31. Best Husband Ever
31
BEST HUSBAND EVER
“ I t’s my wedding day,” Angel said to her mother the next morning, all but bouncing out of her skin.
“It is,” her mother said. “I’m so excited for this and you. Are you feeling better about things?”
“I am,” she said, dancing in place now. “I had to get past some of my doubts.”
“Do you doubt your love for Coy?” her mother asked.
They were in her hotel room now, talking. Their wedding was at one. She’d gotten up and had breakfast sent to her room that she was sharing with her mother now.
A last minute little pep talk in a way.
Not that she felt she needed it. But maybe she did need her mother.
The one who was always in her corner.
“Never,” she said. “There were moments in the beginning when I moved to Amore Island and started to see a different side of him that I didn’t realize existed.”
“Like what?” her mother asked. She sat back down to eat.
“Little things. The playfulness he had with everyone. I thought it was just me, but he’s fun in the office with everyone.”
“Flirting fun?” her mother asked, lifting an eyebrow.
“Never. Just a great guy. He’s loved by almost everyone. His patients and staff. He’s fair and considerate.”
“All the things you wanted and saw,” her mother said. “I don’t understand.”
“The wanting a lot of children and the big house,” she said. “I remember not seeing any candy or junk food right away when we had that cookout there.”
Her mother started to laugh. “You thought he was a health freak? That is what this is about?”
“It’s stupid,” she said, laughing. “I know. I’m just saying that, in the beginning, I started to realize the lens I saw him through as a teen was different than what he is daily as an adult.”
“I’d say you’ve adjusted and focused that lens more, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely. I’m sorry you aren’t getting to help me plan this big wedding you always dreamed of for me.”
“Stop apologizing. My dreams aren’t your dreams, Angel. Remember that. Your father and I have talked about this. He wanted the big wedding too, but the truth is, it’s not your personality. You’ve always been low key.”
“I worry that Coy will regret not getting it,” she said. “He’s not low key.”
“I don’t think there is one thing he is going to regret. Do you believe that?”
“I’m starting to,” she said. “He’s gone to a lot of trouble to plan this. I can’t wait to see it all.”
“I find it strange you haven’t had much of a hand in it,” her mother said.
“I want to be surprised. He’s a romantic guy.”
“You want to remember it all and not be stressed trying to do it and having it be perfect,” her mother said. “I get it now.”
“I’ve got so many other things to think about and do and plan, that this could be for him. He’s more excited about it. I wanted him to have what he wanted for this.”
“That makes more sense,” her mother said. “I think you made the right decision.”
“He’ll feel as if he got to spoil me and it’s what he likes to do. I don’t care about those things. But I know it’s going to be beautiful either way.”
“That’s a very mature thought. I know what is planned, and you will not be disappointed.”
And hours later when she was in her wedding gown and waiting to make her exit from the building, the butterflies in her belly were from excitement and not nausea.
“I’m getting married,” she said to her mother, trying to jump up and down in her dress and squealing like a teen who just noticed the new trend in jeans appear in the mall. Her gown was simple in her eyes, but exactly what she would have picked out even if she had a big wedding.
Sweetheart neckline, strapless and fine details throughout. It was fitted to her body but not snug. She could move easily and there was only a tiny little train that she could pin up.
Maybe it was good to get married now before she started to show in her pregnancy. She might hate looking back at her pictures and always having the reminder that she wasn’t looking or feeling her best.
She wouldn’t have that now.
She’d only see the pictures and know what Coy did for her. For them.
“You are getting married,” her mother said, wiping her eyes.
“Don’t cry or I’ll start crying. I don’t want my makeup done again.”
“I’ll stop,” her mother said, looking at the ceiling.
There was a knock at the door. “Come in,” she said.
Her father opened it and his eyes started to fill. “I’ve waited for this day for years. I never knew if we’d get to see it.”
“Don’t you start either,” she said. “Did you think I’d be an old maid that no man would want?”
It was better to joke about that rather than his worry all the years she might not have lived.
Those days were in the past and where she was damn well going to keep them.
“I knew any man would be lucky to have you as their wife.”
“That’s right,” she said. “Coy is very lucky.”
