Chapter 21 #2
Suddenly, I was lifted off the ground. His breath tickled my ear as he spoke into it, the tingles making their return.
“I keep using that name because you’re mine, now, Ren.
And I’m yours. You bear my name, and yours is written on my heart.
” I’d never heard his voice so deep, so rich, so unbelievably masculine.
Cue the swooning. I would have fainted, but I was held steady against a wall of muscle. Our charged moment was interrupted when Edna, Gemma, and Doris surrounded us.
“Put her down, you big lug. You can’t carry her around like a ragdoll,” Doris scolded, making us both laugh. He obeyed begrudgingly.
“That was the sweetest wedding I’ve ever seen,” Edna said. “I crocheted you both something special. It’s with the other gifts.”
Doris leaned toward me and whispered, “It was supposed to be a tablecloth, but looks more like a misshapen shawl. Hope you like purple.” I dipped my head to hide my smile.
Mike gave her a hug and said, “Thank you so much. I’m so glad you’re all here.”
“You done good, boy. I’m proud of you. How you got this pretty girl to say yes is beyond me,” Gemma said with a teasing smile.
“Now, Gemma, you know you love me,” Mike teased, hugging her when Edna stepped back. They were all dressed in formal gowns, but I saw Edna’s thick orthotic shoes peeking out from under her dress, the laces matching the orange gown. They were adorable.
“I do, kiddo, but I love that driver you sent for us even better,” she said saucily. “Come on, girls. Let’s go see if the catering staff has anyone worth looking at.”
We shook our heads as they sauntered away. “She’s going to be disappointed. I only saw women setting up in the kitchen.”
“Pfft. Serves her right. Are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat?” he asked, walking me towards the house.
“Not yet, but thank you.” My tone changed from joking to serious as I said, “I do, though, want to ask you about speaking your vows in perfect Italian.”
He stopped and held my hand as I looked at him expectantly. “I just, I wanted to do something special for you.”
“Mike,” I breathed out. “That was the most thoughtful, romantic thing anyone has ever done for me. You’re amazing.” I hugged him around the waist, and he wrapped his arms firmly around me.
Leaning down and nuzzling my hair, he said, “Ren, I didn’t want to say ‘I love you’ up there in front of everyone because I know you’re not there yet. Didn’t want to put you on the spot.”
“Mike—” I started, my panic rising. I didn’t want to hurt this incredible man.
“No, I’m not trying to make you feel bad or pressure you. Please don’t take it that way.” He pulled back and cradled my face with his two large hands as I blinked at him. “But I can’t hold it back anymore. Not today. Not as strongly as I feel it.”
When I went to stop him again, he quickly said, “I love you, Renata. My heart is full because of it. And when you say it back, I’m pretty sure my heart will spill to overflowing.” His expression was clear. He had no doubt about what he was saying.
Hoping to lighten the mood, I said, “Hm, still so confident, Data Boy.”
He leaned closer to me, making my breath catch again. Somehow, I knew he enjoyed doing that to me. “That second kiss let me know that it’s a ‘when’ and not an ‘if.’
I bit my bottom lip, holding back a smile. “Is that so?”
His eyebrow went high. “Mhm. It is so.”
Later that evening, after we’d all eaten pasta and seafood until we were full, Grammy and her friends got ready to leave, but not until Mike had danced a slow song with her that had everyone crying, it was so sweet.
After we’d all seen them safely to the car, we called my parents an Uber when they said they needed to go back to the cottage to pack, since they were leaving the next afternoon.
They’d hugged us all, and I held my chest when Papa took her by the hand once again as they headed to their ride.
Miracles, was all I could think.
After they left, it was just the eight of us talking and laughing as music played in the background. Suddenly, Mike stood and held out his hand to me. “Dance with me, Mrs. Walker.”
“So demanding, Mr. Walker,” I said, putting my hand in his, but stubbornly remaining seated.
I giggled when our friends let out a chorus of “ooohs” and wolf whistles as he gently pulled me to my feet. Luke yelled out, “Show her who’s boss, Mike!”
Vicky followed with, “Make him wait, Ren!”
He huffed out a laugh. “Renata Walker, would you do me the pleasure of dancing with me?” he asked, bowing like he was in a regency novel. A girl could get used to that.
The Edison lights overhead and the candles lit around the backyard gave it an ethereal feel. I was giddy from laughing all evening, a peaceful joy settling over me as Mike took me into his arms on the grass. It was cool beneath my now bare feet, and a warmth swept through me as I looked up at him.