Page 78 of Gary
“What you have to do is sit next to me and let me hold you.” He eased himself up carefully on the cushions.
“We have had so many damn visitors, that it feels like we are never alone.” He looked around the living room with the fire burning in the hearth. He had thought he would be his last night here, the day he got shot. Now she was here with him.
“I want to hold you,” he added huskily.
She sat down immediately, easing into his arms, careful not to hurt him. He was still on the mend and was still feeling sore.
“That’s better.” His arms came around her and he kissed the top of her head. “I want us to get married next week.” She moved so suddenly; she sent the pain spearing inside his chest. “Careful darling.” He groaned.
“I am so sorry.” Turning to face him, she examined his chest by easing up his sweater. “Where does it hurt?”
“I am fine.” Gripping her chin, he lifted it up. “Next week, darling. A private ceremony here, with just family.”
“We can’t. You are still convalescing. You almost died and…”
“It’s precisely the reason why I am not waiting any longer. Marry me, please.”
Emotions stormed through her and she felt the tears threatening. “Yes.” She whispered. “Yes.”
“Come here, baby.”
“You are hurt…”
“Come here.” He tugged at her hand, and she moved closer. Tilting her face upwards, he took her lips softly. “Is there a baby?” He whispered against her lips.
“What?”
“When I was out, I heard you saying that you might be carrying my seed. Is that the case?”
“It might be. It’s too soon to tell.”
“Would you mind? Is it too soon?”
She blinked the tears away. “I want to feel your baby nestled inside my womb.”
His heart swelled as he bowed his forehead to hers. “I adore you,” he whispered.
“I adore you back.”
*****
His throat swelled with emotions as he watched his bride walking towards him. They had decided to have the ceremony at the coffee shop instead where he had first fallen in love with her. The ceremony was being held Sunday afternoon when the shop was closed for business.
The minister at the local church had agreed to perform the ceremony. The shop had been transformed into a bower of sheer beauty, with flowers draped on every flat surface, including the bookcases.
The bride’s dress was simple and made of cream cashmere with a cowl neck. A garland of baby’s breath was entwined in the front of her hair which was a tumble of curls around her shoulders. Her bouquet was a combination of baby’s breath and white and yellow roses.
Graham and Grant Moretti as well as Sharon Ellicott were the only people there to witness the nuptial. They would spend the night at the apartment and depart first thing in the morning for the trip to Italy. Gary could not wait to show her off to the rest of his family.
Taking her hand, he stood with her in front of the minister.
The vows were exchanged, the couple facing each other as they promised to love each other until death. As he slid the diamond ring onto her finger, he gazed at her with everything he was feeling. Love gave his eyes a luminous quality that shone as bright as the moon in the sky.
Sharon had provided refreshments and after slipping out of her heels, Sadie Ellicott, now Sadie Moretti, sat in her husband’s lap and partook of the cake her mother had made.
“Thank you,” he whispered quietly.
“You are welcome.” She whispered back. She did not have to ask why he was thanking her. They had spoken at length about the name, and she had assured him she would be proud to bear it. “Make something good of it. Let it be one that our children will be proud to have.”