Cold As January
Page 13
In the backyard, the string quartet started playing an instrumental version of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.”
“Is that ‘Like a Virgin’?” Sweet Louise stopped fanning herself.
“Yes, and it’s hilarious. They’re only playing watered-down down instrumental versions of controversial and somewhat inappropriate rock songs. George Michael’s ‘I Want Your Sex’ is supposed to be up next and then ‘Sexual Healing.’” January couldn’t believe that Faye was her aunt. It made today perfect.
Sweet Louise kissed January’s cheek. “I love your sense of humor.”
“Thank you. Faye helped me pick them out. Apparently, I get my sense of humor from her.” She wondered if Faye knew about their connection.
“Come on in, ladies. Let’s get in a group hug before we begin.” Sweet Louise held her arms out wide. “Everyone get in here—including you, Faye.”
January went in for the group hug and felt the weight of a cold arm across her shoulders. She had all of her girls with her. She loved living life with these women.
A small stabbing pain, like menstrual cramps, jabbed her in the abdomen.
“Okay, ladies. It’s time to get this show on the road.” Sweet Louise dropped her arms and stepped back. “I’ll see y’all again in a minute.”
Sweet Louise swiped under her eyes one last time and left the room.
“This is it. This is your last chance to run away and not get married.” Laney pointed to the open door that led to the master bedroom. “I know my father has changed and I love him to death, but I’m willing to cause a diversion if you want to pull a runaway bride.”
“Nope, I’ve worked too hard to get here. I’m not about to let him slip away.” January knew Laney was kidding. It was beautiful to see Giles and Laney together. They were close and truly enjoyed each other’s company now.
“I’m so happy you’re marrying my father. I love that my stepmom is younger than I am. I can’t wait to complain about my wicked stepmother and ask to borrow the car.” Laney grinned from ear to ear.
“Oh my God! You’re a trophy wife.” Nina’s eyes turned huge. “I want to be a trophy wife.”
The string quartet started on AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell.”
“It’s time.” They all lined up at the door to the backyard.
One by one, her best friends walked down the aisle.
“Faye, it’s almost time.” January felt a cold hand on her shoulder. “I made sure that you can see everything from the kitchen window. One day, we’re going to find a way to get you out of this house.” Cold arms pulled her into a hug, and something about it felt final. “Promise me you’ll be here when the ceremony is over.”
There was one cold tap on her shoulder.
“Good. I’m going to need your help with the baby.” January smoothed the wrinkles out of her skirt. It was time to walk down the aisle and marry the man she loved. Another dull pain shot through her abdomen. It was just Braxton Hicks contractions. Not even close to the pain of actual cramps.
“It’s time.” Bru took her left arm and March took her right. Both of her brothers had insisted on walking her down the aisle. They wanted Giles to know that if he ever hurt her, he’d have to deal with two father figures.
As the wedding march started up, they walked out the back door.
Slowly, bookcased by her brothers, January walked down the aisle. Around her were her friends and family. The June morning was cloudless and beautiful and her backyard was in full bloom.
Her eyes met Giles’s, and she could see the tears glistening in his eyes. He was a changed man and couldn’t wait for them to be a family in name.
In a perfect world, there would be no heartache. But without the pain there would be no joy. Her life hadn’t turned out quite the way she’d imagined—it was better.
“I can’t believe our little sister is getting married.” March sounded emotional.
“Man up, for God’s sake. The entire club is here.” Bru growled the words, but January noticed a telltale glimmer of wetness in his eyes.
“I love you both … so much. Thanks for taking such good care of me. No other sister in the history of the world has ever had such good brothers.”
They finally made it to Giles and Sweet Louise. Giles took January’s hand in his shaky one. She knew it wasn’t nerves, only excitement.
“Friends, we’ve been invited here today to share in the joy of the marriage of Giles and January.” Sweet Louise smiled at them. “In the time they’ve been together, they’ve faced many challenges and have come through them more in love than ever. It is my honor to be able to unite them in marriage. First Corinthians 13:4 tells us that love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
A cramp tore through January’s body and she almost doubled over.
“What’s wrong?” Panic made Giles’s voice sound sharp.
“It’s just Braxton Hicks contractions. Nothing to worry about.” She took a deep breath and smiled. “Let’s go on.”
