by Lori Ryan
“Okay, we have to head downstairs for the present.” He took one last look around the room to be sure they hadn’t left anything like underwear slung up over a lamp. He could come back and straighten the room later.
“For me?” Becca asked, looking up at him wide-eyed.
“Yep. For my best girl.”
Becca giggled as they all started down the stairs.
Devlin and he had decided to not have anyone stand up with them during the ceremony. Max had told Becca several days ago that since he didn’t have a best man, she’d be their flower girl and his best girl. She’d been so excited, squealing with delight.
When they got down to the lower level, he went to their bedroom and took two wrapped boxes from the dresser.
“Open it,” he said, handing one package to his niece.
“Okay.” She slowly removed the wrapping, so unlike himself as a child. He wondered what his kids would be like when they were Becca’s age.
She held the small box in her hand, staring down as if the container itself was the gift.
“Open it,” he urged.
She lifted the lid, handing it to him as she opened the tissue. She gasped, then stared up at him. “Uncle Max, it’s…”
Max took the box from her hand and pulled out the small bracelet. She’d seen it at the Disney Store over a month ago during a trip to Denver. She’d immediately asked for it but Jake had told her it was too expensive. Without either of them knowing, Max had slipped back into the store and purchased it.
The sterling silver bracelet had an adjustable clasp that would expand as Becca grew. Two charms dangled from the band. One was a silver rose with ruby petals depicting Beauty and the Beast, Becca’s favorite movie. She’d made Max watch the damned DVD more times than he thought humanly possible without actually ending in fatalities.
The other charm was a Mickey Mouse pendant covered with tiny crystals on one side. The other was engraved with a quote from Walt Disney.
“Can you read it, Half Pint?” he asked.
Becca was several grades above her age in reading level.
She stared at the charm for several seconds, but pressed her lips together.
Max turned the charm over and read the quote. “It says, ‘Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. Dreams are forever.’ You should always remember that, okay?”
She nodded. “It’s so pretty, Uncle Max.” Her chin trembled.
“No crying today. I’m getting married.” He smiled. “Here, give me your wrist.”
She stuck out her tiny arm.
Max pulled the bracelet apart and slid it easily into place. “See here,” he pointed to the clasp. “We can adjust it as you grow. And we can add more charms here when you want.”
She touched the charms and the bracelet with reverence, her mouth hanging open wide. “I love it,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Uncle Max. You don’t owe me any money for swear words.” She released him and stepped back, staring him in the eyes. “But only for today.”
He laughed. “Deal.” Looking up, he saw that Aunt Sally had tears in her eyes. “Oh, for Christ’s sake.”
Sally wiped them away with her sleeve. “What?”
He turned and saw Devlin sitting on the edge of the bed, wiping her own eyes.
“Oh, God. Chicks.” He shook his head.
“Let’s go, mister,” Sally said, pointing to the door.
“Hold on.” He stood and moved toward Devlin, holding out a box for her.
“For me?” she asked, looking down at the gift then up at him.
“For you.”
Just as Becca had done, Devlin stared down at the box for a long moment.
“Open it, Aunt Devlin,” Becca encouraged.
Devlin kissed their niece, smiling wide. “Okay, sweetie.” She unwrapped the box and carefully lifted the top. It was the same size and shape as Becca’s. She pulled away the tissue and gasped. “Oh, Max,” she said, staring up at him.
Not only had Becca marveled at the bracelet in the store, so had Devlin, revealing that Cinderella had always been her favorite princess. She said she never knew Prince Charmings really existed until she met Max.
“What is it?” Becca asked, moving closer.
Max took the bracelet from the box and held it up for Becca and Sally to see.
“It’s like mine, Aunt Devlin.” Becca held up her wrist.
The bracelets were similar in design but Devlin’s had different charms. One was a shoe covered in diamonds, for Cinderella’s glass slipper. The other was a round charm with an inscription.
Devlin turned the charm in her fingers and read the engraving. “Enchantment awaits.”
