"Nana, what are you doing? You know you can't spike the punch. This is going to a church,” I say, pulling my brothers away, taking the can opener from my Nana, and placing it in the sink.
“Y’all go make sure no one drank any and taste it all. Lord, we can't have people getting drunk at church.”
I shove the boys from the kitchen and then turn back to Nana, shaking my head in dismay. Placing my hands on my ever-expanding hips, I prepare to scold my seventy-year-old grandmother. “Nana, we are going to church for my wedding. Church, you, God, Jesus. Ring a bell?" I ask.
"Of course. I knew that. I just thought it might be fun to liberate the old fuddy duddies a bit," she states with her signature wink, and I can't help but laugh.
Of course, it doesn’t help that Lisa pours two shots and passes one to Nana, and together, they down them while toasting liberating fuddy duddies. I can't do anything but shake my head and laugh and pray that I make it through this day.
"You are too much sometimes," I say, wrapping my arms around her. She is exasperating, but I wouldn’t change one thing about her.
"You know you love me, Sky."
"You know I do." She hugs me back before pulling away and slipping an envelope in my hand. I look down at it, bewildered. I didn’t expect her to get me anything for a wedding present. Growing up, we always had what we needed, but we weren’t by any means rich.
"This is my wedding gift to you. Only open it when you are alone." I can’t imagine what she could have gotten me and why she wants me to wait until I’m alone to open it. My curiosity is piqued, to say the least, but it will have to wait.
“Thank you, Nana.”
“Oh, pish posh, I’ll hear no such thing. Now come on and let’s get you hitched before that baby makes his appearance,” she says, leading me out of the kitchen and down the back hall to the front of the church.
As we pass a window, I get my first look at the masterpiece in the back of the church were the ceremony is being held. Since I’m not a member of the church, I didn’t feel right being married inside, but Kip’s granny wasn’t hearing any of that. She introduced me to the preacher, Michael, and his wife, and after a lovely chat one afternoon, my nerves were settled and the arrangements set.
Michael is very accommodating, allowing us the use of the back field of the church for the reception. I ended up having very little to do with the actual planning of everything. I communicated my preferences on colors and my favorite flowers and whatnot to Lisa, who then worked with Grace to make it all happen. It worked out better that way, since I spent most of those two weeks on bed rest before my doctor released me. Thankfully, that call had come three days ago.
I am now officially cleared for everything—including the honeymoon.
We make it outside, and my hand covers my mouth and the gasp that escapes. The yard turned out breathtaking. My eyes are drawn to several places at once. Smooth, white tablecloths are spread on simply set round tables. Glowing paper lanterns are strung from tree to tree, illuminating the area perfectly.
Choosing to do the ceremony at dusk is the best call I could have made, and truthfully, it wasn’t my decision at all. It had been Kiptyn’s. He said he wanted to marry me, his Midnight Sky, beneath the twinkle of God’s stars. I couldn’t have denied him that even if I had wanted to.
The dim light of candles burning on the tabletops sets the mood for the evening, but the dusk sky turning shades of orange and purple adds a mystic touch that no one could have anticipated. It's beautiful, amazing. I want to capture this moment and savor it for the rest of my life. It’s magical. It’s perfect.
I hear another collective oh and realize that, again, everyone's eyes are on me. I look around the yard as if to greet them all. Standing around the first table is Bo, Devan and Lisa’s mother, Gwen. She nods at me with an especially large smile stretching across her face. I see tears in her already red eyes, and I know that it won't be long before half of the congregation is bawling, me included.
At the end of the table, Nana is swallowing another glass of clear liquor, her ‘secret stash’, I suppose. I shift my attention to the other table, where Kip’s grandmother, the ever so appropriately named Grace, is setting out food. To her left is Pastor Michaels’s wife, Genell, with her hands clasped together over her chest and a look of adoration on her face.
I’m thankful someone had the forethought to put Nana and Bo at a table of their own. I couldn’t imagine them sitting with Grace or Genell. Actually, I could imagine it. In very elaborate detail, which is why I need to make a mental note to thank whoever arranged the seating after this is over.
