Page 98 of The Wedding Toast
Becca looped her arm through his and smiled like an idiot as she watched Callie and Ava walk toward the front, Ava scattering petals as they went.Her dad was right; the song was perfect – it really was a Wonderful World.
She did her best not to look at Jacob, she didn't want to see him until he saw her.It might be silly, but she wanted that moment – the moment when they laid eyes on each other.So she only watched Callie and Ava until they were halfway to the arch – she didn't even want to see that until she was out on the steps – on her way.
She wondered what Ava was up to when she paused and threw extra petals into the rows of seated guests.Callie was awesome, she let Ava do what she wanted to before easily guiding her back on their course.
Her dad laughed beside her."Did you see what she was up to?"
"No – what?"
"She was throwing extra petals to her little friend – you know the one who goes around giving people names."
Becca squeezed his arm."You mean Zia."She pressed a quick peck to his cheek and added, "Sir Strongheart.I love that name – it's perfect."
Her dad muttered something but they both froze when the music drifted to an end, and then one clear note on the cello had them clinging to each other.
Her dad straightened his shoulders."Are you ready, love?"
She nodded, her throat so tight that she couldn't even squeeze out a yes.
He kissed her cheek."Then off we go.Your mom said I'm walking you to your future, and that feels right to me."
"That's because it is right, Dad.Jacob's my future, but you and Mom are coming right along with me."
He held her arm as they moved to just inside the doors ready to step out when the song started to play.From here she could see all the way to the front, but she didn't look at Jacob until the first notes sounded, then she stepped out at her dad's side.
Just as she'd hoped, Jacob's gaze met hers above the crowd.Her eyes filled with tears when he reached up to cover his heart with his hand before pointing at her.She blew him a kiss and loved the huge smile on his face.
Her dad chuckled beside her."Come on, love.Let's get down these stairs and get on with it."
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Jacob felt as though his heart might explode in his chest when he saw Becca finally step out of the doors.She looked stunning but then to him, she always did.He loved that she looked straight at him, and when she met his gaze, his hand came up to his heart as if it could help him contain all the love that wanted to overflow from it.Of course it couldn't, so he pointed at her, needing her to know that everything in his heart was for her.
He took a couple of deep breaths to compose himself as the music began to play, and she and Chuck made their way carefully down the steps.He'd wanted to set up a gazebo at the bottom as a kind of staging area so that her walk to the arch wouldn't begin with what felt to him like a dangerous descent.He'd been voted down on that one, but he didn't relax until she and Chuck were safely on level ground.
Bentley chuckled beside him.
"What's up?"he asked.
"This isn't the moment, but I have to tell you that I'll be asking for your advice about wedding music."
That made Jacob smile.“‘What a Wonderful World’ was Becca’s choice.”
“And this — ‘Over the Rainbow’?”Bentley asked.“Was this you?I guess getting married is like a land you never dreamed of.”
Jacob chuckled."It is.But what matters the most is that Becca's here with me now – she's not in Kansas anymore, Toto.Don’t laugh!"
He hadn't taken his eyes off Becca the whole time.She looked so happy as she and her dad walked up the path between the rows of seats.She was like a bright light and people lit up as she passed.She’d brightened up his life in every sense since he met her – she was his shining star.
And then she was there, standing in front of him, and all the nerves and the tension melted away.
Callie came to take her flowers before standing off to one side.
Chuck cleared his throat as he shook Jacob's hand."I've told you before, I'm gaining a son, and that's all there is to it, son."
Jacob pulled him in closer, and Chuck gave him a powerful hug before stepping back.He kissed Becca's cheek, then went to sit with Darlene.
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