One Pucking Destiny (Crane Hockey #4)

Chapter 30

CHAPTER

THIRTY

ARI

M y mom comes into the guest bedroom, which has been designated as the bridal staging area, wearing Nolan in a baby sling across her chest.

She covers her mouth with her hands as tears spring to her eyes. “Oh my gosh.”

“Oh, Ma.” I step toward her and wrap her in a hug. “You can’t start that already.”

“You are just so beautiful. I can’t believe my little girl is getting married.” She sniffs.

I rub her arm. “You look good. Getting enough sleep?”

“Plenty. Beckett has been amazing.”

“So you must still be taking turns at night?”

She smiles. “Yeah, I pump once during the day so he has a bottle to use when he gets up with the baby at night. It’s been working out great. It’s kinda nice that the baby’s early months came during the offseason. Beckett insists his only job is to make me and baby boy happy.”

“I knew he’d be a great dad.”

“The best.” She looks around the room. “I thought you’d still be getting ready. There’s still a while until the ceremony starts.”

“I wanted to make sure I was ready with plenty of time to spare, so I might have started a little too early.” I shrug.

“Where are the girls?”

My brows knit together. “Getting coffee… or maybe wine.” I grin. “Hattie told me, but I was only half listening. They’re ready too, though.”

She eyes me from head to toe and shakes her head. “Gosh, I’m so proud of you, honey. I’m just so happy for you.”

“Thank you, Ma.”

“You’re going to have an amazing life. I can feel it.”

I nod. “I can, too. Have you seen Bash?”

“I ran into him in the kitchen. Nothing but smiles. He’s such a ray of sunshine.”

That’s a perfect way to describe my soon-to-be husband. A mother freaking ray of sunshine. How did I get so lucky as to have him fall so irrevocably in love with me? I’m not sure what I did to deserve him, but I’m so grateful he’s mine. We’ve only been apart for a few hours for the pre-wedding preparations, and I already miss him so much.

Mom continues, “The house looks great. Perfect venue.”

We had a bunch of options when deciding where our wedding would be held. Mom offered up her dad’s mansion, and of course, we had the funds to book any place we wanted. Yet when it came down to it, the feel of the place was what mattered. We wanted something cozy, beautiful, and full of love. We could think of no place better than our perfect new home.

When Bash and I were looking for our forever home, this one was love at first sight. It’s an elegant Craftsman-style house; the exterior dons a combination of wood, stone, and stucco in blue and gray hues. It feels warm and happy while maintaining an air of elegance. Everything about this property, from the stunning landscape to the well-designed open floor plan, is lovely. When we were touring the home prior to purchase, I was enamored with the front porch and could imagine rocking our future babies on the porch swing. The short drive to Mom and Beckett’s new home was a huge bonus.

The stunning backyard is huge—providing ample space for a perfect backyard wedding .

“Thanks. Did you see all the flowers out back?”

“Yes, so gorgeous. It’s a magical fairy garden out there.”

I nod. “That’s what I was going for. The florists were incredible to work with.”

Mom sits down and nurses Nolan. “With any luck, he’ll sleep through the whole thing.”

“If not, no worries. You know Bash is going to be crying like a baby,” I joke.

“That boy sure loves you.”

“Yeah,” I agree, checking myself over in the full-length mirror.

“Everything set for your clinicals?”

“Yep, I start next week. I got a really great first placement working with one of the best surgeons in the country.”

“Ooo, how long do you think it will be before you get to do your first surgery?”

“I’m not sure, but I can’t wait. It’s going to be such a busy year but so fun. Bash and I have gone over our schedules to figure out when I’m going to be here versus when he’ll come there. Of course, there will be a couple of days a week when we won’t see each other, but it’ll be fine. It’s not forever, right?” I turn, looking at her in question.

She waves a hand through the air. “Oh, honey, it’ll be great. As you said, a very busy but a very exciting year. I have no doubt the two of you will finish the year happier than ever.”