“He is,” her father said. “And they are ready to start.”
Her mother left after she kissed her, then Angel walked out with her father and stopped at the back of the beach where everyone was seated.
Coy looked up at her and smiled. He was standing under an arch covered in white roses with pops of pink in front of the ocean.
There was a light breeze and his hair was moving around.
The photographer moved in front of her to take a few shots and then slid back and off to the side.
The music started, her and Coy’s family stood, and she made her way toward her future husband.
His eyes were filling and his bottom lip was quivering some.
It was all she needed to see to know everything was going to be alright.
“You look stunning,” he whispered to her when she stopped in front of him.
“You are looking pretty hot yourself,” she said.
Her father cleared his throat and handed her off to Coy.
The officiant started to speak, but she didn’t hear a lot of the words.
She just wanted to get to the part where they were named husband and wife.
“Who has the rings?” the officiant said.
“That would be my job,” Spencer said, handing them over.
Coy took her ring and slid it on her finger. Before he could repeat the words he was supposed to say, she blurted out. “Coy, oh my God.”
There was a lot of laughter as she looked down at her band. She just figured she’d get a simple band and then he’d give her a diamond later on. Neither of them wanted her to wear an engagement ring prior. Actually that had been her idea.
Instead, what he slid on her finger was a diamond band. Four huge diamonds on it. They each had to be a carat. When it was on her finger, all you saw was diamonds and no band at all.
“Braggart,” Bode coughed into his hand.
She saw Sam smack her husband’s arm.
“What did you think I was going to give you?” he asked.
“Not this,” she said.
The officiant cleared his throat. “Should we continue?”
“Sorry,” she said.
Coy repeated his words and then it was her turn to put his simple black band on his hand. It looked good even though it wasn’t nearly as flashy.
“And by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
“Gladly,” Coy said and yanked her close, kissed her, and dipped her down.
Their family was clapping and she was laughing.
“You’re my husband,” she said, her hand running down his face.
“And you’re my wife, Mrs. Bond.”
They walked back down the aisle holding hands and then moved off for pictures by the water.
She lost count of the number of pictures taken of her and Coy alone, then with the parents, their siblings, just the kids, then several big group pictures.
“Wow,” she said. “What is this?”
They’d just moved into a private cabana area covered in more white and pink flowers. There was one huge round table that would seat everyone at it with more flowers in the center.
A dance floor off to the side and a band playing soft music.
“It’s our reception,” he said. “I don’t care that there aren’t hundreds of people here. We are doing it the same way but on a tiny scale.”
“Is that a candy bar?” she squealed.
“And an ice cream one coming out later.”
She started to laugh. “No cake?” she asked. She didn’t see one anywhere.
“One small one for us to cut for pictures. I figured you’d want the sundaes since you seem to be craving ice cream and candy.”
“You’re the best husband ever,” she said, kissing him.
“I’m trying,” he said. “We are going to get our dance too. You ready for it now?”
“Yes,” she said. “Then I want candy.”
“I figured you’d do that,” he said. “Do you need some now?”
She eyed the candy bar and then said, “I can wait.”
The music changed and she walked onto the floor with her new husband, he pulled her into his arms and they had their dance while she held in the tears.
“Happy?” he asked.
“Ecstatic. Not happy about the ring, but you know, I should have expected it.”
“I’m a Bond,” he said. “Give me a break. You say I’m bougie too.”
She laughed. “Which means I should have given you the one with the diamonds.”
“No,” he said. “You got me what I wanted without me even asking. It’s like you’ve known me all along.”
“I have,” she said softly.
When the song ended, they moved to the table, took their seats, and champagne was brought out. Sparkling juice for her.
Spencer stood up. “I’ll keep this short. I know my sister is hungry.” Spencer looked at Coy. “You’re my best friend. You’ve been that since the day you walked into our dorm room and didn’t give me shit for having stuff everywhere. You’ve had my back and I’ve had yours. Now you’re going to have my sister’s. You’ve always felt like a brother to me, and now I’m proud to say you officially are. Just continue to keep an eye on her so I don’t have to hurt you.”
There was a lot of laughter to that. Coy lifted his glass to Spencer and everyone drank at once.
Best day of her life!