The music played and Morgan grinned from ear to ear before tossing her bouquet of lilies out into the sea of single ladies. I watched in horror as the bouquet went nowhere near me and she tossed it to her right. It landed in the hands of my second cousin, Charlotte who jumped, screamed, and hollered, "Finally! Finally!" as she ran back to her family. My lucky spot had proven to be incredibly unlucky.
Stunned, I turned and walked off of the dance floor with empty hands. Tanner was waiting for me at the edge of the dance floor, a cautious look on his face. Like a zombie, I walked right past him and he followed close behind. Choosing a random chair from the plethora of tables before me, I plopped myself down, searching the table for alcohol.
"Daph," Tanner said cautiously. Doing my best not to make eye contact for fear I would cry and not be able to stop, I stared at my hands.
"Sweetheart, what's the matter? It's about the bouquet, isn't it?" I mustered a nod.
"It's just a tradition. Sooner or later your curse or your gift--whatever you want to call it, had to come to an end. Did you expect to be seventy years old and still catching that thing?" he teased gently.
"No. But I finally found you. I finally found the one. Shouldn't I have caught it this time? I mean, for God's sake, this feels like a sick joke."
"Hmmm," he said, sliding into the chair next to mine, "maybe we need to look at it differently."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember opposite day when we were kids? You'd say no when you really meant yes. Stuff like that?"
"Um...I guess." I shrugged.
"Good. So, see it like that. Opposite day."
"Okay, so today is my opposite day?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Most women never catch the bouquet, so when they finally do...."
"But I always catch it..." The light bulb formed figuratively above my head, but it wasn't enough. My heart was still not convinced. "I see what you're saying, but--"
"What is it? You still look upset. Your brow is still furrowed up so very tight," he said, leaning in to kiss the creases above my nose.
"You're a guy, you wouldn't understand."
"Try me," he said confidently.
"I really thought it would be nice to catch Morgan's bouquet. I had hoped that if things worked out with us, I'd have it, you know, as a memento." My head hung in shame, avoiding eye contact with Tanner. I was afraid all of this marriage talk would freak him out. Instead, he chuckled softly to himself and stood up.
"Come take a walk with me. I think you could use some fresh air."
Rising out of my chair, I gladly accepted Tanner's extended hand. Placing my fingers in his warm palm, I felt at peace once again as he wrapped his hand around mine.
We walked slowly to the patio, the brisk March air piercing my skin, but before I could even react to the weather, I felt Tanner's tuxedo coat wrap around my shoulders.
"Thank you."
"You know...sometimes things aren't as they seem."
"Well that was pretty cryptic."
"I was attempting to be, but I guess you see right through me, don't you?" He laughed, pulling me towards his chest. "What I'm trying to say is this. There's a reason you didn't catch the bouquet tonight."
"A reason? I'm confused."
"I wanted tonight to be different. I thought you would understand..." His voice trailed off. My heart began to race. I still had no idea what he was trying to tell me.
"I asked Morgan to aim the bouquet as far away from you as possible. I didn't realize you'd be so upset. She tried to warn me, but I didn't listen. I was too busy with other things."
"Wait, you asked Morgan to not throw the bouquet my way? Why would you do that?"
"I wanted this to be your opposite day. I wanted you to see that you didn't catch it for a reason. You didn't need to catch it."
"Okay..." I said, the word lingering in the air.
"And I hope that when I give you this, it will be all the memento you need." He reached into his pocket as he knelt on the patio. My heart leaped from my chest as the man I loved pulled a small velvet box from his pants pocket.
"Daphne Jane Harper, I've been in love with you from the moment we first started our banter at Henry and Elise's dinner party. I can't imagine my life with anyone else. Not even for a second."
Choking on my tears as he spoke, my heart continued to expand with every word.
"And so I kneel before you, asking you to be my wife. Please, please marry me and make me the happiest man on the planet." Tanner's eyes were glistening as he held the ring between his fingers. It was exquisite, just like him.
