Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Me and your mama, we waited so long to have you. Kids, they just weren’t in God’s plans for us, or so we thought. So when we found out your mama was pregnant with you, you were all our wishes come true.”
I breathed deeply and slowly, trying to keep myself from falling apart. “We were never able to give you a sibling, so instead we tried to give you the world. We loved you as best we could, darlin’. You are the bravest, sweetest human on earth, and it has been an absolute privilege to be your father.”
“Daddy…” I said and couldn’t stop the tears.
“Today, walking you down the aisle to the boy I’m pretty sure God designed perfectly for you…well, baby, it’s the greatest honor of my life. And for as long as I live, I will cherish it. I will always cherish you for showing me what unconditional love is and making all my dreams come true.”
I threw my arms around his neck and held him close. I couldn’t imagine how hard this moment was for him and my mama.
Pulling back, I laughed weakly at us both. “We’re a mess.”
Daddy shook his head. “You’re perfect, darlin.”
I took a deep breath and checked my face in the mirror. It was okay. The makeup artist had done a good job of making it waterproof. Turning back to my daddy, I said, “In case I never get to tell you, you and Mama have been the most precious people in my life. I have loved every second of growing up with y’all. And…” My breathing hitched, but I managed to say, “And even from heaven, I will miss you. So very much.”
My daddy held me then, and I soaked in every moment. Eventually he pulled back. “We had better get you married, baby,” he said, voice hoarse.
I linked my arm with my daddy’s, and we walked down the hall to the chapel. Neenee was waiting at the entrance, and she gasped when she saw me. From behind her, Lucy and Emily came barreling toward me, and I melted at the sight of them in their little white dresses. Both had baskets full to the brim of yellow rose petals. Susan was watching them, so Cynthia could be with Jesse inside the chapel.
Emily and Lucy stood before me. “Y’all look so adorable,” I said, and was met with two very proud faces. My heart skipped when, in their eyes, I saw Jesse looking back at me. Their blond hair was curled and clipped up with flowery barrettes.
“You look real pretty, Junebug,” Lucy said, and warmed my heart.
“Thank you,” I said, and Susan came and took their hands.
“You do, darlin’,” she said and kissed my cheek. “That boy in there is gonna be so overawed when he sees you.”
Neenee gave a nod to the pianist at the front of the chapel, and my favorite piece of classical music, “River Flows in You” by Yiruma, began to play. Susan guided the girls down the aisle, and Neenee took my hand.
“You look beautiful, June.” She gave me a kiss on my cheek and said, “Count to twenty, then come on through.”
Neenee went inside the chapel, and I began my countdown. When my daddy looked at me and mouthed twenty, we stepped forward and rounded the corner. The intimate chapel was full of our friends from the trial and their families who were staying at the residence.
Yellow roses were gathered at the end of each aisle. A white carpet led the way to the altar, and at the very end, I knew Jesse stood with Chris by his side. I hadn’t looked up yet though, not wanting to see Jesse until I’d made it to the end.
I passed Silas, Toby, Kate, and Cherry. All of them were watching with smiles on their faces. Their mamas and daddies and siblings were there too. The nursing staff were there, out of their scrubs and dressed in their finest. Even Dr. Duncan gave me a nod as I passed.
My eyes landed on Cynthia in the front pew, and I fought back my own tears when I saw her cheeks were wet, but her smile was adoring and wide. I hadn’t known her long, but I loved Jesse’s mama so much. She had raised Jesse to be the man he was today. Even if I’d never met her, I would have known she was a good person to have made such a beautiful soul. I would have loved her for giving me the gift of my soulmate.
My mama took my hand as I passed and squeezed it. Suddenly, I stopped walking—on a chair all to herself, Emma’s pretty face smiled up at me from a large photograph. A single yellow rose was laid before her.
Leaning down, I kissed the tips of my fingers and touched her cheek, my chest aching with how much I missed her. I just knew it had been Chris who had placed my best friend front and center at my wedding. Emma would have loved this. She would have been my bridesmaid too. I hoped that, wherever she was, she was looking down and cheering us on.