Page 78 of His Long-Lost Baby
Not that things haven’t already been in motion. Over the past year, James has been working fewer hours and encouraging a better work-life balance for all of his employees. By all accounts, the toxic environment at GarrisTech has shifted to a more harmonious, relaxed one, and the company has even seen increased profits because of it.
Yet despite the paradigm shift at GarrisTech, and the fact that Quinn and I have been living with James for the last six months, today will be the biggest step we take.
We’re officially becoming a family, and I couldn’t be more excited.
“Ready,” I say.
The wedding planner claps her hands and smiles. “Okay, then. Let’s get you lovebirds married!”
With that, she marches out, and Quinn, Monica and I follow down the stairs and to the back room of the event space.
Through the windows, I see the garden filled with folding chairs and guests — friends I’ve known for years and new ones we’ve made together. All of them are here to support us.
A new life. A new chapter.
And at the front of it all, at the altar, is James.
He looks so handsome in his tuxedo. His hair is combed back, and his smile is so bright it lights up the whole garden.
Quinn clutches her basket full of rose petals tightly. She’s been taking her role seriously and practicing throwing flowers around the last few weeks.
“You okay?” I ask her, kneeling next to her in my dress.
“Yeah! I’m… I can’t believe this. My daddy and my mommy are getting married!”
I start tearing up. “You’re going to make me cry, too.”
She looks up at me with big eyes and grins. The look of pride on her face is all I need to know that today is gonna be perfect. The music starts, and I stand.
“Okay, Quinn,” the wedding planner says. “You first.”
Through a crack in the curtains, I watch as Quinn walks through the open door and into the yard.
She looks like an angel. The perfect flower girl.
She tosses the petals down and they scatter everywhere. She darts to the left and right, smiling and giggling. Of course, everyone thinks she’s the cutest thing, and there are plenty of smiles to go around.
“Now you, Monica.” The wedding planner ushers her forward.
Monica looks stunning in her purple dress. She’s shed a few tears already, but now she’s beaming.
She struts through the garden like a model, smiling and waving at the guests. When she reaches the end of the aisle, she takes her place under the altar, across from James and his best man Carlos.
The band starts playing a new song, and all the guests stand. I suck in a deep breath, suddenly lightheaded.
“It’s your big moment.” The wedding planner hands me my bouquet. “Now, close your eyes. Take a deep breath, and walk forward.”
It’s like I’m walking through a dream. The music sounds magical and light, and the light breeze caresses my skin.
I feel the curtains brush against my arm, and then I’m outside, in the sun.
I take a deep breath, and after a few seconds, I open my eyes.
The garden is a sea of people, smiling and crying. I scan the crowd but all the faces look blurry. There’s only one that’s in focus.
His.
James.