Kya
As I stood in the hall with Addison and Sadie, waiting for the music to change, Blitz rounded the corner with a huge smile. “Oh, how mine breath hath been taken away,” he said in his best dramatic voice. “You ladies are surely the picture of pure beauty.”
“Thank you, Blitz.” I moved my bouquet to one hand and then gave him a loose hug as not to muss myself.
“You’re welcome, gorgeous.”
“Do you like my dress, Papa Blitz?” asked Addie.
“Why you’re the prettiest, my little flower. As sweet as the jasmine too.”
The music changed, and it was time for Sadie and to send Addison out in front of her. “I’ll see you soon, honey.” I waved at Addie and gave Sadie a nervous smile.
She looked at me with reassurance in her eyes. “You’ve got this, Kya.”
“Thank you for doing this, Blitz. I always wanted my father to do this, but I guess I should have made an effort myself to invite them. I suppose I haven’t ever really done as much as I could have to make them see how much I need them in my life. It’s just always been easier to let things be.”
“It’s an honor to do this for you. You know, having all sons, who I truly love, I’ve often wondered what it would be like to have a daughter and what she’d be like. I don’t know what I would’ve ended up with in one, but I know if she could be anything like you, I couldn’t be prouder or happier. You’re a sensational woman, friend, and mother, and I’m honored you’ve allowed me to be in your and Addie’s lives.”
His words were everything I needed to hear, and I pulled him in for another hug, this time not minding if I got a little smooshed. “Thank you so much for that. I feel the same about you, Blitz. You’ve always been like a father to me, taken me under your wing and treated me with respect when no one else in the industry would. I owe you so much.”
“If you want to pay me back, you can live a full life of happiness and bliss with the ones you love. That’s all a man can ask from a daughter, or so I guess.” He gave a little shrug, and we shared a giggle. Then, when the music started, he took my hand, and we slowly made our way out and around the corner.
Everyone rose, and I glanced up at the front to see my Leonard. He looked so good, my heart ached. His eyes were ringed with red, and his smile was so bright, it touched his ears. I knew I would love him forever and didn’t think I could be any luckier. Not only did I have the best daughter in the world, and friends who loved me, but I had the hottest man in the world for my very own.
About halfway down the aisle, I glanced up at Blitz who leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek, and then he turned loose of my arm, and when he stepped aside, my father was there to take his place.
Tears stung my eyes as I fell against him, and he broke down too. “It’s been too long, princess. You’re so beautiful, and I couldn’t be prouder.” The words were choked out with tears, and my own throat was on fire with a lump that had me nearly suffocating.
“Thank you for being here, Daddy. I wanted you to come so badly.” We continued down the aisle, and though I felt like I was ten feet off the floor, my father delivered me safely to Leonard’s arms.
“We are here to join this woman, Kya Elizabeth Campbell, and this man, Leonard Michael Pace in matrimony. Who gives this bride to her groom?”
“Her mother and I do,” said my father.
I turned to see my mother sitting next to Liam and his wife on the front row, and I totally lost it all over again as my father stepped away. By then, I was blubbering like a baby, and Leonard pulled me into his arms to hold me, taking my hand so we could get on with the union.
Sarah Carter read a moment and then gave us time to say our vows, which we’d written for one another, and then came the rings. We managed to get them on without a hitch, and I was bouncing on my feet when the judge proclaimed us husband and wife. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Leonard gave me a sly smile as he pulled me into his arms. So many obstacles had come our way, but we’d managed to overcome them, and now we would have a happy life together. He leaned in and planted a big kiss on my lips as the crowd went wild. There were a lot of cheers and whistles and a “hell yeah” from Blitz who raised his fist in the air and whooped.
When it was done, I glanced over my shoulder to see my parents smiling, and then we turned to be presented to our friends and family as Mr. and Mrs. Pace.
“I’m so happy,” I told Leo. Addie ran over and fell against Leonard’s legs. He scooped her up, and everyone clapped for our little family.
We carried her out with us, and when we got to the back, he put her down, and I met Leonard’s eyes. “They came! And my father gave me away! Can you believe it?” I searched his eyes and realized that he’d arranged it all. “You asked him to?”
“He said he regretted not being close to you and being able to, so I decided we had to make it happen, and Blitz agreed.”
“That stinker, he knew the whole time!” It was perfect, every single moment of the ceremony. “I can’t believe that all went by so fast.”
Leo looked down at Addie. “Now, we party.”
Addie cheered. “Do we get to eat the cake now?”
