29. Epilogue
Epilogue
Six months later...
“ K nock knock,” Stella says, creeping into the room like a thief. When she sees I’m sitting up in bed she straightens and drops her purse. “Oh, I thought for sure I was gonna have to throw a bucket of water on you.”
“It’s my wedding day. Of course, I’m up.” I nod to the tray in her hands. “What’s that?”
“Your hubby made you breakfast.” She gracefully sets it over my lap and tosses me a playful smirk. “Before he snuck out of here this morning.”
I shrug and glance around the rental, remembering all the places we christened late into the night. “What did you expect?”
In the last six months, Graham and I have only spent one weekend apart, and that’s only because he had to fly to Boston to close a deal with a technology company.
The minute we got back to San Antonio after my sister’s wedding, we didn’t waste time shacking up together.
Graham told the board about us, which went over about as good as it could when telling a bunch of grumpy old men that he was going to marry the woman who was their choice for senior VP, who was also quitting to follow her own dreams. At least they were softened by the fact that he doubled the number of clients within four months.
She ignor es my comment and splays out beside me. “Are you ready for today?”
“I am.” I look down at the tray, smiling at the still warm French toast covered in whipped cream and syrup.
Graham has made this exact meal for me every weekend since we left Fredericksburg.
An envelope sits beside the plate, and I decide to wait until my stomach isn’t roiling to read whatever he has to say to me. “More than ready.”
I chew on the first bite and groan at the vibrant taste of the pineapple rum-infused syrup Graham concocted. The flavors mix perfectly with his signature homemade whipped cream, and I send a thank you to the heavens that I get to spend my life with such a good cook.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” she says, grabbing my hand. “I’m so happy for you, girl.”
I look up to the ceiling, blinking away tears. “I’m just glad you and Jameson were able to be here. I don’t think I could get married without my maid of honor on this continent.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. His brother can deal with his little problem without Jameson needing to mediate.”
I chuckle at the thought of Jameson’s brother, CJ, having trouble at his new job in London. With all the strife he put Jameson and Stella through, I’d say he deserves it.
She rolls over to Graham’s side of the bed and pulls something out of her purse. “I was told to give you this.”
“What is it?”
She sets a black box on the bed beside me. “I’m going to go check in with Winnie and see if there’s anything she needs.”
My hands shake as I reach for the box, and the smooth velvet soothes my speeding heart rate.
What could Graham have bought me when I have everything I need?
Winnie gave me a custom emerald lace lingerie set that’l l be hidden beneath my dress, and Wendy and Waverly went in together on a pair of Ruche tulle Jimmy Choo pumps with a crystal anklet.
My something borrowed would be my mom’s wedding dress, so there’s nothing left I need.
I glance at the envelope on the tray, figuring it’s best to read this and get all my tears out before putting on makeup. Nerves wreak havoc inside my stomach as I take out the letter.
Dear Pinky,
We made it.
Today, I get to marry my best friend. The woman who challenges me every day, who builds me up and encourages me, the person I can count on to tell me when I’m being an asshole. The other half of my heart.
Truth be told, had it not been for my dad ending up in the hospital, I would’ve begged you to marry me that day.
Stella probably would’ve killed me if she’d missed it, but I would have carried you down the aisle and professed my love in front of a bunch of people we didn’t know, simply so that I could call you my wife.
But things happened the way they did for a reason. If it wasn’t for a mariachi band playing in a pizzeria, and an overheard conversation in your office, I never would’ve acted on the feelings I kept pushing aside.
I can’t wait to see how beautiful you’ll look in your mother’s dress, but I have something I’d like you to wear. Months ago, your father gifted me with this box, before we ever knew we’d actually make it to this moment. Please wear it and meet me at the altar.
I love you more than words can express.
-Grah am
Tears drip down my cheeks as I reread his letter. I’m so lucky to be marrying this man . Graham was right. If it wasn’t for miscommunication and an ultimatum from the board, we would probably still be at each other’s throat because we’re both stubborn. I hold my breath as I open the box.
“Holy shit, no freakin’ way.” My mouth hangs open, and I’m fairly sure my heart has stopped beating.