“I sure hope so,” Max said.
“Oh, Max,” she said, looking up at him. Her light brown eyes were shining with happiness. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you so much.”
“Let me put it on,” he said.
She pulled back the sleeve of her dress and stuck out her arm.
He widened the cuff and slid it on, securing the fastener.
Devlin twisted her wrist back and forth. “I love it.” She glanced up at him. “I love you.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
He grasped her hard, tugging her to him. “I love you, too.”
Suddenly, something between them moved.
Devlin scooted back and looked down at her stomach. “Apparently Big and Bigger love you too.”
Max laughed at the nicknames Devlin had given their twins.
Since they didn’t know the gender, they hadn’t yet decided on names. Even though they’d agreed to reveal the gender today with their wedding cake, Max knew Devlin was in no hurry to find out.
The only thing they knew for sure was they were having identical twins. Max wasn’t sure how they would tell them apart once they were born. Should he tattoo them? Mark them with a different colored ribbon? Maybe he could paint a toenail on each of them a different color as a code.
Aunt Sally nudged between them, squeezing Max’s shoulder. “All right, scoot scoot. We’ve got a bride to get beautified.”
Max stood but stared down at Devlin, not quite believing she’d agreed to be his bride. He knew she’d overcome a lot from her childhood and today was monumental for her. “Thanks for saying yes,” he said, bending and kissing her forehead. He leaned lower. “Thank you babies for being with Mommy. Tell her I’ll be the guy on the right at the end of the aisle.” He pressed a quick kiss to her belly.
“Ooo,” Devlin said, clasping her belly.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded and smiled. “I think they were trying to kiss you back…with their heels.”
Max laughed. “Love you, Minx. See ya soon.” He slipped his hand around her neck, squeezing as he brought her head to his. He pressed a soft kiss against her lips and pulled back far sooner than he wanted. “Forever?”
She smiled, her eyes lighting with amusement…and love, he could see.
He raised a brow, still waiting for an answer.
“Forever, Stud Muffin.” she whispered. “Forever.”
Chapter Seven
“Okay, just one more flower here,” Daisy said, standing behind Devlin as her sister, Mia, adjusted Devlin’s hair for the zillionth time. “There!” they both said triumphantly.
“Wait, hold on,” Lily said just as Devlin was about to turn to see her reflection in the mirror. “Pucker,” she said.
Devlin had found that it was best to do as Max’s cousins asked, so she puckered her lips. Each of Sally’s girls had talents that served her well for a wedding but the fuss was becoming a bit much.
Lily, who’d been coordinating everything, quickly dabbed on one more layer of lipstick. “Yes,” she said, shoving the stick back in its case. “Perfect.”
Abbie stood in the corner snapping pictures. Thankfully she’d volunteered since Devlin, a professional photographer, couldn’t take her own pictures even though she’d been tempted to try. Being
on this side of the camera was hard for her.
“You look beautiful,” Abbie said, smiling.
Holly, the sister who’d made her dress, bent low fussing at her hem. “Hold on, wait, just one more stitch here.”
“Guys,” Devlin swatted them away. “Enough.”
Their faces fell as if she’d taken away their Barbies.
“Sorry, I’m just…” Overwhelmed? Dazed? Petrified.
“Okay, everyone let’s get out and give her a few minutes.”
Devlin glanced up glad to see her best friend Maggie in the doorway, shooing away everyone except for Holly. Devlin knew these women would soon be her family and didn’t want to offend them. Obviously Maggie didn’t care.
“Bye, Dev,” one of them said. “You look beautiful,” another called out. Each gave her words of encouragement. The support of Max’s family offered was overwhelming, but wonderful all the same.
“Oh, Devlin,” Maggie said, looking her up and down. “You look gorgeous. I thought my wedding dress was beautiful, but Holly really outdid herself this time.”
Devlin slowly turned and took in her reflection in the mirror.
