Living Again (60 page)

Kayley shook her head. “You do think of everything. That is fantastic, Ben. One question. What are we doing with my house?”

Ben winked at her. “Of course I have a plan. I’ve been scoping out some realtors, including the one that sold me this house. I’m sure it won’t take long to sell, but of course, that’s for you to decide what you want to accept for pricing. Or you can just rent it out.”

They walked back down the hall as they talked, Kayley’s mind still spinning with everything that had just happened. Now she had to go to their rehearsal and concentrate? Ben bought them a house. An enormous house that they could grow into for a long time to come. He had it decorated for the child they had and a child that wasn’t even conceived. Kayley thought God himself must live inside that man.

As they reached the front door, Kayley turned to look around one more time. The next time she would see it, it would be full of their furniture, their family, and their new life together. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You’re more amazing every single day.”

Ben hugged her tightly, caressing her gently. “Let’s go practice getting married.” They walked, hand in hand, out of their new home and to Ben’s car to head to the beach. “Hey,” he said, bumping her hip playfully. “Think we could also practice the wedding
night
tonight?”

Kayley elbowed him, then laughed when he pretended to be wounded. “No way, man. You aren’t going to have any
practicing
on that until tomorrow night.”

Reaching the car, Ben looked over at her with sad puppy dog eyes, holding up the blindfold that had been in the pocket of his jeans. Looking at it, then at her, he pretended to cry. Shaking her head and snickering, she got into the car, ignoring his pitiful behavior.

The preparations were done. It was here. Today was the day. It was Ben and Kayley’s wedding day. She had gotten it together in just under four months, and it was set to be breathtaking. But, despite the fact that it was July in Florida and they needed a backup plan in case of rain and it was hot and there was always the chance of being eaten by mosquitos, she didn’t care. She was marrying Ben Nichols today. She was becoming Mrs. Benjamin Nichols. Kayley Nichols. She loved it. And Alexis was today also officially becoming a Nichols.

Sitting at the counter in her kitchen, Kayley sipped a cup of coffee. Looking around, she realized that this was also her last day living in this house, the house that she and Alex had shared. When they returned from their honeymoon, thanks to Ben’s amazing scheming and surprises, they would already be moved into their new, fantabulous house. It made her a little nostalgic, thinking of all that she had been through in this house. But she was also relieved. While she was completely in love with Ben and had no more issues with her grief over Alex, it was sometimes strange to be here, in this house. So much history happened here, and for Kayley, so much pain and sadness lived within these walls. She would be happy to have another young family or retired couple create or continue their story here.

She should be nervous, right? She thought back to her first wedding. When she woke up that day she had been so worried about the details, whether everything would go as she planned it. She didn’t know if it was because she had done this before, or just because she was
so
ready to marry Ben, but she just wasn’t worried about anything. As long as she ended up with the hot doctor as her husband tonight, it didn’t matter what happened in between.

Ben had stayed with his sister and Paul last night, so that they could keep the tradition of not seeing each other today until she walked down the aisle. She missed him not being in bed with her, and had reached for him all night. Alexis was still sleeping, and for a little while, until everyone arrived, she was by herself.

The wedding was taking place at a resort on the beach. As long as the weather held out, the ceremony was on the beach and the reception was off to the side in a huge tent. If the weather didn’t hold out for their sunset wedding, then it would be inside the hotel’s ballroom.

She looked down at her beautiful engagement ring. In everything he did, Ben was thoughtful, right down to the meaning behind her ring. It was a three stone ring to signify the three of them. It also happened to be the prettiest ring she had ever seen, and it was way bigger than anything she ever needed. He spoiled them both rotten. If he could’ve gotten a ring for Alexis, he probably would’ve. She hadn’t seen her wedding band because they both decided they were picking out each other’s, and that it would be a surprise at the altar.

“Hi, Mommy,” Alexis stood in the hallway, holding her Bitty baby that Ben had gotten her for her birthday. “Daddy?”

“Daddy is at Mom-Moms. We’ll see him later. Good morning, sleepy head.” Alexis climbed onto her lap, resting her head on her shoulder. Rubbing her back, she squeezed her gently. Alexis really had no understanding of what was happening today. She just thought it was a big party and she was going to get to wear a pretty dress and throw petals out of her basket, and that Cate was going to be with her. Emily had just given birth to Cate’s little sister, Calleigh Lynn, about a month ago. She wasn’t very thrilled to try to fit into her bridesmaid dress only a month after giving birth, but she had done it.

Kayley’s other bridesmaids were Rachel, Ben’s sister Lindsay, Cam’s wife Kellie, and Cathy, her sister in-law. She loved their dresses. They were short, knee length, sweetheart neckline strapless dresses in a beautiful Tiffany blue. Ben’s guys Cam, Paul, Kevin, Trevor, and a cousin, Gabe were wearing khaki pants and a short sleeved white dress shirt and no shoes. Ben’s attire was sand colored suit pants with a Tiffany blue tie and a white dress shirt with the arms rolled up. She hadn’t seen it on him, but she didn’t need to see him to know that he was going to be hot enough to set fire to the sand.

