Page 84 of A Spot of Grace
The bridal march rang out, and they rose to their feet.Sheila appeared, grinning and eyes brimming with tears, with Patty at her side to give her away.
That was all it took.Annie wasn’t particularly good at keeping her own tears in at weddings, but this time she started her weeping early, before Sheila had even made it to her groom.
Miles leaned in, planting a kiss on her cheek and squeezing her hand.Annie squeezed his hand back, but she couldn’t chance looking at him at the risk of completely losing it.
Once seated, Annie recovered some semblance of control.Patty’s golden retriever Derby served as ring bearer, and he barreled down the aisle, stopping and sprinting, soliciting back scratches from obliging guests and causing outbursts of laughter.
When they said their vows, Annie’s tears returned, streaming down her face.Her heart was overfilled with happiness, and gratitude, and joy.She had been so endlessly, blissfully happy these past months.
She could hardly believe it was real.Miles was an absurdly attentive boyfriend, helping with daycare pickups, making dinners, and surprising her at work with flowers or coffee – anything for an excuse to see her.Bella was more than thrilled by their relationship, insisting on babysitting the twins, whom she referred to exclusively as “my baby brother and sister.”
With Roy’s new payments, Annie was able to move out of her mom’s place and into a rental house one street over.It gave them a bit of breathing room without taking them too far from her mom or Miles.
Still, it ruined Miles’ plan.“I wanted to lure you into marrying me by offering my big, empty house for your liking.”
Annie grinned at him.“There will be time for that.”
There was no need to rush.She had no doubt they would have the rest of their lives together.
Once Sheila and Russell sprinted down the aisle and out of the church, Annie could finally stop crying.The mass of people, which included surprisingly fewer celebrities than expected, made their way to Saltwater Cove for the reception.
Margie had pulled out all the stops: fresh flowers everywhere the eye could see, their sweet fragrance in the air.Craft cocktails awaited the guests as they walked in, and waiters passed endless hors d’oeuvres of Dungeness crab, smoked salmon crostini, and seared scallops.Inside the barn, the tables were set with crisp white linen, gold flatware, and gold chairs.The walls were draped in floor to ceiling satin, and in the center stood a glittering champagne tower.
The bride and groom arrived by seaplane, laughing as they wobbled onto the dock to their cheering guests.They proceeded to the outdoor dance floor for their first dance, the live band playingHead over Heelsby Tears for Fears.
Annie stood at the edge of the dance floor, trying to hold Noel and Leon back, when Sheila’s mother Marilyn approached.
“Wouldn’t be my choice for a first dance song,” she said glumly.“But I suppose Sheila likes the song after Russell serenaded her with it.”
She was dressed in a white, floor-length gown.Annie suppressed a smile.“I think it’s romantic.”
“You know,” Marilyn added, “I’d suggested to Sheila I would’ve made a great flower girl, but she decided to go with your little one instead.”
Miles opened his mouth to respond, but Annie held up a hand.She was all too familiar with Sheila’s mother through Eliza.
“The flower-grandma is very chic,” Annie said brightly.“Maybe you’ll get your chance with Eliza.”
A smile spread across her face.“Maybe I will!”
The evening was filled with more magic – a fleet of food trucks, marshmallow toasting on fire department approved gas fireplaces, and portrait artists painting the guests.
Annie disappeared for an hour to put the kids to bed, and Clara volunteered to stay with them so she could return to the party.
Miles, of course, went with her.He took the responsibility of keeping her safe very seriously, hardly ever leaving her side.
It wasn’t totally necessary.A month after the fire, Chief Hank arrested Alex.He crumbled quickly, saying he had no idea Annie had been inside the building.He’d wanted to send a message and asked for leniency because he was the one who had initially called the fire in once he’d realized his mistake.
With Alex in jail, there was no other danger to her, but Annie didn’t care what excuse Miles used.She loved every minute with him.He made every aspect of life easier.It wasn’t just that he added to her life; he verifiably completed it.It felt like she’d been waiting for him all this time.
The quiet moments with him, steady at her side, made her grateful for everything she’d gone through in the last year – with Roy, the fire, everything.It had led her to Miles, and she wouldn’t change a single thing.
As the sun set, Margie called Sheila, Russell and their guests to the shore.The sky burned orange and red, and against the stunning backdrop, a white boat appeared in the distance.
From inside, Lottie’s trainers waved.Sheila and Russell looked at each other, accusation in their eyes.
“My idea,” Mackenzie confessed, beaming.
Moments later, a black fin broke the water.Lottie broke the surface, blowing a breath nearby.
The crowd cheered, and once again, Annie fought back tears.She knew Lottie was still taken for “walks,” but she had never expected this.Apparently, neither had Sheila or Russell, the two of them clinging to each other and staring in wonder.
Lottie disappeared, and it was so quiet that all they could hear was the gentle sound of water at the rocky shore.
Then Lottie exploded from beneath the surface, slamming into the water with a cascading splash.The guests erupted into cheers again, and Lottie, apparently reverting to her old training, leapt from the water repeatedly, splashing and celebrating.
Miles pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to Annie.She wiped away the tears, then stood, leaning her back against Miles’ broad chest.
She could never have imagined how wonderful life could be.She could never have imagined this.
Annie closed her eyes, memorizing the moment.
