Page 20 of Destiny Reclaimed
Once he released her, he turned toward Jack and outstretched his hand. “Welcome to the family, son.”
Her eyes watered at that endearment.
“So, we have a wedding to plan,” her mother exclaimed. “When are we thinking, spring?”
Gwen giggled. She appreciated her excitement. But, in the few minutes that passed since the proposal, she hadn’t given the ‘when’ any thought as she’d been too preoccupied with the kiss sealing the deal.
“Is tomorrow too soon?” Jack asked.
Thrill cracked through her at his eagerness and she would have laughed if not for the seriousness in his tone. They couldn’t possibly get married tomorrow. Could they?
Her mom turned to him and swatted his upper arm playfully. “Don’t be silly. We’re going to have a big, beautiful wedding for you two. A huge celebration to follow. Every bride wants that. Right, sweety?” her mother confirmed as she fixed her gaze on her.
A big wedding was something she’d always dreamed of—every girl did, right? Yet, big weddings took time to plan, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to waste any more time not being Jack’s wife.
“It doesn’t have to be huge, but a traditional wedding would be nice,” she replied as she shifted her gaze back to her fiancé to catch his reaction.
His warm smile reached his eyes. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. I’ll do whatever makes you happy.”
“Wonderful. It’s all set then. A big wedding,” her mom summed up. “All our family—” Her words cut off as her eyes flooded with tears.
Realization honed in, fiercely gripping her heart and transforming the happy moment, to sorrowful. Their immediate family was now four, not five.Marvin, her dear brother, and Jack’s best friend, would not be present during one of the most important moments of their lives.
As if sensing her thoughts, he reached over and wove his fingers among hers as he stretched out his other arm and placed a comforting hand on her mom’s shoulder. Previously, Gwen would have testified that she couldn’t love her fiancé anymore, but with that compassion from him, her heart overflowed.
Gwen caught her mother’s gaze. “Maybe a smaller, private wedding would be best,” she squeaked out around the lump in her throat, trying to be strong for her mom.
Her mom nodded, but Gwen wasn’t sure if it was in agreement or acknowledgment she’d spoken.
“No,” her dad choked out as he shook his head. “Your brother would want you to have what you want. He loved you. We need to do this for everyone. Him included.”
She kind of knew what her dad meant. With as painful as this was, a normal, traditional wedding plan was a step toward moving forward. A sense of relief sifted through her that her father had made this decision for her. Her mother’s relieved gaze said the same.
“Yes, a big wedding it is then, but soon,” Gwen affirmed. “I’ve waited long enough,” she added, drawing an agreeable smile from her soon-to-be husband.
The desire pouring from his gaze let her know he was as anxious for the nuptials to take place as she was. If the wedding were soon, they wouldn’t have to wait to consummate their commitment, would they?