“Soon. We have to get a few photographs of it first, but yeah, we get to eat it.” My cake looked beautiful, and everything about the ceremony had gone well too. I couldn’t wait until the rest of the guests moved into the reception room, and while we waited, Leo’s father rounded the corner with my parents in tow.
“Here they are.”
My mother’s jaw dropped when she looked at us and saw Addie, and I knew it was time for an introduction.
“Mom, Dad, this is your granddaughter Addison. Addie, this is your grandparents, my mom and dad.”
“You mean I get a new last name and new grandparents?” We had discussed her name changing when mine did, and Judge Carter was going to help with that process.
My mother laughed. “You sure do, sweet pea.”
Leonard and I exchanged a look. I had called her “sweet pea” long before anyone else, and the nickname sort of stuck. “How did you know what we call her?” I asked my mom.
“You mean you call her ‘sweet pea’?” Mom and Dad exchanged a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” I narrowed my eyes.
Dad explained, “I know you were too young to remember because she died when you were so young, but your grandmother Campbell used to call you that.” My father’s mother had died when I was still a baby.
“How strange. I guess it was meant to be, then. And thanks for being here. I’m sorry I didn’t invite you myself. Leonard took the initiative, and I’m so glad he did.”
“Indeed, it’s been a long time, Kya. I hope we can move forward.”
“I’m still who I am.” I shrugged, hoping that the person I had become was enough for them both.
My mother put her arm around me. “So are we, but we’ve learned a bit of tolerance and acceptance goes a long way. We’ve started taking counseling, and it’s been amazing for us.” My mother held onto my father’s hand. “This is a big step for us all, and I hope we can continue to get to know you even after today.”
“Of course. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, Mom.” I wondered if she would still be against me having my musical career. As we filed into the other room, where our reception was, our friends clapped, giving us a warm welcome.
I felt a tug on my dress and looked down to see Addie on her tiptoes. I leaned down, and she spoke into my ear, “What do I call them?”
“I don’t know. I suppose whatever makes you feel comfortable.”
“Could I call them Grams and Gramps?”
My mother smiled, overhearing our conversation. “I think Grams and Gramps are quite appropriate.” She giggled, and I hadn’t realized until that moment how much she and Addie sounded alike.
“There you have it,” said Leo. “And now, I want to have my dance with my bride.”
He took my hand and led me out on the floor as the music got a little louder and the lights dimmed. Then he pulled me close, and I stared into his eyes, the rest of the room fading away as we made our way around it.
“Are you happy?”
“I’m in heaven. I can’t believe we did it and pulled it off nicely if I do say so myself.”
“It’s this great venue. It made things easy. And, I have another surprise.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “How many surprises are there tonight?”
“Maybe one or two more,” he said with a wink.
“Tell me.” I nudged.
“Well, you know how you wanted to go to a private island somewhere and forget all about the world for a while?” He wagged his brows.
“Yes! Don’t tell me. You’ve already booked the flight?”
“Okay, I won’t. But I can tell you we arrive tomorrow, and we’re staying not just two weeks, but three.”
“Three weeks! That’s going to be amazing. Does Addie know?” I wondered if he’d shared the good news with our daughter. She’d always wanted to go to the beach, but I hadn’t been able to take her.
“Not yet. I figured we’d tell her together. I’ve already talked to Sadie and Stones. They’ll watch the house, get the mail, and make sure it looks like someone’s at home.”
“You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?” He was such an amazing man, and I didn’t know how I ever made it without him.
He brought his head down, his lips kissing mine. A few of my rowdier friends whistled, reminding us we had an audience, and when I looked over across the room, my mother and father were talking to Blitz as Mr. Pace and Sadie watched on. My father had Addie by the hand, and the two of them were laughing. I wondered if he had told her one of his corny jokes and couldn’t believe how many years it had been since I’d last heard him tell one. Never again would I let them stay out of my life. If I learned one thing from the rushed wedding, it was how special family and friends were and how each and every one of them played an important part in my life.
Leonard waved Addie over, and she turned loose from my dad and ran to join us. She looked like a little princess in her dress, her round cheeks flushed with excitement. “Mommy, Daddy, can I dance too?”
We each took one of her hands, and then Leonard picked her up in his arms, and we continued to move together in time with the music. “Are you happy, sweet pea?”
“Yes, I’m very happy, Daddy. I love my new family.”
“And I love you both so much,” said Leonard.
I lay my head on his shoulder. “I love you too.”
Addie gave me a questioning glance. “The three of us, Mama?”
“That’s right, Addie, the three of us.”
The End
Author Note: I hope that you enjoyed the story. I am so glad that you chose to spend s0me of your time with me. As a thank you for picking up the book, I have included some unpublished novels and novellas for you. Enjoy!!