Page 98 of Set In Stone

“Oh, I suspect he might. That could be why he’s always spoiled me so much. You know how he dotes on me and likes to take care of me. That’s why, when I saw you and Alex together, I gotscared.”

“Scared? What do youmean?”

“Alex has a possessive way about him. He looks at you like there’s not another soul on the planet, like he would move mountains for you. I’ve only seen one other man look at a woman theway.”

“Frank,” I said immediately. “He looks at you likethat.”

She smiled softly andnodded.

“I knew it wouldn’t be long before Alex staked his forever claim on you, and I was right. But,” sheadded.

“There’s always a ‘but’,” Ilaughed.

“But, don’t go having babies right away. You have years to do that. Take some time to get to know each other first,” sheadvised.

My mother reached down to squeeze my hand just as the door to the suite burst open. Allyson came hurrying in, her arms laden with flowers, boxes, and who knew what else. I could barely see her burgundy maid of honor dress behind all the things she wascarrying.

“Delivery!” shesang.

“Ally, what is all that?” I asked as she placed everything down on the settee. She picked up a huge bouquet of cream colored lily’s and handed them tome.

“These are from Alex, along with this,” she said and handed me a small gift box with a note card attached. I set the items aside with the intent of opening the card and gift box inprivate.

“What’s the rest of the stuff,Ally?”

“Something borrowed and something blue,” she stated matter-of-factly. I had nearly forgotten the tradition. “We talked about you borrowing my pearl necklace, so this works perfectly for your somethingborrowed.”

She pulled the necklace out of its case and held it out to me. Moving in, she reached around my neck and secured the clasp. I smiled my thanks as I touched the pearls resting near mycollarbone.

“I know my dress is the something new, but what about the something blue?” I asked. “To be honest, I never even thought aboutit.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about that. Your mom has you covered there,” Allysonassured.

I turned toward my mother. Tears shone in her eyes as she picked up a shallow rectangular box that Allyson brought in. She opened it up and pulled out a white scrap of material with blueembroidery.

“Your grandmother, although you don’t remember her, was a hopeless romantic,” my mother explained. “On the day you were born, she had this made for you. It’s a handkerchief with your name embroidered on it in light blue. Of course, naturally I asked her why she chose blue instead of pink. She told me that I was to give this to you on your wedding day so that you would have your somethingblue.”

Ismiled.

“And you kept it all thistime?”

“Of course, I did! She’d come back to haunt me if I didn’t!” my motherlaughed.

“I guess that just leaves my something old,” I murmured, glancing over to Allyson’s pile. There didn’t appear to be anything of use, as our flower bouquets were the only things left sittingthere.

“Open your gift from Alex,” Allyson suggested. Her eyes were sparkling with mischief. I narrowed my gaze ather.

“Have you beenscheming?”

“Obviously,” she said with feigned exasperation. “I am the maid of honor after all. It’s my job to think of the things youforget.”

Curious about the tiny box from Alexander, I picked up the note card that came with it and slid my fingernail under the envelopeseal.

“In the flush of love's light, we dare be brave. And suddenly we see that love costs all we are, and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets usfree.”

-MayaAngelou

I love you,angel.

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