Page 117 of Gideon's Gratitude

Chad approached me. “I won’t ask you if you’re sure, because I know you are.”

“Six months seemed long enough to wait. We wanted things to be settled.” Today was sunny and, happily for June, not too hot.

My brother nodded. “And the fact you’re sneaking in a honeymoon?”

I glared.

Chad held up his hands. “I didn’t say anything. But maybe you shouldn’t have asked Cherry for help.” He held his hands higher. “She only told Cherish…and that was that.”

In other words, the entire family knew.

Our officiant, Lolita, took her place at the top of the aisle, and my family wandered toward their seats.

Chad and I approached the woman.

She gave us a benevolent smile. “Nervous?”

I shook my head. “No. This feels right.”

She grinned. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Channing hit play on the sound system, and a light classical piece filled the air.

Gideon stood at the end of the makeshift aisle.

Melodie came first, throwing rose petals as practiced. She was adorable in her little pale-blue gown. She’d declared pink was for girly girls and she was mature now.

At seven.

She was going to be a handful.

Trevor followed, with the rings securely bound to the pillow he carried. His pale-blue bow tie was already askew, and Dad, the benevolent grandfather and child wrangler, rolled his eyes.

I, however, only had eyes for my groom.

Mother wanted tuxedoes, but we opted for suits.

At Melodie’s insistence, Gideon wore a pale-blue shirt with a navy-blue suit.

I’d chosen black with a crisp white shirt and a pale-blue tie that matched Gideon’s. I ran a hand down my collar.

“Nervous?” Chad whispered the word.

“Warm.”

“You’re the one who chose June.”

This date was a compromise. I hadn’t been willing to wait longer. I’d have done it in January if I thought Gideon would agree. The man’d wanted to wait a year. We’d split the difference.

As Melodie and Trevor arrived at the aisle, they took their appointed seats between Pia and my mother. Both kids were fascinated with their new little cousin. Melodie had declared she would be the next to have a child.

Gideon hadn’t bothered to explain that was unlikely.

Chuck stood at Gideon’s side. The two had bonded, with their children being so close in age. Heck, anyone in this room would have stood with Gideon. Unconditional support. Unconditional love.

The officiant’s words floated over me, and I spoke at the appropriate times. I even managed my little speech without choking up. But I made Gideon cry, and that made me uncomfortable. I didn’t mind his emotional nature, but I hated to cause distress in public.

“All good.” He whispered the words before he gave his speech.

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