“Most definitely.”
Sniffling one last time, I open the car door.
I couldn’t be more ready.
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The second I set my foot down on the ground, my sense of smell is assaulted by the overwhelming smell of fish. Fish and flowers. Grimacing, I make what I can only assume is the most unattractive face imaginable and pray no one has noticed the bride has finally arrived. I close my eyes and shake my head in a pitiful attempt to rid my nose of the awful fragrance. It’s everywhere. I can feel the blood draining from my face where it seems to be forming a tight knot in my stomach. When I attempt to swallow, I find it damn near impossible. My throat feels like I just downed a bucket full of glue.
Ah pregnancy, how I’ve missed you.
“Oh my God, Alex, are you okay?” Harlow slams her door and rushes to where I’m standing. Well, attempts to rush. Her expletives get increasingly worse as she stumbles over almost every piece of gravel that she comes across. “Goddamn it,” she mutters, adding an extra “Fuck it” before removing her shoes and tossing them on the car.
“Only for you, Alex. Only for you do I do these things. These heels are gorgeous and here they are, being battered by rocks because you just had to get married at the lake. I get it. I can be sentimental too, but my shoes…”she trails off as she turns her head to the hood of her car.
“Harlow, I love your shoes, I really do, but, I’m about to lose my breakfast here. How the hell did I ever find this scent appealing?” I shake my head again, but the jarring of my brain seems to only antagonize the nausea. My teeth clench tight, sealing my mouth shut. This is going to be a major problem during the vows.
I brace myself against the car, willing my brain to get the message to the little guy running the tilt-a-whirl in my stomach that this ride is closed. A light breeze blows and I wince in preparation for my next intake of air, but as soon as it hits and I breathe it in, my body relaxes.
The blood knotting my stomach is redistributed. My jaw unclenches. Tilt-a-whirl guy’s evidently on break.
I take in a long, deep breath.
I know that smell. The scent is unmistakable.
Leather and soap.
I pivot myself slowly, keeping my arms bent behind me against Harlow’s car just in case I need the support. Which definitely works to my advantage, because the moment my eyes take in my husband-to-be, my knees go weak.
Good. God.
I mean, Blake is always handsome, no matter what he’s wearing. T-shirt and jeans, button-up and khakis, plaid pajama pants, nothing at all…
The corner of my mouth lifts slightly as the thought crosses my mind.
But Blake in a tuxedo? Absolutely breathtaking.
His hair styled perfectly, lightly gelled back away from his face, little sections still perfectly messy as they flip out from behind his ears and curl away from the nape of his neck. Black jacket, fit to perfection over his broad shoulders. Crisp white button down which, unfortunately, is covering his rock hard stomach – the one I can’t wait to run my fingers all over later. Black bow tie wrapping itself around that neck that I can’t wait to kiss and nibble on later…
I see his mouth moving, but all I can focus on are his full lips. I really want to taste those lips.
Damn hormones.
“Alex, I asked if you’re okay.” I force my blank stare away from his mouth where I just started focusing on his tongue.
“What? Yeah, I’m fine. Why do you ask?” My eyes keep trying to make the journey back down to his mouth, but I manage to keep them above nose level. Which is not easy…
“You’re as white as a ghost. Do you need a drink? You look…nervous. Absolutely beautiful, but nervous. ”
“NO!” Harlow and I shout simultaneously. Harlow stifles a giggle and clears her throat. “I guess I better go. Alex, good luck my friend. Blake, I would grab that drink if I were you. You’re gonna need it.”
She whisks her shoes off the car and slides them on her feet. “I’m going to go find Trace and give you two some much needed alone time. I haven’t seen my man all day, and I’m sure he’s going into withdrawals.” Her eyes bounce back and forth between Blake and my stomach. “Yeah, so…I’m out.”
Harlow marches her way to where Trace is standing, his arm stretching for her and a grin on his face. She stumbles one more time before completing her trek. I smile in spite of her clumsiness; I can’t help but hope that I’ll be attending her wedding soon. She and Trace have been dating since the night at George’s bar, when I more or less told Blake I didn’t need him to save me, which, in retrospect, couldn’t be further from the truth. My grin widens as I watch them together. I know her time is coming soon, and it makes my heart swell with happiness. After a couple of seconds, I turn to Blake. My smile fades when I see the concern etched on his face.
“Are you okay?” He reaches out and runs his knuckles down my cheek, then places his hand on the back of my neck while continuing to stroke my face with his thumb. I tilt my head into his hand and inhale deeply.
God, I love this man.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Harlow’s just being Harlow, you know how she is. That being said, I do have something to tell you. But, I’d like to give you a little something first.”
Blake’s eyes light up as a mischievous smile spreads widely across his face. “Wait…I have something for you too. Hold on.”
Whipping around, he races down the gravel path to where all of our guests are congregating and runs right up to Nycole, leaning to whisper something into her ear. A huge smile extends across her face while she nods her head at him, clapping her hands excitedly as they head off together…somewhere. What are they up to?
I take in another breath. My senses must have acclimated themselves to the floral fish smell because now I barely smell anything. Shielding my eyes, I peer out over the lake. The bright orange sun seems to be sitting right on the water, with its reflection dancing on the ripples passing just underneath it. I glance at the old familiar wisteria trees as the light breeze blows the branches ever so slightly. Our cove. At sunset.
Absolute perfection.
“This is where your daddy first kissed me. Twice.” I lightly graze my hands over my tummy. It seems hard to believe that it’s only been seven months since he kissed me on the cheek, right here. The same place he kissed me when we were twelve years old. It only seems fitting that we come together as husband and wife right where it all started.
Full circle.
“And now we have to tell him about you, little lovebug, so hang tight. I’ll let you know what happens.”
I whirl myself around, opening Harlow’s car door to fetch Blake’s present. The silver wrapping definitely won’t be giving anything away. I could have wrapped it in baby covered paper I suppose, but I really hate pastels. Immensely.
Closing the door, I turn back around just in time to see Blake coming back up the path, beaming from ear to ear, holding a shiny white package in his hands. Perfectly wrapped, of course, with a gorgeous silver bow tied around it.
I can’t help but smile as he approaches. “Nice wrapping job there, Blake.” We laugh together as we exchange gifts. “Well, who goes first?” I ask him, holding the box to my ear while gently shaking it back and forth. It’s light. Interesting.