“Yeah, definitely.” I nod.

The door opens, and Hattie comes in wearing the elegant rose-colored bridesmaid’s dress. She’s followed by my other bridesmaids, two of my closest friends from college.

I opted to stick with three bridesmaids even though Bash has twelve groomsmen. The truth is, he’s lucky I chose three. I was content standing up there by myself. He couldn’t narrow his friends down to three. He agonized over the decision for days until we decided that the sides didn’t have to be equal. With anyone else, I might think the arrangement is obnoxious, but it works for Bash. He builds genuine connections with everyone. So when he says that all the guys on the team are his best friends, plus some more from high school and college, it’s true. He’s an easy guy to get along with, and he values the people in his life.

One of the many reasons I’m thrilled to marry Bash is because he’s the type of person who has twelve groomsmen. I’ve been very selective of the people around me for years. I was a self-proclaimed homebody who wanted nothing more than to hang out with my mom. She was all I needed. I realize now that the world is a pretty incredible place when I let others in. A life with Bash means we will always be surrounded by others who love us. He’s nurtured these amazing friendships and a community of great people who have taken me in as one of their own. With Bash, I’ll never be lonely.

Hattie gives my mom a look I can’t quite decipher, but her grin tells me she’s up to something.

My mom stands from the chair and returns Nolan to the sling against her chest. “All set then. Okay, I should go.” She rushes over to me and pulls me into an embrace. “I love you, my sweet girl.”

“Love you, too, Ma.”

After she’s left, I address Hattie with a raised brow. “What was that all about?”

“Oh, nothing.” She grins. “You about ready?”

I run my hands down my satin dress. “I’m ready.”

The four of us head out into the living room, where the windows facing the backyard are covered with elegant white curtains to block the guests’ view of the house’s interior. The string quartet begins to play outside, and one by one, my bridesmaids step through the doorway and make their descent down the aisle.

“Now, remember to wait until the song changes. Once I’m down the aisle and out of the way, the music will change to signify that it’s your turn.”

“Got it.” I can’t help but grin at the seriousness of her tone.

“This part is serious. Okay? You’ll walk through the door and wait ten seconds before you start down the aisle.”

“Why?” I ask, not remembering that little tidbit from the rehearsal.

“The photographer needs to adjust the lighting and make sure she has a good shot. It’s imperative that you wait ten seconds. Okay?”

“Got it. Ten seconds.”

“Ten seconds.” She points toward me and hurries toward the door. Once she’s in view of the guests, her face morphs from serious to nothing but smiles, and she starts down the aisle.

Off to the side, I wait to hear the music shift. “Okay, this is it.”

It feels strange to be the only one in this room. I guess I’d normally be with my father, but that thought doesn’t make me sad. It’s symbolic that I’m leaving this room where I’m the only one left and entering a space full of people waiting to love me, one of them forever.

I blow out a breath, bouquet in hand, and step through the door and outside. My heart beats rapidly in my chest as I start to count to ten in my head. Yet the motive behind the random counting addition becomes clear as I watch every guest in attendance open a box in their hands. Thousands of butterflies release into the space before me, and it feels like something out of a movie. The green foliage of the plants and trees, the plethora of colorful flowers, and the thousands of beautiful wings beating before me steals the air from my lungs.

My breath hitches, and tears fall as I soak in the magic before me. At the end of the aisle, through it all, I see Bash. His arms are crossed in front of him, and he wears a smile that matches my own. Tears that carry so much love roll down his cheeks. He gave me this beautiful surprise.

He loved me when I refused to be loved. He cherished me when I didn’t deserve to be cherished. And he fought for us when I couldn’t see through my haze of fear.

I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life than I am of the step I’m about to take. Meeting Bash at the end of the aisle and becoming his wife is the easiest thing I’ll ever do because loving him is effortless.

I’m not sure exactly what the future has in store for us, but I know it will be amazing. As I begin my journey down the aisle, all I can feel is love. Endless love.