Page 36 of Matrimonial Merger

“Donottell me that is a wedding dress.”

“Well what else were you going to wear, baby?”

“I hadn’t thought that through.”

“Well, I did. Chloe called me from London demanding that I fix things so you could wear this dress. And… here we are.”

“The dress? The one I fell in love with?”

Cal nodded.

I jumped up, kissed him, and then panicked slightly. “I love it, but… what if it doesn’t fit?”

“Chloe had them send the next size up,” Cal said. “We thought about that. And your mother has a seamstress on call after you try it on tonight.”

“That is… insane. Wait, you included my entire family in this?”

“I did,” Cal said. “And Mom? She’s been boxed out. She’ll be happy on the day, but… I didn’t want her contributions. Your sisters, Chloe, and your mum have been so helpful. I love you, Daphne. I wanted so much to make you happy.”

Happy tears welled. “This issounlike you, Cal, but I am over the moon. Thank you for this. I am… blown away.”

“Then just say you will, okay?”

“Anywhere, anytime,” I promised. “Let’s get the damn wedding license so we can go through with it.”

Cal

I woke, sleeping in too late, but after a night of pre-wedding celebration, I couldn’t help myself. Daphne looked like an angel sleeping. So, I got up to make us some warm beverages in the kitchen. My heart was full. Today, I would marry the woman who’d always been right for me. It wasn’t the way either of us expected it, but when the timing was right, we made it work. And even if it wasn’t—even when the baby showed up—it still was. By the fall, we’d be a family of three with a perfect little girl. A year ago, I didn’t even expect to fall back into anything with anyone. I was mourning the loss of my best friend.

It hit me. The one person I most wished was here—the one who would have given a hell of a speech—wasn’t here. David was gone. It would be a bittersweet day. I thought of Daphne’s worries of walking the aisle and shot her brothers a text. After all, they were in on the surprise by now. They thought I was nuts.

ME

Hey, so Daphne knows now. We had to get a marriage license.

DAVEY

Did she kill you?

ME

No. She’s happy.

DERRICK

You got lucky. She must love you, dude.

ME

I hope so.

I neglected one detail. Your Dad is gone. She’s worried about walking down the aisle without him.

DAVEY

I’ll take her. I assumed I would.

ME

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