I nodded even though I knew he couldn’t see me. “I am. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“Perfect!” he exclaimed, and then he asked me about my day. We talked for a little bit before I finally hung up.
For the remainder of the ride, I checked my social media and fussed with my hair and makeup. As vain as it may sound, I wanted to look perfect and sexy for Kellan. After keeping me on edge over his whereabouts, it was his time to suffer—and maybe have a little flashback to the fashion show during which little Ben was conceived. I giggled at the idea.
After twenty or so minutes, the car stopped in front of an old church. As I stepped out of the vehicle, I admired its intricate marble detail and stained windows. It was truly a beautiful and perfect place for a bridal fashion show.
“There’s my beautiful girlfriend,” Kellan called from the crowd. I turned in his direction, and, as per usual, he was dressed to the nines in a crisp white button-down with the top few buttons undone to expose his tame chest hair, a pair of khaki pants with the hems rolled just a few inches, and a pair of tan Oxfords. I would have jumped him then and there if the law permitted it.
“Am I overdressed?” I asked after kissing his lips.
“Definitely. You should have on way less clothing. No clothes would be even better,” he stated in a serious tone that made me roll my eyes and laugh.
Happy Kellan was always my favorite Kellan, and I could tell that despite the unusual nervousness in his eyes, he hadn’t been this happy in a long time. He winked at me and guided me down the carpet, where we stopped for a few photographs before making our way inside the venue.
The inside of the church was just as magnificent as the outside. Adding to its architectural beauty were tons of gorgeous fresh flowers, candles, and white silk banners that had been carefully placed to create one of the most—if not the most—romantic settings I had ever set foot in. I was instantly enamored with it.
I was so distracted by the beautiful serenity around me that I only noticed we were at our seats when my parents stood to greet me. It was strange to see them actually attend a show since they always either stayed backstage or at the bar, but it was fun to have them there and share the gorgeousness of the place with my mom.
As we waited for the show to begin, the four of us talked—mostly about the baby and our progress with the nursery—and I was amazed by how excited Mom and Dad were about everything. My mother even clapped her hands when we told them we had chosen a safari theme for Ben’s room. By the time the lights dimmed, announcing the start of the show, my heart was so full of love, I wondered how it was still able to pump blood.
I never knew I cared so much about wedding dresses until the first model walked down the catwalk. I was entranced by the sea of white and pastel lace with the gems and sparkles dancing in the spotlights. My heart pounded as I admired the details in each dress and veil. I was acutely aware that Kellan’s eyes were focused on me as I gawked at the gowns, and though I didn’t want to scare him or make him feel pressured in any way, I just couldn’t peel my eyes from them or stop dreaming about wearing one of those beauties myself.
One particular dress made my eyes tear up. It was a traditional dress with long sleeves made of sheer fabric with lace trims. The bust was cut in a deep V shape with a crisp white material lining panels of delicate lace that faded into a long tulle skirt. The dress looked regal and perfect, and, at that moment, I decided that one day I would wear it.
In the blink of an eye, the show ended, and I stood to clap along with the rest of the crowd as the designer came down the runway. Confusion lined my forehead when Kellan kissed the back of my hand before joining the designer onstage.
I turned to look at my parents, but they only shrugged with ridiculous-looking grins on their faces. I glanced over at Kellan and saw he had a microphone in his hand. He motioned for people to sit back down, and they did.
He looked sexy and confident as he started. “As you all know, I got myself a girlfriend, which is odd considering . . . well, me.” The people around us chuckled and whistled, but I frowned with curiosity as my boyfriend continued to speak. “I’ve never been a settle-down kind of man, and I never thought I would be, not until that gorgeous woman right there caught my attention.”
My face grew warm and red as Kellan pointed at me and the cheers grew louder. Gazing deep into my eyes, he continued. “Even with that bun in the oven, I fought my feelings for her and my desire to have her permanently in my life until she eloquently pointed out that I was an idiot. Well, I’m tired of being an idiot.”
Before I even noticed it, my lips turned up into a smile, the crowd fell silent, and my beloved boyfriend slowly made his way toward me. My heart raced and fluttered and did every other weird thing a happy heart could do as Kellan came to a stop in front of me.