Page 85 of Second Swing
“Thank you, husband.” A satisfied sigh leaves my lips as I rest my head on his chest, and we dance to our first song. “I can’t believe we are here, dancing as husband and wife. It feels surreal.”
“There’s nothing surreal about this, Dove. We were meant to be together. Don’t you feel the pull between us? It has us wrapped tightly together, and I’m never letting you go.”
“No worries there, my love. I’m not going anywhere.” I press a soft kiss to his lips, wanting so much more, and knowing I can wait until we are home together. Home. “So, I think now is the best time to ask if you would move in with me.”
This makes him laugh hard, a full belly laugh. Clint stops dancing as he grabs both sides of my face and kisses me once. “I would love to move in with you, Paloma.”
Lost in the moment of bliss, I zone out, no longer hearing the music or even caring what’s playing. I’m surrounded by my friends and family, being held by the man who came back for me. There is nothing I need, nothing I want, unless it's here in this room.
“Can we steal her for a moment?” Janelle says quietly next to us, and Clint nods his head. Janelle grabs my hand and pulls me to the girls, who are back near the office.
“Listen. You didn’t give us much time to gift you anything before yougot married. Seeing as I was with you when you bought that dress and you’ve yet to wear it until today, let’s consider it, along with that massive rock on your finger, your something new. Okay? Okay!” Cassidy says, answering her own question, because she is absolutely right. Her hair is pulled back into a loose updo, allowing her curls to fall wherever they may, and Cass’s makeup is soft and matches her lavender satin dress.
She pulls out an old bracelet, one I haven't seen since our high school days. A friendship bracelet we made for each other. “Here is something old to celebrate the person you were and still are but so much better—lived and loved,” she says as she slides the bracelet onto my wrist.
“And here’s mine—something borrowed—you keep it until it's time to give it back. It feels like you.” Brianna leans over and tucks her crystal hair comb into the side of my hair I have tucked behind my ear. “This was my aunt’s, and I’ve always loved it. She has a wonderful marriage, and I hope some of her bliss transfers to yours. Though I don't think it will be a problem because you two are so incredibly in love.”
I swipe a tear from my eye and rub the ones streaking down her cheeks. Her blonde curls are out today too, and I tuck a strand back behind her ear.
In a sing-song voice Janelle says, “And here is something blue.” She swings a nail polish bottle of an eggshell blue. “I even tied my hair back for this.” She jokes as if she doesn’t look absolutely perfect with the sides of her jet-black hair pulled to the back. Janelle paints my nails first, making sure to clean up any edges. She then paints Brianna’s and Cassidy’s too, ending with painting her own nails. It feels reminiscent of our high school days when we would have sleepovers. “Blue is for love, fidelity, and purity, but let's look at it as the purity of our friendship. The four of us, together, always.”
“Always,” we all say in unison. “I love you girls so damn much, and I don't know how I ever got so lucky to have friends like you, but I’m so grateful.”
I pull them into a group hug as we all sob at how happy we are. Life would be immeasurably smaller without them.
“We need to commemorate this moment!” B shouts, pulling out her phone and holding it up. We all squeeze in together, getting as close as possible, huge smiles on display as we laugh. B stands in front, holding up her phone to capture a selfie, while Janelle and Cassidy stand on either side of me. B snaps as many selfies as she can before turning it around, inspecting the pictures before she shows the rest of us. “I think I may just paint this.”
“No matter what, I want a copy of both…framed!” I shout the last word gleefully.
“Same!” Janelle and Cassidy say together.
When we finally make it out of the office, the guys are all talking with one another. I can overhear Anderson and Clinton chatting about Crew’s last build, about how disastrous it was, and Jameson mentioning a men’s night out. They’re all laughing and clapping Clinton on the back. It does my heart good to see Clint chatting it up with guys who have become brothers to me. Clinton’s dad is standing with them while our moms, including Cassidy’s grandma and Janelle’s parents, are standing near a small, pale yellow, heart-shaped cake near the back.
“Mija, a minute please,” my dad calls for me, and I turn instantly. Still not used to hearing him in person and so close. I’m glad he's here.
“Can I grab Clinton?” He nods his head, and I turn to find Clint, who somehow knows when I need him. His legs are already eating up the space between us.
He wraps his arm around my waist and presses his lips to my forehead. “I missed you, Dove.”
“It's only been a few minutes.” I grin, pushing his chest playfully with my hand.
He grabs my wrist, pulling me near, and kisses me once before letting me go. “A few minutes longer than I want to be away from my wife.”
“Want to come meet my dad and his fiancée?” There is no answer needed, he’s already wrapping my arm in his to meet my father.
Papi embraces me and holds a hand out for Clint, who swallows him up in a hug instead. My dad’s grin widens, patting him on the back. “It's nice to finally meet the man in my daughter's life. Thank you for being the reason for bringing us back together. I know you will take great care of her. You already have.”
“She’s an incredible woman. She made all those strides on her own. I don't plan on ever leaving her side.” My dad squeezes Clinton’s hand and turns to his fiancée.
“I wanted to introduce you to someone. This is my fiancée, Camila.”
“Hola, Paloma. You look stunning. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day.” She gives me a tentative smile. She seems genuine while also a bit nervous, and I can understand why. Just as I’m meeting her for the first time, she is meeting me, the previously estranged daughter of the man she’s going to marry.
I would be nervous too; you want your spouse to love, and be loved by, your family. “Hola, Camila. Though I wasn't expecting anything that happened today, I am so glad you came. What better way to start our friendship than with love. And congratulations to you.”
Clint turns toward my dad and says, “So, Hector, tell me about Paloma as a baby. I need to know what our children are going to belike.” Clapping my father on the back, they both laugh as they walk off, probably going to join the guys, and that leaves me here, with my future bonus-mom. So I do the only thing I can think of and grab her hand.
“Come on, let me introduce you to some of the best people you’ll ever meet.” We walk toward my best friends, surrounded by old, and new, family. She’s family now, no matter that we’ve just met, and I’m not wasting any more time on getting to know who my dad is now or my stepmom. Here right now, I’m surrounded by family, and this is the only place I want to be.
