What could have been extremely complicated logistics worked out fairly easily, to Misty’s relief. They were able to reach Parker on Skype early in the morning while it was nighttime over in Afghanistan. He only had a couple more days at the base before his first mission. Then he’d be unreachable. Julie said she’d take the day off.
The Fierro boys were on the same shift all over the city, but they each double-checked their schedules and had the following two days off. It was a short window, but all they needed was fifteen minutes and a preacher.
Misty had gone shopping for a special dress and found something that fit perfectly, right off the rack. A simple white gown with the sweetheart neckline she loved, and silk, like gossamer, made up the décolletage and sleeves. It was exactly what she would have picked out had she oodles of time. She didn’t even need to buy Gabe a ring, since he couldn’t wear it when he shrank to the size of a bird and his fingers were talons.
Saturday, the whole family headed to the North Shore. Dante drove Misty and Julie in his Beemer so Gabe wouldn’t see her in her dress beforehand. Antonio drove his wife and two youngest sons, Noah and Luca. Jayce and Kristine sailed there on his boat. Gabe met up with Miguel and Sandra, so the whole gang was able to arrive in three cars. A veritable feat.
Coming from Ireland, Ryan and Chloe said they’d meet Jayce and Kristine at the Cape Ann Marina where Jayce had his boat docked for the day. Then they’d “pop over” together. Gabe took his laptop so he could bring Parker in via Skype.
All the family members agreed to stay overnight in a nearby hotel, except Ryan and Chloe. Ryan was still supposed to be dead, and though people this far from Boston might not recognize him, there had been a very public funeral, and his picture was in all the papers and on the news. He couldn’t tempt fate.
Gabe and Misty would have their wedding night and the following morning together. All the phoenixes and one dragon would tow a dinghy out to sea with Jayce’s fishing boat.
Antonio wanted them to wait a week, but Parker’s schedule required they move faster than that. No one knew how long his mission would last. Marines could be sent to some very dangerous places and be expected to stay for long periods.
Misty sat in the back of Dante’s car, enjoying the banter between him and her maid of honor seated up front.
“So, those toy parties you do, Julie. How did you get into that?” he asked with a wide grin.
“Oh, you know. I just sort of fell into it.”
“Ha! Do you ever do any product testing?”
“Oh boy,” Misty interrupted. “You don’t know who you’re teasing, Dante. If you push her, even a little bit, she’ll give you a demonstration.”
Julie burst out laughing. “Hey, it sounds like a great idea to me.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she glanced over at Gabe’s handsome brother.
Dante’s voice shot up. “Wow! I lucked out. So, what did you bring?”
“Now?” Julie groaned. “I don’t have my goodies with me.”
“Damn. Oh well. I might have driven us right off the road. Can’t get distracted, since I’m transporting the bride.”
“Yeah, Gabe wouldn’t like that,” Julie said.
“Are you kidding? He’d kill me. So, without distracting me with demos, what kind of toys do you sell at these parties?”
“Oh, the usual. Vibrators, flavored lube, nipple clamps, blindfolds… You know, the kind of things that come in fifty shades.”
Dante gulped. “That stuff isusualnow? Boy, I must be dating the wrong girls. Maybe I should venture out to the suburbs more often.”
Julie giggled. Actually giggled! Misty hadn’t seen her friend act like a girly girl, ever! Was there a romance brewing before her eyes? Probably not. Dante was a notorious flirt.
At last, they arrived at gorgeous Crane Beach. They timed it so she’d be the last to arrive and they’d have Gabe facing out to sea until they told him to turn around for his first look. She was surprised to realize her nerves were tingling.Is that the MS, or am I just nervous?Since her mouth was dry and her pulse was racing, she decided it was a case of nerves.
Dante jumped out and opened the back door for her. She ducked so she wouldn’t knock her short veil askew. The only real problem she’d had with her outfit was what to wear for shoes. A satin heel would be destroyed by the sand. So even though it was April and chilly despite the bright morning sun, she wore strappy gold sandals. If anyone gave her crap about wearing all white, she could point to her feet. Not that anyone would do that…except maybe her brother. No. Even as much as he enjoyed inappropriate teasing, he wouldn’t do it on her wedding day.
Standing still for a moment to be sure her legs weren’t going to give out on her, she took a deep breath of fresh ocean air. The see-through material covering her chest and arms kept the chill away surprisingly well.So far, so good.
Antonio met her at the wooden walkway that led from the parking lot to the beach. He smiled and crooked his arm. “Ready?”
“Yup.” That was about all she could say around the lump in her throat.I’m getting married. To Gabe!Her childhood dream was coming true.
She didn’t know how Gabe would feel about his own appearance. She hoped he wouldn’t be self-conscious about the hair and eyebrows that hadn’t grown back and the many scars he still bore. She didn’t care what he looked like. Only that he was there—willingly.
Dante hurried down the walkway to join the rest of his family. Julie lined up in front of Misty and her soon-to-be father-in-law. She didn’t realize how tightly she was clutching Antonio’s arm until he laid his hand over hers and whispered, “Relax. You’ll be fine.”
She nodded dumbly. He escorted her to about six feet behind the groom. Gabe’s bandages had been removed from his head and face. He was wearing a black tux and white gloves instead of compression bandages on his hands. Luca was off to one side, waiting with camera poised.
