Standing By: A Knight's Tale #2
Page 25
“My brother is a sap, babe.” Jake’s growl is followed by a chuckle. “You got the normal one of the set.”
“No, your brother sucked out the romantic gene when you two were toasting inside the oven,” Emma says. “You never give me flowers but Mitch filled her apartment with them over Christmas.”
“Because she asked,” Jake says.
I watch them bickering about the flowers, there’s always a lot of kissing between them, but they barely exchange sweet words.
“No, she didn’t ask,” Mitch corrects with a cocky grin, then kisses my cheek and I think he’s having fun being the perfect boyfriend and soon-to-be husband. “Don’t worry, bro, I’ll give you a lesson or two on how to not be an ass with your girl.”
“Hey, I’ll have you know that I’m not an ass.” Jake walks forward and attempts to grapple him into a headlock.
“You two aren’t planning on ruining my party, are you?” I point at them and then put myself between them and start poking each one vigorously. “Because if you attempt to even flick one another with your fingers, I’m throwing you out the window.”
“She’s going to stab me, Mitch,” Jake rubs his chest. “I should file for a restraining order, then she won’t be allowed to poke me to death.”
“You two are a couple of babies,” I tell him. “Now if you want me to stop poking you, give me a hug and stop being such a brat.”
One by one, the family members congratulate us.
“About the wedding,” Rachel brings that up as she hugs me. “If you want, we have a house down in the Florida Keys.” Of course, they have one there and no doubt another in Bali. I smile at her, wondering if she’s trying to take charge of our wedding as she did with Emma’s.
“We’re not sure yet,” I tell her. “I’ll put it on the list of possibilities.” Before I commit to anything, I want to talk this through with Mitch. Then Dad and possibly Mom, who might say I’ll help or If it’s not even worth of a princess, I won’t. Either way I respect her decision, and it doesn’t hurt me any longer, it’s her loss not mine. “Almost all the guests are in this room and I hope all of you can reserve that weekend. We’ll give you the details soon. I need to contact Kenz, and see what works best for her.”
“What do you want with Kendall?” Parker asks.
“Maid of honor,” I reply.
“I can be your maid of honor,” Emma interrupts. “You were mine.”
Emma is great, we are building a friendship but it’s hard to explain that unlike her, I do have other friends with a stronger bond. Friends that will be going to the wedding.
“Right, you have a sister and friends.” Emma takes a deep breath, and I catch a glimpse of sadness in her hazel eyes.
“Hey, you’re about to become my sister too,” I tell her. “And of course you and Jake are part of the bridal party.”
“Thank you,” she forces a smile. Jake reaches her hand and pulls her to his chest. “Sorry, I went to visit my nephew earlier and he reminded me so much of Chloe, my sister. If you had been able to meet her, you’d have loved her, Hayley. She was great.”
Mitch, Jake and Liam narrow their eyes and stare at me, I bet in hopes that I don’t open my mouth. I could answer something like, “No, I wouldn’t have loved her.” Actually there was a time I hated her for hurting Mitch and for making it impossible to reach inside Mitch’s heart when I was falling hard for him—or at least that’s what I thought. Now, however, I feel sorry for that poor woman whose life ended too soon and sad for Emma.
“So, the cake I made yesterday morning for an important client,” I change the conversation because if we continue down this road, I might say things that Mitch doesn’t want me to disclose. Things that might create drama. I don’t want to tarnish Emma’s memories of her sister, even if she was a crack whore. “It was actually for our engagement party, nice cover, Mitch.”
In no time, everyone remembers this is a party about celebrating, and there’s plenty of food that Parks and Rachel prepared for the event.
“Congratulations, Hay-Bear,” Daddy takes the plate of food I prepared for him. He’s wearing a suit and a big smile. “I’m starting to like Mitch.” He winks at me. “No, I love him like a son, sweetheart, he’s a good man and you’re an incredible woman—but still my little girl.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
Chapter 40
Hayl
“That’s a beautiful dress,” Emma says while she snaps a picture of me.
I feel like a star being photographed by two different professionals, plus my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. “Mitch mentioned it was your grandmother’s dress.”
“Yes,” I pick up the flouncy skirt and let it go. “We made a few modifications. Like covering the satin skirt with a layer of organza, cut a few inches off the skirt to avoid mopping the floor with it. And taking off the long sleeves—it’s too warm for them.
“Are you ready?” Rachel, my soon to be mother in-law asks. She’s wearing a lilac dress, the other wedding color. My bridesmaids are wearing minty color dresses.
My only concern is why Kendall isn’t here. Mitch said she’d be, but we’re only a few minutes away from the wedding and my best friend is MIA.
