Page 125 of Watercolor Skulls

“Hey, baby.” She reaches up and pinches his cheek. “Don’t you look so handsome on your wedding day.” Her hands slide over the front of his white shirt.

“Thank you, mom.” He leans down and gives her a kiss on the forehead.

“And look at your bride.” She pulls away from him, gesturing over me.

He turns in slow motion, realizing this is the first time he’s seeing me in my wedding dress. The muscle in his jaw twitches.

“Jesus Christ,” he whispers hoarsely.

His mom swats him in the stomach, making him flinch. “Mouth.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He smiles at me wickedly. “You look good enough to eat.” He nips the air, earning him another swat to the stomach.

His mom pushes me from the room. “Enough of this nonsense. We’ll see you at the ceremony.” She stops to give Dirk a kiss on the cheek on our way out, making him blush. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the man blush.

Amazingly she remains lucid the entire day. Our angel must be looking over us. I’m sure she is.

Jenny’s dad walks me down the aisle. I wanted to ask him, but turns out I didn’t have to, he offered.

All I can say is that I thank Jenny every day for them.

The rest of the ceremony is a blur. I literally have hearts in my eyes for the man I’m marrying. He’s all I see as we recite our vows.

Later that evening Jackson finds me sitting on a bench alone, staring up at the sky. My feet are killing me. The guys have kept me dancing all night long. He sits down beside me, watching my face intently. I drop my eyes to him, and he smiles shyly.

“I made you something.” He kicks his feet back and forth and I notice he’s hiding something behind his back.

“You did?”

He nods. “JD helped me.”

Jackson hands me his gift.

“Jackson. I love it.”

I run my hand over the wooden frame. It’s a map of the United States. There is a box attached to the side filled with push pins. One is already pinned on the map. It’s a special pin, a tiny little dragonfly. It’s stuck on home.

“You can put the pins in all the places you visit,” he tells me, running a finger under his nose.

“Jackson this is a very thoughtful gift. I love it.”

“I’m going to miss you,” he says, sniffling sadly.

Dan and I are taking a month long honeymoon. We are road tripping across the United States. I know that seems excessive but soon we won’t be able to travel. We have a secret…well two little secrets. Yes, I know Skulls aren’t supposed to keep secrets, but Dan and I want to keep the news to ourselves for a while. At least until my second trimester begins.

“I’m going to send you lots and lots of postcards and we can facetime any time you want.”

“Really?” he perks up a little.

“Really. I’m going to miss you just as much as you miss me.”

He smiles, scooting closer to me. We both turn our faces back to the heavens. I’m hoping Jenny can see us. Maybe Jackson is wishing for the same thing.

Before I know it, it’s time to leave. Everyone gathers around to wave us goodbye. I laugh, curls whipping around my face as Dan pulls me past the rows and rows of sunflowers to our vehicle.

I stop, skidding in the gravel. “Dan,” I squeal, jumping up and down like Jackson does when he’s excited.

It’s a Volkswagen Bus. Holy shit! This is perfect.

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