by J. E. Parker
Shelby nodded once in quick affirmation. “I ate. Dad made me lunch before I came over.” She took a step back. “Y’all come on in. I’ve been waiting for you to get here.”
I was the last person to file into the room. When I moved past the bride-to-be, I glimpsed the large manila envelope she held in her hand. Stopping in front of her, I turned my back, blocking everyone else from her view. “You sure you’re okay? You look like you’re about to puke. I mean, is it just regular old nerves or is something else—”
“I’m okay,” she replied, cutting me off mid-sentence. “There’s just something I need to do before the ceremony and well…” She laughed as her voice trailed off. “... It’s making me hella nervous.”
I arched a brow. “What do you need to do?”
Blowing out a breath, Shelby pointed toward the small sofa on the far wall. “Sit down, muffin, you’ll see in just a second.”
With a quick nod, I turned around, moved across the room, and sat down.
“Uh,” Shelby started before momentarily stopping. “Y’all, I have no idea what I’m doing here so bear with me, okay?”
Mama crossed her legs. “Take your time, baby. We aren’t going anywhere.”
Shelby blew out another breath before standing tall and clearing her throat. Exhaling, she opened the envelope and pulled out the small stack of papers it contained.
Wait. Is that what I think it is?
One look at the header on the front page and recognition struck.
Oh. My. God!
Heart pounding, I scooted forward in my seat.
Suddenly, I felt like puking too.
Shelby’s hands shook as she looked around the room. “Y’all know I’m not good with words, so I’m just going to say whatever pops into my head. I’m sorry if I say something inappropriate or ridiculous.”
Everyone chuckled.
Shelby’s gorgeous blue eyes filled with tears. “It’s no secret that I’ve had a hard life. I’ve been abused by people who should’ve protected me and I’ve been neglected by people who promised to always take care of me.” Her tears began to fall. “I’ve also been raped by a man who later tried to kill me.”
Clara, who was sitting beside me, clasped my hand, squeezing it tight.
I knew she was thinking about her ex, Colin. He’d done all the things Shelby’s ex had. Only, I think he was worse than Shelby’s ex; if that was possible.
Leaning back, I wrapped my arm around her back and pulled her to my side.
Offering Clara a shaky smile, Shelby continued. “There have been times in my life when I didn’t think I’d live to see another day and there have been moments I’ve had to fight just to take my next breath.”
Shelby focused her gaze on Maddie.
“A lot of people in my shoes would’ve given up, but I never did. And I didn’t because I knew there was something—or someone—out there who needed me as much as I needed them.”
And now I’m crying… just wonderful.
A small sob racked Shelby’s body, making it hard for her to speak. Yet, she pushed through by saying, “And one night, on a country road in southern Alabama, that person found me.”
“Crap,” Maddie hissed, slamming her tear-laden eyes shut. “Damn it, Shelby. I just put on makeup. Now I’m going to look like a drunk raccoon during the ceremony.”
Carissa raised her hand in the air. “I’ll fix it, don’t you worry.”
Shelby glanced down at the papers in her hand, ignoring Carissa. “But, despite all the pain, the hurt, and the misery, I’d go through every bit of it again”—she paused—“because out of that darkness came my son. Not to mention, it led me here”—she paused—“to each of you.”
“Hell, Blondie,” Grandmama said, pulling a flask out of her purse. “I didn’t think I was gonna have to start drinking until it was time for you to walk down the aisle.” Twisting off the lid, she tossed her head back and took a sip. “Turns out, I was wrong.”
Mama, who had tear tracks running down her face, extended her arm. “Hand it over, Doris. I don’t normally drink but I figure now is a good time to start.”
At their antics, everyone—including Shelby—laughed.
“My point is, I believe in fate,” Shelby said, continuing. “And I believe all that crap happened to me so that I would find my way here, to the people who need me, to the people who love me, and to the people who want me in their lives… But I also believe it led me to the child I was supposed to have.” Shelby’s nervous eyes met Ashley’s. “Which brings me to you, princess.”
Ashley sucked in a breath.
