Epilogue
December, five months later
Rockland Church in the foothills west of Golden, Colorado
Lyris checked herself in the full-length mirror. The dress she chose for her wedding was an off-white sheath with spaghetti straps, a lace overlay and a scalloped hem that reached just below her knees. Her dyed to match satin shoes had a two-inch heel so she could dance without her feet hurting too much.
A knock sounded on the door of the room in the church’s basement.
“Come in, as long as you’re not Ray.”
Maddy entered. The smile on her face was a mile wide. “You look beautiful.”
“So do you, maid of honor.”
Maddy was in a dark sapphire-blue sleeveless dress, also with a scalloped hem reaching just below her knees. It matched her eyes…and those of her father. The garment had a high neckline, and she wore a long necklace with a silver chain and a large opal pendant. The fiery stone had belonged to her mother and flashed with her movements.
She wore her dark hair pulled back on the sides with a few tendrils framing her face and the rest of her long hair waving down to the middle of her back.
Lyris’s hair was the same, with pearl combs holding back the sides and her curls, tamed into ringlets, hanging almost down to her waist. She wore a circlet of white silk roses on her head.
The combs in Maddy’s hair had red roses that looked wonderful against her golden blonde hair. She had her mother’s coloring and though she didn’t realize it, she was a knockout.
Lyris was surprised when a line of boys wanting to ask Maddy out didn’t start at the door to the house and run the length of the driveway.
Glancing at Lyris, Maddy gave her two thumbs up. “Are you ready? Your dad is outside and ready to escort you to the chapel.”
Lyris took one last glance in the mirror and decided she looked the best she ever had. “Let them in, please.”
Maddy opened the door and stood back, holding it for them.
Her parents entered.
Paul Jennings was a very tall, lean man with silver hair. He used to play professional basketball, and he was the reason Lyris was nearly six-feet tall. He wore a gray pinstripe suit with a pale pink shirt and gray silk tie.
Carol Jennings was built like a Dolly Parton lookalike. She had an ample bosom, tiny waist, and full hips. She wore a pale pink dress, tailored to accent her figure without being too tight anywhere. The dress had a V neckline that tastefully ended above her bosom. She also wore a matching silk jacket with standup collar and three-quarter sleeves.
Lyris was proud of her parents. They were not wealthy compared to Ray, but her father had done very well for himself as a basketball player and then as an electrical engineer.
Her mother was a CPA with her own firm in Lakewood. She employed ten other CPAs.
Her father walked over and took both of Lyris’s hands. “You look beautiful. I hope Ray realizes what a treasure he has.”
“He does, Daddy. He’s a good man. The best.”
Paul leaned in and kissed Lyris’s right cheek. “Good. I only want the best for my baby.”
Lyris smiled. “Thank you, Daddy.” Tears threatened, and she fiercely pushed them back. Ruining her makeup on her wedding day was not acceptable.
“Are you ready?” asked Carol. “They’ve started the music.”
“Yes. I’m ready. Maddy, you get into place. Mom, go with her. We’ll be right behind you.” Lyris curled her left hand around her father’s arm and took a deep breath. “I’m ready.” She stopped and picked up her bouquet of tiger lilies, white roses and baby’s breath.
Paul led her out of the room and up the stairs to the sanctuary.
They stood back by the entry doors as the wedding march started. Then Paul walked her up the aisle between the pews which had been decorated with Tiger Lilies and white carnations.
Behind the minister was floor to ceiling windows with an amazing view of the Rocky Mountains. The view was the perfect backdrop for her wedding.
As she walked slowly next to her father, she gazed at Ray, standing with his wrists crossed in front of him. He wore a black tux with single notched lapels. Though he’d wanted to get a haircut, Lyris wouldn’t hear of it. So, his hair was as she liked it, touching his collar with slight curls at the bottom. Long enough for her to run her fingers through.
