“Mel.” Sophie rolled her eyes. Sophie looked in the mirror. Her left cheek was now bright red. “Great,” she mumbled. “You’re gonna have to do the other side so I match for the photos.”
“I told him that you have been completely miserable,” Mel admitted quickly. “That you spoke to Lucinda and you two were friends now. The past is the past and you were ready to dive into his hotness and hold on forever…and I told him that if he didn’t come back I was going to get some of the bouncers from the strip club to make you forget about him.”
“What!” Sophie gasped before Mel reached up slapped Sophie across the other cheek. “Ouch!” Sophie reached up to cover the sting of her cheek.
“Charles has a huge dick. I can guarantee a few minutes with him and you’ll forget everything else.”
There was a knock on the door. “Sophie, hun? Are you all right in there?”
“Yes, Mom. We’ll be right out,” Sophie said in a controlled voice as she eyed Mel harshly.
“Call him,” Mel instructed before she pulled open the door. “She’ll be right out, Rachael. She’s just going to call Ashton first.” Mel looked back at Sophie as she walked out the door. Sophie’s mother stayed in the doorway with her hand on the door.
“It’s about time.” Her mother gave her a knowing smile. “Take your time. I have a few minutes before I have to get in my dress.” She pulled the door closed, leaving Sophie alone in the washroom.
Sophie let out the breath she was holding. When she finally got her feet to cooperate she reached for her phone with shaking fingers. She held her breath and listened to the ring. She was met with his answering machine. His beautiful voice made a sob escape her throat. She hung up without leaving a message, turned her phone off, and tucked it away in her purse.
***
“You look so beautiful, Mom.” Sophie said with teary eyes as she fastened her mother’s dress in front of a full length mirror.
“My favorite person in this whole world made this dress for me.”
“I’m really trying not to cry until after the photos. Don’t push me or you will have to live with a mascara-streaked maid of honor in your pictures.” Sophie took a deep breath.
“You would still be the most beautiful girl in the world.” Her mother gave her a hug.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, baby girl, more than you will ever know.” Her mother swept her up in a hug.
“Look at the two of you.” They both turned to see the other bridesmaids in the doorway, wearing their matching black dresses. “Hold on. I need a picture.” They were surrounded by flashes as Sophie helped her mother with all of the final touches.
***
Sophie took a deep breath as she walked through the two large wooden doors. The aisle was carpeted beneath their feet and covered with red rose petals as she slowly made her way toward the altar. Sophie smiled at all the familiar faces. When she reached the front of the church she turned around to watch her mother make her appearance. The church was full of people who had come today to watch her marry the man who owned her heart.
Rachael walked down the aisle by herself. Her father was not there to give her away. She believed that since she had to find her way in life without her parents’ help, she would give herself away. Her mother was a source of strength and love that Sophie would always cherish. She loved her mother beyond words. Peter had tears in his eyes as he watched his bride walk toward him. His love for her mother was written all over him, it was beautiful.
The ceremony was wonderful and everyone was brought to tears as Rachael and Peter exchanged the vows they’d written for each other. The reception followed immediately after the photographs were taken. Sophie sat with Mel and Dustin at their table and watched her mother and Peter dance to their first song as husband and wife. The room was beautifully decorated with black and white accents around. White twinkling lights were suspended from the ceiling. It looked like a starry night, the effect was magical. Red roses were the only color that was incorporated into the decorations, placed on tables and around the room.
“They really are a beautiful couple.” Sophie watched them with a warm heart.
“They sure are.” Mel reached over, took Sophie’s hand, and squeezed it tight.
When the song came to a close an announcement called for Sophie to come to the dance floor over the speakers. Sophie stood up when Peter and her mother waved her over. “Peter would like to share a dance with you.”
“Of course. I would love to.” Sophie smiled. Peter stretched out his hand in an exaggerated display of formality. Sophie laughed as she accepted his request. Peter swept her around the dance floor, causing both of them to laugh and enjoy the moment.
“I promise you, Sophie, I will take care of your mother every day for the rest of my life,” Peter said as they settled into the rhythm of the music.
“You are a good man, Peter. I have no doubt that my mother is in good hands,” Sophie said with true belief in his words.
“I know that I’ll never be your father, but I want you to know I’m here for you.” He leaned in and kissed Sophie’s forehead. Sophie hugged him tight. He returned the gesture by wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace.
“That means a lot.”
Before they knew it the song faded into the next and the dance floor became flooded with people moving to the music. Her mother returned and Sophie left the happy couple to enjoy each other while she found Mel and Dustin who were among the bodies dancing.
Sophie lost track of time while dancing as one song flowed into the next. It wasn’t until an announcement was made that the band was going to take a break that she stopped to take a breath and get a drink. Sophie collapsed in her chair and sipped on her wine. Mel and Dustin sat down beside her with their drinks in hand, laughing as they carried on. Sophie’s face was beginning to hurt from laughing so much. It was nice to let go and enjoy the evening.
Mel elbowed Sophie in the side. “Ouch. What was that for?” She glared at Mel and noticed her attention was elsewhere.
Sophie turned to see what had Mel so captivated. Ashton stood in the middle of the dance floor, his piercing blue eyes trained on her. The entire room faded away.
Sophie stood up immediately, walking toward him. The dance floor had thinned to only a few people as she approached him.
Time apart did not lesson the pull that she felt toward Ashton. It was still so strong and undeniable. Every part of her body wanted to be closer to him. Every part of her craved him. He was the center of her world and she was falling into the depths of his beautiful eyes and this time she was all in. There was no more holding back. He was her heart and she was taking it back. Sophie knew the entire room was watching them but the only thing she could focus on was the gorgeous man in front of her that only had eyes for her.
He looked nervous as he looked down at her. Sophie stood only inches away—she only had to reach out and she could touch the one thing she wanted the most in the whole world. He was standing before her in his impossible perfection with his stormy eyes searching hers.
“Sorry I missed your call. I was on a plane.” Ashton smiled tentatively.
“You came back.”
“For you.” Ashton brushed her hair from her face, letting his fingers trail across her cheek.
“I love you, Ashton King,” Sophie confessed in a rush.
“You don’t know how much I wanted to hear that.” His face broke into the most beautiful smile that Sophie had ever seen. “Did you hear that, everyone? Sophie Rogers loves me!” The room erupted into cheers as Ashton grabbed Sophie in his arms, squeezing her tight before he set her down and looked into her eyes. He cupped her face before bringing his lips to hers, soft and slow, savoring the kiss that was too long denied them.
“I’m so sorry for…” Sophie began but Ashton cut her off.
“Just tell me that you love me. I want to hear you say it again,” he whispered as he held her close.
“I love you.”
“That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.” He brought her hand up to his mouth to kiss it.
“I’m glad you like it because I’ll be saying it a lot.” Sophie beamed.