“I may not have given birth to you, Ashley, but from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were meant to be mine.”
Oh, God. I can not handle this!
With shaking hands, Shelby handed the stack of papers to Ashley before backing up again, giving her space. “I know our dynamic is weird since I’m not a lot older than you”—Shelby nervously chuckled—“But I’ve lived more than most eighty-year-olds.”
Chin trembling, Ashley gripped the papers tight.
“And if you’ll have me as your mother, I’d like to keep you forever.”
Ashley looked a heartbeat away from passing out. “These are adoption papers. You want to… to do that?”
Shelby nodded once. “More than anything in this world.”
“But what about my… my… what about her?” The her that Ashley was referring to was the woman who had given birth to her. I didn’t dare call her Ashley’s mother because she didn’t deserve that title. The only thing that sorry excuse of a woman had been was a baby vessel.
And I hope she rots in the rundown hell hole from which she came.
“Your mother,” Shelby hissed, “if you could even call her that, signed over her parental rights.” Anger filled Blondie’s eyes, and I knew she was thinking about the woman who had given birth to her too. “As far as the courts are concerned, she no longer has any ties to you. It’s how I was able to keep you here instead of sending you back.”
Ashley looked down at the papers again. “What about Anthony? Does he—”
“Look at the signature on the bottom line, Ashley.” I’d already seen the papers, and I knew the signature she was referring to belonged to Anthony. Shelby took a step forward. “The petition won’t be dated and filed until after we’re married, but they’re ready to go. The only thing we’re waiting on is for you to say yes. Then we can start the process.”
Ashley remained silent for a few seconds and Shelby looked like she was about ready to come out of her skin. My breath hitched in my chest as I watched Ashley look up, her eyes meeting Shelby’s. And I swear my heart nearly burst free from my chest when she clutched the adoption papers to her chest and whispered, “I want to keep you forever too.”
Shelby wasted no time in running forward and wrapping her arms around Ashley, who, in turn, wrapped hers around Shelby too.
Together, they began to sob.
“Oh sweet baby Jesus!” Maddie fussed, standing. “Y’all are trying to kill me, aren’t you?”
Next, Grandmama stood, her old eyes glassy with tears. “I did not come equipped with enough alcohol to deal with this. This is just too much. I’ve gotta find something else to focus on; else I’m gonna have a stroke right here and now.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Itty bitty!”
“What do you want now, Old Biddy?” I asked around the lump clogging my throat. “I’m busy crying my eyeballs out and trying not to die of emotional overload over here.”
“Yeah, well,” she replied, handing me a hanky. “Dry em’ up, stand up, and start readying the stuff. We’ve got hair to do, makeup to fix, and a bride to dress.” She clapped her hands. “Now get moving. All of you.”
Everyone moved.
Carissa opened the giant make up case she’d brought while Heidi plugged in a hair straightener and curling wand. Next to them, Mama unzipped the wedding dress bag and placed Shelby’s tiara on the table by the door w
hile Maddie grabbed Shelby’s heels. As for Clara and me, we both pulled cans of hair spray, hair gel, and shine enhancer out of our purses.
Less than a minute later, we were ready to get started.
“Hey, Grandmama,” Shelby said, pulling back from her new daughter. “Aren’t you going to welcome Ashley to the family? As the resident Old Biddy aren’t you responsible for welcoming all new members?”
A look of confusion crossed Grandmama’s face. “Why would I do that? Far as I’m concerned, she’s always been part of the family. Those papers are just legalities for what we already know is the truth.”
“Yeah?” Shelby asked. “And what truth is that?”
Grandmama’s hands went to her hips. “That she’s ours and we’re hers. It’s as simple as that.”
Ashley almost crumpled at Grandmama’s proclamation.
But Shelby? She looked proud as could be. “Please tell me someone brought an industrial sized bottle of concealer,” she said a second later.
Carissa held up various tubes. “I’ve got it covered.”
“Alright, y’all,” Mama said, smiling. “Let’s do this.”
It was the beginning of a beautiful day.
