Page 130 of Someone to Remember
Then I put the matching ring on him as I gaze up at him looking down at me. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“By the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the internet, I’m honored and delighted to declare you husband, wife, mother and father. You may now kiss the bride, Gage.”
He wraps his arms around me and plants a sizzler on me that has our guests cheering for us.
We emerge from the kiss smiling, happy and married.
“Let’s party,” he says as he turns to lead me and the kids down the aisle toward the room where the reception will be held.
Kinsley
I’man emotional wreck after the ceremony and struggling to contain my tears.
Luke hands me a tissue, since I’ve used up all of mine.
When Gage gave the kids rings, I was done for.
Luke reached for my hand at that pivotal moment, and I was surprised by how natural it felt to hold on to him.
My two kids are sitting to my left, and his four are to his right.
We take up an entire row, which is something we’ll probably laugh about later.
He’s called me every night since our lunch. On Thanksgiving night, we talked for three hours before he said he had to sleep, or he’d be steamrolled by the kids in the morning. But he made sure to add that he had no desire to end the call.
I’ve stopped telling myself to shut up, because I’m enjoying this thing with him so, so much, more than I’ve enjoyed just about anything since Rory died.
And as far as I can tell, he’s enjoying it, too.
To make everything even better, our kids get along great and were so happy to see one another again when we met in the parking lot to walk in together. They hugged like old friendsseeing each other for the first time in years. It was adorable, and we were both moved by their excitement.
When he put his hand on my lower back to usher me through the door to the country club, I nearly came unglued. I’m such a dork. I don’t remember being like this in the past, but there’s just something about him that does it for me—and every other single woman in the room.
But he doesn’t pay anyone else an ounce of attention as he focuses on me and the kids. I like that about him. I like that he’s oblivious to the fact that other women find him attractive. He’s respectful when he’s with me and doesn’t make me feel like I’m in some sort of competition for him.
This girl ain’t playing that game, so I’m thankful to not have to. Did I mention he’s wearing a gorgeous gray suit that was clearly made to order and fits him like a dream? He’s paired it with a lavender dress shirt and purple tie. Did I tell him purple is my favorite color? I think maybe I did… His kids are beautifully attired in dresses and suits. I want to ask if he does the girls’ hair himself, but I’m fairly certain he must. Who else would do it?
The reception is set up as several long tables, and we’ll be sitting with our Wild Widows, including Christy, Trey, Joy, Bernie, Roni, Derek, Naomi, Brielle, Lexi, Tom, Hallie, Robin, Angela, Wynter, Adrian and Taylor.
I’m so glad Taylor came, and despite everything, she smiles a lot as we talk and tease and do what we do, which Iris told us is what Taylor would want. Iris sent a text last night asking us to be ourselves with Taylor and not tone down the revelry because of her.She needs some lighthearted fun, and you guys are the best at that,Iris said.
So that’s what we do, while the kids have their own large table in the middle of the room, where the parents can keep an eye on them. I love the way Iris and Gage have incorporated so many kids into their big day and made it easy for their parents to enjoy themselves with the kids in full view.
The bride and groom are outside taking photos with their children and their families, as well as Roni and Derek, while the rest of us enjoy appetizers and drinks.
“You did an amazing job, Joy,” Brielle says.
Adrian raises his glass in a toast to Joy. “Hear, hear.”
“Mama Joy for the win,” Naomi adds.
“Awww, y’all are too sweet,” Joy says, smiling. “What an honor to marry our fearless leaders.”
When Luke’s youngest daughter, Phoebe, tugs on his pant leg, he bends to talk to her. Then he says to me, “Nature calls. Be right back.”
“You want me to take her?”
“Nah, I’ve got it, but thanks.”
