35. abbi
ABBI
seven weeks later—the wedding
The bang of the bedroom door against the wall jolts me awake, then Prue’s squeal snaps my eyes open.
“Today’s the day!” she sings, as she dive-bombs her father and me on our bed, just the way she did every single birthday and Christmas when she was little, making the mattress bounce and Nix groan.
I grip the sheet with white-knuckle force to remain covered because we’re naked under here.
Naked! The way we’ve been sleeping since Nix returned to our bed as a way to deepen our intimacy.
I didn’t even consider the possibility of Prue being this excited she’d revert to her childhood antics, and now I wish I’d thought ahead.
Or maybe not. I love our new rule of sleeping naked.
Nix and I edge away from the middle, giving our daughter a little space. Scooching to the side, we both grin at her. “Today’s the day,” I whisper, brushing her hair away from her face. She looks radiant. As she should on her wedding day.
She grins back at me, then her expression grows more serious.
“I’ve been thinking about changing part of the ceremony,”—My eyebrows shoot up.
She’s been adamant about being very traditional about things and has ensured everyone has practiced their part to death.
—“but only if you think it’s a good idea,” she adds quickly.
“It’s your wedding day, Sweet Pea. You’re allowed to make any changes you like, and if we can make them happen, we will,” Nix tells her firmly.
She blows out a long breath. “Good. I’m glad you think that way. Because I want both of you to walk me down the ai—”
“I think that’s a brilliant idea,” Nix interrupts, grinning at me, his silver eyes sparkling.
“It’s just that—”
“You don’t need to justify your choices,” Nix interrupts again.
While he’s gone along with every one of Prue’s requests for her wedding, he felt undeserving of walking our daughter down the aisle when I was responsible for the lion’s share of raising her through his deployments. I insisted that it was fine. It was traditional and what our daughter wanted.
Her grin widens further. “Is that okay with you, Mom?”
I smooth her hair away from her face. “Of course. I’m thrilled you want me beside you.”
Beaming, she pushes herself up and climbs out of bed. “Well, we can’t lounge in bed all day. Let’s go!” She pumps her fists in the air as she shimmies out of our room.
Nix and I chuckle at each other as we roll toward the center of the bed into each other. Our mouths meet in matching grins. “Good morning,” I murmur.
“Morning,” he returns, then seals his mouth to mine as he grips my ass and presses our hips together. “Do you think she’d notice if we—”
“C’mon, there’s no time to waste!” Prue calls, peeking from behind the door frame.
“Okay, okay,” we both grumble lightheartedly.
“Raincheck?” I ask.
“You can count on it.” He slaps my butt as he kisses me swiftly.
Nix and I dress, cook a full breakfast, then separate off to complete our designated tasks for the morning.
Our home becomes abuzz with activity from the hairstylist, make-up artist, catering crew, photographer, and our florist, who in a crazy twist of fate turned out to be the daughter of Rose, the woman who helped us procure our advanced plants. It really is a small world.
My eyes burn and nose tingles as I watch Prue study her reflection in the full-length mirror in my bedroom.
She’s stunning. I knew she would be but imagining it and seeing it are two very different things.
My heart swells as my mind rolls back over all the special moments in her life where she stood in front of the mirror admiring herself, much like she is now.
“You’re beautiful, Prue,” I murmur, fighting back tears.
She spins in place, facing me fully. “Don’t you dare cry.” She sniffles.
I push up my lips, shaking my head. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” I chuckle, sucking in a deep breath.
Stepping closer, I take each of my daughter’s hands in mine.
“I’m so happy for you and Luke. You’re going to have such a long and beautiful life together.
” Her lips tremble as her eyes lock onto mine.
“Marriage is where you give the other person your best and worst self in trust that they’ll always treat you with care.
I know without a doubt that you and Luke will always hold each other with care and compassion.
But remember, Dad and I are always here to support you both during the happy times and the times where things may feel shaky. ”
She nods sharply. “Thanks, Mom.” She slides her hand across her stomach, pressing it there. “I know.” Her shoulders roll forward a little. “Geez, I had no idea I’d feel this nervous.”
