“Go where?” I assumed he had dinner or something planned based on how he was dressed and the dress Maddie had me in, but I wasn’t sure.
“To get married.” Trooper kissed me and grabbed my hand before reaching for the door.
“Wait, I’m confused,” I said, looking up at him.
He didn’t say a word, just opened the door, and again my hands flew over my mouth. There were accents of mango and powder blue all over, flowers and ribbons lined the wall, and a few white wooden chairs decorated to match the flowers and ribbons. I stepped inside and noticed Carlos, my mother, and my father all dressed similar to Trooper and me. Now it made sense to me why Maddie was in her strapless dress. She claimed she and Carlos had dinner plans, but turned out she had wedding plans.
“This is your wedding?” I said, turning to face Maddie.
“No, this is your wedding. You planned it and didn’t even know. Now let’s get this over with.”
“I can’t believe you.”
“Blame him. We can have this argument later, right now we have a wedding to attend.” Maddie grinned then walked past me toward Carlos and my mother.
My father made his way over to me and took my hand. “You ready, baby girl?”
I looked at Trooper, who winked at me then headed toward the front where a priest was standing. He turned, folded his hands in front of him, and waited.
“I missed so much, but this more than makes up for it. I get to walk my daughter down the aisle on her wedding day.” My fathersmiled big and it was contagious. He hugged me tightly, and for the first time in a really long time, things just felt right.
“I’m glad it’s you. It could have only been you,” I said softly against his chest, causing him to hug me tighter.
“Good, now let’s go before I change my mind. No matter what I missed and how old you are, you’re still my baby girl.” He delivered a kiss to my forehead before we separated.
“I think he would fight you for it,” I said as soon as I looked across the room at Trooper.
My father laughed and looked that way. “You’re probably right.”
He looped his arm through mine and we walked side by side toward my future. For some reason, a certain calm washed over me. Trooper’s eyes never left mine, and the closer I got to him, I just knew I’d never have to worry about anything ever again. He had me and with a certainty I’d be willing to bet my life on. From this point forward, I would always be loved.
Epilogue
“Sophie, relax, baby. You’re almost there, but you have to relax.” I wiped her forehead and delivered a few kisses. She was exhausted and could barely keep her eyes open, but I needed her to push through. I was ready to meet my son.
She looked up at me, clutching her chest as she tried to control her breathing. She broke into a panic attack out of the blue, preventing her from pushing.
“Sophie, sweetheart. You’re almost there,” Dr. Soren said calmly as she smiled softly at Sophie.
She had already pulled me to the side and warmed me that if Sophie didn’t deliver soon, they would have to do a Caesarean. She had been in labor for almost twenty-eight hours and they were getting worried. She was fully dilated, but kept having panic attacks that prevented her from pushing.
Never in my life had I ever felt so helpless. When shit happened, I handled it. But with this, I couldn’t do anything but watch her suffer through it. That was breaking me down with every second that passed.
Moving my hand down my face, I leaned in and whispered against her ear.
“Sophie, you can do this. I know you’re exhausted, in pain, and just want this to be over, but you can do this, baby girl.” I kissed her temple and she nodded just as another contraction hit.
“Okay, Dad, help her up. And Sophie, I need you to push for me. Just breathe easy and push,” Dr. Soren said in a calm but firm voice.
Sophie nodded and pressed her palms flat on the bed beside her, gritting her teeth as she pushed as hard as she could.
“Good girl. You’re doing great, Sophie. You’re making progress now. Just hang in there with me.”
I rubbed her back and she leaned into me, too exhausted to even speak. The only sounds she made was grunting as she pushed and whimpering after.
“Mmmmmm, it hurts so bad,” she whined as another contraction hit.
“I know, baby, but you’re doing so good. I love you, Soph.”