Mia had worked her hair into an intricate sophisticated bun. Daisy had scattered white posies in her dark hair that matched her small bouquet. Her eyes traveled to her dress. It was unique in its design and color. Nothing like she’d ever seen but absolutely perfect for her.
The dusky rose material fell in waves down her body from an empire waist. Ivory lace overlaid the satin, the mesh littered with delicate flowers Holly had painstakingly appliquéd. The bodice was made of the same delicate lace and cut into a deep “V” in the front and back with a layer of the rose beneath it. The design was elegant and sexy at the same time.
Devlin had once feared looking like a whale walking down the aisle nearly six months pregnant. Instead she felt…stunning. The cut and design were nothing short of a miracle.
“It’s beautiful, Holly,” she sighed. She turned and stared at Max’s cousin. “Are you sure you don’t want to design maternity wedding dresses for a living?”
Holly laughed.
“You really should,” Maggie said. “I thought my dress was amazing, but this one,” Maggie waved her hand up and down Devlin’s dress. “It’s perfection.”
“Thanks, guys,” Holly blushed. She walked around Delvin one final time. “Well, it looks like everything’s in place. I’m going to head out.” Holly reached over and kissed Devlin on the cheek. “Good luck. Max is a good guy.”
Devlin nodded. “He is.”
“Bye guys.”
Devlin and Maggie waved and then turned back to one another.
“You ready?” Maggie asked.
“I think so.”
“I’m so happy for you, Dev,” Maggie said. “And after today we’re going to be sisters.” She squealed.
“We’ve always been sisters, in my heart.”
“Me too,” Maggie said. “But now it’s official.”
“Oh, Devlin,” her mother said from the doorway. “You look beautiful.”
Devlin stared at her reflection. She really did. “Thanks mom.”
“Wow,” Max’s mother said, walking in. “Just, wow, Devlin.”
“Thanks, Valerie.” Devlin smiled.
Devlin’s mom glanced at Valerie. “Do you have it?”
Valerie nodded.
Her mother stepped in closer. “Valerie and I knew you needed something old and something new.”
“Something borrowed, something blue,” Valerie added.
“Oh my gosh,” Maggie held a hand to her heart. “We completely forgot.”
“I’m not superstitious,” Devlin said. She didn’t have the heart to tell her mother and Valerie that she’d seen Max earlier this morning.
“Well, we’re old fashioned,” her mother said. “We heard Max took care of the something new part, but we wanted to cover the others. Here.” She held out a blue ribbon that looked faded with time. “I wore this at my wedding.”
Devlin stared at her in surprise.
“I know, I know,” her mother said, “mine didn’t turn out too great, but this was actually your grandmother’s, and she and my grandfather were married for sixty-two years. It must skip a generation, so you’ll be fine.”
All the women laughed.
“And this is John’s wedding ring,” Valerie said, holding her hand open. In her palm lay a gold band.
Devlin and Maggie drew in a gasp. “Oh, Valerie,” Devlin’s eyes burned with emotion as she stared from the ring to Valerie. “I couldn’t. That’s so special.”
“And so are you, sweetheart,” Valerie said, stepping forward to cup her cheek. “No tears,” Valerie said, wiping at Devlin’s cheeks. “Mia will kill me if you walk out there with your makeup smeared.”
Devlin bit her lip to keep from totally breaking down.
“John would be so happy to have you as his daughter-in-law,” she said, “just like I am.” Valerie glanced over at Maggie. “Now I have two daughters. It only took me almost thirty years.” She glanced between the two of them. “But you were both worth the wait.”
And with that, Devlin lost it. “Oh, crap,” she said, pressing her thumbs underneath her lids.
Her mother brought up several tissues, dabbing under Devlin’s eyes. “You look fine.”
“Okay,” Valerie said, stepping back. She held the ring out to Devlin’s mom. Her mother slipped the ribbon through the ring then held it up and moved toward Devlin. “You don’t need luck,” she said, “but we need traditions. New traditions, huh baby?” She said.
Devlin nodded, knowing what her mother meant.
