Chapter Fifty-Two
Rhys
Max and I decide to hold a small ceremony in the garden.
She says it’s the perfect place for our wedding—lots of flowers in full bloom and hummingbirds zipping around.
I fly Bea out to attend. She shows up in a flowing blue dress that flatters her and spends time with Max, sharing stories from Anna’s childhood.
Their wistful smiles say they miss her very much.
Bea promises to return when the baby’s born to help.
“Anna had the best baby food recipes, too, so I’ll bring them,” she says.
Max’s eyes sparkle with delight. “I’d love that. Thank you.”
Roarke comes toward me as I adjust the cuff links on my wedding tux. “Nervous?”
“No. Excited.” I place a hand over my racing heart. I can’t believe that in less than five minutes, I’ll be holding Max’s hand and exchanging vows.
“The white tux looks surprisingly good on you,” Liam says.
“It’s that Danica magic,” Xavier jokes.
My parents appear, properly dressed and without any dates.
I made it clear that, if they brought anybody, they wouldn’t be allowed in.
And they had to be in suitable clothes or else.
So far, they’ve behaved themselves. Anxiety doesn’t burn away at my stomach lining at the possibility that they might do something embarrassing, though.
Max would put them in their place in her own indomitable fashion.
She’s been laying down the law to Marie and Camilo, and they know better than to mess with her.
Grandmother attends with Grandfather. Once again, she’s in a dress that looks like something out of a ballet.
Her eyes soften a little as she looks at Max’s belly, but then a calculating gleam flashes in their blue depths.
She’d better not be planning to turn my baby into a ballet dancer.
I want the child to choose its own path.
Max invited Ailee and a few coworkers. Trevor doesn’t show.
The quartet starts “Here Comes the Bride.” On the other side of the garden, Max appears, her arm looped through Bea’s. She’s in a stunning empire-waist gown with pearl and lace details. In her hands is a gorgeous bouquet of white gardenias from our garden.
My heart near-bursting with excitement and joy, I watch the love of my life walking toward me, coming closer with each dainty step. Before Bea hands Max to me, she whispers, “I’m glad you found each other.” She smiles at Max. “I think he’s a keeper.”
She smiles shyly. “I think so, too.”
I take her hand. We face the officiant for our vows—to love, honor and cherish—
“—until death do you part,” the man intones.
I grin at my beautiful wife. If I can help it, not even death will part us.