A rose gold necklace with sparkling white and chocolate diamonds surrounding a heart-shaped pink pendant sits on the black velvet display, complete with a matching bracelet and two round diamond studs.
The rest of my mother’s jewelry set.
I blink through watery eyes, sliding my finger over the stunning diamonds I thought were lost after she passed.
Graham getting down on one knee and proposing with my mother’s ring in front of her vineyard was amazing but being able to marry him in the same place as I wear the dress and jewelry she wore while marrying the love of her life is… perfect.
Adrenaline streams through my body as I put everything aside and get ready. Winnie and Stella are ready for me the moment I waltz through the door, hustling around the room to get my hair and makeup finished.
“Dress time, sissy.” Winnie claps her hands, hurrying me along.
To say that she’s been excited to plan this wedding since the moment we officially got engaged, is an understatement.
Every single detail has been planned to a tee, right down to the moment I can take off my heels and go barefoot, and it’s her pride and duty to make sure it all goes off without a hitch.
I don’t need to know anything outside of where to be at what moment, because all that matters is that I marry my best friend today.
I breathe in the moment, listening for the telltale zip of the garment bag. Since Winnie tried to spring a double wedding on me, I haven’t looked at th e dress. I didn’t want to see it again until it was on my body, but right now, my heart trips as I hear the whoosh of the lace fabric.
“Graham is going to die when he sees you in that lingerie,” Stella says.
“Lift your arms,” Winnie says.
Between the three of us, we manage to get the dress over my head without messing up my hair. A door creaks open behind me, and a gasp makes me turn my head.
“You look absolutely gorgeous,” Wendy says, coming to stand in front of me. “That dress is perfect.”
Waverly nods, following her mom inside. “If I ever get married, I want to look as good as you do in that dress.”
The approval shining in everyone’s eyes gives me confidence to look in the mirror.
I suck in a sharp breath at the reflection staring back at me.
My gaze is drawn first to the pink hair falling in soft waves over my shoulders, highlighting my mom’s beautiful necklace, then to the stunning appliques lining the mermaid bodice that clings to my ample curves, ending on the deep-V back, which is my favorite part.
Like a princess, I spin around, smiling as the trumpet train swishes behind me.
They were right when they said the dress fit perfectly.
A tear slides down my cheek as I look at myself in the mirror.
At the strong woman staring back at me, surrounded by her family and friends.
Months ago, I hated coming to the winery because I felt out of place, the black sheep of my family.
It took many family dinners and intentionality on my part to stop excluding myself, but I finally feel like I belong.
And a big part of that is because of the man waiting for me at the altar.
“Someone grab me a tissue before she ruins her makeup,” Winnie says, coming to stand in front of me. Once she’s successfully patted my eyes dry, she squeezes my arms and says, “Let’s go get you hitched, sissy.”
Dad waits for me at the edge of the vineyard, away from the ceremony area.
Though it’s nearly ninety degrees, he’s dressed in a khaki suit with an emerald tie fastened at his neck.
We opted for a short, early morning ceremony in front of my mom’s vines where Graham proposed, but it’s still Texas.
The morning sun can be just as unforgiving as midday.
“Mija, te ves hermosa querida.” He takes a handkerchief from his pocket and dabs at his face. “Just as beautiful as your mom looked on the day I married her. She is looking down on this moment with a big smile on her face.”
“Aww, don’t make me cry.” I wave my hands in front of my face to dry the tears already forming. “How does he look?”
Dad chuckles. “Like a man ready to mow down anyone that stands between him and his bride today. Are you ready?”
I wrap my arm around his bicep and nod. He signals to the harpist that it’s time, and my stomach flips as we take the first step toward the aisle. It’s only been six hours since I last saw him, but even that feels too long. I’m so ready to start our life together.
A sheen of sweat glistens on my skin, but I can’t tell if it’s nerves or the heat. My gaze locks with Graham’s the minute I step into the alcove of my mother’s vines, and my heart squeezes when I see him dressed in an emerald-green suit fitted perfectly to his body.
“Wow,” he mouths.