Page 71 of Surgeon's Surprise Baby
“Is next weekend too soon?”
“It’s just right.”
“I have one more request.”
“Anything for you.”
“Can we get married at the VA hospice?”
Ryan smiled.“So your dad can be there.”
“Yes.Do you mind?”
“Of course not.”
“It will have to be small.Sophie, of course.We can ask Connor and Sierra if that’s okay with you.And your dad and his wife.Do you think they’ll come?”
“Connor and Sierra definitely.My dad and his wife?I think they’ll try but they might not be able to arrange it on such short notice.But even if they can’t we can ask them to come up when they can arrange it.”
“I broached the subject with the hospice administrator and he said they’d be happy to do it.I couldn’t make any specific arrangements until I asked you.”
“Did you really think I’d turn you down?”
“No.But I wanted to make sure before I officially planned anything.”
“Aria, I will marry you whenever and wherever you want.And now”—he kissed her again—“we have other things to do.”
*
Ryan and Aria’swedding day dawned bright and clear.A perfect blue-sky Montana day.The hospice staff had gone all out and the small chapel had been decorated with beautiful flowers and ribbons.
As they’d discussed, the wedding party was small.Ryan’s father and stepmother couldn’t come, so it was just the bride and groom, Connor and Sierra, Sophie, and Steven.Ryan had worried that they might have to move the wedding to Steven’s room, but he’d been determined to be a part of it in the chapel, even though he was in a wheelchair.All three men wore suits.Luckily Steven had been able to borrow one from a friend.The hospice chaplain was going to perform the ceremony.
Ryan and Steven had talked earlier.“I can’t give you my blessing,” Steven said.“It’s not mine to give.But I’m really happy that Aria found a good man.I know you’ll take good care of her and Sophie.”
“Count on it.I’m glad we could have the wedding here.It means a lot to Aria that you’re here.And not just for the wedding.”
“It means so much to me.I can’t believe I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of her life again,” Steven said.
Finally, one of the staff poked her head in and told them the bride was on her way.Sierra had given her phone to Connor so he could play “Pachelbel’s Canon” and the “Wedding March.”He turned it on and they all looked to the doorway.Sierra came first, carrying Sophie and a bouquet of pink roses.And then Aria appeared.
Ryan sucked in a breath.He always thought Aria was beautiful, but today she was stunning.Her dark hair was swept up in some kind of complicated twist with a few wisps of hair left out to trail onto her face.Her white lacy dress was fitted in the bodice and the waist, then flaring out to end a couple of inches above her knees.She carried a bouquet of white roses and she looked happier than he’d ever seen her.
He knew this was the happiest he’d ever been.
The pastor began the traditional ceremony.Once he came to the part about the rings they played musical baby.Sierra wound up giving Sophie to Steven to hold while she took Aria’s bouquet and Ryan and Aria exchanged rings.Ryan gathered her in his arms and kissed her.“Sorry,” he told the pastor, “I couldn’t wait.”
They all laughed and then adjourned to Steven’s room where they had cake and sparkling grape juice.Since Sierra and Steven weren’t drinking and they all had to drive home, they decided to wait on champagne until they got back to Marietta.
Steven was clearly tired and Ryan was anxious to get his girls home and alone, so they left shortly after the refreshments.
By the time they got back Sophie was sound asleep.Ryan got her out of her car seat and put her in her mother’s arms.Then he swept up Aria and carried both her and the baby to the door.“You don’t need to do this,” Aria told Ryan.
“Are you kidding?It’s not official until I carry you across the threshold.”
“Well, then, by all means.”
So he did, then kissed her and set her on her feet.“I’m going to put Sophie down.”
“I’ll help.”
Aria had changed Sophie into a comfortable footed sleeper before they got in the car.After a diaper change Sophie settled back down for a nap.“Think she’ll sleep long enough that we can have a glass of champagne and celebrate the wedding properly?”
They managed the champagne but Sophie woke up before they could get to the “celebration.”
“I was afraid of that,” Aria said.“Do you mind?”
“I can wait.After all, we have the rest of our lives.”
The End