Alexis sat up, breaking Kayley from her thoughts. “Want some breakfast, little girl? We have a busy day today!”

Alexis climbed down and headed for the pantry, where she retrieved a box of Cheerios. “Wex want Cheewios, pwease.”

Kayley poured her cereal and sat her in her booster seat at the table, wondering what Ben was doing and what he was thinking.

Ben sat out by the pool at his sister and Paul’s, listening to the birds chirp and the breeze rustle through the trees. It was here. Sixteen months ago, he met the beautiful woman that today would become his forever. He had no nerves. There was no reason for that. Today just made official what he had felt for a long time. He was going to be a married man in a few short hours. Running his vows through his head for the millionth time, he knew he was ready. As long as his nerves didn’t fail him, he knew those words inside and out. He and Kayley had chosen to write their own vows to each other, feeling that it meant more that way.

The prospect of them increasing their family also excited him. Kayley had officially gotten off the pill a few weeks ago. They were both up for a honeymoon baby. He couldn’t wait to hold the product of their love in his arms. He also couldn’t wait for Alexis to be his legally. At the age of two, she had no idea what was happening, but someday she would. The paperwork was all set, and after the ceremony today, he would announce to their family and friends that he was now officially the proud father of Alexis Nichols.

“Hey bro, ready for today?” Paul walked out onto the porch, carrying a cup of coffee.

“More than ready,” Ben said, smiling at his brother in-law. “I wish I could fast forward until 7:30 tonight, to be honest. This sitting around waiting all day is going to kill me. I just want her to be mine, officially.”

“Well, that’s why we aren’t going to sit around. Go get ready. The boys and I are taking you golfing and to grab a late lunch. By the time we get back, you won’t have long before you have to get ready to go.”

Her house was no longer quiet- it buzzed and hummed with the excitement and anticipation of today. All of the girls had arrived, plus Ben’s mom and grandmother, whom she had just met today, and Kayley’s mom. The two hairdressers that were doing everyone’s hair was there, as well as a makeup person for Kayley and a few of the girls. A spread of lunch items were laid out on the bar: sandwiches, fruit, and salad were there to enjoy, plus some wine, mimosas, and other mixed drinks.

Emily had Cate and Calleigh with her, not able to be away from her for a whole afternoon, since she was nursing. Kayley couldn’t keep her eyes off of her. With little tufts of red hair, fair skin, and big blue eyes, she looked like a porcelain doll. Cate played with Alexis as they watched all the mommies get pretty for the party.

“You going to have one of those, soon?” Cathy, her sister in-law, looked at her knowingly. All eyes swung to her at the question.

Kayley felt her cheeks getting red at the attention. “We really hope to, maybe even after today,” she joked, deciding just to go with it. The room burst into excited chatter, mostly lead by the two mothers in the room. Kayley allowed herself to daydream as Melanie, her hairdresser, worked on creating her masterpiece. Reciting her vows in her head, she was glad that they had decided to come up with their own. There was so much that she felt needed to be said to Ben, more than just traditional vows could cover. Nothing about their relationship had been conventional, so why start now? She couldn’t wait for so many things—seeing that wedding ring on both of their fingers, starting their honeymoon tonight at the resort on the beach where they got engaged, leaving for their cruise to the Caribbean tomorrow for a week, coming home to their new house, and starting their forever life together. Of course, in her near future she wanted to hold a little bundle of joy that was hers and Bens in her arms.

“Earth to Kayley,” Emily snapped her fingers in her face. “Thinking of the honeymoon? You can wait a few hours, can’t you?”

Kayley narrowed her eyes at her best friend, mock anger on her face. “Maybe I was, and you just ruined my daydream.”

Rachel guffawed and rolled her eyes. “Seriously. You two are like the poster children for Romantic Times. Are you two even for real?” She was kidding, but there was an underlying belief she had there that love and romance weren’t real.

Kellie sat on the other side quietly, still not sure how to handle the personalities of both Rachel and Emily. Kellie was very soft spoken and always kind, never sarcastic like her friends were.

“Kell, how’s Kasen? I can’t wait to see him in his little tux.” Kayley worked to include her in the conversation.

Kellie beamed at the mention of her little boy. “He looks so adorable in it. Thanks for including him today.” Cam was going to walk down the aisle holding baby Kasen, since he was too young to join in with the other ring bearers, Kyle and Josh, Kevin and Cathy’s boys.

“Of course.” Kayley really liked Kellie. She could see that they were going to be good friends.

“I can’t wait to see all of the girls in their matching dresses,” Lindsay piped up, her hair getting put in an elegant updo. They had five actual flower girls, plus baby Calleigh walking down with her mom as an honorary flower girl. Alexis, of course, Cate, Krista, Ella, and Melinda, Cathy and Kevin’s youngest. Kayley couldn’t pick just one.