Tomorrow is a new day, and I must be rested if I’m to face it.
Epilogue One – Scamp – Three Months Later
Valiant says not to worry, that it will come in time, but I desperately want to be pregnant.
Not that the trying isn’t fun. I grin with that thought, remembering my labored breaths as he thrust into me again and again. The dressmaker hums to herself as she finishes her final adjustments to the gown, moving around me, tucking material here, adjusting the way it sits on my body there. I feel like a model.
I spent the night before my wedding day, which also happens to be my twentieth birthday, in bed with my husband, and I rub my belly thoughtfully.
“Please don’t move, dear,” says the seamstress.
I grin to myself. “Sorry.”
She tuts and goes on with her work, and I wonder if anyone ever fires her for upsetting them on their big day. Probably not. She’s the best in the state and very expensive. The dress looks fit for a princess and makes me look like one, I think, as I stare into the mirror.
In just over an hour’s time, I’ll be married. Mrs. Garcia. Little flutters of excitement make my belly quiver.
At the moment, the three of us are still living in the hotel in Detroit, but only until our new house in the countryside is ready. Val bought a huge piece of land and has hired architects and builders and interior designers to make us the most wonderful place to live. As soon as we move, we’re getting a dog, that’s already been decided. Or maybe two. Or three. Lots, I think. And last night I discussed a little business idea with my soon-to-be husband. He’s an investor, after all, and we’ve both agreed that this is worth investing in.
“There,” says the seamstress, standing up and taking a step back. “I think we’re done, dear. What do you think?”
I turn to look at myself from the side, and smile, then glance over at Pip in the corner, playing games on her brand new iPhone, a gift I’m quickly beginning to wish Val hadn’t bought for her. “Pip?”
She looks up and her eyes go wide. “Wow.”
“Good reaction,” I say with a grin and turn back to the seamstress. “You’re amazing, thank you so much.”
***
An actual live band starts to play the wedding march as I arrive by carriage. We chose the wedding spot on Mackinac Island together, the three of us, our little family, two and a half months ago, when we came here to get away from everything that had happened at home. It overlooks a bluff, with the sparkling-blue waters of Lake Huron as far as the eye can see.
“It’s so beautiful here,” I whisper to Valiant as I step down out of the carriage to his waiting hand, and he smiles, shaking his head.
“Is it? I hadn’t noticed. Beside you it looks so plain.”
I blush at the words and fall into his arms, kissing him already, as if I could ever hold myself back in his presence. Untraditional, but that’s what I wanted. I’m not exactly a traditional kind of girl. Okay, well maybe a little. For today at least, the pink hair is gone.
There are only a handful of guests. Theresa and Cara, of course. Amara and her husband, Saint, are here as well, along with their daughter, Christa. Amara looks about ready to pop with their second baby. Valiant also insisted on inviting Camilo, who he’s become close with these past few months. And to my surprise he actually came. Apparently, my father gave his blessing. Will wonders never cease?
My brothers were both invited, but both sent their apologies. I’m not surprised, particularly, we were never a close family, but the fact that there was no animosity in their replies is a sign that I’m not a complete outcast.
Papa is not here himself though. It was my decision not to invite him, even though I’m not sure if he would have come anyway. While he did the right thing in the end, and apologized for the way he’s treated me and Pip all these years, I’m not at the stage yet where I can forgive him.
As for my mother, I would invite her if I knew how to find her, but since I don’t there is little I can do about it. Valiant has a private detective looking for her, but I’m not going to get my hopes up.
“Ready?” Valiant asks as he gazes into my eyes, and I smile and nod.
“I’ve never been more ready in my life.”
“That dress really is something,” he says.
“You should see the lingerie underneath,” I whisper.
A little smile plays on his lips. “I’m kind of hoping I will. In fact, I can barely wait. Maybe I’ll just take you back to the hotel right now and rip it from you. Forget the wedding, just give me the bride.”