Chapter 67
Kate
The morning of her wedding, Kate was in a tizzy as her hair and makeup were done.
Ginny hovered around her. “It was probably smart not to have so many bridesmaids,” she said. “We could wake up leisurely at eight to start getting ready.” Ginny waved a smoothie in front of her face.
“It’s kale—no dairy. You haven’t eaten anything.”
“I’m too nervous,” Kate said. “I’m second-guessing my dress, and maybe I should have chosen different flowers. Also,” she said, struggling to look out the window without moving her head too much, “maybe we should move the wedding inside.”
“Stop worrying,” Kate’s grandmother said, coming into the room. “You look amazing.”
Ginny helped the hairstylist pin a tiara in Kate’s hair. “You look stunning,” she said, turning Kate’s head this way and that.
“Do I?” Kate asked, studying herself in the mirror. She was wearing a strapless gown with a flowing skirt made out of layers of translucent gauzy lace and a smattering of silk flowers for decoration.
Nancy placed a faux fur cape around her shoulders. “It’s a bit nippy,” she said.
Kate slowly made her way out to the garden, with Ginny picking up her train so it wouldn’t drag on the floor. Kate’s mind was racing as she mentally went through her checklist and tried not to trip on her hem.
All of her worries left her thoughts when she looked down the aisle and saw Grant flanked by his cousins. Gus jumped up, wagging his tail and barking when he saw her, and the crowd laughed.
This is my family, Kate thought as she got teary-eyed. Her grandmother squeezed her hand then walked her down the aisle, since her father was too busy with his new family to bother showing up.
Margaret dabbed her tears when they stopped under the arch of flowers, squeezed Kate’s hand one more time, then took her seat.
Grant leaned down and kissed Kate.
“You’re supposed to wait until I say so,” the officiate said.
The ceremony was short and sweet; it was over before Kate even registered what was happening. Then Grant was kissing her.
“We’re married,” he whispered.
“I know.”
They kissed again on the steps of the terrace leading to the garden, and Carter gave her the customary swat with his sword.
The wedding party took pictures in the garden during cocktail hour, then she and Grant walked arm in arm to the reception in the ballroom.
“I guess this room is good for something after all,” Grant said as they stood at the entrance to the grand space. The ballroom was decorated in white flowers and greenery.
“It should feel effortless and elegant,” Nancy had told the florists. And it was, Kate thought. The color scheme was creams and whites punctuated by natural greenery and slight hints of gold. It went well with the nature motif of the grand ballroom. Near the buffet stations was a flower-draped wedding cake surrounded by trays of hand-painted macarons and other desserts.
Kate leaned into Grant as he swept her around the room to oohs and ahhs in their first dance as husband and wife.
“Your grandmother gave me some lessons,” he said. “It paid off; everything did. You make me so happy.”
Kate danced with Walter during the father-daughter dance.
“Thank you for everything,” she said.
“I am so happy to have you in our family,” Walter told her. “Well, you’ve always practically been family. Now I officially have a daughter again.”
She got teary-eyed, watching Grant dance with Nancy.
After the cake cutting, Carter made a tasteless speech, and everyone laughed, then Walter stood up and made a more heartfelt one.
“Thank you for coming, everyone. As you know, our family has had a difficult time these last couple of years. The pain and grief defined us, then Grant came along. I’m so proud of him and honored to have him as my son. Kate has also helped me through these difficult times, and it is now my greatest joy that they have found one another.”
The crowd toasted the couple.
Kate and Grant barely ate during the reception. They were too busy walking around, receiving well wishes. As she hugged her friends and posed for pictures, Kate relished the relaxed atmosphere. She only wanted everyone to have a good time while they celebrated with the newlyweds.
During the dancing, Kate managed to slip away to change into a sexier dress.
“You look amazing,” Grant said.
“You clean up nice, Kate!” Carter hooted then yelled at the DJ to play some real music.
Kate laughed then shrieked as Grant picked her up and carried her to the dance floor. She danced with him, then his cousins, and then her friends. The party went on until almost midnight.
At the stroke of the clock, Kate slipped out to change into travel clothes then took her spot at the top of the staircase to toss the bouquet into the crowd.
“I caught it!” Carter whooped.
“Honestly,” Mark said, snatching the bouquet out of his hands and handing it to one of Eric Davenport’s sisters, “you need to clean up your act, Carter.”
Grant shook his head then offered his arm to Kate. He had changed out of his uniform, and she wrapped her arms around his waist as they descended the elaborate staircase. As they ran through the front door, guests lit sparklers to see them off in one of his father’s vintage cars.
“We did it!” Grant said, pulling Kate close and kissing her once they were inside the vehicle. She snuggled in his arms on the ride to the airport.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Wendy said, hugging Kate while the pilot shook Grant’s hand.
“So you won your girl after all. Nice job!” the captain congratulated him.
“Where are we off to?” Kate asked Grant after they settled in their seats.
“It’s a surprise,” Grant replied. “Nancy helped me plan it. Don’t worry. We aren’t going to end up in Baghdad or anything. It will be fun—a nice long honeymoon.”
“I know it’s going to be perfect,” Kate said, kissing her husband.
And it was.