Epilogue
Charity
New Year's Day
Like most things with the two of us, we did everything all backwards. Instead of meeting and getting to know one another, we went on our first date. Instead of taking things slow, we ended up in love within a matter of hours - although, Rhett says for him it was love at first sight. Instead of proposing and planning a wedding, we wound up in bed and I wound up with a ring on my finger. We rushed off and got married before we had our wedding day and last night, we celebrated with our friends in what was our ‘wedding celebration’ -as well as New Year’s Eve.
We rang in the new year with our close friends -Javi and Sarah, and Janice, our boss from daycare who I have grown to love, and her husband. It was such a wonderful way to start the new year. And today, we finally had our wedding. It’s been such a wild couple of days. And a blur of dresses and flowers and dinner choices and colors…and love.
When I wasn’t making wedding arrangements, I was being wooed by my fiancé -something else we did backwards. The first time we got married in a courthouse with both of us beaming at one another. The only other people there were Javi and Sarah who got married right after we did. This time we wrote vows for one another and one of the vows Rhett wrote for me was to never let me spend a holiday alone because he is going to spend each and every one of them with me. Always.
How cute is that?
This dinner is a little more…crowded and formal. There are businessmen and women, the higher-ups in the company, and acquaintances from the daycare I work in. But even with all these people I feel…comfortable. Perhaps it’s because I’m sitting in the best seat in the room… Rhett’s lap.
Now as some people dance and others eat, all I can think about is my mother. Yes, there is a sadness because she’s not here but also a kind of processing of all that has happened and gone down since her death. When I look back at every step, and every choice I made, it’s almost like my mom was leading me to Rhett. Like she wanted this for me and that thought makes me happier than I ever was before. Thinking that my mom might be up in heaven looking down, watching out for me still, has helped me deal with her passing more than any other thing I’ve tried on my own.
“You alright, angel?”
I smile and snuggle into him. He’s been a sweetheart through all of this but especially today, checking on me to make sure I’m not overwhelmed and including my mom in the ceremony -we saved a seat for her and lit a candle for her and his mom too.
“I’m more than alright. I’m wonderful.”
“You look stunning, my bride.”
I can’t help smiling at the look he gives me and how he calls me his bride. He makes me feel stunning, beautiful, and desirable. I lean down to offer my lips to him and he doesn’t hesitate to take them.
“You two are so freakin’ cute!”
We pull apart to look at a beaming Sarah. And not far behind her is the massive man who is her husband. When she first asked me what kind of man I liked, I would have never said someone like the man holding her in his arms but my Rhett is the same height and almost the same size as Javi. And both men turn to mush around their women. They have fallen hopelessly in love and I, for one, am really glad they did. I'm not sure what I would have done if Rhett turned out to be like who I first thought he was - a lecherous old perv.
No, my love is nothing like that with eyes only for me and not that old either. Just older than me.
“I’m glad you think so because I’m asking the two of you to hold off the crowd while I take my bride to have a little alone time.”
“Rhett!”
Both Javi and Sarah laugh as I go red.
“Go. Quickly. But remember, there will come a day when we will need the favor returned.”
“Day? A day? What are you even talking about Javi, the two of you will take your turn as soon as we come back.”
Now both of them look surprised. Oh, fudge. I spoke before I thought again. I feel Rhett shake under me and know he is laughing because my mouth ran away with me.
“I love it when you put Javi in his place like that.” He whispers the words even as Javi shoots us a fake dirty look before laughing with us.
“Come, my Bride. I need you and we need to celebrate the proper way…. without our clothes on.”
I giggle as he stands with me in his arms and starts walking out of the dining area so he can find a place for us to be sneaky in. And I go along, willingly. It’s New Year’s Day…who wouldn’t want the opportunity to celebrate naked and make New Resolutions in each other's arms.
The End!