Page 124 of Burning Love
“Stop shaking,” her mother said. “You’re going to jiggle the baby.”
Talia looked down at her belly that wasn’t visible in her gown.
“What a story I’ll have to tell them. I won’t lie like you did.”
“You can’t lie,” Aileen said, rolling her eyes. “You’re sixteen weeks pregnant. I was able to get away with it.”
She laughed. “I’m ready. Are you?”
“Let’s get in place. Talia,” her mother said, battling back the tears, “your father would be so proud. He’d love Jace. He really would. They are so much alike.”
Her eyes teared up some and she looked toward the ceiling to stop their fall. “I feel that in my heart.”
They left the room, the music started and her mother walked Talia down the aisle to her future husband. His father was already standing next to him as the best man, Laken, just a few weeks behind her in her pregnancy walked down before her.
Jace’s eyes locked on hers. Both of them smiled. She was almost giddy, but he was standing at the altar, his hands clasped in front of him. There was a tear in his eye, then he mouthed, “Oh wow.”
“That’s love,” her mother whispered. “Your father said those exact words to me.”
She turned to see her mother tearing up. She joined in. There was no way to stop it.
“Who gives this woman away?” the officiant asked.
“We do,” answered her mother and all her siblings. Talia should have known that would happen too.
Jace reached for her hands and held them quickly, gave them a reassuring squeeze and she returned it.
In the past six weeks, he and his father had been hauling ass to get the upstairs of his house ready and she’d be moving her possessions in once they returned from their honeymoon.
The ceremony was fast and sweet. They chose not to write vows for each other because she knew she’d never get through them without transforming into a puddle of tears on the floor.
“You may kiss your bride,” the officiant said.
Jace framed her face in his hands, put his lips to hers gently and whispered, “I love you. I’ll tell you every day of our lives so you know.”
“I don’t need the words now,” she said. “I feel it in my heart.”
He grabbed her hand and swung it up.
“I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Jace Rigby.”
Everyone clapped, his brotherhood of firemen the loudest and most obnoxious, even whistling and chanting, as they’d never thought they’d see this day. Talia and Jace walked backdown the aisle and to another room while they waited for their family to go to the reception room.
“Hello, Mrs. Rigby.”
Talia laughed and gave him a loud kiss. “Hello, Mr. Rigby. Do you think they’d notice if we disappeared for ten minutes?”
“I need more than ten minutes to get my fill of you,” he said.
“I’m only talking about the first round,” she said, grabbing his ass.
“They are ready,” the DJ said, coming into the room.
“Dang. Hold that thought for later,” she said. “I think I’m more excited about this.”
“Me too. You’ve made me the happiest man on this earth. I’m not sure I would have ever forgiven my mother without you.”
“You would have gotten there without me,” she said. “I’m positive. But I’m glad I could be a part of it.”
