by Violet Haze
“I am.” I don’t need to tell her anything beyond that; we’re both aware he’s spent all his free time with us until two weeks ago when we moved into a house we bought together. When she rests her hands on my shoulders after placing my veil, I smile at her. “Thank you, Mom, for everything. I’m going to miss you and dad when you leave tomorrow.”
She blinks rapidly, scolding me even though her tone is pleased. “Don’t mess up my makeup, darling. Your father and I will be a phone call away if you need us.”
“I know.”
“Not that you will. Zachary has shown he’s the kind of man who makes sure you have everything you need.”
There’s a knock at the door before I can agree with her about that, and when we both turn to see who’s walking in, my two little partners in crime grin at us while shutting the door.
“Mom! We’re hiding from Landon!” Wyatt’s breathing hard, dressed in his little suit for the wedding, and holding Rose’s hand. “He won’t leave us alone!”
Nothing to do except laugh because this is an ongoing problem. “You’re his big brother, and he loves you, Wyatt. He doesn’t understand when you don’t want to play or why; he just wants to spend time with you.”
I turn my gaze to Rose, who hasn’t said anything and is staring at me. “Do you like your dress?”
“Yes, it’s so pretty!” She releases Wyatt’s hand and twirls, giggling as the skirt of her maroon dress fluffs out as she turns. “I’m going to wear it to school on Monday!”
“All your friends will be jealous, I’m sure,” my mother chimes while holding her hand out to them both and directing her comment at Wyatt. “Let’s go take our seats and give your mother a few minutes to herself.”
Wyatt takes her hand, but Rose shakes her head and looks at me again. “I want to stay.”
When I nod it’s okay, figuring Rose intends to talk to me alone — she’s been doing that a bit more lately when they’re here, much to Zach’s chagrin — my mother leads Wyatt out the door and leaves us alone in the room.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know her over the last year and a half; she’s a sweet girl. “What’s on your mind, honey?”
“I have a question and my dad already told me I had to ask you for an answer.”
“Sure! What is it?” Her expression conveys her uncertainty, so I take a seat and hold out my hand toward her. “You can always ask or tell me anything.”
She grabs it and steps close until she can whisper, “Well, you’re marrying my daddy today, and I wondered if…if that means you’ll be my mom.”
Aware of how her mother hasn’t been involved with her since the divorce, I answer softly, “If you want me to be your mom, honey, then yes. I would love that.”
Her grin is beautiful and delighted. She lets go of my hand and jumps into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing a kiss to my cheek.
She allows me to reciprocate for a moment before pulling away and grabbing my hand again to tug on it. “Okay. Daddy’s waiting, and I told him I would bring you down with me.”
Laughing, I grab my skirt with my free hand and take a final glance in the mirror before smiling at her. “I’m ready. Lead the way!”
She does, all the way to the backyard where our friends and family are waiting for the wedding to begin, before running off to sit at the front near Zach’s parents.
Then, the music begins as my father offers his arm and walks me down the aisle.
A far cry from my first courthouse wedding with Oliver, but things were different, and I’m glad my parents get to be here this time around.
Plus, seeing Zach watching me from the archway altar sans tie with love shining from his eyes makes me grateful for everything in this moment, as I have tried to be every day since going to his house and sharing my fears with him.
Today is the result of hard work on both our parts — him keeping his promise about being there no matter what while I let him in and didn’t let fear ruin us having a future together.
And now we’re going to become a family.
My father kisses my cheek, taking a seat beside my mother as I step up next to Zach and face him. He takes my hands in his, locking our gazes and grinning as the ceremony begins, marrying us to each other on the exact day we met a lifetime ago as teenagers.
He kisses me, softly and sweetly, when we’re pronounced husband and wife. Everyone’s amused when I wrap my arms around him as he goes to pull back, extending the kiss, until we finally separate with our own laughter.
With the informality of our wedding meaning our reception is right outside with the event, the kids run up to Zach and me after, hand-in-hand, and surround us with hugs.
Zach leans over where they cling to us for another kiss, which I accept with a happy giggle, and is made better by his murmured, “I love you,” once he ends it.
“I love you, too,” I whisper back, appreciating the moment as he gazes at me with such affection before asking, “Did you find the ties?”
The naughty glint I’ve seen in his eye more and more lately returns with an equally wicked grin on his lips as he assures me, “I’ll show you later.”
Another promise made that will make for an enjoyable evening and a beautiful beginning to the rest of our life together.
It’s everything I want and need, and when he takes my hand to pull me into our first dance together as a married couple, the only thing I’m worried about is if he’s going to step on my feet.
He doesn’t.
THE END!
**I hope you’ve enjoyed Zach and Darcy’s story! Thanks for reading and leaving a review is much appreciated!**
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About the Author
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Violet Haze is a big fan of romance — writing and reading. The autistic mother of one, she currently spends her days writing, reading, procrastinating, and protecting her son from himself as he pretends that he is a superhero.
Her complete stories, as of October 2016, include: If I Had You, In the Dark: A Mate Series Bundle, Mine (A Mate Companion Novella), Stripped To You, Master O, A Woman’s Affair, Mate, Hungry Heart, Loving My Angel, and Luna, along with Evie (Refuge & Revive). Sugar Baby Lies and Surrender To You were originally written under C.S. Janey but were rebranded as Violet Haze.
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More Books by Violet Haze
Mate: The Complete Serial
Master O: The Complete Serial
Mine (A Mate Companion Novella)
In the Dark: A Mate Series Bundle
Loving My Angel: The Complete Serial
Violet Haze: A Three Novel Collection
Luna: The Complete Collection
Hungry Heart
Refuge (Evie, #1)
Revive (Evie, #2)
Sugar Baby Lies
Surrender To You (Pierced Hearts, #1)
Stripped To You (Pierced Hearts, #2)
A Woman’s Affair serial: Secrets, Suspicions, & Sacrifices