The Wedding Hoax (18 page)

“Is this why I’m wearing my wedding gown to this thing?”

He nodded. “I knew that was the one you wanted to wear for your real wedding, so I knew it was the one you had to have here today.”

She smirked. “Pretty confident, weren’t you?”

“Was I wrong?”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

She held out her hand, which had been vacant of Mason’s awfully monstrosity of a ring since the second she’d walked away from Cole. He slipped the dainty ring onto her finger. “Yes. Nothing would make me happier than to stay your wife. For real this time.”

The cheer from the audience was deafening as he rose and scooped her into his arms, kissing her hungrily without an ounce of hesitation. She hoped he’d kiss her like this for the rest of their lives.

When the crowd finally calmed, he spoke again. “If you trust me, then I have something that might make you even happier. Come with me?”

She nodded and took his hand as he led her off the stage and out of the tent. Wherever he wanted to take her, she was ready to follow.

…

Daisy loved the feeling of Cole’s warm hand circling hers. She loved the scent of his cologne floating on the breeze, intoxicating her more with every breath, and the way he kissed her passionately as if she was the only person in the whole world who mattered to him.

Most of all, she just loved him.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, not really concerned since she trusted him fully, but still curious about what he had planned.

“You’ll find out, just on the other side of that bend.” His smile was mischievous and playful. Her curiosity grew.

The path he walked her down was lush with greenery from trees and bushes. This was definitely the most secluded portion of the park she’d ever seen. The mystery of where the path would end was short-lived as they came around a corner.

“Oh my God, Cole. What did you do?” she asked, her breath catching in her chest.

The path opened up to a small oasis, surrounded by trees on most sides. A small wooden shelter perched on the edge of a tranquil lake provided what could possibly be the most beautiful view in the city. Their closest family and friends filled the clearing with smiles and tears of happiness already evident on their faces. The outer circumference of trees had been decorated with streaming white ribbons, giving the whole area a fairy-tale quality.

“I’m giving you the real wedding you deserve. One I thought you would actually pick out for yourself, if you could. I guess I messed up that part by doing it for you, huh?”

“It’s perfect. I never could have pulled together something more stunning than this.”

“I guess you didn’t look in a mirror when you slipped into that gown then.” He kissed her quickly. “I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the aisle.”

She took a second to scan the area, overwhelmed at everything he had done to make this moment happen. How had he known she’d be drawn to an intimate ceremony instead of a big one the day she got married to the man of her dreams?

Because he was that man, and he knew her better than anyone else.

Tonya walked up with a bouquet of orchids tied with satin ribbon. “He asked me to bring these to you. Every bride needs a bouquet.”

Orchids, like the ones she’d commented on loving one time when they were dating. Had he really remembered all those little details about her?

Hadn’t she remembered all the little details about him, too?

“That’s it,” Tonya said, attaching a veil she’d magically pulled out of thin air while Daisy had been lost in her own thoughts. “You look amazing. Are you ready?”

“Absolutely.” She’d never been more ready for anything than she was to marry Cole right now.

Tonya walked out in front of her and the sounds of a single acoustic guitar started strumming a slow, sexy tune. Daisy couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect wedding if she’d planned it herself.

At the start of the short aisle, her mom stood from her wheelchair. Daisy gasped and reached for her, afraid she’d fall. “Mom, what are you doing?”

“I’ve been working hard at physical therapy and waiting for the perfect moment to do this for months. I can’t think of any moment more perfect than being able to walk you down the aisle. I knew I’d never make it all the way down the church aisle, but this one I can certainly manage. I’m assuming with this being the second wedding, you’re sure he’s the one and there won’t be another ‘real’ wedding at any point.”

Daisy laughed. “I’m sure.”

Together they made their way down the few steps to the front of the aisle where Cole waited under the shelter, which had been decorated with more ribbons and orchids. It wasn’t a long walk with her mom, but it was amazing and one she never thought she’d get. Seemed everyone was making her dreams come true today.

This time, when the minister got to their vows, she didn’t simply repeat the words. She said her own with meaning and intent and promise. “I will love you as I do today until the day I die. I promise to always believe in you and always be by your side. No matter what the future holds for us, I know it will be wonderful because I will be with you.”

And when Cole said his vows, she heard the genuine commitment he made with each word. “I never wanted to trust my heart and my soul to anyone, but you changed all that. You are everything to me and a future without you isn’t any kind of future I want. I promise you that whatever comes our way, I will be there with you every step, every breath, every moment, good or bad, for as long as you’ll have me.”

With not a dry eye in their tiny crowd, Cole included, a new minister—one he’d handpicked especially for today—pronounced them man and wife. Again.

She didn’t think it was possible for Cole to look blissful at being called her husband, but he did. When he kissed her for the first time as a real married couple, she finally knew what happily ever after felt like firsthand.

