Six Months Later

“Can you believe today is finally here?”

I stare at my best friend, thinking back over the last six months. We opened Puff N’ Stuff #2, and even I’ve started calling it PNS2. The coroner found the evidence needed to charge Craig Forrester with the murder of my dad. Craig sang like the proverbial canary, telling Detective Duff that it was Uncle Richie who paid him to do it. Uncle Richie was charged with embezzlement, breaking and entering of Dad’s house, and conspiracy to commit murder. Needless to say, he won’t be getting out anytime soon. I attempted to speak with him after he confessed, but Uncle Richie refused. All he wanted to do was yell and tell me it was all my fault. That the company should have been solely his, and he would never let a little spoiled, rich bitch take it from him. In the end, my dad paid for Uncle Richie’s greed with his life, and this spoiled rich bitch did in fact take over Du-Kane, Inc. It’s continuing to grow, Zoe is still making new marijuana hybrids, and the ladies we’ve been helping are all adjusting to either school or their new jobs wonderfully. CronCorp is still my biggest competitor. It’s become a game to the five of us now. Every month we compare numbers and products. Who had the best profit margin? Best new edibles? Did John yell at them more than me? It’s been pretty even so far, but with Zoe’s new hybrid getting ready to roll out, I know I’ll be winning for the next several months.

I did discover one thing about myself. I love real estate. Buying up old and run-down property, refinishing it, and flipping it has become an obsession of mine. Ridge has even found his happy place working with me on a few properties. Maybe there is a place for a Du-Kane and Michaelson merger in the future.

I’m pulled out of my memories when Zoe snaps her fingers in my face. I laugh before I can answer her question. “No, Zoe. I really can’t believe today is finally here.”

Zoe is beautiful today. She is dressed in a cream toga style dress, with a gold roped belt around her waist. Zoe is a Bohemian Goddess. Her dreads are pulled back on the sides with thin gold strands braided into them, courtesy of her makeover at New Beginnings. On her wrists are bangles in gold, silver, and turquoise. She is simply stunning.

She turns from the mirror to face me. “You look beautiful, Al.”

I can’t help the snort that escapes as I rub my protruding belly. “This is not beautiful. I look like a whale dressed in turquoise drapes.” I’m pretty sure there’s enough fabric in my dress to cover half the windows in mine and the Michaelson house.

Sally runs into the room yelling, “It’s time guys!”

Zoe grabs my hand and we walk out toward the double doors keeping us hidden from everyone seated in the church.

“Are you ready to become Mrs. Ben Erickson?”

Zoe hip bumps me. “I’m so ready for this.”

We hear the opening of the Wedding March and the doors open. Instead of Zoe walking down the aisle alone, she asked me to escort her. I told her I was honored to do so.

We begin to walk arm in arm down the aisle toward Ben and the minister. I kiss my best friend on the cheek and give her away to Ben. Zoe passes me her bouquet and I take it, then turn to take my place by her side.

The ceremony is beautiful and perfect. I tried not to cry, but being seven months pregnant, with twins no less, has made me a blubbering fool most of the time. The other day I cried because North ate the last piece of string cheese. The next day he came home with about a hundred sticks of it. After the ceremony, we leave for the reception that we’re hosting for the happy couple at the Memphis Country Club. I’m standing off to the side, swaying my hips to the music while I watch Ben and Zoe dance their first dance. I smile when a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist.

“Have I already told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

I turn in Cash’s arms. “Not tonight, no.”

He leans down, giving me a long, passionate kiss. “You look beautiful, Pretty Girl. Did you give Zoe her gift yet?”

I laugh thinking back on last night. “I did last night. I didn’t think I would be able to hear anything after she screamed at me for doing it.”

Last night Zoe and I decided to stay home and pamper ourselves. The guys and I talked about it, and since I’ve moved in with them, there is no real reason for me to keep Dad’s house anymore. I decided instead of selling it, I would gift it to the best friend I could ever have. To say she was surprised is an understatement. After she got over the shock of receiving the deed to the house, she ran around screaming like a loon.

Cash lets go of me as the other Michaelson brothers walk over to us. My guys form a tight circle around me, each one rubbing the baby bump and kissing me either on my cheek or the top of my head. I’ve never been so happy, so in love. I can’t wait to see where life takes us from here.