Page 110 of Just a Plot Twist
I kiss her again. “Loving you is the easiest thing in the world, Claire. It’s the easiest, best, most exciting gift I’ve ever been given.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
Claire
I stare at my hand, my engagement ring catching the rays of light from one of the church’s stained-glass windows high above me. Crushed cranberry and vibrant green light spills across my engagement ring, causing the diamond to spray off points of glittering light in all directions.
I barely have time to marvel again at the fact that it’s my wedding day—my wedding day—because Indie crashes through the door of the makeshift bride’s room.
She’s out of breath, a force to be reckoned with, her braid crown on the top of her head starting to fall already. I’m not surprised. Indie’s darkblonde, wavy locks have a mind of their own. Still, she's perfect. Perfectly herself, which is exactly what I always want for her.
“Indie, come here,” I say pulling her close, breathing in her sweetness. “Are you ready for your flower girl duties?” But it’s like she doesn’t hear my question.
“Claire.” She takes in a breath. “Cinnamon had to pee twice in a row and Dad had to come outside with me, and then Cinnamon got spooked or something because she ran and tripped me with the leash and…look.” She pulls the hem of her white and pink dress up so I can inspect it.
Sure enough, there’s a grass stain.
“It’s okay, Ind.” I smooth her fly aways back. “No one’s going to even notice it.”
She’s ten now. Benson and I got engaged just a few months after we started dating because, as Stella keeps saying, “When you know, you know.” Benson gave me some more shadow boxes for my Longdale collectibles as an engagement gift. He also got the ball rolling on the house renovation. Just like I dreamed, it’s well on its way to becoming the perfect home for our family of four.
I wanted an autumn wedding, so…we sped things up and got the wedding put together in a short amount of time.
I’m almost thirty-four. Not old by any means, but still. I want a life with Benson and the kids. No sense waiting around.
And now it’s our wedding day. I’ve already done several happy dances this afternoon alone.
“It’s no big deal, but I’m glad you came to tell me.” I say to Indie. If we had more time, I would maybe consider trying to rinse out that littlespot in the sink, but the ceremony is about to start. “Don’t worry, you’re beautiful. Where’s Cinnamon now?”
“With Uncle Oliver,” Indie says.
“Good.”
Oliver was tasked with being Cinnamon’s handler today, but Indie must have talked him into letting her take a turn. Never thought I’d be lucky enough to have a dog in my wedding party, but Benson and I both feel like Cinnamon’s a part of our family and we wanted her to be involved.
Sophie rushes into the little room. “T-minus ten minutes, Claire.” She’s looking down at her phone, her brows knitted together in concentration. “I just heard back from the reception hall and they’re all ready to go now, so we’re—” She stops abruptly and then her voice trembles out a: “Clai-arrre!”
I raise a finger. “Do not cry. I just finished tearing up and you can’t do that to me again.”
“It’s just—” her voice is strained. She fingers a strand of my hair, curly under my short, simple veil. “You’re a vision.” She gives me a quick hug. “Grandma and Grandpa are going to bawl too.”
“Are they here?” Grandpa was going to bring Grandma over just a few minutes before the start of the ceremony. She does better with her mental health if she’s out in crowds for shorter amounts of time. Still, she’s going strong and mostly doing okay. I’m so glad she still recognizes me.
“In the front row.” Sophie stares at me. “It seems to be a good day for Grandma.”
I blow out a breath. “That’s a relief.”
Sophie starts to tear up again. “I’m just so happy. And seriously, you look stunning.” She appraises my ivory colored, satin and tulle wedding gown,flicking off a piece of lint from my sheer-lace covered shoulder. “You totally rock the ’50s throwback gown.”
I look down and press my hands against my appliqued lace bodice. “I love that it’s tea length.”
“Benson’s also going to love the bit of leg you’re showing,” she teases. She places her hands gently on my cheeks. “I can’t believe we ended up marrying brothers.”
“I know. Never thought that would happen.” I give her a smile and then turn to peer at my reflection in the mirror again. I did my own hair and makeup—I wanted to look and feel like myself, and I practiced enough so that I got it down. Even though my dress is a nod to the ’50s, the rest of me is more current. The whole look just feels like…me.
It’s a small ceremony—only our closest family and friends. The reception will have hundreds of people in attendance. As city manager, I’ve gotten to know an entirely new crowd. Plus, people from all stages of my life will be there.
