Epilogue
Malcolm
The bridal march music started, and the guests all stood. Hearing it sent my stomach into a freefall. Any second now I’d lay eyes on my one and only. The doors opened in near slow motion, but there she stood. Ginger. My Ginger. An absolute vision of beauty. I’d not seen the dress. Macy wouldn’t allow it. As Ginger walked toward me, smiling the whole way, I drank in the sight of her.
The vintage lace dress hugged her body to perfection. Simple, and elegant, letting her beauty shine through. The beaded belt around her waist was the only embellishment. She’d opted for a hat veil, which added to the overall vintage look. My eyes went to her lips. Bright red lipstick. Damn she was a vision to behold. How in the hell did I get so lucky? This woman was about to become my wife.
She and Collin reached me. I let out a slow breath. So close. Ginger turned to give her bouquet of flowers to Macy.
Collin placed her hands in mine. “Take good care of her.”
I nodded, locking eyes with my soon to be wife. “I plan to.”
Collin gave me a pat on the shoulder before going to join Sandy on the front bench. He put his arm around her because she was already in tears.
I stepped forward, and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Damn, woman. You can’t spring something like this on me.”
She laughed and stepped back, mouthing at me to behave in the process. The officiant started the ceremony. A lot of what he said went unheard, with all my focus and concentration on the woman in front of me. What I did hear, it was time for the vows.
Ginger took my hands and stepped closer. She looked up at me and smiled. “Malcolm. You have been everything I’ve wanted but stopped believing I could have. There’s so much I want to say, but finding the words to convey…” she paused. I saw the emotion on her face. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and I reached up to wipe it away. “Today, I get to do something I’ve dreamed about since I was fourteen. To become your wife. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for the rest of our days. You are my knight in shining armor. My prince charming. My happily ever after.” She smiled at me through the tears.
Reaching out to cup her face, I leaned down and kissed her. She gave a squeal of surprise but wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back. In the distance, I could hear applause and laughter. Closer, I could hear the officiant clearing his throat, trying to get our attention. I pulled away, Ginger covered her mouth with her hand, still smiling just as bright.
“Sorry. Sorry. Guess I jumped the gun there.”
The officiant held his fingers up in a pinched fashion while nodding. “Just a little bit.”
“Got it. I gotta say a few vows or something.”
Ginger reached up, and using her thumb, she wiped off what I guessed to be traces of lipstick from my lips. She then stepped back, but the smile never left her face. We managed to get through the rest of the ceremony. I said my vows, slid the ring on her finger, and finally made Ginger my wife. After what felt like way too many pictures, we climbed into the limo and headed to the after party.
∞∞∞
When we arrived at the Botanical Gardens, the wedding planner led us to the reception hall. We stood outside the double doors, listening to the announcer.
“Are you ready for this, Mrs. Frankel?”
Ginger looked up at me, wearing the most beautiful smile. “More than ready, Mr. Frankel.”
The double doors open. “Please join me in welcoming to the floor Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Frankel,” the DJ announced.
Holding our joint hands up in the air, my wife and I danced our way into the reception hall under the sound of cheers and applause from our friends and family. I pulled my beautiful Ginger into my arms then planted a deep kiss on her, drawing more cheers from the crowd.
“All right, ladies and gentleman, time for the bride and groom to have their first dance.”
The selection for our first dance was something Ginger allowed me to pick. When “Time of Your Life” by Pitbull came thumping through the speakers, she laughed.
I stepped back, holding out my hand. “Come on, baby, this is a party.”
Ginger took my hand, smiling the entire time as we started our dance. The smile never left her face as she let the music take over and had no problem shaking her sexy ass. Some slow love song wasn’t our style. There was so much to enjoy and be thankful for, and I wanted that represented in the song. Our song.
Others joined us on the floor, taking part in our celebration. Ginger stepped closer, sliding her arms around my neck. Our movements slowed.
“I should have expected something like this from you.”
“It fits. This is the best time of my life.” I leaned down to kiss her. “Well, for now, until I can get you out of this dress and have the hotel guests complaining about the noise.”
She kissed me again. “Is that so?”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. You cut me off for a month. You should be glad I didn’t do you in the limo.”
Her head fell back as she gave a hard laugh. “Bring it on, Mr. Frankel.”
“You do remember what happened last time you issued me a challenge right?”
A coy smile and a nod was the only answer she gave, but it was enough.
“Do we really have to do the rest of the stuff?”
“Yes, dear husband, we do.”
The next song started, and as I was about to protest, Collin came over. “You mind if I have a dance?”
“Not at all.”
I relinquished my bride to her father and went to sit at the table reserved for us. Macy came and sat down next to me.
“She looks so happy.”
“I know.”
“I can’t believe you’re the reason for it.”
I cut my eyes over at her and smiled when I saw her laughing. I put my arm around her shoulders. “You better not embarrass me in your speech.”
“I make no promises.”
“Brat.”
“Jerk.”
I gave Macy a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to go keep better company.”
Ginger made her way to our table. She nodded toward Dorian on the way, running her fingers over the brooch pinned to her dress. In the limo ride over, she explained to me what it was. A family heirloom that Ginger always loved, but Dorian, being the oldest daughter, had received it on her wedding day. Ginger had been surprised when Dorian gave it to her, and had teared up in the limo as she told me. Their relationship had always been rocky, so I knew how much it meant to Ginger that they had gotten to a better place.
“Have I told you today that I love you?”
She looked thoughtful for a moment. “Maybe, but I can stand to hear it again.”
“I’ll say it as much as you need. I love you, today, tomorrow, and always.”
Looking down at our rings, she linked her left hand with mine. She’d remained insistent that she didn’t want another ring, so I’d only gotten her a simple diamond band to go with the infinity ring. She’d had my band made so that it matched. The infinity symbol was inlaid with diamonds within the platinum band.
“I love you, too. For infinity.”
The End