One year later
Shapiro
It’s crazy how much has changed since that night Penny first came to my apartment, needing shelter, needing protection. I gave her a place to stay and she gave me a renewed sense of purpose.
Watching her laughing and smiling with our closest friends and my family makes my chest swell with pride.
“She looks lovely.” My sister Freya comes up next to me, holding out a flute of champagne.
I accept it and take a drink, my eyes never leaving Penny. That white lace dress is mouthwatering.
“She does. I’m a lucky bastard.”
“That you are.” She bumps her shoulder into me. “But she’s lucky too. You both are.”
“Thanks. I really wish … it’s just.” I get a little choked up thinking about Mama Ang, she would have loved this.
“I know. Me too. But she’s always with us.” She squeezes my arm.
“She would have spent weeks baking in preparation. Penny nearly did. I mean who bakes their own cake?” I joke, but I’m really impressed at all the amazing tiny cakes and desserts she made. She and Nina, with the help of Niki, Jen and my sisters, transferred the main stage and dance floor area of Spotlight into some type of grown-up candy land.
“One who was trained well by Mama Ang.” She laughs.
“Don’t forget my contribution.” I nod the at the punch table next to us.
“Yeah, about that … are you gonna man the table all night, hogging it for yourself, or are you gonna dance with your girl?”
“Hey, this might not be a traditional punch, but it’s a rare Kool-Aid blend,” I defend my Sharkleberryfinn-lime and pineapple sherbet punch. “People are crazy to be drinking what’s on tap instead of this.”
“Well, punch boy.” She slaps my arm. “It’s time.”
“Can you let Ellie know I’m ready?”
Penny is so excited to have Ellie, one of Spotlight’s own performing at our reception. But she has no idea what our first dance will be to—she told me to surprise her. They have become friends and she’s one of Sweet Confessions best customers.
“Sure thing.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“No problem, dweeb.” She turns to walk away, calling over her shoulder, “She would be so proud.”
I down the champagne, taking a deep breath as I hear the first strands to a song I’ve heard a million times. A song that makes me think of family, new and old. I walk toward my new family. My wife. My eyes locked on her as she throws her hair over her shoulder and laughs.
The strum of the guitar as Ellie prepares to serenade us matches the pounding of my heart. This song isn’t hearts and flowers, it’s Kool-Aid and cupcakes. It’s us.
I stand behind her as Ellie coos the first few lyrics into the mic.
“Sugar, sugar.”
I slip my hands around her waist where she stands talking to Nina. “Hello, ladies. Mrs. Shapiro, may I borrow you for a moment?”
“Hello, Mr. Shapiro.” She leans back into me, fitting into my arms like she was made for me.
“Honey. Honey,” I sing in her ear and she turns in my arms. “Seems, it’s time for our dance.”
“Okay, husband.” She holds tightly to me as I walk her to the dance floor. The lights are lowered and right on cue the spotlights hit on us. Illuminating us in a shower of pastel light as the song continues.
“I love this song.” She sighs.
“And I love you,” I tell her. Feeling like it’s just the two of us here as I hold my entire world in my arms.
“I love you too.” And right on cue as the song is nearing the end. It’s time.
“Ready to twirl?” I whisper.
“I thought you would never ask.” She smiles sweetly and so I twirl her once.
And then again. Her dress swooshing as she goes.
This is it. The moment I’ve been waiting for. We move in slow motion as I twirl her a third time.
When she comes back around and falls into my arms, I catch and dip her. If she wasn’t dizzy with love, according to Mama Ang, she should be now.
She opens her eyes and looks up at me.
“I love you.”
It worked.
“I love you.”
“I have a confession,” she tells me as I pull her up and we stand nose to nose.
“Is it sweet?” I tease her thinking back to that first time we visited the bakery.
“I hope so.” She smiles at me, and my heart melts. “I’m pregnant.”
And now I’m the one who is dizzy.
“Penny! Are you serious?” I’m overwhelmed and bursting with the need to shout it from the rooftop and struggling to not go all overprotective caveman and lock her away immediately.
“Yes,” she cries. “Surprise.”
“Oh, Penny. You’ve given me more than I could ever have hoped for.”
I hold her face between my palms and kiss her mouth, showing her all the words I want to say.
But there will be no more locks, no more hiding. But I’ll never stop protecting her.
Them.
“Penny. About the shower? The punch …”
“Yes,” she laughs.