Page 71 of Trash the Dress

“Will she keep trying?” Scarlett asks quietly.

I answer honestly. “I don’t know, sunshine. But it doesn’t matter. Because you and Atlas are all I’ll ever want. You’re not getting rid of me, even if you try.” I wink and kiss her again.

“We’ll face whatever storms are out there, together. I have my very own ray of sunshine to chase them away,” I tell her and keep her in my arms.

She giggles and says, “I wish I could make love to you right now.”

“Calm down, baby. We have plenty of time for that. And I plan to explore every inch of you once we get the green light from Dr. Ray. Maybe a month longer, right?” I ask.

“Something like that. But hey, are we going to trash my dress this time? We trashed the other one because it wasn’t the right fit for me…in more ways than one. But this one…well, maybe we should trash it because I’m never wearing another one,” she says with a cheeky grin on her pretty face.

“Maybe I’ll trash my tux too. We can create whatever magic you want that day. I know some good photographers that don’t mind taking direction from one of their own,” I tell her and wink.

“Oh, and Atlas can be our ring bearer! He’s going to be so handsome!” she says.

As I stare at her, I can see the little crinkles at the corners of her eyes that tell me her smile is real and her happiness is genuine. I can’t wait to live life with her and the little familywe created. And I know I’d trash anything and everything she wants me to, just to catch a glimpse of the sunshine in her smile. Some people never figure out how to capture the sun, but loving Scarlett is the closest I’ll ever be. Waking up next to her is a picture I get to take every day for the rest of my life.

EPILOGUE

Scarlett

A YEAR LATER…

“Ican’t believe it’s your wedding day!” Anna says as she touches up my makeup one more time.

“You look stunning. And this dress…it was made for you, Scarlett.” Leah is behind us fixing her lipstick in the other mirror.

I turn to see her more clearly. “Excuse me, but who have you been smooching?”

She blushes and Anna snorts out a laugh and then laughs harder trying to cover it up. I point at her and narrow my eyes. “My two best friends aren’t allowed to plot and smooch people behind my back. Especially on my wedding day when I can’t help you plot.”

“I’ll tell you about it later. It’s a?—”

I cut her off, “A long story. Leah, I know. But seriously, was it him?”

She nods and Anna presses her lips together. She knows bits and pieces of Leah’s love…complication. Only what she’s told her, because it’s Leah’s story to tell, not mine. And Anna would never press.

“Okay, more later, but for now you’re going to focus on being happy,” I tell her.

“I hear you loud and clear. Besides, Anna has a date today. I’ll live vicariously through the two of you,” she says and wrinkles her nose.

About that time, Mom and Dad come in holding Atlas. He’s decked out in a white tux with a black bowtie. “Ma-ma,” he says and smiles as he reaches for me. He waves his arms wildly until he’s in my arms.

“Hey there, baby boy. Are you ready to help Pap escort Mommy down the aisle?”

He laughs and says, “Da-da.”

“That’s right. We’re about to see Da-da.”

My own dad walks over to me and pulls me in for a hug. “My little girl. I’m so proud of you. You are a wonderful mother and you’re about to make Zander the happiest man in the world by becoming his wife. I couldn’t be happier for all three of you.”

“Thanks, Daddy. But you’re going to mess up my mascara and Anna worked so hard on it,” I laugh and swipe under my eyes as he takes Atlas back.

“We’ll be waiting for you in the hall.”

Leah and Anna follow Dad and Atlas out, leaving me and Mama alone. She rakes her gaze over me and then fixes my veil. “This dress, Scarlett, it’s breathtaking. You look right in it. I knew with the other one…well, it just wasn’t like this.”

I take her hands in mine. “I know, Mama. It’s funny how you can feel things like that. Or see them the way Zander can. But he’s the one for me. This is how it was supposed to turn out.”

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