I felt like I was coming out of my skin as I walked down the church hall toward the chapel where the guys were waiting. I hadn’t seen Evan in almost four hours, and I was at my limit. The man had turned me into a needy mess over the past couple of weeks and I couldn’t stand being without him.
I need my big guy. Like, right now.
Speeding up my steps, I was danged near running when I rounded the final corner, bringing him and I face-to-face. When our eyes locked, my lungs seized.
Staring me down, Evan ran his hand across his stubble covered jaw. “Jesus H. Christ,” he whispered, raking his gaze over the short—but not too short—periwinkle dress I wore, followed by the brown, knee-high cowgirl boots that adorned my feet. The dresses that Shelby had chosen for her bridesmaids weren’t traditional and that made me love them even more. “What are you wearing?”
Butterflies danced in my belly at the sound of his rough voice.
Holding a bouquet made from fresh lily’s in my hands, I twisted from side-to-side, making the skirt of my dress twirl around me. “My bridesmaid dress, silly. What? You don’t like it?”
His eyes flared. “I love it. I’m just worried God is about to strike me down for the thoughts running through my head.”
It was wrong—so dang wrong—but his words heated my skin, making me think of things I shouldn’t have been thinking about either. Clearing my throat, I pointed at the tailored tux he wore. “Do you have any idea how good you look right now?” I smiled, unable to hold it back any longer. Leaning forward, I cupped my hand beside my mouth and whispered, “But just a little FYI, I want to get married on the beach so prepare to be shirtless and covered in suntan oil at our wedding.”
Shaking his head, Evan laughed. Crooking a finger, he motioned for me to come closer. I did. Two steps later his arms circled my waist as he dropped a sweet kiss to my glossed lips.
It was heaven.
Evan pulled back and peered down into my eyes. “I’m going to ask you to marry me soon,” he said, making the dancing butterflies in my tummy go wild. “As soon as I can prove myself to you, I’m tying your little ass to me in every way possible. Understand?”
I nodded once. “Yeah, big guy, I understand.”
“And when I—”
Evan’s words were cut off when the mesh end of a fly swatter met the side of his face. “Ow!” He said, turning his head to face Grandmama. “What is the matter with—”
Why is Grandmama carrying a flyswatter around the Chapel?
“You are not allowed to cuss in God’s house, Evan James Morgan.”
I scoffed. “Says the woman who was drinking moonshine in the dressing room.” Grandmama’s attention turned to me. “Leave him alone. If anybody is going to smack him with a flyswatter, it’ll be me.”
Grandmama blinked. “Oh yeah?”
My free hand went to my hip. “Yeah,” I fired back, adding a healthy dose of sass.
Grandmama’s upper lip twitched, and I knew she was biting back a smile. “Well, then, itty bitty, you better keep him in line.”
I said nothing as she turned around and walked to the front of our group. “Alright people,” she said, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “It’s time to get this show on the road, so everybody line up.” She started to point at people. “Anthony you're first, then Hendrix since he’s the best man. Next is Evan and Hope, then Brantley and Clara, followed by Kyle and Carissa, and finally Keith and Heidi.”
Leaning to the side, I looked past Hendrix to Grandmama. “Did Mama, Felix, and Ashley get seated okay?”
She nodded once. “Yep. Ashley and Felix have Liam, Declan, and Isabella with them and your Mama is holding Melody. And before you ask, Lucca is already with Maddie, Shelby, and Pop. They’ll be up here as soon as the procession starts.”
Standing straight, I looped my arm in Evan’s. “Ready for this, big guy?”
A small smile played on his lips. “Ready to see the Mouth of the South get married? Yeah, baby, I am. Shelby has been through enough.” That was the truth. “She deserves a happily ever after.”
I couldn’t agree more.
And I was about to tell him so when the processional music started.
“Okay,” Grandmama whispered, waving her hand at Anthony. “Get moving, Stud Muffin. Your bride will be up there in just a few minutes.”
Swallowing, Anthony looked seconds away from choking up.
The sight made me a little teary-eyed.