"Yes! Yes, of course I will marry you, Tanner. Of course!" He placed the ring on my finger, stood, and pulled me into his arms. I was his, completely his. No more baggage, no more ghosts, no more lies. I wanted Tanner and no one else.
"Come on," he said, "the stars are bright tonight."
Hand in hand, we walked to the railing of the patio. Tanner wrapped his arm around my shoulder, rubbing my back to warm me.
"Are you comfortable? Are you cold?" He asked, his eyes concerned.
"I'm perfect. Absolutely perfect."
I took his hand in mine, and gazed up at the stars peeking through the night sky. No moment had ever been so beautiful.
When the chill in the air made our teeth chatter, we strolled, arm in arm, back into the reception to tell my parents our big news. They pretended to be surprised, but judging by their terrible poker faces, Tanner had already asked for their permission and blessing. As I was finishing a long hug with my elated mom, Morgan pounced on me.
"Is it official? Did he ask you?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Did you know about this?" I pretended to chastise her for her involvement.
"Guilty, I know. I almost lost it the night of my bachelorette party. I was still coming down from my drunken haze at the martini bar and I was terrified of tipping you off! Tanner had just asked me to help him find the ring."
"So you knew then? I had no idea!" I laughed as Morgan nodded. Morgan's confidence that Tanner was as emotionally invested as I was that night was making so much sense.
"Hold on. I have something for you. I'll be right back." She scurried off, dragging her gorgeous lace skirt behind her. Matt approached to congratulate Tanner and me. It was clear that he was in on the secret, too. Perhaps I was the only one who didn't know, I thought, as I watched Evan smile and pat my fiancé on the back. I seemed to be the only one who was surprised that this proposal had taken place.
"Here you go, sweet cousin of mine," Morgan said, tossing a large bouquet gently into my hands as she strolled towards me. Luckily, my reflexes were quick and I was able to catch it before it hit the floor. It was different than the bouquet she tossed earlier that evening. It was larger, fuller, and much more elegant: orchids and calla lilies gathered together and tied with a satin ribbon at the base.
"I tried to warn that man of yours that you'd need this. You've gotten very used to catching these things. So I asked the florist to make this for you. It's the last bouquet you will ever 'catch.' Now you can look forward to your bouquet. The one you will hold as you walk down the aisle."
"I can't thank you enough," I said, pulling her in for a hug. "You know me so well, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do," she said, satisfied with her crafty little self.
"Thanks for not giving up on me," I whispered into her ear.
"Never."
#
Epilogue
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
My husband smiled from ear to ear at the man of the cloth. He then lifted the ivory veil over my head. His kiss was gentle and loving, yet satisfying in a way that no other had been in my life thus far. Knowing we had a chapel full of people in the audience, my husband reluctantly pulled away before we were tempted to deepen the kiss. He held each of my hands tightly in his own as he placed his forehead to mine.
"Ladies and gentleman, it is my pleasure to introduce
Mr. and Mrs. Tanner Finley," the pastor announced. Rousing applause filled the chapel as I lifted my bouquet up in the air in celebration.
Tanner lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it ever so gently before placing it over his heart. His eyes moistened and he smiled.
"I'll never forget this moment. Not ever." His simple words sent a chill of delight down my spine. I tried my best to hold back tears, but one slipped by and drifted down the side of my nose. Tanner wiped the tear with his handkerchief.
Our road to the altar was not all sunshine and roses. We had obstacles to overcome, misunderstandings to resolve, and ghosts to evict. But, we did it. And I was overwhelmed at the amount of happiness this man brought to my life. I didn't ever want to know what it felt like to be without Tanner Finley.
As we turned to face our friends and family, my eyes searched for the one invited guest who did not send in a reply card. I wasn't sure if she would be here, but I was hoping to see her, to feel her support as I embarked on the next chapter of my life with Tanner. As we continued to walk towards the doors of the church, my heart sank just a bit knowing she was unable to be here to see this moment. But I understood. Some things were just too hard.
