Second Chance at Love(74)
Karen looked back at the other women and snickered. “I guess he told y’all.”
“Miss Thing! Move it!” Benji snapped from the other room.
Karen took off running into Ashley’s bedroom. “I guess he told you!” Summer, Starr and Ava howled after her in laughter.
Chapter 32
Gayle Jackson indeed was a miracle worker. Bargaining for a larger ballroom, she transformed the front of the area into a makeshift chapel with a center aisle and seating designated for the bride’s and groom’s family and friends. Each end chair on the aisle was beautifully dressed with a large, satiny bow the same violet color of the bridesmaids’ dresses. The altar was adorned with an array of beautiful flowers peppered in shades of ivory, lilac, lavender, and violet. Soft glowing light from the polished silver candelabras gave the room a romantic aura.
Silence began to fall over the small crowd of fifty family members and friends as the live band began to play smooth jazz. The mothers of the bride and groom were escorted down the aisle by Dominic. As they reached the end of the aisle, the two women hugged, then Dominic kissed Donna on the cheek before taking their seats on the front row.
The bridal party procession started with Summer and Nick, followed by Starr and Kevin, and then Ava and Langston. Ashley and Zoe were absolutely adorable in their violet A-line dresses with lavender sashes. NJ and Autumn were little hams as they managed to do their jobs as ring bearer and flower girl, grinning and waving to the guests. The crowd laughed when the tots had the nerve to stop and strike a pose for the photographer.
“Please stand to receive the bride,” Pastor Richardson’s deep baritone boomed.
Dom’s heart pounded in his chest so hard, he feared it would explode out of his chest at any second. Karen looked absolutely stunning as she floated toward him on the arm of her stepfather, Patrick Wahl.
Kyle, who stood next to Dom as his best man, smiled up at him with dark, sparkly eyes. “Mommy looks so beautiful.”
Smiling down at the child, Dom nodded his head. “Yes she does.” Pride swelled his chest and tears burned the back of his eyes. She was a vision of beauty in an ivory taffeta Teri Jon cocktail dress. And she was about to become all his…forever.
The tiny butterflies in Karen’s stomach wildly fluttered. It was really happening. She was about to become Mrs. Dominic Peretti, Jr. and she couldn’t be happier.
Her eyes connected with Dom’s and the love she saw shining in their dark depths made her want to run into his arms. Instead, she smiled at him and mouthed, “I love you.” Tears stung her eyes as he mouthed the words back to her.
Patrick leaned down and kissed her forehead as he placed her hand in Dom’s. “I love you, sugar. Thank you for allowing me to give you away.”
Standing on her tippy-toes she kissed his cheek. “I wouldn’t have it any other way Poppa Patrick.”
Slightly stepping to the left of Karen, he waited for the pastor to say, “Who gives this woman to this man?”
Full of love and pride, Patrick answered, “Her mother and I do, sir.” Taking a seat next to Donna, he held her hand as she used the other to dab at her tears.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness…” The pastor’s words began to fade out as Karen and Dom held hands and gazed into each other’s eyes. It was the weirdest thing. They didn’t have to say a word to communicate how much they loved each other. A warm current of electricity flowed between their bodies, connecting their souls from before creation. Their spirits were merging, becoming seamless… becoming one flesh as they made a covenant between them and God. As if on cue, the private haze they’d been cloaked in evaporated as they began reciting their vows as prompted by the minister.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may salute your bride.”
Family and friends went wild clapping, cheering and whistling as Dom drew Karen into his arms and laid a kiss on her so passionately that the room’s temperature hitched up another ten degrees.
Breaking the kiss, Dom whispered for her ears only, “Baby, I love you so much. I’m so glad you’re finally all mine.”
That was it. She’d been fighting all day not to let the dam break. Although this was her second marriage, Karen finally believed in her heart she belonged to a man who would love and cherish her for the rest of her life. And she was so ready to return the favor. “I love you, too.” Leaning back she looked up at him, her teardrops glimmering like diamonds. “And I’m glad you’re finally all mine, too.”