“Giles and January have chosen to write their own vows—”
Another contraction ripped through her, and then there was pop. Warm liquid gushed down her legs.
“On second thought, I think I’m in labor.” The gripped Giles’s hand until the contraction finally let up. “Let’s skip to our vows. I want to be married before the baby’s born.”
Giles hesitated and then took a deep breath. “I take you, January, to be my wife. You make my life better. Since meeting you, I’ve found my calling and my joy—”
“Yeah, yeah, faster,” she screamed.
“I will love you forever.” Giles put his arm around her. “I think we need to go to the hospital now.”
“Not yet. I promise to love you forever too. There’s more, but I can’t remember it right now.” January nodded toward Sweet Louise.
“I now pronounce you married. You may kiss the bride and then drive her directly to the hospital.” Sweet Louise held her arms out wide.
Giles kissed January while the audience cheered and clapped.
As the clapping continued, he swept January up in his arms and carried her down the aisle. “Thanks for coming, everyone,” he called. “Enjoy the reception, eat up … we’re having a baby. Drinks are on us!”
The cheering got even louder.
Seven hours later, Giles cradled his newborn daughter in his arms and marveled at how little and perfect she was. “I can’t believe she’s finally here. She’s so beautiful.”
“I know. She’s perfect.” January lay back against the pillows and smiled at Giles. His expression said he was awestruck. Being a doctor and having already witnessed the birth of a daughter, she’d thought he would understand the miracle of birth, but he was still awestruck.
It was pretty damn amazing that her body could create a brand-new human. “She’s pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.”
A year ago, if anyone had told her that she’d be married and a mother now, she’d have laughed her ass off. But here she was, a wife and a mom. Her life was beautiful and joyous. She’d finally found the life she’d never known she’d always wanted.
Cold lips brushed her cheek. She glanced to her right. Giles was still sitting on the sofa under the window holding Amelia. The AC clicked on and January could swear she saw the silhouette of a woman wearing a knee-length flapper dress. The figure waved goodbye and faded away. Faye had come to say goodbye.
Her aunt and friend was moving on. Tears stung January’s eyes. She was happy that Faye had finally found her way on, but she would miss her terribly.
“Goodbye. I’ll miss you,” January mouthed.
“Oh, I’ll be around,” Faye whispered in her ear.
***
Faye Glover looked down on her great-great-ni
ece and smiled. The baby was sleeping the sleep of the dead. It was her first day home from the hospital and she was exhausted from being alive for two whole days. Faye pressed a kiss to the baby’s forehead and rose back up into the clouds.
All those months ago, when she’d seen January walk through the front door of the house, she’d known that family was finally coming back to her. From this vantage point, high above, she could see her little house and watch the evolution of time like she was watching a movie.
Amelia would grow up here, and then when she got married, her parents would give the house to her. She would have three daughters and a son who all grew up here. Her daughters would move away, but her son would stay. When he got married, his parents would give him the house. And so on and so on.
Generations of her family would love and grow up in this house.
Faye’s only regret was that she’d never been able to have children, but that didn’t matter now. She prized family above all else, and now her family would always have her house.
Now she was ready to move on. It was time.
But she’d be back from time to time to check on things, because her family would always be here.
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About the Author
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Katie Graykowski is an award-winning author who likes sassy heroines, Mexican food, movies where lots of stuff gets blown up, and glitter nail polish. She lives on a hilltop outside of Austin, Texas where her home office has an excellent view of the Texas Hill Country. When she’s not writing, she’s scuba diving. Drop by her website www.katiegraykowski.com or send her an email at katiegraykowski@me.com.
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Other Books By Katie Graykowski
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The Tough Ladies Series
Cold as January
The Marilyns Series
Place Your Betts
Getting Lucky
Sorry Charley
The Lone Stars Series
Perfect Summer
Saving Grace
Changing Lanes
The Debra Dilemma
Charming Coco
PTO Murder Club Series
Rest in Pieces
Blown to Pieces
Just One Piece
Texas Rose Ranch Series
Texas Rose Forever
Texas Rose Always
Texas Rose Evermore
Texas Rose Forgiven – Coming in 2018
Fort Worth Wranger’s Novels
Lyric and Lingerie
Harmony and High Heels
Urban Fantasy Sci-Fi
Time, Inc.
The Navigator--Coming in 2018