Serendipity (29 page)

I was so honored when they told me. I don’t know what I did do deserve to have my nephew named after me, but I’ll take it.

Austin hasn’t changed one single bit. He’s just as big of a playboy as ever. We keep telling him he’s next but he just shrugs us off.

Josh and Hadley are now dating. Hadley decided to go to Vanderbilt University in Nashville while Josh is still going to school in Alabama. She lives with my parent’s so that they can keep an eye on her.

As far as I know, Josh is a good kid and doesn’t test the waters. Phoebe took Hadley to get on birth control just in case because the last thing we need is to completely screw up with her. She’s good practice for when we do finally have kids and let me tell you, they always seem one step ahead of you.

Nobody’s heard from Devon at all. From my understanding, she was offered a job at a large hospital in Dallas and she took it. I don’t blame her because she’s probably making a lot more money. I’ll never forget that day in the stable but life is too short to hold grudges.

After our engagement, Phoebe came to me and suggested a surprise for everyone at our wedding. I was against it but she insisted that it would work and people would love it—especially our moms.

My downfall is that I can’t say no to her, so since she had this little idea of hers we’ve been meeting with a dance instructor once a week. It’s not the easiest thing to do but I think after nearly a year we have it down pat.

Today is the day—the day that I’ve been waiting for—the day that I make the woman I love my wife.
Wife
. It’s funny to say that but at the same time, it seems so natural. I watch from my bedroom window as the wait staff set up the tables and rush around, making sure everything is perfect.

“You ready?” I turn around to see Jake standing there, holding little Ava in her flower girl dress. Her curly brown hair bounces as she tries to wriggle out of Jake’s grasp. I hold my arms out and she instantly reaches for me. She drools as she chews on her two fingers. “Be careful, baby, Uncle Dean needs to keep his tux clean so he can marry Auntie Phoebe today,” I tell her and she instantly perks up and looks around at the mention of Phoebe’s name.

I laugh and hand her back to Jake as she tries to wriggle out of my arms. “You’re doing great, man. Are you ready for this?” he asks, bouncing Ava on his hip.

“More than ready,” I reply because I am. I can’t wait to carry my bride over the threshold of our new house and consummate our marriage, making her mine.

We’ve opted out of the honeymoon since we both are busy with work. We decided to upgrade some things in the house instead so we have exactly what we want.

“You’re doing a lot better than I was on my wedding day,” he says and I laugh at the memory of him freaking out the whole time.

“I’ve been waiting twenty-eight years for this moment. I need to make her Phoebe Montgomery, now.”

He pats my shoulder. “I get it, Dean, I was there once. Just hurry up and get on with having kids so that Ava and Michael can have a playmate.”

I snort at his comment. There is no way we plan on having kids anytime soon.

Two hours later and a ton of tears later, I have Phoebe Montgomery by my side. The ceremony was short and sweet which was ideal. Sweat starts to bead on my forehead when I think about our performance tonight. I think we have it down, but I’m worried about dropping my wife.

We walk around from table to table and greet as many people as possible before dinner is served.

We both picked at our food and I know we are thinking the same thing. What had I done, agreeing to such a thing? I’m nervous but I love knowing that the smile on her beautiful face is caused by me.

I reach under the table and grab her hand, resting it on her thigh. I lean in and whisper in her ear, “It’s time.”

She nods and lets out a deep breathe. As if on cue, the DJ announces that it’s time for our first dance as husband and wife. I push back my chair before pulling hers out. I offer my hand to help her up and she takes it graciously.

As we step down from the platform, the music begins to play. I stand off to the side while Phoebe stands in the middle of the dance floor in her dress, looking around the crowd nervously.

When the words come through the speakers, “Now I’ve had the time of my life.” I give her a reassuring wink, and we both glance at our mothers, who are laughing and crying at the same time.

I pull her in close and dip back as she swings her head around and brings her face close to mine. Standing behind her, I pull her arm up and rest it around my neck as I slide my hand down ever so slowly and when her face leans in close, I grasp her hands and twist her away from me as the beat picks up.

We reenact the closing scene to
Dirty Dancing
. Our moms are overjoyed, crying as they cling to each other. I’m so glad I let Phoebe talk me into doing this for them. I nod to her, giving her silent encouragement. Phoebe gets a running start and jumps into my waiting arms. I catch her and lift her above me, letting her arms out by her side she looks out into the crowd as they erupt into claps and cheers. I look up at my wife, tears falling from her eyes. I lower my arms and slide her down my body, kissing her deeply when our faces meet. I know in this moment that there is nothing—and I mean nothing—in this world that I wouldn’t do to put a smile on her face.

We did it! I can’t believe we pulled it off, after months and months of practicing we actually did it just like in the movie! Adrenaline is pumping through my veins and my heart feels like it’s about to beat out of my chest, but nothing can compare to the look on my mom and Emily’s faces right now.

It’s weird but I think I was more nervous about pulling this off than I was about actually getting married. My mom and Emily have done so much for me that I needed to thank them and words just didn’t seem enough.

I couldn’t have asked for a better day, a better family, or a better husband. Never in my wildest dreams did I think moving to Nashville would lead to this. Initially I wasn’t happy about trading in my heels for boots, but I would gladly do it over again.

As Dean slowly lowers his arms, I slide down his body. When our faces are level, he places the most tender and loving kiss on my lips, saying so many things with no words needed. Pulling away, I gaze into his chocolate-brown eyes and think about how far we’ve come.

“I love you,” I say and place another kiss on his soft lips.

“I love you, too,” he replies. Squeezing me tightly, hugging me close to his body, he smiles and spins me around in circles.

Nothing in this world could compare to this moment. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier and if the past two years are anything to go by, I’m fairly certain that Dean will continue to make me the happiest girl in the world.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my children for being so patient. Okay, they weren’t really but they dealt with a lot while I was busy writing, editing, and going completely insane. Thank you J and H for putting up with me the last few months, I love you!

Lisa Rutledge, this book would be NOTHING without you! You read
Serendipity
in its early stages and I probably wouldn’t have continued with it if it weren’t for you. You have been my biggest cheerleader since day one and I thank you for that.

Stacy Borel, thank you for taking the time to beta read Serendipity. I know you had a lot going on yourself, I really appreciate you being there for me.

Stephanie Johnson, I’m so glad we’ve become friends. Thank you, thank you, and thank you for all that you’ve done for me in the past couple of months. You lead such a busy life and for you to take time out of your hectic schedule to help me, means the world to me.

Ryn Hughes, thank you for helping me in my time of need when I needed an editor ASAP. You worked your magic and polished the book to perfection. If it wasn’t for you, Serendipity would not be where it is today and I thank you for that.

Jodi Ellen Malpas, I’m so thankful for our friendship, you are truly an angel.

Angela McLaurin, thank you so much for fitting me in to format, I would be lost without you!

Amanda Stone, this has been an amazing journey and I’m glad that we’re on the same road together.

Neil Robinson, Nina Gomez, and Amanda Long, thank you for all your help while doing research for Serendipity. It’s greatly appreciated.

Heather Gunter, B, I love you dearly. Thank you for your friendship.

To all of the blogs, thank you for sharing the teasers, cover and anything else you’ve done to help me get to where I am today.

To my safe havens: Ain’t Nobody Got Time For Dat, BA, The Writers’ Block, and The Writer’s Lounge.

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