The next morning, I meet Bree and Addison to grab some things from the local party supply store. Emily offered to host the baby shower on the farm. There is so much open land that with tents and nice linens, people won’t even realize they’re on a farm.
Once everything is set up, I say goodbye to the girls, and head down to our lake. A lot of things have changed since moving here almost a year ago. I still have my pristine work clothes and my abundance of shoes but when I’m not at work, I couldn’t care less about what I have on.
Dean is sitting on the dock with two fishing poles in his hands and a tub of worms. I sit down next to him and let my bare feet hang off the edge. “Hi, handsome.”
He turns and a smile brightens his face. “Hi, gorgeous,” he gives me a peck on the lips and hands me a pole.
I glance at the empty hook and the plastic container of worms crawling through the dirt. “Hell no, Dean, I’m not putting a worm on my hook.” I say as I pass the pole back to him.
He throws his head back and laughs. One thing that hasn’t changed is that I’m not an outdoorsy kind of girl, but Dean still tries to push the envelope. He takes the pole from my hands and a worm out of the container. I cringe when the sharp hook pierces the worm. I turn away as he threads the rest of its squirming body back and forth over the hook.
“All done, Angel.” I turn when he passes me back the pole.
Sitting behind me, he lets his legs outline mine. He places his hand over mine and helps me cast the line into the water.
Hours go by and I haven’t gotten a bite, though some little buggers have nipped the worm off my hook. Getting frustrated I set the pole down next to me.
“Here, try my pole,” he says as the baits the line. I furrow my brow. Does he have a special line or something? Maybe a supernatural worm that calls out to the fish.
“Just take it,” he says when he sees my confusion.
I sigh and roll my eyes, taking the pole from his hands. I’m blinded with the bait reflecting off the sun. As I get the hook closer I notice that it’s not a worm—it’s a fucking ring!
Dean reaches for the pole when he sees my state of shock. My hands fly up and I drop the pole to cover my mouth with my hands. Just like when he gave me my promise ring six months ago, I’m finding it hard to breathe. The simple process of inhaling and exhaling seems too hard for me to grasp when it comes to Dean and his surprises.
“Phoebe, promises don’t mean anything unless they are backed up with actions. Six months ago with I gave you that promise ring, I meant everything I said and now I want the opportunity to prove it all to you,” he gently wipes my tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “I will tell you I love you every day. I promise we will never go to bed angry. I promise to make you smile even when I’m an ass, and I promise to be the best husband and father I can be. Will you marry me and let me show you that I can promise you the world?”
He takes the ring off the hook and I can see his mouth moving but I can’t hear any words. I don’t wait for him to finish before jumping in his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck screaming “Yes!”
I my first real glimpse of the ring when he slides it on my finger. It’s a platinum band to match my promise ring, with a round diamond in the center and diamonds along each side. The tears fall as I stare at the beautiful ring on my finger that symbolizes everything I didn’t know I wanted, and everything I needed.
As I stand in front of the full length mirror at the Montgomery’s home. The home I came to after the accident, the home where I fell in love with the people that I will soon call mom and dad, and the home where I fell in love with my soon-to-be husband.
I feel like a princess in my Vera Wang, mermaid style, strapless wedding dress. It’s very simple and very me. I brush my hands over the front as I look at the woman I’ve become staring back at me. My hair is done in a fancy twist—with what must be a million bobby pins keeping it in place—and a few loose curls frame my face.
“Phoebe, you look beautiful,” I glance over my shoulder as my mom looks at me in awe. Her blue strapless gown looks equally amazing.
“So do you Mom,” I say as I pull her into a hug.
Emily joins us as we embrace. My two Moms’, the two most important women in my life, surround me with their love and calm my nerves.
I’m much less nervous than I thought I would be. This day is a long time in the making. Emily wanted us to get married right away but I needed time to sort things out.
After Dean proposed on our dock, he handed me a thick envelope. I pulled the papers out and looked at him puzzled, he then told me that they were plans for our house. A house he designed to overlook the lake.
We got building right away, and though it was a long and tedious process, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ve come a long way at Keiser International. I’m now the number one representative in the company. I’m referred to by name by many celebrities, and I regularly travel all over the world. I love my job and wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s a longer commute to the office now that we live on the Montgomery grounds, but it’s worth it to have a house that I love and a man that I love even more by my side.
“I love you too,” I say as I pull back and fan my face with my hands, trying not to cry. Addison spent a long time getting my makeup just right and I’d hate to ruin it with tears.
It’s amazing when I look back and reflect over the last three years. I went from having nobody aside from my mom, to having a huge family with a step-brother and sister—and it keeps on growing.
Emily blinks back tears and it makes me want to cry seeing her so happy. “Ready to get married?” she asks, dabbing her eyes with tissue.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say as I inhale deeply and let it out.
When we reach the kitchen, my wedding party is lined up and waiting for me. We have a little walk but this was the best possible solution we could come up with to ensure that Dean wouldn’t see me.
