I smile, I can’t believe this is happening. “Okay, but I really do love you.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “I love you too doofus. Now get dressed.” She reaches for the dress. “We can’t leave Hudson waiting too long. He’ll be bursting through these doors soon enough.” Laughter bubbles up and I can’t help but laugh, I can just imagine him getting annoyed and coming to find me.
Sarah helps me into the dress, it feels amazing and fits perfectly. My mouth forms into an O shape when I look at myself in the mirror, I’ve never looked so beautiful. The dress fits like a glove, it accentuates each of my curves as well as showing off my bump. I sit while Sarah does my hair and makeup, each moment passes the more the anticipation builds, I’m about to marry the man I love more than anything in this world. My hair is down and curled, it’s something I’ve not done to my hair in a while, Sarah’s taken the hair that usually frames my face and pinned it to the back of my head with a diamante studded hair pin, it matches my dress. The makeup is minimal, which is good because I have a feeling that I’ll be crying throughout the ceremony.
“Ready?” Sarah asks once she’s finished getting me dolled up.
“So ready.” I breathe.
“You look beautiful Mia, your parents are going to be so proud of you.” She tells me, her eyes watery. “I know they’re looking down on you today, just as Lacey is.”
I nod. “I know, I wish they were here.”
She points to my chest, “They’re in there Mia. They are always with you. Let’s get you married.”
Walking out of the room, I’m pleasantly surprised to see Harrison. He has a smile on his face, and wearing a sharp looking suit. “You look handsome.” I tell him with a smile.
“Mia you look gorgeous.” He whispers pulling me into his arms. “Mia, I know that you’d wish to have both of your parents here today. If I could, I’d bring them back in a heartbeat.”
My heart melts, I know where Hudson gets his sweet side from. “I know, but having you here is like having a piece of mom with me.”
He gives me the saddest smile I’ve ever seen. “Mia, you can say no, but I was wondering if you’d like me to walk you down the aisle?”
The tears that haven’t long dried up, unleash again. “I’d love that, thank you so much.”
He holds out his arm for me to take. “I’m honored Mia. You have made my son happier than I have ever seen him. I know that your mom loved you very much, you were her pride and joy. As much as she griped about Hudson and his job, she loved you two together.”
I take his arm. “I’m not sure about that.”
He pats my hand. “Mia, I was with your mom the night before she died. I went to check on her, as much as your mom and I argued we loved each other very much. That night we finally had a heart to heart, everything that was on our minds we aired.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “You two were getting back together.”
He nods. “Yes, we were. Your mom admitted that she was jealous, she missed so much time with you. When you came home this summer, it was supposed to be a way for the two of you to get closer. But you found Hudson again and your mom didn’t know how to handle it. Everything she had planned vanished. She watched her baby girl grow into a beautiful young woman right before her eyes and she couldn’t deal.”
It hurts knowing that he and mom had gotten things patched up, that they were happy and ready to work through everything. Knowing that she was happy for Hudson and I means the world. “Was she happy?” I ask through the limp in my throat.
“Yes, she really was. She told me that she was going to apologize to you and Hudson, find a way to make it up to you both. Mia, your mother made mistakes but never ever doubt that she loved you more than anything.” He kisses my cheek. “Now let’s get you in there before my son sends out the search party.”
I face forward as Sarah walks ahead through the double doors and into the church. The wedding march rings out and I smile. An instant calm washes over me and Harrison and I take a step into the church. My gaze immediately goes to Hudson. He’s staring at me, his entire body tight as I walk toward him, not once tearing his eyes off me. His drinking me in and I love the carnal look in his eyes, a look that he has only for me.
Harrison kisses my cheek as I take Hudson’s hands. “We’re already family Mia, you’re my daughter. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you.”
“Okay old man, can I marry her now?” Hudson grunts, he’s still tense.
“Relax, she’s here,” Harrison says in a low voice so that only Hudson and I can hear him.
I squeeze Hudson’s hands, wanting him to look at me. Immediately his gaze returns to me. ‘I love you.’ I mouth to him and his body relaxes. Harrison walks away, leaving me and Hudson standing here.
When the priest begins to talk, I listen intently all the while keeping my gaze on the man that’s about to become my husband. The way his dark brown eyes look so light, so happy, so full of love. The priest talks about the holy sacrament of marriage and what it means, I let his words wash over me. I want a marriage where we’re both equals, where our love can conquer anything. I don’t want to be the woman, I want to be his woman. I want the world to know that while Hudson rules the criminal underworld, I’ll rule by his side. I will stick by him with everything he is, he is my all and I’ll protect that and protect us. In just five short months, we’ll go from newlyweds to newlywed parents. It’s going to be such a drastic change but one that I’m looking forward to, I can’t wait until we hold our little boy in our arms.
When it comes to the vows, I’m shocked that Hudson has written his own. As soon as he begins my heart fills with so much love and hope.
“I’ll love you till the day I die.
I’ll protect you with my very last breath.
I’ll cherish you until the end of time.