Jaymes

He tricked me with food. I don’t know how I didn’t remember I’d need to find a dress for the big day. But when a rack of beautiful dresses showed up at our suite, it was apparent by two dresses in, I shouldn’t have had the waffle.

The saleswoman from the bridal shop downstairs is kind. “Twenty minutes. That’s all we need and you’ll feel less bloated. You just need to digest.” Lowering her voice, even though we’re alone, she whispers, “Or maybe try going number two.”

I laugh, wondering how many times she’s tried to settle bride’s worries by telling them to go poop.

She adds, “Coffee always works for me.”

Annnnnnd apparently it works for me. Twenty-three minutes later, I’m slipping into the dresses with a lot more ease.

Rochelle texts me at nine when the kids wake to tell me she’ll bring Ace to the ceremony, so not to worry. And it’s not that I haven’t thought about him and how marrying Derrick will affect him, but watching them together, Ace is happy. In fact, he’s more relaxed than I’ve ever known him to be. Part of me feels guilty for the weight he’s unknowingly had on his shoulders. But I can’t feel guilty about that. That belongs to Reggie. Should I go and ask Ace if he’s okay with me—well, us—marrying Derrick? In some senses, yes. But, I consider my own mom and the choices she made for me when I was younger to help me feel safe. Wanting to be as wise and strong as my mom, I know this is okay. This decision is for us. For Ace and me. And as much as I am over the moon to have Derrick back in my life, and so thankful for all he’s done to make that happen, I know Ace is happier too.

Holli shows up with more lingerie, white this time, and perfect under the dress I’ve chosen. “Did you just have this handy?” I tease. When I hold it up, my breath catches. “This is beautiful.”

“To match the bride. Your dark against the white lace—you’re a campaign dream come true.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“An ad campaign. This lingerie set is from my line. I’m a designer.”

“You’re a clothing designer?” I ask, shocked.

“Amongst other things.”

“Wait, so let me get this straight. You’re a designer, you’re married to Johnny Outlaw, and you look like this? I’ll be honest, I can’t keep up with that.”

She gives my hand a little squeeze. “It’s not a competition, Jamie. You just have to be you and from what I’ve seen, you’re amazing.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” I give her a hug and while standing there, I think of the life and friends I’ve missed out on from being under the watchful eye of Reggie. He’s kept me down and held me back.

No more.

---

10:30 a.m.

My palms are sweating. I flap my arms several times to cool down. Is the air on this place? After checking the thermostat and verifying that the air is indeed on and set to a comfortable seventy-three degrees, I realize it’s just me. Even after pushing my flight back to the afternoon and going down to file for a marriage certificate with him, I’m nervous. And sweating.

I’m about to run and spritz more perfume on, but I detour when there’s a knock on the door. Peeking through the hole, I see Rochelle. The door swings open and my heart bursts with pride and love and just all the wonderful things in life when I see my little man. Kneeling down, I hug Ace so tight. “You look so handsome in your suit, buddy.”

I take his hand and Rochelle closes the door behind her. “I told him dapper.”

“That means fancy,” he says. “You look like a princess, Mommy.”

Twirling for him, I ask, “Do you think Derrick will think so too?”

“No, he’ll say you look pretty. He always says that.”

“Does he now?”

Ace nods and says, “Whoa. This place is a mess.”

With my hands on my hips, I can’t argue otherwise. “Hair and makeup just left and yeah, with the food trays and stuff around, it’s a mess all right.”

When Ace runs to the windows to look out again, Rochelle says, “You make for a beautiful bride, Jamie.”

“Thank you. Derrick did everything from the ceremony to my dress and shoes to setting up my hair and makeup for me. I definitely feel like a princess. I just wish I could do something for him.”

“Do you have rings?”

“No,” I confess. “I feel terrible, but I can’t afford one. I was thinking we could pick one out when he gets back, something he likes that I can give to him.”

“Getting married is a big step, but your anchor is love. Don’t let things that don’t matter break the chain. I know Derrick well enough to know that he doesn’t need anything expensive. He’d be happy just having you, but I’d put a ring on it if you know what I mean. So, I’ve still got his credit card.”

“And he did tell me to charge anything I want to the room.”

“I’ll call downstairs and have them bring some rings up in his size.”

“I don’t know his size.”

She sits at the desk and scrolls her phone. “I do. He once did an ad campaign for a watch company and they wanted a ring on him. Let me find the email. You just have some champagne and relax for a few minutes.”

How did I get this lucky to not just win Derrick’s heart but to inherit his friends, who are his family? It’s better than winning a jackpot at the casino. With the puzzle pieces of life clicking into place, I’m definitely the luckiest girl ever. Joining Ace at the window, I sit on an ottoman next to where he stands. His hands are in his pockets and his brow is furrowed. “Got a lot on your mind?” I ask, rubbing his back.

“Some.” He shrugs.

“Want to talk about it?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s a lot and very fast. Is the wedding upsetting you?”

He sits on the ottoman next to me. His gaze stays out in the distance through the glass. “What does it mean? Derrick said it means he becomes your hubsand.”

“Hus-band, buddy. Yes. It means we become partners.” Taking his hand in mine, I hold it. “We’ll always be partners too. Just like always.”

“So I’ll be your husband too?”

“No,” I reply, amused. “You’ll always be my son. Look at me, Ace.” When he does, I lean down a little more to make sure he understands what I’m saying. “You’ll always be the best thing in my life.”