I slip into my white cowgirl boots and stand behind the procession. Little Ava is in the front with her little white basket full of yellow rose pedals. My bridesmaids, Hadley, Addison, and Khloe, a girl I work with, are dressed in strapless yellow gowns that come down to their knees. The outfits are completed by a pair of brown boots, similar to mine.
Addison turns towards me, her small, round belly sticking out from under the dress. I place my hands on the belly and feel my nephew, Michael, kick my hand.
I bend down and talk to him. “Are you ready for this, little man? Oh yes you are, let’s get Auntie Phoebe married, huh?” I say and coo to her stomach.
Addison swats my hand away and giggles her ridiculous giggle. “You are a loon, Phoebe,” she says in her southern drawl.
It’s funny how things happen. My mom tells me that I’m starting to talk with an accent—that same accent I hated when I first arrived.
Josh walks with Ava first, helping her down the rolled out white runner that leads to the man I love more than life itself.
Addison makes her way down the aisle and once she reaches the steps of the gazebo, I round the corner, holding onto the crook of Keith’s elbow. I make my way down their aisle, focusing on Dean. We lock eyes and in this moment, we are the only two people that exist. His eyes glaze over when he sees me and his smile widens. I’ve always loved that smile and I’ll never forget the first day I saw it.
When I finally reach him he leans in and whispers in my ear, “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He pulls away to give his dad a hug and thank him.
When asked ‘who gives this bride away’, Emily, Keith, my mom and Ben all shout, “We do!” and everyone laughs.
Once we’ve recited our vows, Dean cups my cheeks and ever so slowly brings his lips to mine. When our lips lock, a shiver runs down my spine. Even after all this time, his touch still affects me in ways I can’t explain.
Finally we are announced as Mr. and Mrs. Dean Montgomery. Dean scoops me up and carries me d
own the aisle.
We pose for what feels like hundreds of pictures and then we’re ready for the reception. I quickly head up to Hadley’s room and change into my other dress. Dean and I have something special planned for tonight and trying to do it in my wedding dress, just won’t cut it.
I purchased the same dress as the bridesmaids for the reception, only in white. My nerves start to get the better of me as I head downstairs. Dean and I have practiced over and over and every time we nail it. I just hope that when the spotlight is on us, we can still manage to perform.
It’s been two years since I proposed to Phoebe. It was difficult but I finally managed to convince her to move into the house I built over by the lake. The spot is so special to us—we’ve shared so many intimate moments since our first one just days after meeting her, and it was also where I fell in love with her.
My parent’s insisted we have our wedding at their house. I was against it but Phoebe felt there wasn’t any place more perfect than where it all started. We opted for a fall wedding so that it wouldn’t be too hot and it turned out perfect.
If my parent’s had things their way, we would have gotten married right after I proposed, and started having kids right away. They have been fussing over Ava and they watch her whenever possible. I’m not going to lie, I think kids are great but it’s easier when you can just hand them back to their parent’s. Jake is an awesome dad but I’d rather live vicariously through him for the time being. Addison is pregnant with their second child, a boy they are naming Michael after me.
I was so honored when they told me. I don’t know what I did do deserve to have my nephew named after me, but I’ll take it.
Austin hasn’t changed one single bit. He’s just as big of a playboy as ever. We keep telling him he’s next but he just shrugs us off.
Josh and Hadley are now dating. Hadley decided to go to Vanderbilt University in Nashville while Josh is still going to school in Alabama. She lives with my parent’s so that they can keep an eye on her.
As far as I know, Josh is a good kid and doesn’t test the waters. Phoebe took Hadley to get on birth control just in case because the last thing we need is to completely screw up with her. She’s good practice for when we do finally have kids and let me tell you, they always seem one step ahead of you.
Nobody’s heard from Devon at all. From my understanding, she was offered a job at a large hospital in Dallas and she took it. I don’t blame her because she’s probably making a lot more money. I’ll never forget that day in the stable but life is too short to hold grudges.
After our engagement, Phoebe came to me and suggested a surprise for everyone at our wedding. I was against it but she insisted that it would work and people would love it—especially our moms.
My downfall is that I can’t say no to her, so since she had this little idea of hers we’ve been meeting with a dance instructor once a week. It’s not the easiest thing to do but I think after nearly a year we have it down pat.
Today is the day—the day that I’ve been waiting for—the day that I make the woman I love my wife. Wife. It’s funny to say that but at the same time, it seems so natural. I watch from my bedroom window as the wait staff set up the tables and rush around, making sure everything is perfect.
“You ready?” I turn around to see Jake standing there, holding little Ava in her flower girl dress. Her curly brown hair bounces as she tries to wriggle out of Jake’s grasp. I hold my arms out and she instantly reaches for me. She drools as she chews on her two fingers. “Be careful, baby, Uncle Dean needs to keep his tux clean so he can marry Auntie Phoebe today,” I tell her and she instantly perks up and looks around at the mention of Phoebe’s name.
I laugh and hand her back to Jake as she tries to wriggle out of my arms. “You’re doing great, man. Are you ready for this?” he asks, bouncing Ava on his hip.
“More than ready,” I reply because I am. I can’t wait to carry my bride over the threshold of our new house and consummate our marriage, making her mine.
