Page 23 of The Wedding Toast
Jacob gave her a wry smile.“I don’t think so, but I don’t know what time Alara and her daughter will be here.”
Becca took a drink of her orange juice.“Oh, my goodness, Zia – that little girl’s adorable, isn’t she?”
“She’s something, all right,” said Jacob.
Becca’s heart sank.“Don’t tell me that you didn’t like her.”
“Far from it.She’s amazing.It’s not that I don’t like her, it’s just that I find her a little… scary.”
Becca laughed out loud.“I can see that, but I think she’s wonderful.And don’t worry, I won’t leave you on your own with her.”
Jacob laughed with her.“It’s okay for you.You’re a teacher – you know how to handle six-year-olds.That girl is so smart she’ll leave us all in the dust if we’re not careful.”
“Yes, but she’s sweet, too.I love the way she went around naming everyone.I quite like being Queen Cornflower.”
Jacob gave her a rueful smile.“I understand why I’m King Cornflower, but it doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as what she named Slade.”
“Why, what did she call him?”
Jacob chuckled.“The Growly Dragon.”
Becca’s smile faded.“Why did she think he was growling?”The name surprised her.Sure, Slade was a tough guy, but she always thought of him as warm and welcoming – especially toward children.
“Don’t worry, he didn’t growl at her or her mom.But Zia decided that he is the guardian of the empire, and the gatehouse is his lair where he lies in wait.”
“But why did she think he was growling?”Becca insisted.
“I wondered the same thing,” said Jacob, “but she cleared that up for me.Apparently, he’s a friendly dragon – but a very powerful one.He didn’t growl at her, but she knows that he could and would ferociously defend us from enemies of the empire.”
“Aww,” said Becca.“So, she’s not only imaginative but also insightful.”
“Absolutely,” said Jacob.“I’m actually looking forward to introducing her to everyone – just to see what names she’ll come up with for them all.And in doing so, what insights she’ll reveal about them.”
“Oh, that’ll be interesting,” said Becca.She closed her eyes as she ran over the day’s details in her mind.
“What are you thinking?”Jacob asked.
“Just wondering who she might meet today.Alara said that she’ll be here for most of the day, building the arch.”
She got up from her seat and went to sit on Jacob’s lap.Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed a kiss to his lips.“And before we get all caught up in the details again, can I just say thank you so much for thinking of this arch?It’s going to be perfect, I know it is.”
He tightened his arms around her waist, and she rested her cheek against his.“I’m glad you love the idea.I was torn at first, but I had to try.”
“And I’m so glad you succeeded.It’s going to be beautiful – and even if it’s not, just the added entertainment value of having Zia around this week is going to be so much fun.”
“I think your mom and Elena might be more excited about the kid than they are about the wedding at this point.”
Becca laughed and waved a hand at him.“Don’t you believe it!They’re both desperate for grandchildren, and Zia is adorable.But they’re so excited about the wedding.”
She ran her hand over his chest.“I’ve been meaning to ask you about the afternoon – you know, during the ceremony.”Talking about Elena wanting grandchildren reminded her that she needed to talk to him.
“What about it?”
“Elena,” she said after a few moments.“I was wondering if you’d mind if I ask her to sit with my folks.I know it’s not the normal way things work around here, but… I know she’s worked for your family forever.To me, shefeelslike family.She’s so much a part of this whole wedding – she’s so much a part of our lives – that I want her sitting right up front.”
She felt awful when she saw the look on his face.“Oh, Jacob, I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to…”
“No, it’s not you,” he assured her.“It’s me.I was thinking the same thing yesterday.Elena’s been like family to all of us ever since we were kids.I probably shouldn’t say this, but she’s been more of a mom to me than my mom ever was.Damn, that sounds horrible – and I don’t mean anything against my mom.She loved us, but she wasn’t… the motherly kind.”
