I staredat myself in the bedroom mirror in disbelief. I looked like... a bride.
The deep brown tone of my skin contrasted the light cream of my dress. Its delicate straps and triangle bust accentuated my chest while the gauzy material flowed from the waist, giving me a gorgeous figure, even at eight months pregnant.
Some days, it made me sad that I’d never appear pregnant in the way some women did with their adorable baby bump. But today, I was happy to stand in front of this mirror and just look like myself.
Bryce’s family friend Maggie had done my hair and makeup, pulling back my natural curls with my mother’s hair comb. My makeup made my skin look flawless, and a smoky eye gave me a demure, mysterious look that had me wanting to bat my eyelashes at myself in the mirror. I did a twirl, in awe of my spinning gown.
It was everything I’d dreamt of since being a little girl and yet entirely different.
A knock sounded on the door. “Jada, it’s me.” My heart leapt at the sound of Glamma’s voice. Gen had driven her toCottonwood Falls today because she liked sleeping in her own bed.
“Come in!” I called out.
In walked Glamma, looking every bit as glamourous as one would expect. She wore a navy blue set with flowing pants and a long-sleeved shirt with a matching beaded cape. A mix of necklaces dripped into her neckline, and earrings dangling from her lobes caught the light in the primary bedroom. Taking in her outfit, I noted her favorite bejeweled cheetah-print flats sparkling right along with her jewelry.
“Glamma, you look amazing.”
“I know.” She grinned. “But you? Honey. You are the star of the show.” She took me in, palming my arms. “You look so much like your mother on her wedding day.”
Glamma’s eyes grew misty, and mine did too. I liked to think I had a piece of my mom with me, even if it was only in my appearance. “Thank you,” I said through my emotion.
She hugged me close. “I saw Bryce out there.”
My eyes lit up just at the mention of his name. “How did he seem?”
Getting a cheeky smile, she said, “Like he can’t wait to get you down the aisle.”
I laughed softly. Hopefully, she was right. After we talked last night, there was no doubt left for me that he would do whatever it took to protect my daughter and me, no matter the cost.
Another knock sounded on the door, and this time, Rei poked her head in. “Are you ready? The wedding planner is saying it’s time to start.”
I took a deep breath and nodded.
Rei came inside, looking gorgeous in her dark blue bridesmaid dress with a faux fur shawl. “Let’s get you married.”
The three of us walked over the old hardwood floors to the back door of the Madigan house. Bryce told me his grandparentshad built this house almost a century ago. It was wild to me that our wedding was now a part of its tradition, its story.
Just like it was part of mine.
An usher slid the back patio door open for us and squeezed my grandma’s hand to help her down. Thanks to outdoor heaters spaced every few feet, I was comfortable despite the cold day.
Rei and Bryce’s brother Hayes walked down the aisle together, and then everyone stood up for Glamma and me.
There was a sea of people there, sitting in the fanciest folding chairs I’d ever seen, but all I had eyes for was Bryce standing at the end of the aisle.
He wore a vintage blue tux that fit him like its previous owner had died and written in his will that it was to be worn by Bryce on this very day. But more attractive than the suit was the way he looked at me.
His eyes locked with mine, holding me in the highest regard I’d ever experienced.
My stomach swooped with the feeling. In Bryce’s eyes, I was something precious. Not damaged goods carrying the baggage of a child. His bride. His partner in parenthood. The one he wanted by his side in the future.
A tear slipped down my cheek as I walked toward him, knowing that somehow fate had led me here, right into this man’s arms.
It might not be the perfect time or circumstances, but we had gotten exactly what we needed.
Each other.
Grandma passed my hand to his and then kissed his cheek before kissing mine. “A smile is the best accessory,” she reminded us. “It never goes out of style, never stops being beautiful, and is more precious than gold.”
