Love Redesigned (15 page)

Epilogue

Her wedding day. It was finally here after almost a year of planning, moving to France, applying for business licenses. Pretty much turning her life upside down.

It still gave her butterflies, and she pressed a hand to her stomach. Roman loved her, of that she was sure. But she still worried from time to time she’d be pushed away from him.

Someone knocked at the bedroom door.

“Come in,” she called.

The door opened, and Daniel walked in, attired in a light gray suit. He looked at her, and whistled. “You look gorgeous, Sugar!”

“You think so? Is my hair okay like this?” She turned to the mirror and tucked a stray curl up into the loose double chignon.

He pulled her away from the mirror, picked up her hand, and twirled her around so the tea-length gown belled around her. “You’re beautiful. I love the dress—it’s a classic vintage design, simple and elegant. Just perfect for you.”

She smoothed the creamy white satin down over the tulle skirt, adjusted the matching belt at her waist. A single large white camellia graced the buckle at her side, delicate fronds waving in the breeze. The dress could have been strapless, but Roman had designed it so organza formed a sleeveless covering for her shoulders.

“Roman sent this for you.” Daniel handed her a small gift bag.

She opened the bag and pulled out a silk camellia, a diamond pin nestled in the center. “Oh, it’s perfect for my hair since I didn’t want to wear a veil!” She turned back to the mirror and pinned it in place to the side of her chignon.

“You about ready?” Daniel asked, his voice hoarse.

“You okay?”

He cleared his throat. “I’m just really happy for you, Sugar. Your dreams are coming true.”

She pulled him into a fierce hug. “Thank you so much for walking me down the aisle. You’ve been my friend through thick and thin for almost twenty years, and I love you to pieces. There’s no one I’d want more to walk me down the aisle today.”

He stepped back and flapped a hand in front of his face. “Now don’t you make me cry, because then you’ll cry and ruin your makeup, and we’ll never get you to the wedding on time!”

She picked up her bouquet of white roses, camellias, and lily of the valley. She took a deep breath and nodded. “Ready.”

Daniel opened the door to her sitting room just as Connie Sue was about to knock.

“Oh my gosh. You’re gorgeous! I was just coming to get you.” She stood back a moment and looked Genevieve up and down. “Well, the dress is new, but do you have old, borrowed, and blue?”

Genevieve touched an earring. “I’m wearing my mother’s pearl earrings, and I have blue on my garter. I guess I forgot about the borrowed thing.”

Connie Sue picked up a bag from outside the door. “Never fear, Connie Sue is here.” She pulled out the shoes she had worn at her own wedding. “Good thing we’re the same size, isn’t it?”

She stepped out of her plain heels, and put on the borrowed glittery white pumps, grateful her cousin had such good taste.

“Now I’m ready to go.”

The trio headed down the stairs of Roman’s house . . . her new home, toward the back yard. Cutting through the kitchen, she glanced at the caterers hired for the occasion preparing the meal for the reception. They all stood aside and applauded as she passed by them. She ducked her head, her cheeks growing hot.

Stopping at the cart holding the wedding cake, she looked at it for the hundredth time. It had to be perfect, after all. She’d gone with simple and elegant, four layers covered in a pale pink fondant with white accents. Roman had given her the cake topper, one he’d found at an antique store in Paris. Three delicate pink porcelain roses sat in a cluster, adorned with crystal baby’s breath. She cherished it, and his thoughtfulness, in searching for something special for their day.

“Come on, Sugar, we need to get you married.” Daniel tugged on her arm. “It’s a masterpiece already.”

They left the house, Connie Sue corralling the twins. Melly and Bella were excited to be flower girls again, and it was all they had talked about for weeks. Their matching dresses were similar to Genevieve’s, but a pale lilac color. They wore adorable wreaths on their heads, and lilac ribbons hung down to mix with their dark curls.

The sun was just beginning to set, the sky filled with deep jewel tones. Stepping onto the white runner, she stopped at the long arched trellis walkway covered in wisteria blooms and white twinkle lights. Stunned, she realized he must have had the blooming flowers flown in just for their wedding ceremony, since it was too early for theirs to bloom yet. A wooden plaque hung between the sides of the trellis, attached by ribbons and flowers.

Our story continues.

He was constantly doing little things to show her how much he loved her. A joyous sense of rightness filled heart.
This is the right thing for me. For us.

“Do you have a piece of paper and a pen?”

Daniel searched his pockets but came up empty.

