Page 73 of Marcel

They both looked overat the discreet knock on the door before it was pushed open.

“I came to seehow you are doing.” Wendy breezed into the room, a smile on herlips.

“I am sorry to leave you to deal with the mourners.”

“Nonsense,darling.” She waved a dismissive hand as she stood by the edgeof the bed. “Your father and I think you both should spend thenight,” she added, looking at her son.

“I think it’san excellent idea. My wife needs the rest.”

“He is beingpushy and a pain in the ass.”

“I am takingcare of you.” He told her mildly. “Mother, now that Ihave you here, I have a suggestion.”

“What is it?”

“I wouldlike a private ceremony done tomorrow. Since we will be spending thenight and here tomorrow, I would like to invite Daniel Hardman tocome and officiate.”

“What are youtalking about? What ceremony?” Nikki gave him a puzzled look.

Wendy stared at herson, her eyes widening, and a pleased smile split her face. “Oh,my goodness.”

“Would someoneplease tell me what’s going on?”

Putting the trayaway, Marcel took her hands in his. “I want to marry youagain,” he said.

“What?”

“The first timewe married, I resented the hell out of you and paid lip service tothe vows I made.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Iam in love with you.” He shook his head. “I adore you,darling, and I want to say that or something to that effect to you infront of my family.”

She blinked at him.“You want to marry me again.”

“This timeof my own free will.”

“I don’tmind-”

“I do. And youare not cheating me out of it. I want a wonderful ceremony to tellour children about when they ask us. I want photos of us staring ateach other in adoration.”

His hand drifted to her flatstomach. “And I want this little one involved in the mostimportant day of our lives.”

“A dress-”

“I couldhave Monique send one over,” Wendy said swiftly, her eyesfilled with tears.

“Will you marryme again?”

“A hundredtimes. A thousand.” Nikki whispered hoarsely. “Every dayof the goddamned week, if you ask me.”

“I will leaveyou two alone while I get rid of the mourners,” Wendy said,clasping her hands to stop the tremors. “And then I will tellthe rest of the family.”

“Darling?”Marcel asked as he stared at her bemused expression.

“When did youdecide this?”

“It had been onmy mind for a few days, but so much was happening. But sitting andwatching you speak about your mother and realizing what you wentthrough—he shook his head. “I never knew I could love youany more than I already do, but I was wrong.”

“Lock thedoors.” She ordered huskily.

“Why?”

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