Page 90 of Resilient Rhythms
“You’re beautiful, A. He’s a lucky man,” Levi says sincerely.
“The luckiest.” Nova nods, taking another sip of her non-alcoholic sparkling wine and gagging.
“We’ll let you have a moment.” Ivy gestures to Nova and me and hustles us toward the door.
“It’s about to get good,” Nova hisses.
“Let them have some time as a family,” Ivy shoots back.
“You’re right. I want to be there when Derek announces that this is really their wedding. The expressions and reactions will be iconic,” Nova says.
Iconic, Ivy mouths to me.
I chuckle as we slip out of the room.
We move toward the bar and I relax when I see Mav in a huddle with Jameson and Derek. It looks like he’s giving Derek advice, which makes me laugh.
“I’m happy for you, Kenny,” Ivy says as we approach the bar.
I glance at her.
She smiles. “I know it hasn’t been easy, but look at what you and Mav have created. A beautiful marriage and now, a family.” My friend blinks away the moisture in her eyes. “You give women like me hope that I can find something similar.”
“You will, Ivy,” I say, a lump of emotion in my throat. “Of course you will.”
She shrugs. “We’ll see. But today, I’m just happy to be with you girls and witness the love you’ve all found.”
I squeeze her hand and she smiles again.
Levi calls her over and she squeezes my hand back before dropping her hold and moving closer to him.
Mav appears beside me, the warmth of his palm settling in the small of my back. “All good?”
“Everything is great.” I beam at him.
He drops a kiss to my lips. “Good. The bride isn’t getting cold feet?”
I snort. “Not in a million years. She’s been waiting for this day.”
Derek looks over his shoulder and grins. “Not as long as me.” He lifts his eyebrows and pushes off the ledge of the bar. “Wish me luck.”
“Luck,” Mav says.
“You don’t need it, Derek,” I add.
Derek shakes his head as he approaches the center of the room. His biological father, Dex, steps beside him and tosses an arm over his shoulders, murmuring something in Derek’s ear.
Derek laughs and taps his father on the back. Their relationship—once inconceivable—is now easy and natural.
Ivy was right. Sometimes, just bearing witness to the kinds of love that exist, that can evolve, is enough to fill you with hope.
“Let’s take our seats,” Mav whispers.
Tucking my hand in his, he escorts me to the chairs before Derek makes his big announcement.
I settle into my seat, one hand resting on my abdomen. Grinning at the guests around the room, I relax. Today, we’re celebrating love and joy and happiness.
And I’ve never felt more ready to embrace these gifts.
