Page 29 of Brides & Birdies
There’s a smattering of applause and then a loud whoop echoes from the pews, bouncing off the high wooden rafters.
“Woo hoo!” Aunt Edna’s voice fills the chapel and I smile, laughing.
Aunt Edna’s morphed into Spence’s biggest fan. I’m one hundred percent certain she likes him more than me. She sent us an expensive engagement gift and is trying to talk Charity into naming her first baby Spence Jr.
Music swells from the organ and Spence and I walk down the aisle hand in hand, the sun shining through the stained glass, glittery rainbow prisms sparkling on the aisle runner.
Aunt Edna is the first to greet us on the steps of the chapel.
“Congratulations, you two lovebirds!”
She claps Spence hard on the back and he squeezes my hand, grinning over at me.
“Thank you, Aunt Edna. We appreciate it.”
“And Madison Leigh, you make the loveliest bride. I guess we can retire the phraseAlways the bridal planner, never the bridenow.”
“We definitely can,” Spence says, rubbing his thumb across my bejeweled ring finger. “That saying no longer applies here.”
“Marvelous! Charity hasn’t come around to Spence Jr. just yet.” Aunt Edna snags Charity’s elbow, pulling her into the conversation. Charity pats her growing baby bump and rolls her eyes at her mother.
“No, Mom. Cavill wants to name the baby CJ. You know, after himself.”
“Of course he does,” Aunt Edna sighs, clearly disappointed in her son-in-law’s narcissism.
“Well, I suppose Madison and Spence can name their first baby Spence Jr. Maybe sometime soon, huh?” My aunt elbows me and I try to hold in my eye twitch. I suppose now that the bride jokes are off the table we can move on to the baby jokes.
Oh joy.
“Bro, that was a great ceremony and everything. But where’s the food?” Spence’s brother, Clayton, sidles up to us.
“At the reception, Clay. Sorry, Madison—patience has never been my brother’s strong suit.”
“That’s why I like tennis more than golf, bro. Faster game, more action.” He grins at me and I chuckle, knowing that this is all in good brotherly spirit.
“We have appetizers as soon as we get to the reception, don’t worry, Clayton,” I say. “We’ll take a few photos outside now, then we can head over.”
“Cool. Because I’m starving.”
“Good to see your main concern on my wedding day is your stomach. Solid best man I have.” Spence chucks his brother in the arm and Clayton winces.
“Watch the serving arm. I have a lesson to teach tomorrow. Since you bailed on our standing Sunday golf game.”
“Dude. I just gotmarried. I’m gonna be a little busy.” Spence winks at me and a hot blush flames my cheeks.
“There’s a ‘get in the hole’ joke just waiting to be made, but since I promised you I’d be classy today, I’m gonna leave it alone.”
“That would be best. Photos?” Spence points to the photographer rounding up the bridal party, and Clayton jets off.
“Sorry about my brother. Younger, less mature. There’s a reason he doesn’t have a plus-one.”
“He’s fine. I mean—he’s no you, but he’s still kinda cute. I’m sure he’ll meet someone someday.”
“Always the optimist.” Spence leans over, brushing his mouth with mine. “I love you, Madison Leigh. I’m so glad you were always the bridal planner, never the bride.”
“Same. Because now I’m here with you.”
He leans over, his lips inches from my ear, his breath warm on my skin. “And now we have plenty of time to get it in the hole.”
“Spence!” I giggle as he wraps his arms around me, kissing me deeply.
The sun peeks out from behind a cloud, shining down on us, and I know I have my very own Happily Ever After.
THE END