His head leans on my arm. “What happens when we go home? Derrick said he’s going to Denver.” Looking back up at me, he asks, “Does he not want to be with us?”

“It’s not like that at all, Ace. He does want to be with us. That’s why we’re becoming a family so we can be together. His job means sometimes he has to travel. I wish we could go back to LA together, but he’ll be back in three weeks.”

Popping up, he points outside. “Helicopter.”

“So awesome.” I never see the helicopter because I’m too busy taking in my son. “You know, Ace, I’m the luckiest mommy in the whole wide world because I get to be your mommy.”

He turns and hugs me. “Derrick said he was lucky that he gets to be my daddy.” I exhale slowly, the sweet sentiment hitting me hard on that one. “Is Derrick my daddy?”

“He is, now and forevermore.”

A tissue is dragged out of the box on the desk and Rochelle wipes her eyes. I’d forgotten she was there. Wiggling Ace by the waist back and forth, I say, “Why don’t you go brush your teeth and go potty. We need to leave in a few minutes.”

When he runs off, Rochelle sniffles. “That was beautiful and heartwarming. Ace is fortunate to have such an amazing mom.”

“Thank you and thank you for being so good to me and Ace.”

She stands and shakes off the emotions, but I could use a friend since I don’t have my mom here and she didn’t answer her phone earlier. “Am I making a mistake? Woman to woman. Mother to mother. Be honest with me.”

“I think he made a mistake the first time he let you go. He’s smart enough not to do it again, but let me ask you. We don’t know each other well, but I get a vibe from people.”

“And what vibe did you get from me?”

“You’re a survivor, Jamie. I have a feeling you didn’t just let him go, let him leave and then stop feeling anything for him. I see how you look at him. I see how much you care. I see the love you both share. I don’t need the details, but I do know there’s more to this story. The good part is, your story’s just begun and it’s starting with the happily ever after. So if you’re asking if you should marry him, my answer will never change. Hell, yes. Derrick’s a great guy. He just needed the right woman to remind him of that. You bring out the best in him. I have a feeling he does the same for you.”

“He does. He’s good for my soul.”

“Then don’t question what you already know the answer to. Just listen to your inner voice, the one that’s telling you he’s the one.” I swear we’re interrupted more by knocks on the door than anything else. Rochelle adds, “Let’s buy that soon-to-be husband of yours a ring.”

---

The flowers are beautiful. I’m handed a bouquet of perfect roses with the lightest touch of pink. The card read “To match your cheeks” and was given to me when I arrived at the private wedding garden. Derrick had more sweet surprises up his sleeve. When I peeked outside to see how the ceremony spot looked, my mom was standing there with his mom.

The moms come rushing to me and I start crying on the spot. The planner shoves tissues in my direction and the moms dab very carefully at my face. I thought it would be seeing Ace that caused the emotional tearjerker waterfall. He was just so cute and handsome, but it’s seeing them here, together, and crying from happiness that does the trick.

So now, five minutes before I’m supposed to get married, I find myself standing in the bathroom salvaging my makeup. Usually when I’m happiest, flashbacks of terror come back to ruin it, but right now, as I look at myself in the mirror, I only see the good, remembering the best times I ever had were with the man I’m about to marry . . .

I sit up in the back of his truck and turn the flashlight back on so I can study a little more before I have to be home. “This math test is going to kill me.”

“You’ll ace it.”

“You always say that.”

“I’m always right.”

I poke his side and laugh when he squirms. “So basically it’s good luck when you tell me I’ll ace it?”

Sitting up, he tugs the collar of my shirt down and kisses the exposed bare skin. “Yes, ace equals good luck.”

I turn and sneak in a quick kiss. “Got it. Ace will always be good luck.”

. . . The tears come fast this time as the memory brings me full circle. Derrick won’t remember that conversation, so insignificant at the time, but one that I always carried with me. My mom comes in with my makeup bag and says, “Let me help you.”

“We’re late,” I say.

“They’ll wait.”

While she touches up my makeup, she says, “He told me he wants us to stay at his house while he’s gone. What do you think, dear daughter?”

“I think we should.” We speak in hushed, conspiratorial tones. “I don’t want Derrick going near the neighborhood.”

“What about you?”

“You and Ace can wait at the house. I’ll go back and pack our bags and hurry back. Just the basics. Enough to get us by for a few days and work out a plan.”

“We’ll figure it before we land. Diane wants to throw a party when Derrick returns.”

Smiling, I reply, “That would be lovely.”

She stands back and inspects my face. “Beautiful as always.”

“Will you walk me down the aisle?”

Her sweet smile has always comforted me and continues to do so. “Of course. Let’s go. I think you’re ready.” I am ready, but hearing my mom’s confidence is all I really needed. She didn’t question our decision. She just smiled and accepted and supported.

My man awaits. My future sealed. Our future sealed.

Stepping into the room that leads outside, I kiss my mom on the cheek and take her hand. “Here Comes My Girl” by Tom Petty starts playing and I laugh. “I’m ready.”

Ace steps forward and grabs my hand and starts tugging. With a huge smile, he says, “Come on, Mommy, race you to Derrick.”

I take his hand and slow him down. “I think we should do this together.” With the two people I love more than anything in this world leading me to the man I love bigger than the universe, the three of us start walking.