A New Journey (Second Chance #3)

by Christina Escue

  “That was probably a good idea.” Karla said with a laugh. “Want to make sure everyone has pants on before I go in?” She asked when they stopped outside of the media room.

  “Definitely.” Conner answered with a grin. He opened the door, poked his head in and looked around. Everyone was dressed so he opened the door the rest of the way and Karla followed him inside.

  “Hey, sis.” Manuel said with a grin when she walked in. “How is everyone in bride central?”

  “Everyone’s good. Rylee is working on Kiara’s hair now and Callie did mine already. All I have to do is change into my dress and I’m all set.”

  “I sure hope your dress covers more than those shorts.” Andrew said from behind her.

  “Dad, my dress is perfectly fine and so are these shorts. All of my parts are covered, and they’re going to stay that way, so stop worrying.” Karla told him with a grin. “What you need to be worrying about is your tie being crooked. Bend down and I’ll fix it.”

  After Karla fixed Andrew’s tie she made sure the guys didn’t need anything and made her way back to bride central. When she walked through the doors Rylee was just placing Kiara’s veil on her head. “Wow, you look amazing.”

  “Time to get into your dress, sweetheart.” Leslie said and handed her the bag her dress was in.

  Karla immediately stripped off her shorts and tank top and slid into her dress. Leslie zipped it up for her and she was ready to go. “Okay everyone, we have twenty minutes till time to head downstairs. I want to say something before we go though. Kiara, we may not have known each other all of our lives, but over these past almost three years you have become more than my sister, you have become one of my best friends. You are a wonderful woman and I wish you and Jake all the love and happiness you can find. I love you, Kiara and I will always be here if you need me.”

  “I love you too, Karla. You are the best sister anyone could ever ask for and I am so very thankful you are mine.” Kiara replied with tear filled eyes. “Now let’s do this.”

  Everyone chuckled and followed Karla out of the room and downstairs to the kitchen.

  Chapter Seventy-Three

  “You ready?” Karla asked and when Kiara nodded she motioned for the DJ to start playing the song they had chosen for the bride’s maids and groom’s men to walk down the aisle to. “Rylee, count to ten then you and Conner start walking, just like we rehearsed yesterday. Then Callie, you count to twenty and you and Manuel follow.”

  They both nodded and when the music started Rylee waited ten beats and started walking. Karla breathed a sigh of relief and linked her arm through Daniel’s. “You have done a beautiful job here today. You’d make an excellent wedding planner.” Daniel whispered to her and she smiled.

  “Thank you. If my plans of being a youth counselor fall through I can always fall back on that.” She teased and he chuckled.

  “You look beautiful, by the way.” He said just as Callie and Manuel started walking.

  “Thank you.” Karla replied. “Time for us to go.” She said and they started walking together. Once they made it down the aisle and into their places Karla nodded to the DJ and the music switched to the song Kiara selected to walk down the aisle to.

  “You ready to do this?” Andrew asked as he looped Kiara’s hand through his arm.

  “I am more than ready.” Kiara said with a smile and they started walking down the aisle.

  ****

  “Oh my God. She’s beautiful.” Jake whispered as Kiara stepped out of the door on Andrew’s arm and started slowly walking down the aisle.

  “Yes she is.” Manuel muttered. His little sister had grown into a very beautiful woman.

  Jake couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she made her way to him and when she reached his side the smile on his face would have lit up the night sky. “You are absolutely stunning.” He whispered to her as Rosa stood from her chair and kissed Kiara’s cheek.

  “Take good care of my baby girl.” Rosa said to Jake before she kissed his cheek and sat down.

  When the preacher started talking everyone’s attention focused on him. He spoke the traditional words, but Kiara and Jake had written their own vows. “Jake, you may say your vows.”

  “Kiara, the day that I met you was one of the best days of my life. You came out of nowhere and knocked me off my feet and I wouldn’t change a thing. The longer we dated and the more we talked made me realize that I had stumbled upon someone special and I knew I had to find a way to keep you in my life. You are the sun in my day and my stars at night. Te amo mi Reina.”

  Kiara’s eyes filled with tears when Jake spoke the last words in Spanish. “Jake, the day I met you I was lost. My world had been flipped upside down, but you helped to right it. You are the last thought in my head at night and the first thought in the mornings. You occupy my dreams and you are my future. I love you more than words can ever express. Te amo mi Rey.”

  When she stopped talking the preacher continued. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  When Jake kissed Kiara the audience cheered and when he pulled away everyone rose to their feet.

  “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hunter.” The preacher said as Jake and Kiara turned around and clasped hands.

  For the next thirty minutes they posed for pictures and once that was done the wedding chairs were removed and tables were set up. Dinner was served and the party was in full swing when Karla sat down beside Leslie. “Are you okay, Mom?” She asked quietly.

  “I’m fine, sweetheart. Why don’t you go dance with Conner? He looks a little lost.”

  “If you’re sure you’re okay.” Karla said hesitantly.

  “I’m fine. Go have fun.”

  “I love you, Mom.” Karla said and hugged Leslie.

  “I love you too, sweetheart.”

  Karla walked to where Conner was standing and grabbed his hand. “Dance with me.” She said and pulled him to the dance floor.

  “You look beautiful today.” Conner said as he pulled her into his arms.

  “Thank you.” Karla responded with a smile. “I’m worried about Mom.”

  “What’s wrong?” Conner asked in concern.

  “She looks so tired and her back has been hurting really bad all day. I’m just worried.”

  “She’s eight months pregnant and has been on her feet for almost two days straight. She’s probably exhausted. I think she just needs some rest.”

  “I hope so.” Karla responded.

  “Stop worrying so much and let’s have some fun.”

  For the next hour Karla danced with Conner, Daniel and Elliot and had a great time. By the time Kiara and Jake left she was exhausted.

  “I just want to take a shower and go to bed.” Karla said as she sat down at the table beside Conner. “Elliot is trying to kill me.”

  “We can get this all cleaned up tomorrow.” Andrew said from behind her. “I think I need to take your Mom upstairs and put her to bed. She’s complaining with bad back pain and I’m starting to get worried.”

  “She’s been having the back pain all day. I’ve been worried.”

  “After I get her upstairs and in bed I may have Mark come up and take a look at her. Back pain is normal, but at this far along it could be contractions.”

  “Andrew.” Leslie said from behind him.

  “Yes, baby.” Andrew said as he turned around and looked at his wife.

  “I need to go to the hospital.” She said bluntly.

  “Are you alright?” Andrew asked as he put his arm around her.

  “I’m perfectly fine except for the fact that my water just broke.”

  About The Author

  Hello everyone. I’d like to take a minute to tell you a little bit about myself. I am thirty-four years old and have been enjoying the world of books for the last thirty years. Reading is my passion. A little over a year ago I turned that passion into something more when I started editing professionally. Until the idea for A New Beginning
popped into my head I had always considered myself a fixer, not a creator. Through the encouragement of some wonderful authors, great friends and a supportive family The Second Chance series was born. For more information or any questions you may have, please feel free to look me up on facebook or email me.

  https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaEscueAuthor

  cescue.author14@gmail.com