As we were nearing the exit of the chapel, however, I spotted her. She was seated at the far end of the last pew and she was smiling, tears streaming down her face. She brought her hands to her lips, kissed them both and blew that kiss to me. And I knew, in that moment, how truly happy she was for me and for Tanner.
I placed my hand over my heart and I mouthed, "Thank you, Cece."
She nodded in solidarity, her right hand still placed over her mouth, holding back emotion. Deep down, I knew she would not be staying for the reception. This was her goodbye to me.
Tanner rubbed the side of my arm and waved to Cece. I was so proud of the man I had just married--of the man who had accepted me with all of my faults, all of my baggage, all of my links to the past. I brushed my hand across his cheek when we reached the foyer of the church.
"You are truly incredible, Mr. Finley. I'm so proud to be your wife."
"I can't wait to start our lives together, Daph."
"Ahem." I tilted my head accusingly at Tanner. He knew what to say next.
"I'm so sorry....Mrs. Finley."
"That's much better," I teased. "Now let's get to that party of ours."
Four hours later, the cake had been cut, the open bar was about to close, and it was time for the bouquet toss. Standing on the dance floor, holding my gorgeous bundle of red roses, each adorned with a pearl in its center, I smiled to myself. My life had changed considerably since I caught my first bridal bouquet. I never dreamed that I'd be standing here today, the happiest I'd ever been, with an incredible man and partner with whom I was prepared to share my life. The young women gathered on the other side of the dance floor and I looked at each of their faces, remembering my own emotions at each of the weddings I attended in my early adulthood.
Tanner's cousin, Mindy, looked nervous. She was here with her boyfriend of several years and I knew she would be thrilled to catch these roses. My eyes wandered and found my co-worker, Samantha, rolling her eyes. She was pushed onto the dance floor by the rest of the women at her table. All at once, I understood both of these women as I'd experienced every emotion there was to have in regards to this silly tradition.
While planning the wedding, I suggested that we cut this from the reception's activities, convinced that somehow, it would bounce off of the ceiling and land back in my own hands. But Morgan, Elise, and my mother were having none of that. "It's a right of passage," my mother said.
"And after everything, you need to toss the shit out of that thing," Morgan added. And so I agreed.
The crowd erupted as I tossed the bouquet. Mindy scooped that sucker up with an enormous grin. She did a small victory dance before presenting it to her boyfriend, Troy. Troy rolled his eyes but put his arm around her as he turned back to me. He winked in my direction as he patted the pocket of his suit. I gasped with happiness, knowing Mindy was about to become engaged.
Next up was the garter toss. The groomsmen seated me in a chair and Tanner kneeled before me, a naughty grin in his eye. He gently raised my dress up over my knees and pushed it further to reveal my powder blue garter. He removed it seductively with his teeth. I heard my dad yell, "Hey, that's my daughter out there!" and the crowd laughed. Tanner turned to my dad and gave an innocent shrug.
I moved off the dance floor and watched as Tanner tossed my bit of lingerie. Evan caught the garter, looking shocked as it landed squarely in his hands. I pointed to him as I jumped up and down, so happy for my friend.
"Looks like the curse continues here," I teased as he gave me a big hug. He shook hands with Tanner and patted him warmly on the back. Tanner grinned at his new friend--our friend, Evan.
"You know, my friend Samantha is single." I gestured discreetly towards the young woman with flowing blond hair and deep sapphire eyes.
"And cute," Evan said, wide-eyed, staring at my co-worker.
"Go for it, buddy." Tanner laughed, patting him on the shoulder and giving him a bit of a nudge towards Samantha. Evan let out a hearty laugh and sauntered up to her. She looked pleasantly surprised by his approach and nodded her head as he gestured towards the bar. I smiled at Tanner, wondering if we'd made a love connection.
Before I could say anything about our two friends at the bar, Tanner pulled me onto the dance floor. We danced together to song after song. It had been a long, yet perfect day.
