Authors: Nikki Mathis Thompson
Spinster? (32 page)
All of her life, people had been dying to define her with a simple label. They could try to put her on a box, like she could be minimized in such a way. Whether she was Chubbles, privileged, married, single, spinster, it didn't matter. She was who she was, and that was enough—making room for those who deserved her love, and gave her love in return. She felt luckier than most. She was surrounded by people who loved her without conditions or parameters, because at the end of the day, Tess Warner wanted love and life to be...limitless. She wanted that life to be here, with him, with them...for as long as they'd have her. And maybe, just maybe, some labels were not meant to oppress, but to signify what you are to the ones who matter most.
And when it came down to it, she didn't think she'd mind donning a few new labels—wife and step-mom.
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Epilogue
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She closed her eyes. The warm breeze hit her face, the hint of brine tickled her nose. The flitters in her stomach were nerves, but mostly, anticipation. After being with someone for a few years she thought the butterflies would have been a thing of the past, inclusive to new love's intensity, yet there they were. The thought of him, of their future, made her want things she never thought possible. Forever.
"You ready?" The voice was soft, tentative.
Taking the arm offered, she strolled on auto-pilot, her mind focused on the palms and blue skies.
She turned and smiled. "Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."
Kicking off her terrycloth slippers, she took her first step onto the warm sand, soft and flowing beneath her coral-painted toes, to match the flowers in her grasp. The lace hugged her curves and swished just above her ankles. Her hair down in long soft waves. The walk that should have taken minutes seemed to stretch to infinity, the pathway in front of her narrowing, then elongating in her vision. She took a deep breath when she realized she was becoming light headed, swaying into her father's shoulder. "You okay there, sure foot?" he teased.
"Sorry, forgot to breathe for a second."
"Oxygen is imperative, baby girl." His chuckle was warm and comforting.
She forced herself to hone in on the golden god at the end of the sandy aisle, covered in soft aqua silk. She could feel her friends and family smiling at her in adoration. She knew it without looking, Could feel their love and support radiating off of them on waves. She waited for this day, prayed for it, and now in a few small steps, it would be her reality.
Her father stopped their procession right in front of the arch covered in delicate white flowers. The officiant, a slight dark man with wire rimmed glasses held a small bible. He asked, "Who gives this woman, to this man?"
She looked at her father, still gorgeous even with a few wrinkles and silver on his temples, as he said, "Her mothers and I do." She smiled, glancing to the front row where her mom and Tess sat side by side. She'd been blessed with not one, but two moms who helped shape her into the woman that stood before them—feeling as strong as an oak one minute, but fragile as a blade of grass the next. Every bride before her had felt the same way, that had to be true.
"I love you, Kate," he said with a soft kiss on her forehead. Tears filled his eyes as he passed her to the man that would now be the center of her universe. She kissed him back, "Thank you, Daddy, for everything." She sniffed, but she would not cry, she would not cry. She watched her father place a small kiss on her mother's cheek, then he sat and took Tess into his arms, their cheeks wet with tears. He kissed her with a gentle mouth, still as in love as the day they said I do on this very stretch of beach two decades ago. If her marriage held a tenth of the passion and respect as her dad and Tess's, they'd be happier than most. Her older sister, who was the maid of honor, winked at her, giving her a jolt of bravery, like she'd done her whole life.
She turned her attention back to her husband-to-be. He took her small hands into his, and she was flooded with such strong emotion her lip quivered. "We're gathered here today to join these two beautiful young people together in front of their friends and loved ones. In the eyes of God we are all pure of heart and bold of spirit, and these two people you see before you emanate those qualities with grace and constancy. The love they share is rare and should at no time be taken for granted. And without further ado, repeat after me..."
The End
~SOUNDTRACK~
1. The Wire -Haim
2. Smoke and Mirrors- Imagine Dragons
3. Leave a Trace- CHVRCHES
4. Fools- The Aikiu
5. Warm Foothills- alt-J
6. Gemini- What So Not
7. Beauty in the Breakdown- Frou Frou
8. A Rush of Blood- Coasts
9. Gravity Rides Everything- Modest Mouse
10. True Love Waits- Radiohead
11.I Feel It- Avid Dancer
12. Promise- Ben Howard
Bonus Track: All the single ladies- Beyonce
Danke!
I had fun writing this one! I was married at 23, so my knowledge of living as a modern single woman is limited. Hearing my single friends' stories intrigued me, so I wanted to write one for them. Of course, in the book she had to meet a guy, it being a romantic comedy and all. But, life doesn't start when you find your plus one. A modern woman can be whatever she wants to be.
As most of my books no subject is safe from banter, but my intent is never malicious. In a society where everyone gets offended by everything, this is a daunting prospect, so I try to be cognizant of that fact, but not let it censor me too much either.
I have family members dealing with mental illness, so I know first hand the impact it can have on a family and how harrowing it can be to wake up every day and try to function. My heart goes out to those struggling, and I hope Mila was a good representative for you all. I'm not an expert, but did my best to paint a realistic picture.
Really I write to bring fun and humor to the universe. With everything happening on the world stage, we all need to escape for a few hours. That's why I keep doing this and I'll keep writing until I have nothing left to say. Human kindness and humor is free...I want to spread it around!
Thanks to my editor, Toni Rakestraw and my cover designer, Natasha Brown. I love working with both of you.
Thank you, to my betas! Misti, Cheryl, Casey, Mandi, and Andrea. Such great suggestions, you help make my books better.
Thank you to my loyal band of readers who have stuck with me through the years. Thanks to the book bloggers who are still out there helping us get the word out. A special thanks to my reader turned friend, Dee Montoya with Wrapped up in Reading.
My book club has gives me so much inspiration. We really have deranged conversations like the ones you read in my books. Love you ladies!
To my supportive husband, who finally accepted that this expensive and time consuming hobby wasn't going away. I love you! To my kids for being so proud of their momma.
Thank you to my friends, who fill my life with laughter and inappropriate humor.
Finally, thank you for reading! Please leave a review! It means so much to an author and the best way to show your appreciation!
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Other Books by Nikki Mathis Thompson, available on Amazon and BN:
Rebound
Resilient (Follow up to Rebound)
This is ME
Chasing the Sun
The Space Between