Across from Genell is Jordan, who gives me a sexy smirk that quickly turns into a full-blown smile. I haven’t spent that much time with him, but over the last week, I’ve grown to really like Jordan. He is the one who defended Lisa’s honor that night so long ago at the club, and for that, I will always have a soft spot for him.
Now Chris, on the other hand, is a totally different story.
Where Jordan is laid back and a good ole country boy at heart, Chris is abrasive and vulgar. He doesn’t respect anyone and feels like it’s his right to have whoever or whatever he wants when he wants it. I don’t like him, but then again, I don’t have to. He’s Kip’s friend, not mine.
And finally, there is Carly, Bo’s wife. She’s a bit straight-faced, but she’s lovingly stroking the blond hair of the little boy standing next to her with one hand while holding his hand in the other. I give him a little wave, and he giggles as he shyly buries his face in Carly’s side. How good it is to see them all here today.
Grace approaches me and hands me the bouquet of orchids and lilies, my favorites.
"You ready to make Kip an honest man?" I nod and hug her tightly, thankful for the love and acceptance she has already shown me. I am truly blessed to be a part of this family.
"Yes." I sigh, my nerves on edge.
The cobblestone path to the church entrance is lined with beautifully intertwined purple and white streamers. The entrance to the sanctuary is much the same. Lanterns hang from pews, and the purple and white streamers add pops of color.
Pastor Michaels is up front, and to his left is Kiptyn, his smile genuinely lighting up the room. The thin white fabric of my sundress flows down my body with each step, and the lights are just dim enough to hide my tears. Oh, how I wish my mother could be here. I know she's here in spirit, but damn, I wish she was the one holding my hand right now. I sigh, looking over at Devan and Jax, who offered to give me away.
Each step closer to Kip makes me weak in the knees, and my heart pounds faster. When we reach the front, they both release my hands, giving me over to Kiptyn. Pastor Michaels begins the ceremony, and I can no longer hold back the floodgates. Every moment in my life was leading to this one, preparing me for the day I stood beside the man of my dreams and accepted him as my husband.
I never imagined it would happen like this, and yet it happened just the way it was meant to. I know that. I have always been a believer in faith and the big man upstairs. I know he has a hand in the way my life played out. Every morning I wake up, I give him thanks for the blessings he has given me.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Kiptyn
This is it, the moment my life changes. My palms are sweating so badly, I feel like if I look down, I’ll see a puddle on the ground where they’ve been dripping. I don’t look. I don’t take the chance of missing the moment Skila walks through the doorway.
Butterflies take flight in my stomach when the music starts. I can’t decide if I need to swallow, throw up, or both. I need a drink of water, I think, but I can’t move. Jordan slaps me on the back and clasps my shoulder. I think he’s holding me in place. Do I look like I want to run?
I might.
I look over at him, but he just grins and nods back at the front of the church.
Lisa’s nephew is the first one down the aisle. His cuteness makes everyone smile and say, "Awwwww". As soon as he sees his grandma, he runs down the aisle as fast as his cute, slightly chubby legs can carry him until he falls right into his grandma’s arms.
From what Skila tells me, Lisa’s mom was always the cool mom. When Sky’s mom was taking chemo, apparently Gwen was always there for them. Sky loves her, and they're like one huge extended family. Next comes Lisa, Sky’s only bridesmaid and maid of honor, in a flowing blue dress. Sky isn’t the only one who notices the way her brother is eyeballing Lisa. I’ve seen that look a hundred thousand times before. Those two are up to no good.
As soon as Sky steps in, I lose it. My heart is stuck somewhere in the base of my throat. I don’t even know how I'm able to breathe around it right now, but I manage. Her flawless mocha colored skin glows next to the creamy white hue of her dress, and as she walks down the aisle, her brothers each on one arm, I can’t believe this is really happening.
She is everything, and now our forever is on the horizon.
Gorgeous.
Amazing.
Beautiful.
Stunning.
Extraordinary.
I can't find one word that would suitably describe her at the moment.
As she reaches me, she smiles a sultry smile that makes my knees nearly buckle. I'm definitely the luckiest man alive. Pastor Michaels begins his speech, but all I can focus on is the remarkable woman standing next to me.