We’ve opted out of the honeymoon since we both are busy with work. We decided to upgrade some things in the house instead so we have exactly what we want.
“You’re doing a lot better than I was on my wedding day,” he says and I laugh at the memory of him freaking out the whole time.
“I’ve been waiting twenty-eight years for this moment. I need to make her Phoebe Montgomery, now.”
He pats my shoulder. “I get it, Dean, I was there once. Just hurry up and get on with having kids so that Ava and Michael can have a playmate.”
I snort at his comment. There is no way we plan on having kids anytime soon.
Two hours later and a ton of tears later, I have Phoebe Montgomery by my side. The ceremony was short and sweet which was ideal. Sweat starts to bead on my forehead when I think about our performance tonight. I think we have it down, but I’m worried about dropping my wife.
We walk around from table to table and greet as many people as possible before dinner is served.
We both picked at our food and I know we are thinking the same thing. What had I done, agreeing to such a thing? I’m nervous but I love knowing that the smile on her beautiful face is caused by me.
I reach under the table and grab her hand, resting it on her thigh. I lean in and whisper in her ear, “It’s time.”
She nods and lets out a deep breathe. As if on cue, the DJ announces that it’s time for our first dance as husband and wife. I push back my chair before pulling hers out. I offer my hand to help her up and she takes it graciously.
As we step down from the platform, the music begins to play. I stand off to the side while Phoebe stands in the middle of the dance floor in her dress, looking around the crowd nervously.
When the words come through the speakers, “Now I’ve had the time of my life.” I give her a reassuring wink, and we both glance at our mothers, who are laughing and crying at the same time.
I pull her in close and dip back as she swings her head around and brings her face close to mine. Standing behind her, I pull her arm up and rest it around my neck as I slide my hand down ever so slowly and when her face leans in close, I grasp her hands and twist her away from me as the beat picks up.
We reenact the closing scene to Dirty Dancing. Our moms are overjoyed, crying as they cling to each other. I’m so glad I let Phoebe talk me into doing this for them. I nod to her, giving her silent encouragement. Phoebe gets a running start and jumps into my waiting arms. I catch her and lift her above me, letting her arms out by her side she looks out into the crowd as they erupt into claps and cheers. I look up at my wife, tears falling from her eyes. I lower my arms and slide her down my body, kissing her deeply when our faces meet. I know in this moment that there is nothing—and I mean nothing—in this world that I wouldn’t do to put a smile on her face.
We did it! I can’t believe we pulled it off, after months and months of practicing we actually did it just like in the movie! Adrenaline is pumping through my veins and my heart feels like it’s about to beat out of my chest, but nothing can compare to the look on my mom and Emily’s faces right now.
It’s weird but I think I was more nervous about pulling this off than I was about actually getting married. My mom and Emily have done so much for me that I needed to thank them and words just didn’t seem enough.
I couldn’t have asked for a better day, a better family, or a better husband. Never in my wildest dreams did I think moving to Nashville would lead to this. Initially I wasn’t happy about trading in my heels for boots, but I would gladly do it over again.
As Dean slowly lowers his arms, I slide down his body. When our faces are level, he places the most tender and loving kiss on my lips, saying so many things with no words needed. Pulling away, I gaze into his chocolate-brown eyes and think about how far we’ve come.
“I love you,” I say and place another kiss on his soft lips.
“I love you, too,” he replies. Squeezing me tightly, hugging me close to his
body, he smiles and spins me around in circles.
Nothing in this world could compare to this moment. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier and if the past two years are anything to go by, I’m fairly certain that Dean will continue to make me the happiest girl in the world.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my children for being so patient. Okay, they weren’t really but they dealt with a lot while I was busy writing, editing, and going completely insane. Thank you J and H for putting up with me the last few months, I love you!
Lisa Rutledge, this book would be NOTHING without you! You read Serendipity in its early stages and I probably wouldn’t have continued with it if it weren’t for you. You have been my biggest cheerleader since day one and I thank you for that.
Stacy Borel, thank you for taking the time to beta read Serendipity. I know you had a lot going on yourself, I really appreciate you being there for me.
Stephanie Johnson, I’m so glad we’ve become friends. Thank you, thank you, and thank you for all that you’ve done for me in the past couple of months. You lead such a busy life and for you to take time out of your hectic schedule to help me, means the world to me.
Ryn Hughes, thank you for helping me in my time of need when I needed an editor ASAP. You worked your magic and polished the book to perfection. If it wasn’t for you, Serendipity would not be where it is today and I thank you for that.
Jodi Ellen Malpas, I’m so thankful for our friendship, you are truly an angel.
Angela McLaurin, thank you so much for fitting me in to format, I would be lost without you!
Amanda Stone, this has been an amazing journey and I’m glad that we’re on the same road together.
Neil Robinson, Nina Gomez, and Amanda Long, thank you for all your help while doing research for Serendipity. It’s greatly appreciated.
Heather Gunter, B, I love you dearly. Thank you for your friendship.
To all of the blogs, thank you for sharing the teasers, cover and anything else you’ve done to help me get to where I am today.
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