EPILOGUE
Two months later…
“How do I look?” Kira asked, turning around after she managed to slip inside her white wedding gown with Poppy’s help, in her childhood room.
“Beyond beautiful,” Poppy said, with tears in her eyes.
“You look all right,” Billie said, waving Poppy off.
When Kira’s mom cleared her throat, Billie stretched to her full height and smiled. “Of course I was joking. You look gorgeous,” her cousin said, a pang of pride in her voice.
Kira chuckled. She’d never thought she’d see her cousins and her mom and Shelby all together in her old bedroom as she got ready to get married. But the day had arrived… her mother had insisted on being part of the wedding planning, which really meant she did most of it. Kira was fine with it, still getting used to getting more attention from her mom, but certainly appreciative.
“The makeup really brings out her eyes,” Shelby said. “Well done, Poppy.”
“I’m surprised she made it in time. She’s had her hands full with her new hot boss,” Billie said.
“Hot boss? Is there something you haven’t told us?” Doris asked.
“Didn’t you know? She’s working as a nanny for a super sexy—”
“Enough, Billie,” Poppy said, waving her hands like she was slicing the air—or Billie’s throat. “Let’s not get carried away.”
Kira smiled inwardly. Billie had never been known for discretion, and Kira knew that Poppy was falling for her boss, but it wasn’t her place to say anything. Especially since from what Poppy had mentioned, her boss didn’t seem open to the idea of commitment. There were the kids to think about, too.
“I’ll go make sure the caterer doesn’t need anything,” Shelby said, then quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.
“Doubtful. Those people look like they know what they’re doing,” Billie said.
Kira agreed. They’d hired a top-notch company that had made sure the ceremony and reception would be stress-free. Luc had given her option of having the wedding at a much more exclusive location, but she’d insisted on her parents’ backyard. She figured she wouldn’t be moving back to Texas ever, and this was a nice way to close a chapter of her life and officially begin a new one.
The next several minutes were a blur, with her mother fumbling over the dress, and her cousins teasing each other. It was like her field of vision wasn’t focused, a mix of excitement and bridal nerves sweeping over her.
Her father met her at the beginning of the long champagne-colored carpet rolled all the way to the altar in the middle of the backyard. She took his arm in hers and clenched the bouquet in her hand, then walked with what she imagined what the smile of a woman in love.
The moment her gaze found Luc’s, her vision shifted into laser focus, her heart threatening to leap from her mouth. She saw in his eyes the same powerful, intense love that she felt. She saw in him the man she would be with for the rest of her life. And perhaps afterlife too. She wouldn’t let him get rid of her that easily.
When her father greeted Luc, she drew in a breath. The guests, besides the wedding party, sat. Luc’s father, whom she now called Charles and no longer Mr. Montague, stood not too far from them. He’d been quite consistent with trying to get to know Luc better, and it was a joy to watch their relationship unfold.
Luc broke protocol and kissed her cheek, his lips brushing over her flesh and sending delicious shivers down her spine.
“After this is over, meet me behind the fence. Like last time,” he whispered in her ear, a twinge of need in his voice.
Warmth filled her cheeks, as she remembered when they’d had sex during her parents’ anniversary party.
“Yes,” she said. Who was she to break tradition?