“I’ll be right back.” She hurried back to the kitchen and opened the door.

Heads turned toward her, and Luc Roussell, a local chef she had gotten to be friends with, sauntered to her side. “Gigi, you’re supposed to be walking down the aisle. You aren’t changing your mind, are you?”

“No way! I just need a piece of paper and a pen.” She opened the drawer of the tiny desk in the kitchen and rummaged around. She found a pen but her normal pad of paper wasn’t there. She looked around and spied a piece of butcher paper on the counter. She tore a piece off and wrote quickly:

I can’t wait to kiss you, and be your wife for always.

She folded the paper and tossed the pen down, hurried back outside. Bending over, she asked the twins to give it to their Uncle Roman when they reached him.

The music swelled as Connie Sue began her walk through the archway and down the aisle to the lakeside altar. As matron of honor, she looked regal herself in the black and ecru floral embroidered dress Roman had designed for her to wear.

Melly and Bella soon followed her. Melly dropped pink rose petals from the basket, carefully measuring them out as she walked the aisle. Bella took her duties seriously, clutching the note for Roman tight in her little hand.

Daniel turned to her, picked up her hand and tucked it beneath his arm. “Ready?”

She smiled at him, and nodded.

They walked through the archway and stopped at the edge. She glanced to the side and noticed a frame hanging on the side of the wood. Her breath backed up in her lungs as she read the sentiment.

I have always known it was you.

Her hands shook as she looked up the aisle that seemed to stretch for miles to meet Roman’s eyes. He smiled at her, and she wanted to run to his side.

The music changed to “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring,” the song they had chosen because it was her mother’s favorite. In that moment, she imagined her parents were both there, by her side. She had held on to a lot of hurt over the years, and now finally understood she had to give it up in order to be the best wife, the best partner, for the man she loved.

She glanced at the guests watching her walk down the aisle, and smiled at Sophie sitting on the groom’s side in the front row. A few months ago, Roman had finally decided to tell his new half-sister about their relationship. It had been a shock to Sophie, but they were beginning to forge a bond.

Daniel and Genevieve walked forward down the aisle, but he paused about three-fourths of the way down. He nudged her and she glanced at him. He surreptitiously pointed to another frame hanging on the back of one of the guest chairs.

Beside you is where I belong.

Her eyes filled with happy tears and she opened her eyes wide, determined not to let them fall.

They continued down the aisle, and the twins reached the altar. Bella held her hand up to Roman. He knelt down and took the note, hugged each of the girls. He stood again and slowly unfolded the note.

She waited, hoping it was enough to show him how much she loved him.

He looked up at her, and met her eyes. The intense look of love and lust on his face filled her heart. She couldn’t wait to get rid of all these people so they could be alone.

As they neared the halfway point, another sign hung from the back of a chair.

In you I’ve found the love of my life and my best friend.

Never again would she doubt she had done the right thing.

She pulled Daniel forward, almost hurrying the rest of the way down the aisle. A wreath graced the front of the altar, and one last beribboned sign.

Avec vous, je sais ce qu’est l’amour. With you, I know what love is.

They reached the altar, and she turned to hug Daniel. “Thank you for always being there for me.”

He kissed her cheek. “Always, Sugar. Now go get your man.” He stepped to his place beside Connie Sue.

She moved to Roman’s side, looking up at the man she loved more than anything in the world. They had been through terrible times, together and apart. But now they were starting their life together, as it should be.

“I love you so much. Thank you for today.”

“I wanted you to know how much I love you, and want to proclaim it to the world.”

He leaned forward and kissed her, and it slid through her to the very depths of her soul. She would have gladly gone on kissing him, but the minister cleared his throat.

“You are putting the cart before the horse, young man.”

The guests laughed, and her cheeks burned. Roman squeezed her hand and they reluctantly pulled apart.

The minister began, and she listened closely, taking every word he said to heart. She spoke her vows to Roman, keeping her eyes on his. With every word, she tried to convey how much she meant them, and she promised to live up to them each and every day.

When it was his turn to repeat his vows, she held his hand, and could hear the truth behind his words. He loved her, and she would never doubt it again. They had begun as young lovers, but now came to each other with a new love—a stronger, redesigned love. One that would sustain them all their days.

The minister pronounced them husband and wife, and told Roman
now
he could kiss his bride.

And boy does he know how to kiss.

His lips moved over hers, sealing their vows.

They faced their guests and walked hand in hand down the aisle, ready to start the newest chapter of their lives.

Together at last.