Page 64 of The Roadie
A murmur from the guests brought their attention back to the procession. Little Tessa, wearing a poufy pink gown and looking like a princess, dropped red rose petals on the white runner as she walked with her brother. Lucas, with his pale blond curls and bright blue eyes looked so grown up and handsome, walking next to his sister, carrying the velvet pillow with the rings. Behind them, Jimmy walked alone, strutting down the aisle as if he were the one getting married.
The wedding planner suddenly rushed at Kira and fussed with her veil, pulling it forward over her face. “Get ready. Your big moment is coming up.”
Kira took a deep breath filled with an equal amount of excited anticipation and nerves.
“Relax,” the wedding planner said. “Don’t think about anything except that handsome man waiting for you. Just focus on him. I’ve been doing this for a long time, Miss Abelman. I’ve seen a lot of couples get married. Some have been less than ecstatic. Some have been so eager to get married that they practically ran down the aisle. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen two people who looked more in love that you and Mr. Navarro. He’s all the way over there, a hundred feet away, and I can feel the connection the two of you share. Since the ceremony started, you’ve locked eyes a dozen times, and it was as if the world stood still. You two make a beautiful couple, and you’re going to have a long, loving life together. It’s because of couples like you that I became a wedding planner. I love love. Live your dream.”
A huge lump formed in Kira’s throat, and she couldn’t swallow it. Oh, God. She was going to cry again. “Thank you,” she managed to squeak out, holding back the tears.
Her father took her arm and redirected her attention. “Just focus on your man, sweetheart.”
She nodded and pulled herself together. Just then, the sound of Mendelssohn’sWedding March, performed by a full orchestra, resonated through the open air. Holding tightly onto her father’s arm, she crossed the path that led to the long white runner. She breathed deeper with each step, her head swimming with a million thoughts.
“I’m not giving you away,” her father said. “So, the minister better not ask that question. I’m simply escorting you to your soon-to-be husband.”
She rested her head on his shoulder for a second. “No one is ever taking me away from you, Daddy.”
He patted her hand that clung to his arm. “That’s my little girl.”
They reached the rows of chairs and started down the aisle. Everyone was on their feet looking at her and smiling, but she was looking at Brett. His eyes were glued to hers, as if no one else existed. She felt as if there were an invisible tether between them, and he was pulling her to him with each step. His lips moved, and she read the words that passed through them, even though she couldn’t hear them. “Beautiful.” And then, “I love you.” Another wave of emotion flooded her, and she pressed her lips together and inhaled a shaky breath.
“So many happy tears today,” her father noted.
They were in front of the gazebo now, and she turned to her father. She was shocked at the tears in his eyes. This was a man who stood rock solid her entire life. He was unflappable, but today his emotions were on full display.
He lifted her veil, kissed her cheek and then hugged her. “I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too, Daddy.”
He shook Brett’s hand. No words, just one solid nod of the head said everything.
Brett nodded back with mutual respect, then he turned to Kira, and his face lit up brighter than the sun.
Kira’s heart was pounding so hard it was vibrating in her throat, and her cheeks hurt from how wide she smiled. She handed Audra her bouquet and joined hands with Brett. They stared at one another, lost in a silent exchange of love.
Theirs wasn’t a romance filled with ups and downs or pain and angst. They didn’t have to overcome unsurmountable odds to be together. It took a minute, but compromise came easy. Their story wasn’t a tear-your-heart-out ugly cry. Theirs was a love story. A fairy tale. And all their dreams were about to come true.
