Page 103 of Edge of Desire

Mom buttoned the last button on my dress. I bought it off the rack and it was gorgeous. It was plain satin, without any adornments or lace. The dress was sleeveless with a deep-V plunging neckline, but it was the back I loved so much. I’d always wanted a dress that had a ton of those satin-covered buttons running down the back and this one had it. When Mom was finished, I spun around and asked, “Well? What do y’all think?”

“Darling, you look …” She stopped and dabbed her eyes. My mom, who’d never shown much emotion towards me was crying. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” Melissa shoved a wad of tissues in her hand.

“Oh, Mom, thanks. But please don’t cry. I don’t want to ruin my makeup.”

Melissa asked me to spin around again. “I gotta say, you really dress up well. I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride. But you would’ve looked better if you had put on those extra pounds. Your arms could use a bit of added volume.”

Mom gasped and I elbowed her in the side. I didn’t want her to get into a verbal sparring match with Melissa. It would probably end with Melissa putting her in a choke hold which wouldn’t be good.

Lexi came up and hugged me. “Preston is going to flip when he sees you.”

“You think?”

“I know.”

The door to the room opened and Grams walked in. “Grams, you look beautiful.” I ran over and hugged her.

“Oh, no. You’re not going to compliment me when you’re the stunning bride. I am so happy for you and that man of yours is going to be chomping at the bit to scurry you off and do the dirty when he sees you.”

“Grams! I can’t believe you said that.”

“Humph. You know it’s true. He drools whenever he looks at you, so today he’s going to save the drool and use the tool.”

I sputtered a laugh and then bent in half, roaring. “Grams, I can always leave it to you to make me laugh.”

“Here, child, I have something for you.” She held out her hand and in it was her diamond earrings and a diamond necklace. “A bride needs something old on her wedding day. I want you to have these.”

My hand covered my mouth as I gasped. These weren’t just any diamond earrings and necklace. My grandad gave them to Grams on their wedding day and she’d worn them every day as long as I could remember. “I can’t possibly accept these. I’ll wear them today but they’re going back to you tomorrow.”

“I won’t take them. They’re yours, Little Avery. Ever since you were born, I planned on passing these to you. What better time than on your wedding day?”

I didn’t know what to say. When I was a child, I used to climb onto her lap and play with those earrings. I’d always loved them but didn’t expect them to be mine one day. And the necklace too? It was extra special for the reasons she said before. I threw my arms around her and squeezed. “Grams, I will cherish them forever, and maybe someday, if I have a daughter, she’ll wear them on her wedding day.”

Grams patted my cheek. “That sounds wonderful. Now you get ready to walk down that aisle. The natives out there are getting restless.” She walked out of the room and Caroline stuck her head in.

“Is everyone ready? We’re sending Big Avery down the aisle now. Susan, you’re next, then Lexi, and finally Melissa.”

We filed out and went to stand in the living area. I watched Grams walk as Pearce escorted her. I’d wanted Caroline to be a bridesmaid, but she insisted she would rather be the wedding director. She’d done a marvelous job with everything, so I agreed.

Andrew escorted Mom, and then it was Lexi’s turn. I peeked as she met Pearce at the arbor we were getting married under. Finally, it was Melissa’s turn to join Pete Kowalski, as he was Preston’s best man. Then Caroline nodded, letting me know it was time.

I walked out and Dad stood there, with tears in his eyes. “I said it before, and I’ll tell you again. I’m so thrilled you decided to have a wedding. This was something I would’ve regretted not doing for the rest of my life. You are more beautiful than any words I could possibly come up with. I love you, honey.”

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I love you too, Dad.”

“You ready to go meet your man?”

“I am.” Then we took the first steps down the aisle. I glanced up to see Preston staring. His eyes glistened, and when I reached him, I swiped the tears away. Dad passed me over and he took my arm.

“Avery.” That one word made my body hum. “You’re so beautiful I’m afraid this isn’t real and I’m dreaming.”

“I’m real, and you’re not dreaming. This is our day to begin life together as Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell.”

“God, I want to kiss you.”

“You will. Now let’s get married.”

And that’s what we did. After Preston got the okay to kiss the bride, he dipped me over his arm and kissed me like it was his last breath. The crowd clapped and I laughed against his mouth. When he straightened up, I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I love you, Mr. Mitchell.”

---