Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(120)

I laughed, hugged her close. Waved Elaine over and she joined in the hug, still looking dazzled at being able to touch people so freely.

"All right, ladies," I said after a few minutes, straightening. "Let's do this."

"You sound like Rome just before a mission," Elaine said through tears. Happy tears, though.

"Nervous?"

"A little," I admitted. "I don't want to trip. I don't want anything to go wrong. This is the first day of my new life."

"Look at it this way," Sherridan said, moving in front of me toward the door. Elaine lined up behind her.

My bridesmaids, I thought with a tingle. This wedding was really happening. "You're the only bride in town who can relight a candle at her wedding without going near it if it blows out." I laughed as she'd intended. And then the two began marching out, into the chapel. When it was my turn, I inhaled, held it...held the breath...and slowly released it. Seemed like the day I'd been waiting for my entire life had finally arrived. I was giving myself body and soul to the man I loved. The man who loved me for exactly who I was. And afterward, we had a few weeks off and we were going to honeymoon in the Arctic. Better snuggling there, Rome had said.

Slowly, I walked forward. Past the double doors. Down a corridor. I could see the back of Sherridan as she stepped into the sanctuary. I reached the door and my dad, my wonderful dad, and my new daughter, Sunny, joined me. He was going to escort me, and she was acting as flower girl. Sunny took her role seriously, too. She had flowers in her hair, glued to her dress and her shoes, and the basket she held was overflowing.

I gave them both a hug.

"Ready?" my dad asked. He was tall and sort of thick, with brown hair and a kind, teddy-bear face.

"Ready."

He kissed my cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Bell-Belle. Your mother would be, too."

"I love you, Daddy." I bent down to Sunny. "And I love you."

"Forever," she said.

"Forever." That was not up for negotiation. "Now go on. It's finally your turn." She was beaming as she walked forward, throwing petals in every direction.

When she reached the front, music suddenly blasted from the church. Here comes the bride. Everyone stood and turned to catch sight of me. My dad and I started forward. Tears were already burning my eyes. Damn it, I didn't want to cry at my own wedding! But I saw Sunny, now standing proudly beside her own dad and grinning happily at me, my precious dogs (who this time were clad in matching white dresses and darling little tiaras) playing at their feet.

She waved me over to hurry me along. The crowd chuckled.

My gaze shifted, and I spotted Tanner as one of Rome's groomsmen. He blew me a kiss. Lexis, I saw next, was in the front pew. She offered me a tentative smile. I couldn't help myself. I returned it. This was my day, a dream come true. I was feeling generous.

The crowd suddenly let out a gasp. Before I could glance around to see what evil scrim had managed to crash my wedding - and kill the bastard - Jean-Luc brushed past me, turned and stopped directly in front of me. My dad glanced between us as the crowd fell silent, watching.

I patted his arm. "It's okay," I said.

"Sorry I'm late. I couldn't stay away," Jean-Luc said. He was wearing a wrinkled and stained T-shirt, a holey pair of jeans and flip-flops. His hair was in disarray and he smelled like beer. "You look amazing."

"You look like shit." They were the only words I could think of at the moment, but deep down I was glad to see him - bad timing or not. His absence these past few weeks had been the only dark spot in my life.

He didn't react. He just leaned into me and pressed a lingering kiss on my cheek. "I still love you, but I wish you all the best. I wanted you to know that," he said, then spun on his heel, strode forward and plopped into a seat behind Lexis.

Her vision, I thought, looking up. Rome smiled at me to let me know he understood what had just happened.

Lexis gaped at Jean-Luc, but I saw the longing in her gaze. I hoped her vision about him came true. He deserved a happily-ever-after.

"Come on, my girl. Rome's waiting," my dad said, and I laced my arm through his.

My head held high, we kicked into gear again. The closer we came to the altar, the faster my steps grew. Eagerness rushed through me. Finally my dad handed me over, and Rome held tight. Love glowed on his face, and damn, his body was fine, encased in the black tux as it was.

"Belle," he said. "You take my breath away."

"So you like the dress?"

"Actually, I can't wait to strip you."

The pastor heard, and cleared his throat. We laughed.

"Let's get to the kissing part," Rome told him.

And we did.