Born to Make You Smile

EPILOGUE

Two Years Later

Our backyard was a glorious sea of pink, peach, and green balloons. Standing at the bedroom window, I watched them gently sway in the warm breeze. Thankfully, the August sun was bright, and the rain that was supposed to fall seemed to have passed us by.

Everything was done to perfection, care of Charlotte. She worked closely with the event planner, arranging for tents and wood flooring, and picking out all the food, decorations, and music. I had a strong feeling her future would be in event coordinating, as she had such an unmatched and natural talent for it.

I scanned the seated guests in our backyard—Joshua and Felix, Vanessa and her boyfriend Manny, the Kwaks, the office staff, Gavin's parents and siblings and their families. The past few years, Lorraine was slowly coming around. While still apprehensive about our relationship, she was civil and polite, at least to my face.

Dorina fastened the last of the buttons on the back of my dress, and then she let out a pleased sigh. “Grace. You look beautiful.”

I heard the photographer snapping photos behind us.

I smiled. “Thanks.”

I wore an off-white tulle and organza gown with a small lace train that could be hooked off the ground. It had capped sleeves and a bodice adorned with intricate lace. Gorgeous and romantic. I wore my curly hair down, pinned away from my face.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

I rubbed my bump, somewhat hidden under my A-line skirt. My first trimester was difficult, filled with fatigue, nausea, and heartburn. But now, at twenty-two weeks, I began to feel a lot more like myself. We’d found out last week that our baby was a boy. We were going to tell the girls tomorrow. They were going to be excited as they were hoping for a boy, especially after the Kwaks had their little Marcus two years ago.

“Great.” I smiled. “Ready to get married.”

I adjusted the tiny horse pin, hidden in the belt of my gown. My mom had the same one buried with her. I blinked tears away as I thought about her, hoping that wherever she was, she was happy for me. Proud of who I’d become.

Dorina secured my veil to my hair, and we headed down the stairs.

My nerves trembled with anticipation as I stood hidden in the kitchen, watching Gavin take his place by the grand arbor at the end of the aisle. He smiled at the guests as the breeze tousled his salt-and-pepper hair. He wore a black tuxedo and looked so dashingly handsome, my breath hitched.

Dorina motioned to me.

It was time.

The string trio began to play “Flower Duet” and I watched as Dorina, Charlotte, and Mackenzie headed out the door first. The three of them looked stunning in their floor-length baby-pink gowns.

I inhaled a breath as I made my way toward Gavin, clutching my bouquet of peach roses, carnations, and white lilies. He smiled wide as he caught sight of me, and his watery eyes focused intently as if I were the only one in the world.

The sun on my back, the warm breeze. The fresh smell of the August air. I took everything in, savoring these precious moments.

“Grace,” Gavin whispered as I joined him under the arbor. “You look breathtaking, love.”

I gave him a small curtsy. “So do you.”

The ceremony was short and sweet. After we said our vows, I could feel the tears brewing, but before I could cry, he held out his fist, which made me laugh instead. I pushed my hand against his three times, and after a final grind, we both whispered, “ G-Force, ” together. In unison. Then he added for life.

The applause caused me to turn to our smiling guests with a blush.

I’d almost forgotten we had an audience.

We exchanged rings, then we shared a kiss. We signed the documents along with our witnesses, Dorina and Jared, and it was official.

Gavin Brinley and I were married.

Tina cheered loudly, then put her fingers in her mouth to give a deafening whistle.

We all laughed.

The past two years had been a whirlwind at the dental office. In addition to being Gavin’s assistant, I’d also become the office manager and recently became Gavin’s partner and co-owner. It was a lot of work. More responsibility. More headaches. But it was a job I was absolutely born to do.

After the ceremony, we took family photos with Charlotte and Mackenzie and several of Gavin and me by the peach tree. The peaches were lovely this year. Sweet with a hint of tartness. Perfect for baking.

We had our first dance, swaying our bodies to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.”

Gavin stared at me with warmth. “My wife.”

I smiled. “My husband.”

“How are you feeling, love?”

“I’m good. Tired, but good.”

“Don’t worry we’ll get you rested soon enough. I don’t want my wife lifting a finger today.” He twirled me, then pulled me back in close.

“Tell me more about our honeymoon.” I blinked up at him. “You’re so secretive. All I know is that we’re going to Turks and Caicos in two days.”

Not counting our little Ottawa trip, this would be our first vacation, just us two. Last year, we’d taken the girls to Europe. A whole month—England, Austria, and France. Extraordinary was an understatement.

“Well, all I can say is, be prepared to be spoiled rotten. I spared no expense.”

He placed a kiss on my forehead.

“Oh God. How much...” Pressing my lips together, I caught myself before I could continue. “I can’t wait. But you should be prepared, too.”

His brows rose. “Really? For what?”

“I’m going to spoil you as well. Now that my nausea has passed, it’s been replaced with…” I leaned in, then whispered, “Extreme horniness.”

I’d packed several costumes in my luggage to surprise him. I couldn’t wait for alone time to indulge in some new and wild fantasies.

“Oh my. So what you’re saying is my cock is going to fall off by the end of our trip.”

I laughed with a howl so loudly the guests looked at us with perplexed smiles.

“Most likely. Yes,” I answered. “Dr. Brinley.”

“Looking forward to it, Mrs. Brinley.”

Then he gently dipped me, and when I came back up, forks clanked against glasses, and we shared a kiss.

Dinner consisted of tomato salad, seafood, lasagna, beef Wellington, potatoes, and vegetables—green beans and carrots, not a spear of asparagus or a turnip in sight. Then we cut and served our wedding cake, lemon sponge with vanilla icing, topped with candied pink and green flowers.

The party went on, and I danced with Dorina and Joshua. They toasted me with champagne while I enjoyed a glass of my sparkling apple juice. I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched Gavin dancing goofily with Charlotte and Mackenzie to “Shake Your Groove Thing.”

What a beautiful day. A day I’d treasure for the rest of my life.

As I looked around, I realized I was surrounded by everything I’d always dreamed of. That huge, lonely hole in my heart was filled and bursting with love.

The love of friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family.

The kind of all-encompassing love that made my heart smile.