Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
E lla
I woke up and looked out the window at the beach transformed into a wedding oasis. Today was the day that I’d become Dr. Ella Kind-Malone. I spent the night at my parents’ while Graham stayed at our house.
“There’s our bride.” My mom smiled when I walked into the kitchen.
“Morning, Mom.” I made a cup of coffee.
“Hey, sis. Are you nervous?” Willow asked.
“Not at all. Where’s Dad?”
“Surfing. I think he’s trying to clear his head,” my mom said.
“Clear his head?”
“He’s giving his little girl away to another man today.” She smiled.
“Ah. He’s having a hard time with it?”
“He’d never admit it, but I think so.”
After slipping into my wedding dress, I stared at myself in the mirror. Glancing at my mom, tears filled her eyes.
“You look so beautiful.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I smiled.
“And for the final piece.” Jenni walked over and placed the veil on my head.
My dad stood in the room's doorway in his tuxedo, his hands tightly tucked into his pockets.
“Come on, girls,” my mom said.
After everyone cleared the room, my dad stood before me.
“How did you grow up so fast.” Tears filled his eyes.
“Daddy.” I could feel the sting in mine.
“I can’t help it. You’re my little girl, and you’re getting married.” He held out his arms, and I wrapped mine around him. “You look so beautiful, sweetheart. Graham isn’t going to know what hit him when he sees you.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Nathan. Ella. It’s time,” my mom walked into the room.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” my dad asked.
“I’m more than ready. Are you?” I smirked.
“Not really.” He sighed. “But I don’t have a choice. Your husband-to-be is waiting for you, and I need to get you to him.”
My dad and I stood behind the girls and watched them walk down the white satin runner to a beautifully decorated floral archway in front of the shoreline, with the blue water of the ocean serving as a backdrop.
Georgia played the bridal march on her violin, and it was time to make my way to Graham.
“You’ll be okay, Dad.” I glanced at him.
“I know, sweetheart.”
As my father walked me down the aisle, everyone stood. My only focus was on my soon-to-be husband, who covered his eyes with his hand.
“He’s going to lose it,” my dad whispered.
“Dad, stop it.”
We approached where Graham stood as tears streamed down his face, making the ones I tried to hold back come full force. Graham held out his hand, and my dad’s arm tightened around mine.
“Dad.” I looked at him.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” He took my hand and placed it in Graham’s.
Our ceremony was beautiful, and many tears were shed.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful bride, Graham.”
“I’ve been waiting all day.” Graham grinned as he dipped me and smashed his mouth against mine.
Everyone shouted and clapped.
“We did it.” Graham smiled.
“We did it.” My lips met his.
My family gathered for pictures while the guests went to one of the white tents serving cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
“I think that does it for the family photos,” Fran, our photographer, said. “You can all head to the reception while I get a few more of the newlyweds by themselves.”
We stood by the shoreline while Fran took some more pictures of just Graham and me. As we stared into each other’s eyes, Graham brought his hand to my cheek.
“Perfect! Don’t move,” Fran said. “Okay. That’s a wrap, you two. I’ll meet you inside the tent.”
“You are the most beautiful woman in the world, and I can’t wait to spend a full week alone with you.” A handsome smile crossed Graham’s lips.
“Are you two coming or what? Your guests are waiting for you!” Willow shouted.
Graham and I laughed. “We’re coming,” I shouted back.
“Shall we, wife?” Graham held out his arm.
“We shall, husband.” I smiled, placing my arm around his.
We stood at the tent's entrance, and when the D.J. announced our arrival, our guests clapped, shouted, and whistled. We walked around, greeting and thanking those who came and celebrated with us. Everyone was told to take their seats for dinner. My dad picked up his champagne glass and lightly tapped it, getting everyone’s attention.
“I’d like to make a toast to my daughter and son-in-law. I knew this day would eventually come—the day when another man would walk into my daughter’s life and steal her heart. As prepared as I thought I’d be, I wasn’t. Since Ella was six years old, I was supposed to be raising her, but she raised me instead.” A smile crossed his lips, and everyone laughed. “I remember the days of walking down the beach with her on my shoulders, with her little arms wrapped tightly around my neck. I remember the feeling the first time we put her surfboard in the water, and I taught her how to surf. I remember the first time that I watched her dance on stage. And I remember the times I stood in the doorway of her art room and watched her paint. I also remember sitting in the audience as she walked across the stage at the age of ten and received her high school diploma. Then, college and med school. But the one day that will forever stay with me is this day—the day I walked my daughter down the aisle to a man I proudly call my son. Everything Ella has done in her life has been done with perfection, including choosing the man to love and spend the rest of her life with. I love you both very much. Here’s to your new life together as husband and wife. Life is family, and family is life.” He held up his glass.
“Cheers!” everyone shouted.
“Thanks, Dad.” I smiled as a tear streamed down my face.
“Damn. Your dad sure knows how to choke people up,” Graham said.
After we had eaten the delicious meal Sebastian and his staff created, we cut the cake. The DJ called Graham and me to the dancefloor for our first dance as husband and wife. Our dance ended, and my father stepped onto the dancefloor, taking my hand in his and wrapping his arm around my waist while we danced to My Little Girl by Tim McGraw, the song he picked.
“Any idea when you and Graham might give your mother and me a grandchild?” A smirk crossed his lips.
“Dad, I’ve only been married a few hours.” I laughed.
“And?” His brow arched. “Stefan already has a grandchild, and I’m sure Gabriel will have one soon. It’s time to fill the beach again with children.”
“And when the time comes, you’re going to make a wonderful grandfather, Dad.”
“And one day, you’ll make a wonderful mother, sweetheart.”
It was time to say goodbye to our guests and head to the hangar, where Shaun’s plane was waiting to fly us to Bora Bora for our honeymoon, a wedding gift from my parents.
“Have a wonderful honeymoon.” My mom hugged me. “And stay in touch.”
“I will, Mom.”
I turned to my dad, and he wrapped his arms around me. “I’ll miss you. Have a great time, sweetheart, and we’ll see you when you get back.”
“I’ll miss you too, Dad.” My grip around him tightened. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome. If you really want to thank me, you’ll make me a grandchild in Bora Bora,” he whispered.
“Stop it, Dad.” I laughed.