She had Cole. Her husband. For real. Forever.

Epilogue

“I think I have the perfect veil for this dress.” Daisy reached for the cathedral-length of Chantilly lace, outstretching her arm over her head while going up onto the balls of her feet.

The bride-to-be who’d won the gown prize had finally come for her personal fitting. And Daisy couldn’t be more thrilled to make her wedding-gown dreams come true. Although, the cameras Mason had insisted on having present were less than appealing. He wanted the whole moment documented so the publicity stunt finished on a high note. And what better high could there be than a bride-to-be finding the perfect gown?

“Let me get that for you,” Cole said, coming to her side. “You shouldn’t stretch like that.”

Daisy nodded and rubbed her inflated belly.
I’m proof of an even better ending.

After all Cole’s complaints and resistance to a future—to a real commitment—he’d still gone and married her, then got her knocked up. She still smiled at the thought that for better or worse, he was hers and she was his.

“I’m not going to break, Cole. The baby isn’t going to fall right out of me if I raise my arms.”

“Now there’s an image to leave America with.” He laughed and she couldn’t help but laugh with him, even as she hoped the camera crew filming her hadn’t heard their conversation.

“Fine. I’ll let you do all the work while I stand around looking like a stuffed turkey.”

“What a cute Thanksgiving meal you’d make.” He handed her the veil and hovered long enough to give her stomach a quick rub and her cheek a kiss, then whispered in her ear, “I could go for little taste of you right now.”

His dirty talk sent even more heat through her body now that she was full of pregnancy hormones. Even this close to her due date, she couldn’t get enough of him.

“If my future husband wants to wait on me hand and foot, you definitely won’t hear me complaining,” said the bride-to-be.

“I know. I should totally stop complaining and simply enjoy it while I have it. I’m sure once the dirty diapers and middle of the night feedings start, he’ll mysteriously be swamped at work.” She was only joking, of course. There was no doubt in her mind Cole would be a hands-on father after seeing how attentive he’d been during her pregnancy. No craving was too weird or inconvenient for him to make happen.

Being that she was ready to pop at any second, she needed all the extra help she could get. As it was, Tonya was waiting to take over the boutique at the first sign of labor, and Cole had basically turned her office into his. Everyone was anxious for the day to come. But realistically, she still had another week, if not more. Her doctor had stressed that due dates often come and go with no baby in sight during a first pregnancy.

It didn’t matter how many times she mentioned that to Cole. He was here to stay until the baby was born. For whatever reason, he’d convinced himself she shouldn’t be on her feet working all the time anymore and if she was, then he would be there, too. Not that she minded his close proximity, but she did worry about his remote working style having an effect on his magazine.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t be at the office or something? I hate to take you away from work.”

“The only place I should be is right here, with you. But when the pictures come in from Machu Picchu, I’ll take a few minutes to review them.”

A camera snapped, capturing their moment. She’d love to stay in his arms all day, but instead she went back to her client. Cole settled back into a cushy chair in the corner with his laptop. For the last two weeks, that had been his usual working position, unless he had calls to make, in which case he excused himself to the back office.

His new responsibility at
Prime Outdoors
had been more of a learning curve than he’d originally anticipated. Most of the actual production of the magazine was the same as it had been with
Exclusively Yours
, but the monthly layouts offered more variety and therefore took more time. He didn’t seem to mind the challenge in the least.

In fact, as every new issue started ramping up, he came home buzzing with the possibilities of what their reader poll might be or the new exciting feature travel location or some tech gear that made exploring exotic locations easier. And suddenly they had a To-Travel-To list that was expanding faster than her baby belly.

“What do you think?” Daisy asked, adjusting the veil so it swept over the bride’s shoulders and trailed down her back in a graceful wave. “Is this the right combo? Do you like the length and lace or would you rather have something shorter and maybe organza or tulle? Or if you preferred the first one, I can put that back on for another look. All of them work, so it’s really up to what you like best.”

“This lacy one is perfect for the church. But I wonder if we could do something to shorten it for the reception afterward? I’m a little worried someone will step on it, and I’ll fall and make a fool of myself. You know someone would snag a picture right at that moment and capture my humiliation for all eternity. Could you imagine?”

Daisy shot a glance to Cole, finding him grinning. They laughed.

“We can imagine,” Daisy said.

“Of course you know. Ignore my whining.” The bride-to-be joined in with their laughter. “But seriously, can we do something easy to shorten this after the pictures, or should I just take it off?”

“You’ll love this. It’s convertible. So when you want it long it’s like this. But when you’re ready to party, you simply have someone unfasten the lace from the rest and you end up with a gorgeous headpiece without having to restyle your hair. Let me show you.”

Daisy climbed up onto the small raised platform and reached for the veil. As she did a pain shot through her lower abdomen. A whimper escaped her lips as she doubled over, grasping her stomach.

