Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
FALLON
“ W hen do you want to get married?” I asked him as I looked up, unable to wipe the smile off my face. I was going to marry Nash Powers. It was my childhood dream come true.
“The date doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m your husband at the end of my life.” He slid his hand down to the top of my ass, and he tucked it into the pocket of my jeans. Someone needed to pinch me because after the last five years, I couldn’t quite believe this was my life.
Nash pulled open the door, and we walked into the quiet house. “Congratulations!” Everyone jumped out from the corners, behind doors, and into the kitchen. Everyone I loved was in the room, with one exception, but I knew he was here in spirit.
Mom walked over to me and hugged me with her free arm since she was holding a very awake Lottie in her arms. No doubt woken up by the commotion of this crew trying to find places to hide.
Fred followed my mother and tears filled his eyes as he hugged me tightly. Turning to Nash, he embraced him and my heart was at peace. Their relationship had been rough over the last few years, but time heals and they were as close as they ever had been. “So what about that bet?” Nash asked his dad.
“What bet?” I asked, looking at the men who shared so many similarities, but mostly their smiles. They were identical.
“Fallon, your father and I made a bet many years ago about when you and Nash would finally tie the knot.” He looked over at my mom and smiled wider. “Miller had hoped this would happen much sooner, but I knew my son and, well, I figured you wouldn’t take it easy on him.” Laughter filtered through the room. Taking it easy on him was the understatement of the century.
“So Julie handed it over.” Fred held out his hand and Mom slapped an envelope in his palm. My mom shook her head and laughed.
“I couldn’t believe it when Miller told me he’d made the bet with you. I flat out asked him if he’d ever met his daughter because even I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. He’d be so proud of both of you.” Phil took her hand as she struggled to get the words out. It took a powerful man to hear the love she still had for my dad and not feel jealous, but Phil let her talk about him whenever she wanted, and I loved him for it.
“Did we miss it?” A voice yelled from the door, and I turned to see Tayla and Lark pulling off their jackets.
“Yes, of course you did. You both are never on time for anything,” Kipp said, annoyance dripping from his words.
“Well sorry bro, we figured this event deserved more than beer.” They pulled bottles of champagne from their bags and handed them to Nora before launching themselves at me.
“How long are you both here?” I managed to ask between the squeals and hugs.
“Only for two days. We have to head to a rodeo in Texas.” Lark said, and she sounded disappointed. I looked up at Nash, and as if he could read my thoughts, he nodded.
“Well, what if we get married tomorrow?” I said, looking around the room. “Why wait?” I shrugged, and the place erupted with chatter and I looked over at Nash, who now had Lottie in his arms. Moving through the sea of people that had invaded our house, we moved to the stairs where things were slightly quieter.
“Are you sure you don’t want a big wedding? You didn’t have one the first time.” His face was full of concern.
“I don’t need a big wedding as long as you’re the one at the opposite end of the aisle. All that matters is that you, Josie, Lottie and I are officially a family and I don’t need hundreds of people’s approval on that day, just the people that matter to us.” I rolled up on my toes and pressed my mouth to his.
Nash pulled away from me and smiled. “Let’s have a wedding.”
The night wore on and the party kept going. Us girls had broken off into our own group and we were frantically making nots and laughing. “Okay, but what are you going to do about a dress?” Nora asked as a hush fell over the group at the kitchen table.
“I bet you’d fit into Mom’s dress.” Tayla said, looking from Mom to me.
“If you’d like to wear it, I would love it if you did.” She beamed as she said the words. “I seem to remember it got left at the house when I moved.” She frowned, and it was like she was trying to retrace her steps as to where it would be.
“Let’s go girls.” Lark said, jumping from the table. I stood to follow and wobbled a little. Champagne always went to my head quickly, and I’d lost count of how many glasses I’d had. Kristin grabbed my arm to steady me. Looking over at her, I saw she had a stupid grin on her face, and I wasn’t sure how she could catch me because she looked as plastered as I felt. We burst into a fit of giggles, and it got worse when everyone turned to stare at us.
“We’re going to the house for a minute. Boys, you’re on sleeping baby duties,” Nora said as we all marched out of the house like we were on a mission. We were out the door before the guys could say anything. The cool air hit me and helped sober me up slightly.
“Remind me not to drink champagne again,” I said to Nora as I threaded my arm around hers.
“I’ll try to remember.” We laughed, and I was so grateful for her friendship. “We all need to search closets. The one in our room is out because I know there’s nothing in there. Cooper’s closet also doesn’t have it hanging up,” Nora said as we entered the house.
Everyone took a room, and we searched to no avail. A sadness washed over me, not because I wouldn’t have a dress. I had plenty of dresses that would work, but because I’d wanted to share this with Mom.
“Where else could it be?” Mom asked as she stood next to the portrait of Dad. Suddenly, she stood straighter and walked with purpose to Kipp’s office. She flicked on the light and walked to the closet door.
“Mom, we checked in here.” Tayla said.
“I know you did, but you didn’t know that there was a nook in the corner. It was from one renovation when your grandfather added to the layout of the house.” Mom reached deeper into the back of the closet and there was a pop. Shifting, she could move further in, and her eyes lit up when she found something. “We put it away so you girls wouldn’t play dress up with it.” She pulled out a garment bag and pulled the zipper down.
Mom pulled her dress out and placed the bag over the back of the chair. “It looks just like it did when I wore it. Well, maybe a little yellowed, but I don’t think it’s too bad.” She smiled and held it up to me.
“Well, it’s not like I can wear white,” I said absentmindedly, and a hush fell over the room. Tayla tried to squash the burst of giggles that was trying to escape, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her. We all gave into the fits of laughter, and the feel of the room lightened again.
“Nash is about the same size as Dad was, right?” Lark said as she held up Dad’s suit jacket, smiling.
“His boutonniere is still on it,” I said as I looked at the brown dried flowers that had seen better days.
“Mom?” I said, looking at her.
“He’d want it no other way.” She blinked and held her hand out to me. We clasped hands, and both blinked away tears that proved to be futile.
“Try it on.” Wanda said, beaming like she was Nash’s mother.
Slipping into my old room, Mom followed me and helped me get the dress on. The zipper went up easily, and I was surprised it was long enough since I was a few inches taller than Mom. “You’re a vision.” She covered her mouth with her hands.
“Hurry up. We’ve got more champagne to drink.” One of my sisters yelled through the closed door.
“I should text Nash and tell him to hide the bottles. It’ll be midnight before we get them up for the wedding.” Mom put her arm around my shoulder and laughed with me .
“You have no idea how much I missed you, Fallie Girl.” She used to call me that all the time, but I hadn’t heard it since I was a teen. She reached for the door.
“I missed you too, Mama,” I said before the door opened. Walking out into the living room, there was a collective inhale.
“It’s perfect,” Nora said, clapping quietly.
“She’s right. It looks like it was made for you.” Wanda agreed.
“Now I want to get married and wear it.” Lark sighed.
“Me too.” Tayla agreed, throwing her arm around Lark’s shoulder.
“One wedding at a time.” Mom said as she shook her head. “I think it’s unanimous that you have to wear this dress tomorrow.”