by Kaylee Ryan
“There she is,” Valerie says happily.
“Morning, sweetheart,” Rhett’s dad says. “I thought you ladies might like breakfast.”
“Thank you,” I say. “Where’s Molly?”
“She just went to shower,” Valerie says.
“What time is it?” I ask.
“Just after eight,” they both say.
I take a seat across from them and grab a pastry from the box. “Does he know you’re here?” I ask Rhett’s dad.
He laughs. “No. I’m not crazy, Say. You know I never would have got out of the house without him. I snuck out while they were all sleeping. Left a note saying I went to get breakfast.” He looks at his watch. “I should probably get back, but I wanted to talk to you for a minute.”
“Sure.” I set my pastry on a napkin.
“I better hop in the shower. Love you,” Valerie says, leaning in for a kiss, to which my future father-in-law obliges.
He waits until she’s out of the room before turning back to face me. “Saylor, I know today is hard for you. I want to thank you for humoring my wife with a big wedding.”
I smile softly at him. “It’s my pleasure. It will always be a day to remember.”
“That it will. There’s really no easy way to approach this, so I’m just going to say it.” He takes a deep breath. “Saylor, you’re family. I already think of you as my daughter, and it would be my incredible honor to walk you down the aisle.” He hesitates before adding. “If you’ll have me.”
Tears run unchecked down my face as I’m swarmed with emotion.
Loved.
Wanted.
“I-I would r-really l-love that,” I stammer.
He nods, swallowing hard. I can see his eyes are glassy too. “Thank you. I’ll let you get ready. I need to go get snazzed up myself. It’s not every day I get to walk my daughter down to my son and watch them start their lives together.”
All I can do is smile through my tears. Standing, I walk around the table and wrap my arms around him in a hug.
I feel him kiss the top of my head. “Love you, sweet girl. We’ll see you soon.” With one more gentle squeeze, he releases me and turns to leave. “Saylor,” he says looking over his shoulder. He points to the table. “There’s a little something from Rhett. I was supposed to give it to you when you get to the house before the ceremony, but I thought I would go ahead and bring it. You know, before the makeup and all that.”
“Thank you. I have something for him too. Valerie has it.”
He nods. “See you soon.”
I watch until he disappears behind the main door. Grabbing the pink envelope, I sit on the couch. Leaning back, I close my eyes. “Mom, Dad, Elaine, if you’re up there listening like I think you are… thank you. Thank you for guiding me to Rhett, to his family. To Jake and Molly. Thank you for watching out for me. I love you, all three of you, so much.” I sit there for a few more minutes getting my emotions under control.
Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and turn the envelope over in my hands. Gently, I run my finger under the seal and break it open. Inside there are two tickets to Hawaii. Closer inspection tells me that we fly out tomorrow. Smiling like a love-sick fool, I unfold the note.
Today’s the big day. Fucking finally, it feels like it’s been a long time coming. I think part of that is because she was mine and I signed those divorce papers when I wanted to do anything but. I knew it was the right thing to do, to give her the choice, but I thought we would get married sooner than this, until mom stepped in. Four months has felt like four fucking years.
“Knock, knock,” Mom says, not waiting for me to tell her to come in. She just pushes the door open.
“You look so handsome,” she says, choking up.
I hold my arms open for her, and she rushes toward me. “Love you, Mom.”
She pulls back and wipes at her eyes. “I have something for you.” She holds up a gift bag that I didn’t notice she was carrying.
“How is my wife?” I ask her.
“Your fiancée is doing just fine. She’s breathtaking.”
“Tell me something I didn’t know.”
“Rhett Baxter! Have you snuck to see her?” She places her hands on her hips, causing the bag to sway, and gives me her “stern mom” look.
I throw my head back and laugh. “No, Mother, I have not. Saylor takes my breath every time I look at her.”
She places her hand over her heart, and her eyes mist once again. “I’m so proud of you.” She wipes her eyes. “Here.” She thrusts the bag at me. “I’ll give you a minute.” With a kiss to my cheek, she disappears behind the door, leaving me alone.
I settle on the couch, sitting the bag between my feet on the floor. Removing the tissue paper, I reach in for the small box that is labeled with the number one. Looking further, I see another box the same size with a number two. Pulling on the ribbon, it easily falls away. Carefully, I open the box, and inside rests an old antique key and a note.
I choke back the emotion that’s clogging my throat. Removing the key from the box, I hold it tight in the palm of my hand. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, getting myself under control. The urge to race to the other side of the house to the room she’s holed up in is burning hot. She’s so close, yet so far away. Glancing at my watch, I see it’s only twenty more minutes until she’s walking down the aisle toward me. I suspect Mom waited until closer to the wedding on purpose. She knew I would need to see her. Sliding the key in my pocket, I reach into the bag and pull out box number two. I repeat the process, pulling on the ribbon and it falls away just as easily. Opening the lid, I see a small packet of pills. Her birth control pills. I smile as my eyes well with tears. I quickly unfold the note to see if this means what I think it means.
Just as I fold up the note, Dad, Jerry, Jake, and Gramps walk in. I rush to wipe the tears; my future wife has just given me everything.
