
Next, a huge thank you to my incredible husband, Ian. It still blows me away that you talk about my books as much, if not more than I do. I’m proud to have you on my team, in my life and in my heart. I love you so much.
Next, a big thank you to my dream team of editors, proofreaders and beta readers. Erica, Sarah, Janelle and Felicia, you all have helped make this book better than the last and I am so thankful to have all of you on my team.
Then there’s Christa from Paper and Sage Design; thank you for creating such a beautiful cover. Working with you has been an absolute blast and I’m so thankful that you answered my desperate email. I look forward to working with you again and again on many more cover creations.
Next, Sam, darling….what can I say. Planning two weddings at the same time (even if one is fictional) is no easy feat, but you’ve made it oh-so much fun! I’m so excited you’ve finally found your own Stephen and can’t wait to stand with you on your big day. Thank you for the inspiration, support and constant reminders of how awesome you seem to think I am, even when I’m not feeling it. You’re a peach, and a true asset to have on my team.
Next, my family, who has been the BEST fan club, support system, and marketing team a girl could ever ask for. Thanks for listening diligently to my constant book ramblings, for your enthusiasm, and your help in promoting my books. You guys are the absolute best!!
Lastly, thank you. Yes, YOU, my readers. Without you, I wouldn’t have an outlet to the crazy storylines that have popped into my head and won’t leave until I type them out. Words cannot express my gratitude for all your love, encouragement and support. May you be blessed from these stories in many, many ways.
About the Author
Sarah M. Smith lives in Missouri with her very lucky husband and beautiful baby girl. When she's not reading, writing, or taking too many pictures of her daughter, she can be found in her overly messy craft room finishing one of her many projects (usually involving ribbon), baking something she most definitely shouldn’t be eating, impatiently awaiting football season, or traveling the world with her hubby.
Sarah accepted Jesus into her heart just after high school, but has always known God has had His hands in her life. Sarah doesn’t claim to be the perfect Christian and hopes that her characters aren’t expected to be either. She just wants more people to know the love, grace and mercy that God shows her each and every day. She writes strictly under His direction and gives Him all the honor and glory.
To learn more about Sarah check out her blog at http://sarsmith1123.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook as S. M. Smith-Author.
