The Wedding Date
Page 22
“Much better.” She nodded, clasping his hand.
“This is partly my fault. I waited for right time and place.” He scanned over the small room. “And a hospital room never crossed my mind, but it’ll have to do.” Pulling out a small, velvet box from his pocket, he opened it, revealing a stunning three diamond ring. “I love you, Neri, I knew that from the moment I saw you. Take all the time you need to get to terms that you’re mine. Then, we can get married.”
She blinked, her gaze darting between his tense face and the ring in the box on his palm. The three words she was dying to hear from him rang in her ears, he loved her. “I love you too, my bad boy.”
His face relaxed and a smile bloomed on his lips. “You had me worried for a split second there.”
“Shut up and put that ring on it.” She held up her hand to him. Nothing about her life was ordinary, so why would her proposal be any different? Besides, who wanted old boring, ordinary? It was about time to embrace her difference and not try to fit in with the rest of the world, a square peg in the round hole. Mark had accepted her uniqueness and shown her how much fun standing out can be. He was a rare gift she wouldn’t let go for anything. Marrying him was also her way of sticking her middle finger up to Sandi and every woman who looked at her in a strange way for having Mark as her man. She wasn’t ugly to him in any way.
The ring sliding along her finger brought her gaze to Mark.
“It’s a perfect fit.” He leaned for another kiss. “So it that a yes?”
“Most definitely, yes.” She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.
“Let’s go look for that beach at sunset.” Mark held his hand for her.
She scooted of the bed. “That may have to wait until my foot is out of this clunky boot.”
“Your ankle’s broken, the rest of you is in good working order.” He winked, then kissed her hand.
Applause broke at the door. A bunch of nurses, a few patients in their gowns and house coats, Eilla and Mom stood there, witnessing their engagement. Mom blew her nose into a hanky the size of a bed sheet. How sweet.
EPILOGUE
Six months later…
The sun dipped low over the endless sea, the breeze pushed the breakers toward the sandy shore. The relentless sound of crushing waves soothed Neri. Holding onto Mark’s hand, they stood under the white canopy gazing at each other. Well, she’d made it down the aisle. How could she not? She abandoned the idea of heels, save on occasion at bedtime. Wearing only crocheted French lace barefoot sandals that hooked to her middle toes and in a simple ivory dress, holding a bouquet made of baby’s breath. Their small wedding party seated on the cushions strewn over the sand. Crazy, she never thought she would get married, let alone say, ‘I do’ to Mark on the beach in Maui.
“Neri,” Mark begun his vows. “From the moment you entered my world, you filled it with life, color and energy like never before. Love is a journey not a destination and I’m honored to commit myself to you on this voyage. There are so many things I love about you, my rose. Thank you for choosing me, my love, my best friend and my soulmate.”
Neri smiled, loving the fact he’d stayed away from making any promises and kept it short and sweet. She took in a long breath and pulled her lower lip between her teeth. Nervous giggles she’d been fighting threatened to erupt on the surface.
Mark shook his head and mouthed ‘no, don’t’, but it was too late.
She tittered and buried her face on his chest.
Laughter shook his chest as he wrapped her in his arms and rubbed her back. “You silly…can you go on?” he whispered then addressed the crowd that joined them in the chortle. “Just give her a sec, she’ll be fine.”
His announcement sent attendees into louder laughter.
She pushed away from him, swiped a finger under her eyes, and swallowed down, suppressing another fit. “Okay, I got this.”
“Good.” Mark took her hands again, and gave her an encouraging wink.
“Mark, from the moment you’ve crossed my path, you’ve surprised me, distracted me, captivated me and challenged me in a way no one ever did. I’ve fallen in love with you again and again, countless times, without reservation, and I still can’t believe that today I got to marry you, you, my best friend.”
Mark mouthed a silent wow and winked.
As always, her insides melted and she couldn’t wait to rip his shirt and shorts off his body. He tapped his leg and Tag emitted a high pitched whine, and appeared at his human’s side.
Dave smiled who stood at his side, took the rings out of the pouch hanging from Tag’s bowtie collar and handed them to Mark.
He slid his down her finger and she did the same for him.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you a husband and wife.” The marriage officiant with cornbraids, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops leaned toward Mark and continued, “You can kiss your bride, man.”
Her newly wedded husband, wrapped his arm around her, pulled her to him and pressed his lips on hers, leaning her to the side to give everyone as much view of his tongue action as they could handle.
Loud woo-hoos and clapping followed, roasting Neri’s cheeks, or it could be the sun and heat. Nah, it was her hot hubby that caused the inferno inside her. God, would she ever stop getting turned on every time she thought of Mark as her husband? Their relationship might’ve started off on a lie, and at times she couldn’t see their dating even lasting past their cousins’ wedding, but in a short time, their love blossomed and it ultimately brought them to a wedding day of their own.
Zrinka Jelic
A PAN member of the Romance Writers of America as well as Savvy Authors, Zrinka Jelic writes contemporary fiction and sometimes adds a pinch of history. Her characters come from all walks of life, and although she prefers red, romance comes in many colors. Given Jelic’s love for her native Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, her characters usually find themselves dealing with a fair amount of sunshine, but rain is unavoidable in everyone’s life.