“You good?” Dad asks.
“Never better. Let’s do this,” I say, placing both boxes back in the bag. Standing, I reach in my pocket and run my fingers over the key.
“Good. Well, I’ll see you out there,” Dad says, heading toward the door.
“Wait? Where are you going?” I ask him.
He stops and turns to look at me. “I went to see my daughter this morning.” He grins, looking at his watch. “It appears it’s time for me to walk her down the aisle.”
“You did?” I swallow hard.
“Yep. You did good, son.” Those are his parting words before walking out the door.
“Let’s get you married,” Jake says, placing his hand on my shoulder.
We make our way to the backyard of our home, the one we now share with Gramps. Mom has turned it into a fairy tale with all the flowers and the white-fabric-covered chairs adorned with lavender bows. I take my place down front, greeting the minister with a handshake. There are no bride’s side and groom’s side; instead, we have three small rows of chairs. I didn’t even have to press the issue with Mom, she just knew. We have Jake and Molly standing up with us, Jerry, Gramps, Mom, Dad, and my mom’s parents are here. That’s it. Small, intimate, but assured to be a day Saylor and I will never forget.
When Train’s “Marry Me” begins to play, I turn to face the aisle. Instead of splitting down the middle, Mom had them run the white runner from the back porch around a big old oak tree and down the side of the seats. I gave her hell about it, accusing her of keeping Saylor from me even longer. She laughed, patted my cheek, and assured me that wait would be worth it.
After what feels like forever, Molly appears from around the tree; she’s glowing with her protruding baby belly in her lavender dress. I move my gaze to the back deck where the aisle begins. I see Dad and Saylor; she’s beautiful from a distance, of course, this is my wife we’re talking about. No matter the situation, she’s fucking gorgeous. I watch their every step. When they round the tree on the home stretch, I get my first good look at her. Sliding one hand in my pocket, I grip the
key, her heart. The other hand I bring to my mouth and bite down. I need to make sure this moment is real.
I don’t blink, afraid to miss one minute of my future walking toward me. When she’s close enough to touch, I remove my hand from my pocket and reach for her with both arms. Our guests chuckle, as does my father. “Not yet, son.” He grins.
Saylor’s beaming smile and misty eyes call to me. I don’t hear the minister ask who gives her away. All I see is her, and can only hear white noise. Nothing else matters in this moment. It’s not until she takes a step toward me that I shake out of my fog and reach for her. Without thinking, I pull her into my chest and wrap my arms around her. “You’re beautiful,” I say, my lips next to her ear.
We opted to go with short, quick traditional vows. I’ve never been surer of that decision like I am now. I can’t think with this beautiful woman standing in front of me. I repeat like I’m supposed to; we say “I do,” and I slide her diamond wedding band from Vegas on her finger. She does the same with my tungsten band. As soon as our rings are back in their rightful places, I pull her to me and kiss her. She’s on her tiptoes, even in heels, so I lift her, her feet dangling in the air, and kiss her harder.
“Rhett.” She laughs.
I pull away, relishing the sound. I rest my forehead against hers. “I love you, Mrs. Baxter.”
“I love you too, husband.” I can hear the smile on her voice.
Our friends and family are clapping and cheering us on. Instead of setting Saylor back on her feet, I scoop her up in my arms and take off toward the house. She smiles up at me and rests her head in the crook of my neck. Once inside, I head for the stairs.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
I don’t answer her, as I use my shoulder to push open our bedroom door, then kick it closed behind me. Gently, I place her on the bed, and crawl on my hands and knees to hover over her. “You’re gorgeous.”
“What are you doing?” She laughs as I kiss down the column of her neck.
“I’m utilizing my wedding gift,” I say against her neck.
“Rhett!” she scolds. “Not now, we have guests.”
“Don’t care,” I say, pulling all the fabric from her long dress up her leg, so I can get my hands on her.
“Stop.”
I freeze and pull my lips from her. Her blue eyes are shining with happiness and love. “I don’t want to rush through this moment. Let’s go downstairs and greet our guests.” She runs her fingers through my hair. “Our family. We have our entire lives to do this.”
“We’re not staying here tonight,” I tell her.
She raises her brow. “Why not?”
“Because I plan on being inside my wife all night long, and although Gramps’s hearing isn’t what it used to be, I don’t want him hearing you.”
“So, strangers are okay then?” She bites back her smile.
“We’re on the top floor,” I counter. It’s not okay, but I’ll choose strangers over Gramps any day. “I love you, wife.”
She grins. “I love you too, husband.”
“You know you’re going to spoil her, right?” I ask my husband.
He looks at me, horrified, and places his hands over our newborn daughter’s ears. “It’s okay, baby girl. Mommy didn’t mean it,” he coos at her.
I just shake my head and smile. Grace Elaine, or Gracie as we call her, was born three days ago. We named her after my mothers, both of them. Rhett’s parents weren’t here for the delivery, considering I went into labor three days early. “Your parents are going to be here any minute; you think you should put a shirt on?” I ask him, partly because of his parents are coming and partly because I have at least six more weeks before I can have sex, and the sight of my husband shirtless is too damn tempting.
