Chapter 53

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Rose

ALEX AND I WERE married two months after our engagement. It wasn’t the lavish gala I envisioned my entire life. Instead, it was a small, intimate ceremony, more beautiful and more meaningful than anything I could’ve ever imagined, because I had the one thing that was always lacking in those childhood dreams—true love. My dress wasn’t made by an overpriced designer, with a train that went on for miles, it was simple and classic.

The ceremony wasn’t in a giant castle that was the setting of so many animated fairy-tale weddings I’d watch as a child. Instead, it was held in the gazebo overlooking the river in Alex’s parents’ backyard. The reception wasn’t at an elaborate ballroom, but in the barn on his parents’ property. Alex’s mother had transformed it into something more magical than any venue I’d ever seen or could’ve ever imagined.

No, it wasn’t the standard princess wedding I’d always thought I wanted—it was so much more. I was so immersed in my pregnancy and becoming Alex’s wife that nothing else mattered. I let Alex’s mother take the reins of planning every last detail, and I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. And in the end, I landed my handsome prince just like in those fairy tales.

The man I’d known to be my father my entire life, and who would always fill that title, walked me down the aisle. There was no one else in the world I wanted giving me away on my wedding day more than him. I was fortunate enough to have my two best girls, Marisa and Lucy, make the trip down to attend, and I was even able to put my differences aside and accept that none other than Brock Donavan was Alex’s best man. I realized I had no other choice but to accept the truth that was now my life if I ever wanted to move on and be happy with my future, and so that’s what I did. I put all my differences from the past aside and focused on the future.

“I’ve never seen you more glowing and happier than you are today,” my father remarked as we stepped out on the dance floor.

“I am. Very happy.”

“That’s all we ever wanted for you, and I hope we succeeded in doing so.”

“You did, and you know what, I wouldn’t change a thing. You are the best dad a girl could ever ask for. I owe you everything, including that guy right there.” I looked in Alex’s direction as he stood at the bar area, laughing away with his father and Brock. “If you hadn’t given me your ultimatum, I’d still be back home acting like a spoiled brat and ducking my responsibility. And now look at me…in a few months, I’m going to be responsible for another human being.”

“I’m so proud of you, Rose. You’ve grown up so much in such a short amount of time.”

I looked over at my aunt Kate as she and Alex’s uncle moved across the dance floor. The smile hadn’t left her face the entire day, but she didn’t try to overstep her role, allowing my mother to shine as the mother of the bride.

“She looks really happy too, doesn’t she?” I stared up at my father as we swayed back and forth.

He directed his attention toward Aunt Kate. “She is. In more ways than one.”

“I’m glad it’s all finally out. No matter how much that initial blow hurt, I’m just happy there aren’t any more secrets. Someone told me not so long ago that sometimes people do the most screwed-up things with the best intentions. I know now all of you only had my best interest at heart. It was just hard for me to see at first. Until I found out I was gonna have a child. I don’t know if I would be strong enough to do it on my own. I’d like to think I would be, but it’s scary. I admire the women who do it, and I respect the ones who admit they can’t. I wouldn’t trade my past for anything. I love you and Mom so much for giving me the best life ever. I’ll always be thankful for that, and I’ll always be grateful to Aunt Kate for admitting her weaknesses and allowing you guys to step in and do so.”

“My little girl has grown up in ways I never imagined, and I can’t wait to see you raise your own little ones.”

I hugged him tightly as the music ended, allowing my mother to cut in and share a dance with him.

I made my way to the bar area and tapped Alex on the shoulder.

“Do I finally get to dance with my wife?” he asked.

“After me.” Brock grabbed my hand before I could even decline and pulled me out on the dance floor.

“I know I said it to you before, but I’m gonna say it again. I’m truly sorry. That was a dumb immature thing we did,” he said as we started to move back and forth.

“And I said it before, and I’ll say it again. It really was. But it’s in the past, so we’re gonna leave it there.”

He nodded and smiled. “Alex is crazy about you. We’ve been through a lot together. Stuff he’ll probably never tell you because…” His voice faltered, and he shook his head. “But he always had my back, and I always had his. I’m so happy for both of you.”

“Thanks. I’m really sorry things didn’t work out with your fiancée.” They’d ended up calling their wedding off a week after the invitations had gone out.

“Yeah, well…I think I have a little more growing up to do before I think about settling down.”

“Been there, done that. But when you find the right person, everything changes, and that person you once were ceases to exist.”

“I hope so. I’d like to maybe have what you and Alex have one day.”

“Well, you’ll always have one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You kissed me first.”

We both broke out in laughter.

“Do you mind if I cut in?”

My eyes widened when I turned my head in Marisa’s direction.

“Sure can!” I took a step back, so she could join Brock in a dance. I couldn’t contain my smile as I watched her get back in the game, and I was so happy for her.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Alex said, sneaking up behind me.

“I think he may be just what Marisa needs.”

“I love him to death, but trust me, he is not relationship material.”

“Who says she’s looking for a relationship?” I turned around to face him. “For a booty call, I think he’s the perfect match for her. You know, every once in a while, us girls can think like guys too. Until we find that one special person who changes everything.” I stood on my tippy toes and whispered in his ear, “I love you, pompous ass.”

He chuckled. “I love you too, pain in my pompous ass.”

“I have a special request from Lucy to two very special people,” the D.J. spoke as the song that was playing came to an end, and “I Got You Babe” began to blare through the speakers.

Alex and I busted out with laughter. I looped my arms around his neck and he moved his around my waist as we swayed back and forth, and I serenaded him, doing my best Cher rendition. This truly was the happiest day of my life filled with everyone I loved the most. It was hard to believe I was no longer Miss Rose Perkins. Instead, I was Mrs. Alex Andrews. For the first time in my life, I finally felt like I belonged and was right where I wanted to be…for the rest of my life.