CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The next morning was cloudy when Morgan padded to the sliding glass door in the master bedroom and looked out.
Brad came up behind her and drew her back against him. “Rhonda promised us a lovely afternoon for our wedding. Crazy as it seems right now, I believe her.”
“Rhonda and her romantic notions are a hoot,” said Morgan. “I love those two women together.”
“Everyone does, so I’ve heard,” Brad said. “How about a walk on the beach? It’s cloudy right now, but it’s pleasantly warm.”
They dressed in shorts and T-shirts and hit the beach. The grayness of the sky accented the white-edged waves rolling into shore, helped by an onshore breeze. Shore life continued as usual, with birds circling above them and smaller birds scurrying on the sand next to the water.
At this early hour, there were few people about.
Brad tugged Morgan to him and smiled down at her. “You’re making me a happy man today.”
“And I’m a happy woman to have found you. We have so much to look forward to. I think Simon has helped me see that.”
Brad looked up and waved to someone. “Remember that surprise I told you about? Turn around.”
Morgan watched a man stroll toward them. She studied him. He reminded her of someone, but who?
As he came closer, she froze.
“Oh, my word! Is that…?” Morgan began and then took off running.
“Austin! You came!” She ran up to him and threw her arms around him. “You looked so much like Simon, it took my breath away. How can I ever thank you for being here?” She couldn’t help the tears of joy that escaped.
Austin beamed at her. “When Brad invited me, I knew I had to attend your wedding. It’s something that Simon would want to do for himself. Now, I’m doing it for him…and for you and Brad, of course. Alexis is sorry she couldn’t travel with me; she’s staying home with Sim.”
“How is the baby?”
Austin’s smile widened. “He’s fantastic. Well, maybe not at 2 AM, but he’s getting better. We’re just sorry that Simon couldn’t see his little namesake. He’d be as taken with him as Lexi and I are.”
“Are you staying at the hotel?” asked Morgan.
“Yes. I was able to get a room at the last minute. I see now why Simon thought this was such a special place. It’s gorgeous.”
“A perfect place for a wedding,” said Morgan.
Brad and Austin shook hands. “Thanks for coming. Come meet my family and Morgan’s best friends. We were planning on joining them for breakfast.”
“I’d like that,” said Austin.
Morgan gazed at him, still amazed he’d made the trip. She knew what responsibilities he had, running his part of Simon’s companies. Simon had spoken proudly of Austin. Now, she knew why. He was a very down-to-earth, kind man. Just like Simon.
###
As they joined the others at the house, the sun broke through the clouds, and the bright, sunny day they’d been promised came alive.
Austin was introduced to everyone and eagerly told the story of how his grandfather and Morgan had connected over books. He smiled at her. “You made the last months of my grandfather’s life a blessing. My mother, Alexis, and I can never thank you enough.”
Morgan let out a trembling breath. Austin looked so much like a younger version of Simon that it was almost as if he were there with them.
At breakfast, Tracy said, “I’ve made arrangements for the women and Lizzy to get a spa treatment and their hair done, my treat.”
“Me, too?” asked Lizzy, round-eyed.
“Yes,” said Ashley. “Lizzy, please thank Ms. Tracy.”
“Thank you. I love being a flower girl,” said Lizzy. “It’s like I’m a princess.”
“It’s very special that you’re here,” said Morgan. “Ben, too. He’s an excellent ring bearer.” She still had no idea what her ring looked like. Another surprise from Brad.
###
While the men played golf, Morgan spent the rest of the morning and the early afternoon with Tracy, Ashley, and Lizzy, relaxing at the spa and then making the trip downtown to the hair salon the hotel had recommended.
Tracy made an effort to be affectionate with her.
At first, it had felt a bit awkward, but by the time they returned to the hotel, Morgan realized this was how it was in some families between mothers and daughters.
After settling into her marriage to Brad, she would ask her mother if they could attend therapy together.
It seemed a shame to be so disconnected.
Morgan wasn’t sure her mother would agree, but at least she would ask her.
###
Ashley and Lizzy came to the guest room in the Presidential Suite to dress for the wedding. The deep-pink dress Morgan had picked out for Ashley fit her beautifully, and with its three-quarter sleeves and tea-length was lovely for a garden wedding.
Lizzy looked like an angel in her pink floral dress, wearing a small crown of flowers.
When Morgan pulled out her dress from the closet, Ashley gasped. “It’s gorgeous. With your auburn hair, it couldn’t be better.”
Morgan’s lips curved with satisfaction. “Ann Sanders, one of the owners, helped me pick it out.”
Ashley helped her zip up the dress.
At a knock on the door, Tracy slipped inside. “I had to see you myself. Thank you for inviting me here. I’ve brought a bottle of champagne and three glasses so we can wish this wedding well.”
She set the bottle and glasses down on the coffee table in the lounge area and turned to Morgan. “Oh, sweetheart, the dress is lovely, and so are you.”
Morgan gazed at herself in the mirror. The dress had a scoop neckline and a bodice covered in lace that formed cap sleeves; the rest, in the palest of pink, fell in beguiling soft folds to Morgan’s ankles in a cloud of chiffon.
“May I help you with the string of pearls?” Tracy asked.
Morgan blinked rapidly. “It would be an honor to have you do that.”
“I have a gift for you, too,” said Ashley. “Here.”
“Can I open it?” asked Lizzy.
“Of course. As my flower girl, it’s one of your duties,” said Morgan, smiling.
Lizzy ripped the gold paper off the small box and handed it to Morgan.
Inside the box was a pair of pearl drop earrings.
“Oh, how beautiful,” said Morgan. “They go with the necklace.”
“I know. I snuck into the gift shop after I heard what Tracy had given you,” said Ashley.
“I’m supposed to be giving you a gift, not the other way around,” Morgan said, grinning as she slipped the earrings on.
“What?” said Ashley. “This is the best vacation ever. Thank you for making this happen. Right, Lizzy?”
“Yes!” Lizzy nodded so hard she tilted the crown of flowers.
Tracy checked her watch. “Okay, ladies, it’s time. I’ll help Lizzy get started down the path in the garden, then I’ll sit to watch the two of you join us. The guitar player is already here, along with the minister.”
Tracy and Lizzy left, giving Morgan a moment to hug Ashley and whisper, “Thanks for being here for me.”
Ashley dabbed at her eyes. “Don’t you dare get me started. C’mon. Ann and Rhonda are waiting for us by the garden entry.”
###
As Morgan followed Ashley down the garden path to the sound of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” she felt as if she were in a dream. She kept her eyes on Brad and was touched when he teared up. Forcing herself to contain her own tears, she moved forward and then into his arms.
Though they had a minister presiding, the service was very short, allowing them enough time to make their unrehearsed vows of lasting love and support as they exchanged plain, gold wedding rings that she loved.
“Now you may kiss the bride,” the minister said and laughed as Brad swept Morgan into his arms and twirled her around.
Morgan found Ben staring at them as she and Brad kissed.
Brad noticed too and said quietly, “Someday you will understand how true love can fill you with such joy.”
“I hope it doesn’t happen for a while,” said Ben. “The girls in my class are kind of dumb.”
Everyone heard him. They all laughed even as the women wiped their tears from witnessing the tender exchanges in the ceremony.
This, thought Morgan, is the fairy tale I’ve always wanted. She gazed up at the sun shining in the blue sky and whispered, “Thank you, Simon.”
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