“What did your father say to you before dinner?” I asked, curious.
“He told me he likes you and he approves of you.” A smile curled her lips. “He also told me he warned you not to hurt me.”
I laughed. “He did, and I promised to never do that.” I hugged her around the waist and picked her up off the floor, kissing her again. Then I remembered something I hadn’t told her today yet. I set her down and loosened my embrace. “So, Richard Lee called me. He’s furious you won’t take the job. He wanted me to convince you to go work for him. He thinks you’re making a mistake.”
“Oh, well. Richard Lee will find some other fabulous reporter to write for him. I have a terrific boss I would never want to desert. Besides, building a media empire with my best friend and the love of my life sounds way more fun than writing news stories.”
“Oh, is that what we’re doing?”
“Well,” she said, grinning, “we could be building a family too.” She batted her eyelashes at me and nodded upward at the stairs. “I think the bedroom is empty, and maybe we should make it not empty right now.”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I waggled my eyebrows at her, and she took me by the hand, leading me toward the stairs.
“Well, we have to practice if we want to have children one day. Otherwise, how will we know what to do when the time comes?” Her playful suggestiveness turned me on.
“So true. We need a lot of practice.”
I followed her, ready to do whatever she wanted me to. She had my heart forever, and that was the way I wanted it.
35
EPILOGUE
HALEY
Peonies, cherry blossoms, and pink wisteria adorned every single surface, sprouting from vases, dangling from wires strung across the room, and tied up to the white pillars that lined the walls. The hall was exquisite. The wedding planner had done a fantastic job with decorations. The string quartet entertained our guests who waited for the bridal march to play. I peeked through the curtain at the back of the hall, noticing Parker enter in from the right hand side with the officiant.
“This is it. Are you ready?” Rachel tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned to look at her. Her hair was tied up in a French twist, more wisteria pinned in the twist and dangling down her back. Her light pink gown flattered her figure and complemented her dark hair and eyes perfectly.
“I’m ready,” I said, nodding.
Dad stood behind Rachel, eyes full of tears. He looked handsome in his black tuxedo. The pink cummerbund matched the color of Rachel’s dress and the flowers too. It was a good look for him, though I thought Parker looked even better in the same getup. I couldn’t help but feel emotional too. Marriage was a huge step.
“Can I have a moment, Rachel?” Dad asked, and Rachel nodded. She stepped away from us, and Dad moved in closer. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me gently, careful not to squash my hair. The hairdresser had spent more than an hour making sure the curls were perfect, then used almost an entire can of hairspray to hold them in place.
“Haley, I am so proud of you for following your heart. You’re just like your mother, and I know she would be proud of you too.” He held me at arm’s length, examining me. “The dress is beautiful, your hair, your makeup. Parker is such a lucky man to be receiving you as his wife.”
“Thanks, Daddy. I am lucky to have him too.”
“It’s time, guys,” Rachel said, interrupting. “Hear the music?” She pointed at the curtain and moved in that direction. Her long, satin gown dragged on the floor as she moved.
I smiled at Dad and backed away, hooking my arm around his as he held out his elbow. We waited until Rachel was headed down the aisle slowly, then I peeked through the curtain again. When she reached the front of the hall, the music changed. The quartet played the bridal march, and Dad parted the curtain, allowing us both to step through. Everyone in the place stood and faced us. I felt like a movie star with the flashes of cameras all directed at me.
He led me down the aisle. The closer I got to Parker, the more I could see how handsome he looked. My eyes filled with tears, making it difficult to see, but I could tell he was smiling. Adam stood to his left, the officiant to his right. Dad put my hand in Parker’s and patted it, and I stepped up onto the raised platform. The entire moment felt magical, like if I blinked I’d ruin it, and I was so overcome with emotion that I barely followed along as the officiant spoke to the guests. We lit a unity candle, exchanged vows, and when we were told to, we shared our first kiss as a married couple.
As we turned toward the crowd and the officiant announced us as man and wife, our guests erupted in cheers and applause. The music started again, and we walked back up the aisle at a much faster clip than Dad had led me in. The cheering continued until I could no longer hear it, down the hallway toward the reception hall at the other end of the building. Rachel and Adam walked directly behind us, followed by Dad and then the rest of the guests. It was a true processional into the dining hall.
Tables were spaced out around the large area with a dance floor directly in the center. The same floral arrangements that decorated the ceremony hall were scattered around the dining hall as centerpieces and other décor. Several different aromas filled the air, the flowers, the food, Parker’s cologne. Camera flashes continued to light the way as Parker led me deeper into the room.
“Everything is so beautiful,” I said as he twirled me around and stopped in the center of the dance floor. He had insisted that our first dance as a couple happen to our favorite song while our guests slowly filed in and took their seats. I thought it was a new but romantic gesture and agreed.
Parker looped one arm around my waist and took my right hand in his other hand. I rested a hand on his shoulder, and the music started. I stared into his eyes, and he fixed his gaze on me.
“Nothing could ever be as beautiful as you, Mrs. Danvers.” He kissed me again, and I couldn’t help but indulge myself a bit. Hearing him call me by his last name made my heart swoon.
“Well, Mr. Danvers, when I call you that, it has a new ring to it.” We swayed to the music, and I noticed Rachel and Adam taking their seats at the bridal party table.
“Yes, well I like when you call me that.” Parker winked at me and kissed me again, this time a softer kiss that lingered. “I can’t wait to get you on that plane and whisk you away for two weeks all to myself.”
