I turned to see Lemon hugging Anna. Then she squeezed me in a tight embrace. When she stepped away, her eyes were dancing, “Enjoy your evening, you two.”
“We will,” I said and guided Anna away.
When we reached the end of the sparkler trail, a loud pop rang out, making me jump. It sounded like a gunshot. But two seconds later a brocade of maroon and orange fireworks lit up the sky.
“Ashton,” Anna and I said at the same time. We glanced over to see his dark silhouette off in the grass, saluting us. It was fitting. Over the last two years, Anna and I had become Hokies through and through. The people in southwest Virginia and the town of Blacksburg had wormed their way into our hearts. I finally got Ash’s fixation.
Once the fireworks were done raining down, the crowd dispersed behind us.
I grabbed Anna’s hand again, overeager and not the least bit ashamed of it. Right on cue, Madden pulled up in my wedding present for Anna.
“Stella?” Anna’s jaw dropped. Anna’s car had given up the ghost a few months ago. It had been a whole emotional thing for her since it was her mom’s. Almost like letting a beloved pet cross the rainbow bridge. She didn’t know that I’d bought Stella back from the junkyard, fixed the transmission and engine, had her reupholstered, repainted and fully detailed. Along with a new radio, new steering wheel, and new carpet. Stella should be good to go for another couple hundred thousand.
“Of course,” I said. “I had to resurrect her. I’m forever in her debt. She drove you back to me.” I popped the passenger side door open for my beautiful wife.
Madden gave me a fist bump before walking away.
When I got in, Anna was hugging the dash. “Thank you,” she whispered, her cheek resting against it and her hands wiping over it in dramatic fashion, as if Stella was a long-lost friend.
I chuckled and pressed the gas too fast, spraying gravel behind us, giving away my impatience.
“Slow down, turbo.” Anna laughed, peeling off her heels.
“Nope. Not a chance.”
She gazed out the window quietly, a smile teasing at the corners of her beautiful mouth. I was about to ask her specifically what she was smiling about when her arms flew out. “Wait!”
I slammed the brake, my heart in my throat. “What?” We’d only driven fifty feet.
She looked over at me with wide eyes. “There’s one more person I need to say goodbye to.”
I groaned for the tenth time. “Are you kidding me?”
She popped the door open and tipped her head. “Come with me?”
That’s when I realized we were right by Sophie’s grave.
“Of course.” I undid my seatbelt and turned off the ignition.
Hand in hand, we walked to the gate, Anna still barefoot. Once it was open, I lifted the train of her dress so it didn’t get grass stained. When we were at Sophie’s grave, I dropped it gently. Anna slid her arm around my waist and gazed at her mom’s headstone.
“Momma,” she said in a hush. “Meet my h-husband.” I felt her shake and pulled her into my arms.
“It’s okay,” I said, understanding. I may not have lost a parent to death, but I’d lost a parent. My dad and I hadn’t spoken in more than two years and he hadn’t been told about the wedding today. Even if he was a complete tool most of the time, the loss of that relationship still ached. But at least I had hope that maybe someday he and I could reconcile. I couldn’t imagine losing a good mom permanently. “You don’t have to say anything,” I whispered. “She knows.”
Anna lay her head on my shoulder and we swayed to Ford’s song in the distance. Sounded like the party started back up.
“I’m sorry she couldn’t be here,” I said as I traced along Anna’s shoulder blades.
“Me too,” she whispered. “And I’m sorry about your dad.”
“Let’s…” My breath caught in my throat. “Focus on the good stuff.”
“Yeah. Let’s do that.” She pushed up and kissed me again, another lustful kiss that felt like a continuation of a few minutes ago. Her fingers started undoing the buttons on my shirt.
I stilled her hands and pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. As I made a trail with my lips across her collarbone I said, “Unless you want to do this right here in front of your mom…we need to go.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Yeah. Ok. Bye, Mom!” She grabbed my hand and took off running—yes, running—for Stella.