A knock sounds on our bedroom door, and it opens enough for Nix to poke his head around it. His expression softens the moment his eyes land on Prue, and I know he’ll be fighting his emotions today. I nod my head for him to come in, so he does, closing the door behind him.
“Prue,” he murmurs roughly. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she smiles. “Is it time?”
He nods. “In a minute.” Then he looks at me and shakes his head as his eyes devour me from head to toe. “Abbi,” he breathes. “Stunning as always.” He leans in, pressing a kiss on my jaw, then beneath my ear. “It’s going to be impossible to keep my eyes off you.”
I trace my fingers down his lapel, grazing my eyes over his freshly cut hair and trimmed beard. He fills out his suit like a dream and makes my pulse beat a heady rhythm. “Same. Have you seen you?”
He chuckles against my neck. “Two of the most beautiful women at the wedding today: one is my daughter, and the other is my wife.” He thumps his fist against his heart. “I’m a lucky man.”
We get lost in each other’s gaze, holding on with deep affection. Today brings back so many memories for me, and I’m certain it will be the same for Nix. We share a soft smile, and when we return our attention to Prue, she’s watching us, her eyes full of admiration.
She presses her hand over her heart. “I hope Luke and I are still as deeply connected as you guys are when we’ve been married as long as you have.”
I’m pleased Prue has no idea of the turmoil our marriage has experienced, especially over the last several months.
Nix and I were on the same page when it came to protecting our kids.
I’m sure some would say that we should have been honest with our kids; they’re adults after all.
At first, the timing was awful, and I wasn’t prepared to tarnish our daughter’s happiness.
Then, Nix started to put in the work, and my hope grew that we’d make it through the darkest parts, so why tell the kids when maybe there would be no reason to. No need to upset them unnecessarily.
I glance at Nix, and he offers me a soft smile that he only reserves for us. My heart skips a beat as it always does, and I return his smile. “You will be,” he answers Prue without taking his eyes from mine. “Just remember all the things I told you.”
“I will,” she breathes.
Nix dips his hand into his pocket and passes the box to me, but I push it back toward him. “You can give it to her.”
“But it’s yours.”
I shake my head. “It’s ours. You gave it to me and now we’re giving it to her.”
He dips his chin and spins toward our daughter, who’s waiting impatiently for her gift. Her grin grows impossibly wider, her eyes glittering with delight. “For me?”
Nix passes the box to her. “For you. I gave this to your mom on our wedding day, and now we’re giving it to you, and one day, you’ll give it to your daughter or daughter-in-law on her wedding day.”
Prue’s been obsessed with traditions for her wedding, so we knew she’d appreciate this.
She covers her mouth with her hand, clearly overcome with emotion when she raises the velvet lid. Her eyes snap up to us and return to the necklace several times. “This is yours. Are you sure you want to give this to me?” She glances up at me. “I can give it back to you after the wedding.”
I start shaking my head before she finishes her offer. “I … we want you to have it.” I wrap my arm around her slim waist. “To pass it down through the generations. Our very own tradition.” I smile at her, swiping away a single tear on her cheek.
She traces the diamond heart with the tip of her finger. “I’ll cherish it and keep it safe,” she breathes. “Always.”
The diamond heart is small, barely the size of a pea, but Nix saved for months to buy it for me, so I’ve always treasured it because I knew how hard he worked to give it to me.
I remember the uncertainty in his eyes when he gifted it to me on the eve of our wedding.
He asked me to wear it for him and promised that one day he’d buy me a bigger one.
It was such a romantic gesture, and I assured him I didn’t need anything more than what he’d given me because it came from his heart.
And that was so much more important to me than the size or value of the diamond.
Prue holds it up to Nix. “Can you put it on, please?” He latches the ends together, and she spins to see how it looks in the mirror. “It’s perfect.”
Nix checks his watch. “Are you ladies ready? I know there’s a groom out there getting antsy to see his bride.”
Prue presses her hands to her stomach again. “I’m so ready.”
“Let’s go,” I cheer, mirroring her words from this morning.