But what she concentrated on was his face and the wide smile he wore. She answered with a grin of her own.
Standing next to Ray was his brother Adam. As tall as Ray, with the same almost-black hair and blue eyes, they almost looked like twins. Ray was tan from working outside, and he wore a neat scruff of three-day-old stubble. Whereas Adam had a short, full beard.
The music stopped as she reached Ray and the minister.
Reverend Schossow, was a large man with brown hair, balding on top and a booming voice that carried clear to the rafters of the vaulted, two-story ceiling. “Dearly beloved, we are here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Who gives this bride to this groom in marriage?”
“Her mother and I do.” Paul spoke up. Then he kissed Lyris’s cheek and left to sit with her mother.
“Very good. We are gathered together to witness the joining of two lives. Those of Ray Kincaid and Lyris Jennings.” He looked at Lyris and Ray. “Please join hands.”
Lyris handed her bouquet to Maddy. Then she held her hands out to Ray. He took them and kept his gaze on her steady.
“Ray, repeat the marriage vows,” the minister intoned.
Ray’s gaze never left hers. “I, Raymond Kincaid, take you, Lyris Jennings, to be my wedded wife. To love and cherish, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward.” His voice was strong and vibrant.
“And now you, Lyris.” Reverend Schossow angled his body toward Lyris.
Lyris swallowed hard. Her mouth was a little dry and she swallowed to moisten it. Her heart was so full of love for this man, she wanted to shout to the sky how she felt. “I, Lyris Jennings, take you, Raymond Kincaid, to be my wedded husband. To love and cherish, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward.” Her voice, though not as loud as Ray’s, was still strong, firm with her vows.
“And now the exchange of rings,” said the reverend. “Repeat after me, Ray. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Ray took the ring from Adam and turned back to Lyris. “With this ring, I thee wed.” He slid the ring on her finger, then lifted her hand and kissed the ring.
Lyris turned to Maddy for Ray’s ring which was tied loosely to the bouquet. They’d practiced a dozen times with Maddy retrieving the ring. She was perfect and handed the ring to Lyris. Turning back Lyris faced Ray. “With this ring, I thee wed.” With a shaking hand, she slid the ring on his finger.
Both of the rings were plain gold bands because of the work they did, but more love couldn’t have been behind them if they were rings of solid diamonds.
“By the power vested in me by the City of Golden and the State of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Ray cradled Lyris’s face and lowered his head. He was just a breath away when he whispered, “I love you.”
Lyris fought to keep back the tears, happy tears, as he took her lips with his and gave her a deep, almost-torrid kiss.
From their sides, the minister, cleared his throat.
Ray pulled back and grinned.
She whispered, “I love you, too.” Then she grinned.
They both turned toward their family and friends and walked down the aisle.
Behind them, Adam and Maddy followed them out.
The reception was held at a local country club.
As Ray, Lyris and Maddy arrived, large, perfect snowflakes wafted down.
Lyris tilted her head back and let the flakes fall on her face, a grin a mile wide gracing her face. She looked over at Ray, still grinning. “Any regrets?”
He smiled and pulled her close. “Never. You’re my heart. How could I ever regret holding my heart?”
Her heart was so full, she thought it couldn’t get any bigger and yet her love for him grew every day. “Me, too. I never knew what love was until you. Now that I have you, I’m never letting you go. You’re mine forever, Ray Kincaid.”
“And you’re mine, Lyris Kincaid. Forever.”
“Will you just kiss her and let us get to the cake?” Maddy wrapped them both in a big hug. Then she looked up at Lyris. “Since you’re married now, can I…I mean, would you mind…if I called you Mom?”
Lyris’s happiness was complete. She thought her heart would burst as she put an arm around Maddy’s shoulders. “Nothing would make me happier. I love you, Maddy. You and your dad are my family, my life. I’ll love you both forever. Now, let’s go get that cake.”
The three of them walked through the club’s double doors and into their future…together.