Kiss My Cupcake(89)

So we agreed to let Tori do the honors, in part because of her role in bringing us together. Yes, there were other variables and factors at play, but if we hadn’t been competing against each other, and then eventually banding together to outdo D&B, we may not have fallen in love. Shoddy plumbing shut D&B down after the Love Is in the Air event, and they ended up relocating to another end of town. The building across the street has been turned into a software company with fifty new employees, which means more business for us.

Which means The Knight Cap & Cupcakery is thriving.

When we opened the wall between B&B and The Knight Cap we needed to find a way to blend the two very distinct, very different themes. Instead of a complete overhaul, we found a way to work the plaid into my side and the whimsy of cupcakes into his without emasculating it entirely.

My family shows up as I finish the story. There’s a whole lot of hugs and hands flapping in front of faces to ward off the tears. My parents have really come around in the past year, offering support and praise without trying to take over. Although Ronan is pretty good at standing his ground and politely telling them to back off. I’ve even gotten better at it, too.

Eventually we shoo everyone out of the back room—it’s not really made for more than two or three people—so Daphne can help me into my dress.

My dress isn’t quite the typical bridal gown. It’s far more representative of me and Ronan and where we met, which is here. It’s champagne colored and the entire bustier top is red and black plaid. It matches Ronan’s tux with his red vest and plaid tie.

“Ronan is going to lose his freaking mind when he sees you in this dress,” Daphne mutters. “Let’s hope he can make it through the reception instead of dragging you into the office.”

I snort indelicately, as though the idea is completely ludicrous. “As if.” I can feel my face going red, especially since my mom is also in the room with us.

“Not according to Lars,” she mumbles.

“What did you just say?”

She gives me a serene smile. “Hmm?”

I poke her in the shoulder. “Since when do you and Lars gossip about what Ronan and I do behind closed doors?”

Her smile turns into a smirk. “You mean closed office doors, which happen to be right across the hall from the stockroom.”

I don’t get to grill her about it because there’s a knock on the door, but I make a mental note to give Lars hell for telling Daphne about the office incident. He was supposed to take that to the grave.

Daphne opens the door for my dad. “Care Blaire, you look gorgeous.” He pulls me in for a huge hug and for once I don’t hate that nickname. He holds me at arm’s length, eyes watery, a sad smile on his face. “You ready for this?”

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.” And it’s true. I can’t wait to marry Ronan, because then we can officially start our forever. I slip my arm through his. “You ready to walk me down the aisle and give me away?”

“Never, but I can see how much you two love each other, so I’m willing to put my own feelings aside on this one.” He winks and gives my arm a squeeze. “I don’t really feel like I have any words of wisdom to impart to you where marriage is concerned, all considering.”

I lean my head on his shoulder. “You taught me that love doesn’t always fit into a neat little box, and I’m a better person for it. Plus, normal families are boring.”

He chuckles and bends to kiss me on the cheek. “I’m glad he loves you enough to deal with the rest of us.”

“We’re kind of a package deal, aren’t we? Now let’s get out there so I can marry the one that I want.”

The wedding march starts—bagpipes, of course—and we walk down the short hall, turn left at the end of the bar and there’s Ronan.

His hand goes to his chest and he tips his chin up to the ceiling; his eyes fall closed for the briefest moment and he murmurs something that makes Gramps squeeze his arm. Of course he’s Ronan’s best man.

As I make my way down the aisle, past our family and friends and Tori and the camera crew, I feel like I’m falling backward through time, Alice traveling to Wonderland, to the moment when Henry and Dottie found their forever in exactly the same place, on exactly the same day, sixty-three years ago. History sometimes repeats itself in the most magical ways.

When I finally reach Ronan, my dad kisses me on the cheek and I take Ronan’s hand. He looks magnificent and happy and a tad nervous, and like he’s on the verge of tears. So am I.

“God, you’re beautiful.” He squeezes both of my hands. “You look like you were made for me.”

I squeeze back. “That’s because I am.”

And I know without a doubt that Ronan is mine. That we’ll stand beside each other through all the good times and the bad, that we’ll argue and cry and laugh and love.

He’s the icing to my cupcake. My happily forever after.





Acknowledgments




Hubs and kidlet; you are my rocks and I’m incredibly lucky to have your love and your support. Mom, Dad, and Mel, you’re amazing cheerleaders and I adore you.

Deb, you are always there to lift me up when I need it, to make fun of me when I’m being dramatic and ridiculous, and you never fail to celebrate my victories, no matter how small they are. You’re a once in a lifetime friend and I’m so lucky to have you.