The big, bad homicide detective is near tears… Holy crap.
When it was our turn to walk down the aisle, Evan leaned over and whispered, “The next wedding we go to will be ours.”
My hands shook. “Shuddup, Evan. You can’t say stuff like that right now. Not unless you want me to turn into a crying mess.”
He chuckled, stopping us at the threshold of the chapel entrance. “You’re already a crying mess.”
He has a valid point.
A second later, Grandmama looked our way. “Okay, you two, you’re up. Now walk.”
Evan nodded, and together we started to walk.
As we made our way down the aisle, Isabella was the first person to catch my eye. “Aunt Hope,” she said, waving. “You look like a pretty cowgirl princess.”
Be still my heart.
Pressing my finger to my lips, I gestured for her to be quiet. Nodding, she zipped her lips shut and sat down next to Declan before taking his hand in hers.
Yep, totally connected at the hip.
At the altar, Evan and I separated. He stood by Hendrix, and I moved to stand on my side of the aisle. Still, our eyes never left one another. At least not until the music changed and everyone in the chapel turned to watch Lucca, the ring bearer, and Maddie, the maid of honor, walk in.
It’s almost time for Blondie… Just a few more seconds!
I, along with the rest of the congregation, gasped when they caught sight of Lucca toddling down the aisle. Wearing a custom-made black tuxedo identical to Anthony’s, a baby blue tie, and gel in his normally crazy black hair, he carried an ivory silk pillow with Shelby’s ring tied to the top.
He was easily one of the cutest kids I’d ever seen.
Seriously, just looking at him made my heart melt.
At his approach, Anthony squatted down and extended his arms. “Come here, principe.” Like a rocket, Lucca took off toward the man who had become his father by choice. “Good job, little man,” he said scooping him up into his arms. Shifting Lucca to his side, he pointed toward the entrance. “Now watch. Mama is about to walk down the aisle.”
Anthony choked up on the last word, and I didn’t miss the tears filling his eyes. I smiled at the sight. When Anthony had arrived in Toluca, he’d been beaten down by a combination of life and his job. Hardened and closed off, he’d never let anyone into
his heart.
But when he met Shelby and Lucca that all changed.
All it took was one look, one moment, and they became mine, he’d once told me.
Hendrix’s muttered, “Holy shit, she’s mine,” pulled me out of my inner thoughts. Eyes locked on his wife, the love and adoration rolling off him in waves was easy to see. “How did I get so lucky?”
Chin wobbling, Maddie made her way down the aisle. She looked a heartbeat away from losing it. Reaching the front of the chapel, she blew a kiss to her husband before looking at Anthony, and whispering, “She’s beautiful, Tony.” A single tear slipped free. “Beyond beautiful.”
Fighting to keep his emotions in check, Anthony only nodded in reply.
Biting her lower lip, Maddie came to a standstill beside me. Leaning to the side, she whispered, “You should’ve seen Pop’s face when he first saw Shelby. He cried, Hope. Literally cried.”
I could only imagine.
Fidgeting in place, my eyes stayed glued to the chapel entrance as I waited for Shelby’s beautiful self, along with Pop, to appear.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long.
The bridal song started to play—it was a beautiful piano piece—and a few seconds later Pop, followed by Shelby came into view. Anthony stilled completely. For a moment, I wasn’t sure he was even breathing.
Then, “Jesus Christ,” he said, momentarily pausing. “Look at her. I never stood a chance.”
Hendrix smacked his arm. “Dude, that’s my baby sister.”
Everybody within hearing distance chuckled.
When Pop and Shelby stopped at the end of the aisle, Preacher Davis stepped forward and asked, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Everyone—including me—expected Pop to say, “I do,” before handing Shelby over to Anthony. That’s not what happened though. No, instead of following protocol, Pop just silently stood there, rooted to the spot.
Uh oh.
“Uh, daddy,” Shelby said, wiggling her arm in his. “That’s your cue.”
Clenching his jaw, he looked down at his one and only daughter. “I just got you, Bee. I’m not sure I’m ready to give you away yet.”