Page 106 of Family Bonds: Coy & Angel

“I’m starting to,” she said. “He’s gone to a lot of trouble to plan this. I can’t wait to see it all.”

“I find it strange you haven’t had much of a hand in it,” her mother said.

“I want to be surprised. He’s a romantic guy.”

“You want to remember it all and not be stressed trying to do it and having it be perfect,” her mother said. “I get it now.”

“I’ve got so many other things to think about and do and plan, that this could be for him. He’s more excited about it. I wanted him to have what he wanted for this.”

“That makes more sense,” her mother said. “I think you made the right decision.”

“He’ll feel as if he got to spoil me and it’s what he likes to do. I don’t care about those things. But I know it’s going to be beautiful either way.”

“That’s a very mature thought. I know what is planned, and you will not be disappointed.”

And hours later when she was in her wedding gown and waiting to make her exit from the building, the butterflies in her belly were from excitement and not nausea.

“I’m getting married,” she said to her mother, trying to jump up and down in her dress and squealing like a teen who just noticed the new trend in jeans appear in the mall. Her gown was simple in her eyes, but exactly what she would have picked out even if she had a big wedding.

Sweetheart neckline, strapless and fine details throughout. It was fitted to her body but not snug. She could move easily and there was only a tiny little train that she could pin up.

Maybe it was good to get married now before she started to show in her pregnancy. She might hate looking back at her pictures and always having the reminder that she wasn’t looking or feeling her best.

She wouldn’t have that now.

She’d only see the pictures and know what Coy did for her. For them.

“You are getting married,” her mother said, wiping her eyes.

“Don’t cry or I’ll start crying. I don’t want my makeup done again.”

“I’ll stop,” her mother said, looking at the ceiling.

There was a knock at the door. “Come in,” she said.

Her father opened it and his eyes started to fill. “I’ve waited for this day for years. I never knew if we’d get to see it.”

“Don’t you start either,” she said. “Did you think I’d be an old maid that no man would want?”

It was better to joke about that rather than his worry all the years she might not have lived.

Those days were in the past and where she was damn well going to keep them.

“I knew any man would be lucky to have you as their wife.”

“That’s right,” she said. “Coy is very lucky.”

“He is,” her father said. “And they are ready to start.”

Her mother left after she kissed her, then Angel walked out with her father and stopped at the back of the beach where everyone was seated.

Coy looked up at her and smiled. He was standing under an arch covered in white roses with pops of pink in front of the ocean.

There was a light breeze and his hair was moving around.

The photographer moved in front of her to take a few shots and then slid back and off to the side.

The music started, her and Coy’s family stood, and she made her way toward her future husband.

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