She gently tied the ribbon around Devlin’s neck and adjusted the ring until it settled just above her heart. “Perfect,” she said. “Like you.”
Devlin fanned her face. “You guys are going to have me completely breaking down before I even walk outside.”
“Okay, okay,” Valerie smiled. “We’ll go. I just want to say one thing. Something my mother told me on the day I married John.”
Devlin leaned in close.
“He’s a different man than your father. Don’t judge him because of your past. Treat him better than you were.” Valerie kissed her cheek and with no other words turned to leave.
“Valerie,” Devlin called out.
Her soon-to-be mother-in-law turned to face her.
Devlin placed her hand on the ring. “I’ll treat him well. I promise.”
“I know you will. I’ll see you out there.”
Devlin swallowed down a sob, turning to face her mother, who was crying.
“Mom, come on.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Devlin. I was a horrible example of what love should be.”
“I didn’t have a good one either,” Maggie said. “Neither did Valerie.” She nodded toward the door. “Both our fathers are alcoholics, but we’re making it work.” Maggie moved to grasp her mother’s arm. “You’re here now and that’s all that matters, Phyllis.”
Her mother reached over and pressed a soft kiss to Devlin’s face. “Love you, sweetie. I’m so proud of you.”
“I love you too, Mom. And I’m proud of you. I know it wasn’t easy for you to leave dad.”
Maggie pulled Devlin’s mother toward the door.
“Wait,” Devlin called out to Maggie.
Maggie turned.
“Is Grant ready?” Devlin asked. She had a surprise for Max that included Grant.
Maggie smiled. “He’s ready. And so is Max.”
Devlin grinned as she watched the two most important women in her life walk out the door, leaving her all alone in the bedroom.
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Some of the eye makeup had washed away but it was okay. She could stand to lose a little of it. She swallowed hard, trying not to cry. John’s wedding band hung from her neck and she touched it gently, reverently.
“Thanks for raising such a great man,” she said. “I’m sorry you’re
not here to see him today. I know he misses you every day.” She bit her trembling lip, trying to keep from completely breaking down. “Because you loved and respected Valerie every day, you showed Max how to be a wonderful husband, and an amazing father. I’ll always be grateful to you for that gift. And so will our children.”
She swallowed hard and stared at the picture sitting on their dresser. It was Max’s family. It looked like they were at a picnic. They were trying to make a human pyramid but failing miserably. But all of them were laughing, smiling, a candid shot that photographers work so hard to capture. She hoped that would be her and Max someday.
She looked back at the mirror, staring at the ring. “My own dad isn’t here today to walk me down the aisle.” She’d let go of the image of the father she wanted a long time ago, realizing her dad was never going to be what she needed. She was thankful to have John close to her heart. “I’m glad you’ll be walking with me today.”
“Aunt Devlin, who are you talking to?”
Devlin glanced at the door. Becca stood inside. Her dress was just as beautiful as Devlin’s, a matching design. The only difference was hers was a champagne color that suited Becca perfectly. Her wild curls were tamed and pinned high on her head, the same posies littering in her dark brown strands.
“I was talking to Max’s father.”
“I thought my grandpa was dead.”
“Well, physically he is, but sometimes you can feel people with you long after they’re gone from this Earth.”
“Like my mom?” she asked.
Sometimes Devlin forgot that this sweet little girl had lost her mother only a year ago.
Devlin squatted down in front of her. “Just like your mom,” she said.
“Sometimes I talk to her, too.”
“That’s good. I’m sure she hears you and she wishes she was with you. Just like Uncle Max’s dad.”
Becca nodded, her understanding of things far beyond her years not surprising. Becca was a special girl, an old soul and Devlin was so glad to have her in her life.
“Are you ready to go?” Devlin said, standing.
“Yeah. Aunt Lily sent me in to get you.”
Devlin smiled. Even though technically Lily and her sisters were her father’s cousins, Becca still called them aunts. Devlin grabbed her bouquet with one hand, reaching out for Becca’s with her other. Her bangle fell to her wrist.