“Skin to skin contact, the doctor said its good for her,” he argues.
Before I can give him a hard time about being a big softie where our baby girl is concerned, the doorbell rings. “Yoo-hoo,” my mother-in-law calls out. “Where is she?” she asks, stepping into the living room, Rhett’s dad right behind her.
“Back up, Nanna, it’s Daddy time.” Rhett mock glares at her.
“You’re going to spoil her. Now give her here,” she scolds him. He laughs but carefully transfers our baby girl over to his mother.
“Come sit, Say. You need to rest,” Rhett says.
I’m tired of sitting, but I don’t bother saying it because it falls on deaf ears. Since the moment I told him I was pregnant, he’s been this overprotective, by the book rule enforcer. “Yes, dear,” I say overly sweet.
“Look at you, miss Gracie, you’re just the prettiest little thing,” his mom coos at her. “Look at her little toes,” she says, pulling off her socks.
“How are you feeling?” Rhett’s dad asks.
“Good. This one doesn’t let me do anything.” I point to my husband. “So I’m getting a lot of rest.”
“Look what I found,” Grandpa Rhett says, joining us. He’s carrying a huge pink teddy bear that’s almost bigger than he is. “I bought my sweet girl a present,” he says, setting the bear on the floor beside Valerie’s feet. “My turn.” He holds out his arms.
“Back up, Pops,” Rhett’s dad says. “I’m next. Get in line.” He points to the empty seat beside him on the couch.
“Y’all are going to spoil her,” my husband says, smirking.
“Why don’t you two go grab something to eat, take a drive, take a nap, something. Take advantage of the help while we’re here,” my mother-in-law suggests.
“And just leave her here?” Rhett asks, horrified.
We all laugh at him. “Yes, son, leave her here. With her family who loves her just as much as you do.”
“We’re good. We have plenty of food in the kitchen.”
“Then just go take a drive, get out of the house.”
“We’re good.”
“Why don’t we go lie down?” I suggest.
“You tired, baby?” he asks, already standing.
I’m not, but he has to be. Every little noise she makes, he’s up checking on her. Not to mention, he’s been waiting on me hand and foot. Literally, he carries me to the bathroom and to bed. It’s ridiculous, but I wouldn’t change him for the world. He has me in his arms after making his parents promise to record or photograph if she does anything cute and to not leave the house. She’s three days old and already had her picture taken more times than I can count.
Once we clear the top of the stairs, he stops and presses his lips to mine. “I love you, Saylor Elizabeth Baxter. Thank you for this life you’ve given me.”
“I love you too.”
My wife is a fucking rock star. For the last nine months, I’ve watched her grow with our baby girl and not once did she complain. There were many nights where she couldn’t sleep, unable to find a comfortable position, but she never said a word about it. We went to Lamaze, we watched birthing videos, everything we could to be prepared for our little girl. I thought I was prepared. I knew the breathing. I knew Say’s focal point to keep her calm. I read a few books.
I was ready.
I was wrong.
The minute her contractions started coming, they came fast and hard. So much so that she was unable to get an epidural. I watched my wife give birth to our daughter naturally, in obvious pain, and it killed me. I would have done anything to take her pain away.
I live by the philosophy that I tell her and show her how much she means to me every day, but after that, after watching her delivery our baby girl into the world, I don’t have the words or the actions to show her what’s in my heart. I guess I could show her a picture of them together. It was an experience I will never forget, for as long as I live.
“Will you lay with me?” she asks. Not able to deny her anything, I crawl into bed facing her. She immediately lifts her hand and starts running it though my hair. It’s something she’s always done, and it’s become soothing to me.
I can feel my eyes start to g
et heavy, but I fight it. I need to be awake in case they need me. “When can we have another one?” I ask with a yawn.
She laughs softly. “Let me heal from this one, maybe get her out of diapers, and then we can talk.”
“I want a house full of little girls who look just like their mamma,” I confess.
“Yeah? I wouldn’t mind having a baby boy who looks like his daddy, maybe carry on the family name?”
“Yeah, one of those too,” I say, and she laughs.
“Love you, Short Stack,” I mumble, pulling her closer to me. I can never seem to get her close enough. “I miss your baby bump,” I say, tenderly running my finger over her now flat belly.
“Do you?” She laughs.
“I do.” I can feel myself drifting off to sleep, no longer able to fight it.
“Hey, Whiskey,” she whispers.
“Hmm?”
“Thank you for giving me what I always wanted.”
“What’s that, baby?”
“A family.”
Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons of Coco
½ cup margarine/butter
2 cups white granulated sugar
½ milk
3 cups of Quick Oats
½ cup of peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine:
Coco, margarine/butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla in a medium sized sauce pan.
High heat until the mixture is at a hard boil for one full minute. Continue to stir the mixture during this process.
Once the mixture has been at a hard boil for one full minute, remove from heat and add the peanut butter. Mix until completely blended.
Slowly add the Oats, mixing them into the mixture.
Once all the oats have been added. Spoon drops of mixture (size is up to you) on wax paper. Let the cookies cool/harden before eating.
**If the cookies do not harden, they did not boil long enough
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