Sabrina

“To Dan and Sabrina.” Jeff held up his glass, prompting everyone else to do the same. “May they have a long, happy, and healthy life together.”

A chorus of “congratulations” followed just before the crowd, which consisted of Dan’s family and mine, took a token sip of champagne. I did the same, feeling as though a tornado had taken me up, spun me around, and plopped me right in the middle of the life I’m currently living. Dorothy Gale from Kansas has nothing on me when it comes to being overwhelmed and confused.

My feelings for Dan are rock solid, and I trust we’re going to have a wonderful life together. I still have to tie up some loose ends back home, but other than that, I’m ready to start over again with Dan and Lexi. Everything has just happened so fast, it’s going to take me some time to catch up.

“Sabrina, I’m so happy for you,” my mother said with a 1000-watt smile plastered on her face.

“Thanks Mom.”

“You both look so happy,” she said. “It’s nice to see.”

“I’m very happy.”

“And that Lexi is such a sweetheart. It’s about time you made me a grandmother.”

“She’s wonderful and I know you’ll have fun spoiling her. She loves shopping, by the way.”

My mother’s eyes brightened. “A girl after my own heart,” she said, placing her hand over her chest. “Unlike my daughter, who would rather be out slopping in the mud.”

“I never slopped in the mud, Mother.”

“Well, you couldn’t tell that by the condition of your clothes when you came inside. They were always a mess. I swear, I don’t know how I ever got them clean.”

Before I could defend myself, Dan sidled up next to me.

After my mother nearly squeezed the breath out of him, and told him of her utter joy of our impending nuptials for the gazillionth time, he turned to me. “Bri, Megan wants to talk to you. I told her I’d send you to her so she didn’t have to haul herself off the couch.”

“I still can’t believe she’s here. She looks like she’s going to have that baby any minute.” Dan’s sister, Megan ventured to the impromptu engagement party eight and a half months pregnant.

“Maybe that’ll be you next year,” my mother chimed in.

“One thing at a time, Mom,” I said. “I’ll go see what Megan wants.”

Dan’s sister wanted nothing more than to congratulate me in person…again. We sat in a semi-quiet corner and talked about everything from the impending birth of her first child to my wedding. Dan and I had agreed that we didn’t want a huge affair, and I even talked him into holding everything at the house. We were planning on having an outdoor ceremony and reception, but the house would be prepared in case of inclement weather.

I looked around the now-deserted living room. Those who weren’t spending the night had driven off a couple hours ago, and everyone else was tucked into their rooms. Dan had gone upstairs a half hour ago to make sure the kids weren’t doing too much damage in Lexi’s room. I was wondering if they’d decided to hold him hostage when I heard him come up behind me.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Dan asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

“I don’t know. Nothing. Everything.”

“Well that narrows it down.” Dan kissed my cheek and rested his chin on my shoulder. His warm breath caressed my face when he spoke. “Still nervous?”

I felt the tension in his body despite his soft tone. “No more than any other bride-to-be.” I turned in his arms. “It’s all happening so fast. Give me time to catch up, okay?”

“But you do want this?” His apprehensive look tore at my heart.

I leaned forward and brushed his lips with mine. “More than anything.”