“Look at you, wearing white and dressing people like an after dinner candy,” I hear the voice before I see the almost six feet green-clad person approaching me. The dress she wears has a sweetheart twist knot bodice with a high-low hemline “No, really, purple is more my color, bitch.”
“That vocabulary of yours is always impressive,” My neck muscles slide away from my ears with relief. “Where’s Ike?”
“The groomsmen have him,” she says. “You think I’d drop the B word if he was around?”
“I thought you weren’t going to make it,” I fan my eyes to make sure I don’t cry. “I missed you so much.”
“Miss this?” she shakes her head.
We hug each other. “There are plenty of stories I need to tell you but you’re going to have to wait. God, I can’t believe that you abandoned me for so long. Are you okay?”
“I’m resilient,” her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “I missed you too, Hay.”
Before I can promise her that we’ll fix everything and that she needs to accept my help, Dad arrives, dressed with a white linen shirt and a pair of white slacks.
“Showtime,” Dad approaches me and everyone starts taking positions. Rachel kisses my cheek and heads to the front, where she’ll walk down the aisle with Mitch. Kendall is the first one in line; she’s pairing up with Liam: followed by Emma and Jake, Allison and Cade, Barb and Parker and the last two are Laila and Ben. “This is the only time I’ve given orders in the past year.” He whispers as the other ladies move around.
I look at my bouquet, which contain the same flowers Mitch used to propose. I tied two white ribbons around it, in memory of Mel and the other for Grandma Welsh, knowing they’re in spirit with me. Daddy told me the other day that Mel and I were the perfect example that blood isn’t always what makes a mother and a daughter.
As Laila and Ben begin to walk down the aisle towards the purple, orange and yellow sky, Dad speaks. “I only want to tell you two things: one, always be happy and two, I’m here for you, always. No matter the circumstances, I’ll support you. Oh yes, and three, keep that boy out of trouble.”
As the music begins, signaling our turn to walk toward the gazebo, the sun begins to set, turning the clouds a pale-rose tone. Mitch’s face brightens, crinkling eyes and charming smile looking out at me as if anticipating the best thing of his life. Right when Dad and I walk past the third row of chairs, Mitch moves from his spot taking a few strides and meets us right in the middle of the aisle; halfway to where Daddy’s is supposed to walk me to.
“Patience,” I say.
“And give you the chance to drop my ass? I don’t think so.” He kisses my nose. “Sir.”
“When in doubt, read that letter, Mitchel,” Dad says. “As many times as you need. Learn from others�
� experiences, son. Take care of my little girl, she’s special.”
“We’ll take care of each other, sir.”
I walk with Mitch the rest of the way and hand my bouquet to Kendall. For a small wedding, this is a big bridal party. Four groomsmen and the best man—Liam along with Kendall and four bridesmaids. Mom threatened me that if I didn’t wait until the end of next year when she could book St. Patrick’s Cathedral—we’re not Catholic—and the Ritz-Carlton to hold the reception venue, she wouldn’t go. Dad tried to bribe her, Mitch too, and absolutely nothing moved her. If she knew I’m wearing a dress that’s almost a hundred years old without shoes, she’d die. Not me. After so many years of drama, an entire year of learning so much about myself and the man that holds my hand, I’m ready to take that step.
We recite the conventional vows for the public audience, because we already made promises to each other and don’t feel it’s necessary to share them with the rest.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Hawaii, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Mitch kisses me sweetly as everyone claps. This is the beginning of our happy life, the start of a thousand of adventures with the best man in the world. A man who will be standing by me as long as we exist and if there’s an afterlife, I’m sure we’ll continue sharing that one too.
“I love you, Hayl, with every cell of my body and may I add that you look stunning.”
“You may, Mr. Muffin. I love you too, and you look as handsome as usual,” I run my hands through his perfectly combed hair, messing it up. “Now, that’s more like it?”
About the Author
Picture By Stephanie Conrad
Born on the mystical day of October 30th in the not so mystical lands of Mexico City, Claudia grew up with a childhood that resembled a caffeine-injected soap opera. Seventeen years ago she ventured to the lands of her techie husband—a.k.a. the U.S.—with their offspring to start a new adventure.
She now lives in Colorado working as a CFO for a small IT company, managing her household filled with three confused dogs, said nerd husband, two daughters wrought with fandoms and a son who thinks he’s the boss of the house. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact.
To find more about Claudia:
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Also By Claudia Burgoa
(Life Series)
Where Life Takes You
Next To You
(A Knight’s Tale)
Getting By