Page 53 of Worthy Now
I smile so wide my cheeks hurt as I linger in the stairwell and listen to two of my favorite men bicker like long-lost siblings. Jake is slowly getting back to his old self, and as much as he’s tested my patience these past few days, I’m just grateful he’s still here to get on my nerves at all. The truth is, I’d fold his damn toilet paper and present it to him on a silver platter if he asked me to. So, if all it takes to keep his spirits up is make sure the man gets his chicken fried rice, then that’s a price I’m more than willing to pay.
Thirty-Five
Tessa
“Ican’t believe you’re finally getting married,” Megan cries as she looks me up and down through a set of damp fake lashes. “It sure took you long enough.”
Chuckling, I turn toward the full-length mirror and marvel at the absolute vision staring back. I can hardly believe I’m looking at the same girl who sported a messy bun and a crumb-covered tracksuit a mere two hours ago. When I woke up this morning, I did so with a level of nervous excitement that made it hard to breathe. I decided a good old-fashioned mimosa was exactly what the doctor ordered. Just a glass or two to take the edge off.
Four drinks later, I found myself contemplating whether or not it’d be a good idea to open a second bottle, and that’s when I knew it was time to call in reinforcements to help talk me off theledge. Several minutes and one last mimosa later, Megan and my mom arrived—arms loaded with a variety of comfort foods—and shoving the owner of the town’s lone beauty salon through my front door. I’d planned on taking care of my own hair and make-up and hadn’t bothered booking a professional. But when a test run earlier in the day left me looking like a poor man’s Cindy Lauper, I found myself panicking for a whole different reason. Megan, being the absolute lifesaver she is called up Sally, who must be an angel sent straight from the heavens and didn’t hesitate to offer her services as a wedding gift.
I’d gorged myself on junk food and looked on in wonder while Sally worked her magic. A can of hairspray and a few brushstrokes later, and she had me looking like Cinderella before the big ball. I’m wearing a simple, knee-length chiffon dress with a V-neck collar and lace sleeves. It appears unassuming and elegant from the front but dips so low in the back—I just know it’ll drive Jake crazy. A pair of embroidered nude stiletto pumps complete the look and make my slender legs look like they go on forever.
My hair has been teased, curled, and twisted into an intricate updo, leaving only a few loose tendrils to play around my heart-shaped face. I’m wearing a minimal amount of make-up, just enough to highlight my best features, like the touch of rouge thatsits high on my cheekbones, or the thin layer of lip gloss that makes my plump lips look that much more inviting.
“My brother is going to lose his mind when he sees you walking down the aisle, but his jaw is really going to hit the floor when he gets a look at you from the back. You look sexy as hell, girl,” Anna squeals, fanning her face and making my cheeks heat.
My mother, who’s been awfully quiet throughout the entire process, finally pipes up. “I can’t believe my baby girl is getting hitched. Life may have served you a few curveballs, but that didn’t stop you from bringing the win home.” I laugh at her metaphor.
It’s funny because we both know I couldn’t hit a ball if my life depended on it. I’ve never been the athletic type, and God knows I’ve tried. But my mother has a point. After Jake’s near-death experience, we’d decided against a big affair that would undoubtedly have taken months to plan, and only would’ve caused a recovering Jake unnecessary stress. Besides, neither one of us was willing to wait longer than absolutely necessary, and an intimate ceremony seemed much more our style.
It’s been nine weeks since the day I almost lost Jake, and I’m beyond ready to finally make him mine. The back room at Jackie’s diner is set up and ready for a private party following the ceremony, and we reserved a large booth at the saloon for those who feel like drinks and dancing afterwards. It’s a far cry from the extravagantaffair I envisioned when I was a little girl, but after Jake’s terrifying brush with the grim reaper my priorities changed.
Celebrating our union surrounded by people we love and trust is all that matters to me now.
“Let me get a picture,” my mom urges, rummaging around in her purse before she produces the Polaroid camera she’s purchased specifically for today. “You look so damn beautiful; it would be a crime not to capture this moment,” she sniffs, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Mom, stop it. You’re going to make me lose it, and all this,” I say, pointing to my face and drawing a circle around it, “Will be ruined. We don’t have time for a do-over. We’re running late as it is.” I have no doubt my future husband is currently wearing out Father O’Brien’s beloved shag carpets with his incessant pacing, wondering what is taking his bride so long.
“Alright, alright. I’ll keep myself in check,” she promises, staring at the ceiling to stave off unwanted tears before she steps up to me and weaves our fingers together. “Before we go, I just want to say that I’m beyond grateful the good Lord gave me the chance to be here today. To see you walk down the aisle to marry the man of your dreams. If the past few months have taught us anything, it’s how fleeting life can be. That the things we take for granted can be snatched away from us in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, weall came out the other side stronger for it. So today is all about celebrating this beautiful life we get to live, the love you share with Jake, and the bright future you both deserve. I love you, my sweet, sweet girl, and I’m so very proud of the woman you’ve become.”
Gah. How am I supposed to keep it together after that?I fan at my lash line in a feeble attempt to keep the tears at bay before I pull my mother close. I’m aware I’m holding on longer than necessary, but I need this moment with her. A moment to breathe her in and send a silent thank you to the heavens for allowing me to keep my mom for a few more years.
“Okay,” I bark, once I trust myself to speak again. “Let’s get this show on the road. My future husband is waiting, and I don’t want him to think the bride is a no-show.”
“Let’s make an honest woman out of you,” Megan shouts to a chorus of cheers before we pour ourselves out of the house and into my mother’s vehicle.
Thirty-Six
Jake
My breath hitches when the double doors open, and the first note of the organ filters through the room. Straightening my shoulders, I glance at Carter, who stands at my side looking like a GQ model in his tailored tux. We exchange a nod before I turn my attention to the empty doorway at the opposite end of the chapel. It’s all I can do not to run down the length of the aisle, find Tessa, throw her over my shoulder, and carry her back down here at breakneck speed. The desire to make her mine is so strong, I would’ve married her in the hospital had she agreed.
It was her who insisted we wait until I was one hundred percent back on my feet, claiming she didn’t want me to risk hurting myself while carrying her over the threshold. As if. I’ve carried bags ofconcrete that weighed more than her and probably would’ve been able to lift her tiny body two weeks post-surgery.
Anna and Chase are the first to appear, and I give my baby sister an affectionate smile. She winks at me like she knows a secret I’m not yet privy to before she takes her place beside the altar. Megan and Jude follow, and I take a moment to place a soft kiss on her cheek before it’s time for the bride to make her entrance. And then she’s there. Looking like a goddamn vision. The sight of her quite literally takes my breath away. Good Lord, the woman is stunning.
I’m not even embarrassed when a lone tear leaks from the corner of my eye and rolls down the side of my face. I’m about to marry the girl I once thought lost to me forever. I would have to be dead inside not to feel emotional about finally getting what’s been denied to me for seven, long, agonizing, and lonely years. Tessa’s radiant smile mirrors my own as her father leads her toward me. When it’s finally time for him to hand her over, I clasp her trembling hand in mine and pull her to my side, nodding at the older man in gratitude.
“You look so damn beautiful, baby,” I rasp, completely enamored.
“You don’t look too shabby yourself,” she returns my compliment with an equally wondrous expression.
“What do you say we get this show on the road?”
Tessa gives the most adorable giggle before she pins me with a look bursting with love and adoration.
“I say let’s do it before I change my mind.”