In an instant, Cole was at her side, supporting her. “What’s wrong? Is it time?” His voice bordered on frantic.

“I’m okay.” She eased up to standing straight again with his help. “It was a strong Braxton Hicks contraction or something. No big deal.”

“I think you should call it a day and go put your feet up.” Cole tried to guide her toward a chair, but she held steady.

“I’m in the middle of a fitting,” she said.

“It’s okay,” said the bride-to-be.

Tonya came forward. “I can show her how the veil works and you can sit and supervise. How about that?”

Reluctantly, Daisy nodded. One look at the concerned faces around her, and she knew there would be no negotiating with them. “Fine. But I’m not leaving.”

As she stepped off the raised platform and onto the plush carpet of the showroom, a gush of water soaked her legs.

“Is that what I think it is?” Cole asked, looking a shade paler than he had a moment ago.

“The doctor said we should have another week still. Or more. All first babies are supposed to come late.” Daisy’s voice raised an octave, along with her concern.

“Not all of them,” Tonya said. “Molly was three weeks early after a completely healthy first pregnancy.”

“I’ll call the doctor. Tonya, you grab her coat and handbag from her office.” Cole’s voice was full of authority and determination. A total turn-on in normal situations, but not so much at the moment.

“What about my hospital bag? We need to get it from the apartment.”

“What we need is to get you to the hospital.”

“What can I do?” the bride-to-be asked, looking slightly panicked.

“Oh my God, your appointment! I’ve totally ruined it.” Tears filled Daisy’s eyes. This was not how she saw the day going.

“You didn’t ruin my day. I have a beautiful dress and a gorgeous veil. Now you need to stop worrying and go to the hospital.”

Daisy swiped at the tears falling down her cheeks. She didn’t even know why she was crying. Everyone was being so nice and thoughtful and supportive.

“You okay, Dee? Another bad contraction?” Cole asked, his hand gently rubbing her lower back.

She shook her head and pulled in a hitched breath. “No. I’m just…I don’t even know what I am. Nervous and scared, I guess.”

Cole cupped her face in his hands, peering into her soul with his steadfast gaze. “I’m right there with you; we’ll get through this together.”

Tonya reappeared with Daisy’s things and a huge grin. “Here. Go.” She practically shoved them out the door, then flagged down a taxi. “Text me!”

Cameras snapped as they climbed into the car and sped away. “I can only imagine the headlines tomorrow.” She settled back against Cole’s side.

“We’ll worry about that then and not a moment sooner. Right now our only concern is getting you to the hospital to have this baby.” He held her hand the whole way while whispering words of encouragement, his strength never waning even when she knew he must be as scared as she was.

Hours later, even as she pushed and he turned a color so pale she thought he might pass out and need his own hospital room, he still coached her through each contraction, counting and breathing with her. When at last she heard the loud cries with her daughter’s first breaths, Daisy’s eyes filled with tears, but not before noticing the ones rolling down Cole’s cheeks.

“She’s amazing,” he said, stroking the back of the baby’s tiny hand while she gripped his thumb. “And she’s strong, just like her mom.”

“She’s absolutely perfect.” And she was. All eight pounds, two ounces of her was undeniably perfect in every way. Ten fingers and ten toes, dark blue eyes, pouty puckered lips, and a sprinkling of dark hair sticking up on her bald head like peach fuzz.

“What are we going to name her? I guess we can’t go with my pick of Maxwell.”

“I told you she wasn’t a boy. But you wouldn’t listen, would you? A mother’s intuition always knows.”

“Just like how you ‘knew’ we still had another week or more?”

She swatted his arm playfully. “I’ve only been a mother for five minutes. Cut me a little slack.”

They stared at their newborn daughter in silence for a while, reveling in her tiny coos and breaths. Daisy couldn’t get enough of her baby smell and the way she already seemed to cuddle into her chest as if she knew who her mom was. Maybe she did. They had each been a part of the same whole for thirty-nine weeks.

“Should we name her after someone?” Daisy asked.

Cole shook his head and cradled his daughter close, kissing her on the cheek. Daisy loved his kisses and having him all to herself, but somehow she knew sharing his heart with their daughter would be even better.

“She’s one of a kind. Original. She deserves her own name.”

Daisy nodded. “Makes sense. Have something in mind, Daddy?”

“How about Isabella?” As he said the name, his eyes sparkled with fresh tears.

“Isabella Benton…” she whispered, trying out the name. It fit. “I think that’s the most beautiful name I’ve ever heard.”

Cole kissed Daisy’s forehead, then Isabella’s, smiling with more happiness and contentment than she’d ever seen on his face before.

For so long she’d dreamed about this moment and never thought she’d actually get it, or with Cole, but the life she’d always wanted in the future was right here, right now, and she couldn’t want for anything else.

Except maybe a dog—someday—when Cole was ready for the commitment of a pet.

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