"So was it everything you'd hoped for?" Tanner asked, pushing a few stray hairs away from my face. Even this small touch made my heart race.
"You are everything I'd hoped for. I thought you'd never arrive...and even when you did, I almost couldn't see it. I--"
"Daph, sweetheart, don't do this to yourself. I'm here now, and I'm yours...always. We're past all of that. It took some time, but it was worth it," he said, smiling.
Where have I heard those words before? Lost in thought, I searched my memory for the moment when I first heard that sentiment. "He brings you peace and a tremendous amount of happiness, although you may not realize it when the relationship begins. It will take some time, but it will be worth it for you, for him, for both of you. He is the one I see."
"How could I have not realized this sooner? The psychic! You're the one the psychic told me about!" I squealed, jumping into his arms.
"What are you talking about? When did you visit a psychic? I'm a little lost."
"Morgan dragged me to a psychic when I first started seeing Mayson. Her name was Kim and she didn't see me with Mayson, not in the future. She saw a tall man with brown hair and brown eyes. She said he would bring me immense happiness and peace." My cheeks warmed at this realization.
"She was right, Tanner. She was so, so right." Once again, my eyes filled with tears. I looked into Tanner's gorgeous speckled eyes. He was gazing at me in wonder and appreciation.
"So, are you seriously telling me that in all the time we were dating, you never mentioned that you believe in psychics?" Tanner teased.
"Well, I do now, that's for sure." I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"So, don't tell me, you're going to visit her with more questions like where we'll live, how many children we'll have, where they'll go to school...."
"Nope." I shook my head with absolute certainty. "No need for that. Whatever the future has in store for us, we'll take it as it comes. That's all I need to know, Tanner."
"I like that."
"Besides," I said, "our children are going to U of I. That's a given."
"Oh really?" Tanner raised an eyebrow, knowing I was only teasing. "Well, I don't know....I think my sons will want to follow me to U of M...."
"Sons, as in plural?" I asked, playfully acting as if I was horrified.
Tanner laughed. "Well, maybe we can have a girl or two as well." He pulled me close, stroking my hair.
"So, are you planning for me to be barefoot and p
regnant immediately or will I have a grace period?" I joked.
"We are leaving for our honeymoon tomorrow. We could get right to work..." Tanner raised both eyebrows, tipping his head to me.
"Or we could just practice," I said.
"Well, you know what they say about practicing..."
"What do they say?"
"It's a hell of a lot of fun." He twirled me around the dance floor as I threw my head back, cracking up. Once again, my husband made me laugh in a way no one else ever had.
"Will it always be this way? Will you always make me laugh like this?"
Suddenly serious, Tanner gazed into my eyes. "I don't know, Daphne. But I do know that I'll always be devoted to you. I will always do everything in my power to make you happy, to make you look back on this day knowing that this was the best decision you ever made. Because I know, deep within my soul, there is no one else for me."
A contented sigh escaped my lips as I gazed into his beautiful eyes. Wondering how I ever lived without those eyes. How I ever thought my world could exist without them. But, as Cece had advised, I had no regrets.
Through the heartache, the confusion, everything that I went through with Mayson and Cece, it somehow brought me here to this moment with Tanner. We were about to begin our lives together and I wouldn't have changed a thing.
Tanner pulled me close and peace enveloped my soul. Kim's words echoed through my mind. "He is the one I see."
#
Acknowledgments
Thank you SO SO much to the "Florists" who helped with the revamp of this book. I couldn't have done it without you--Pam, Sharon, Lisa, Jennifer, Sally, Laura, Mimi, Denise and Megan. A very special thank you to Samantha Gudger whose insight amazes me. I am so lucky to have had you in my corner for the reboot of this book. You are incredible!!!!! Can't wait to work with you again in the future!!!
Thank you so much to Kara Malinczak for pushing me to make the book better. For helping me find my voice in the proper tense and for helping me to see the story in a different way. Your suggestions and comments pushed me further than I would have ever pushed myself.
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