“No, you can’t come in. You’re not allowed to see the bride before the ceremony.” Jenna Bennett is employing her most stern motherly voice, talking to Blake through the cracked door.
“Mom, I don’t give a rat’s ass about antique traditions. I’m coming in.”
Jenna steps back, muttering about how he can’t respect rules even on his wedding day. I grin, beyond happy he isn’t one to respect traditions because I was hoping I’d get to spend a few minutes alone with him before everything kicks off.
“Fine, I’ll leave you two alone, but just for ten minutes.”
I admire my asymmetric, braided bun in a sideways mirror.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Once we’re alone, he closes the distance to me, slowly looking me up and down. My dress is magnificent, a princess-style white gown with a satin and lace bodice, and a voluminous skirt—satin only. I won’t deny I feel a bit like an elephant, what with my middle looking as if I swallowed a football, but that doesn’t keep me from grinning like a lunatic. I understand what Alice meant at her own wedding about not being able to stop grinning. Too much excitement and happiness bubble inside me for a simple smile to do them justice.
“You look beautiful, Clara.” Taking my hand, he lifts it, kissing my knuckles. “I wanted a few minutes alone with you.”
“Great minds think alike.”
“Mom driving you crazy?”
I shake my head, whispering, “Not at all.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I fight against the wave of emotions...and lose. Everyone warned me not to cry because I’ll ruin my makeup, but I’m a pregnant woman getting married. It’d be weird if I weren’t crying. Still, I’m determined to keep the tears at bay for as long as possible.
“You know how much I love your family, and I’m very lucky to have all of them in my life. I like being smothered and loved, and everyone meddling in my business.”
Blake smiles, resting his hands on my bare s
houlders, his thumbs pressing gently just where the fabric of the bodice meets my skin.
“You’ve lucked out, because I’m going to smother and love you for the rest of our lives, and my family will meddle for that long as well.”
“Ah!”
“What’s wrong?”
“Beanie kicked hard. I think he loves romantic promises.”
Taking Blake’s hand, I put it exactly where Beanie kicked, on my lower left side. He’s still now, but then….
“You make me the happiest man, Clara. The happiest. I can’t believe I’m so lucky to have you. I promise I will take care of you, of our family. Any fears, I’ll be right here, fighting them with you. Any dreams, I’ll fight for them next to you.” Tap, tap, tap. Beanie kicks almost every third word, until I get misty-eyed and Blake’s voice becomes hoarse with emotion. “This is my promise to you, and to our son.”
“And I promise to always be all the things you need, even those you don’t know you need. The partner in crime, the shoulder you lean on. The one person you come to and open up to no matter what. I will take care of and spoil you. Both of you.”
Beanie kicks harder, right where his dad’s hand is on my belly, as if he knows we’re talking about him. Blake lowers himself on his haunches, kissing my belly.
“Don’t worry, buddy, I’ll teach you all the tricks about how to marry a great woman.”
“What would you have said if we’d had a girl?”
“I’d have told her no man will ever be good enough for her.”
“That’s a double standard if there ever was one.”
Blake rises, touching my nose with his. “I can’t wait for you to fight me on it.”
There is a knock at the door, and Nate’s voice reaches us. “Clara, it’s time.”
“Come on in, I’m ready.”