“Eww…gross! No!”
He lifted a hand from the steering wheel in mock defense, “Just asking…didn’t want to make assumptions. I’ve only met your brother a
handful of times. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who works more than he does…and I’m a doctor.”
“I know. My brother, the workaholic. Who knew he’d move back home from college and we’d still never see him,” I said with a shrug.
After checking our luggage, including the very precious garment bag that contained my wedding dress, we went through security. This was always
a fun task with a child, and we of course got several glaring looks from the speedy businessmen. Once securely checked, we proceeded to our
gate.
“I can’t believe they wouldn’t let me carry on my garment bag!” I said with a huff.
“Well, it was quite large,” Logan said, pointing to our gate and taking a seat in our designated area. Maddie immediately reached into the
backpack of activities we’d packed, pulled out a book and began reading…or at least pretended. Either way she was being quiet, and I thanked
the heavens for the few minutes of peace. I loved her more than I ever thought possible, but man…she could talk. I guess I shouldn’t be
surprised considering who gave birth to her. I’m not known for being quiet, especially when I’m nervous. I babble a lot.
“It wasn’t that large! Okay…it was, but crap. They let that dude in front of us bring his guitar,” I pouted.
“Hey,” Logan said, pulling my chin level so our eyes were locked. “It will be fine. Nothing could ruin this week, okay? By the end of this
weekend, you will be officially and forever mine. I don’t care if you’re in a burlap sack, Clare. The only thing that matters is that you say
those vows and bind yourself to me for eternity, got it?”
“Yes,” I said, a bit breathless.
“Good.” He gave me a quick wink before pulling Maddie on his lap. She’d only learned a few words so far, so he assisted by helping her sound
out the rest. I just watched, loving the perfect picture the two of them made. I would have never guessed, walking into that emergency room
several months ago when Maddie had fallen and given herself a concussion, that I would wind up here. Logan not only healed Maddie that day, he
’s been healing all of us ever since.
About thirty minutes later the announcement came that our flight was boarding, so we packed up Maddie’s things and headed for the gate to
check in. With Maddie bouncing up and down in his arms, Logan ran his free hand down my cheek, his eyes suddenly filled with emotion.
“Ready to go get married?” he asked.
“Absolutely.”
Smiling, he grabbed my hand and we walked towards our future.
Logan
So many emotions hit me all at once when we boarded that plane to St. Thomas. The child in my arms was about to become my daughter. The woman I
loved was about to become my wife.
A family. My family, finally.
It was something I’d always wanted, and here it was, all because I opened the right exam room door and found my future on the other side.
After a quick changeover in Charlotte, we were flying over water and headed for St. Thomas. Clare and Maddie had fallen asleep, both leaning
their heads against my chest as I tried to read. I puffed out a small laugh and gave up, my awkward attempts at holding my e-reader with the
two of them wedged against me proved fruitless. I tucked it in the front pocket of the seat in front of me, and rested my head against the
seat, looking down at my two red-headed angels.
Maddie looked like a cherub plucked right out of heaven. Her strawberry blonde curls cascaded down her back in a fiery display, mimicking her
mother’s. Clare’s red hair was deeper, more intense; closer to auburn but it still having that crimson glow to it that matched her
personality. Sweet with just a touch of fire— that was my Clare. I never knew what I was going to get from one moment to the next, and that’s
what I loved about her. She kept me on my toes, loved me for who I was, and never let me be anything but myself.
I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew I was being poked in the head by Maddie. What did she have against my head?
“You’re awake!” she said brightly.
“Well, I am now, Princess!” I gave her side a pinch which caused her to giggle.
“Shhh! You’ll wake up Mommy,” I said, running my hand through Clare’s hair as she rested against me. She really had been running around
like mad the last week, so much so that I’d barely seen her. I knew planning the wedding start-to-finish inside one week had put a lot of
pressure on her, so I tried not to take it personally. I just hoped that’s all it was.
“So, Princess…what is the first thing you want to do when we get there?”
Figuring she’d say she wanted to go to the beach or swim in one of the many pools, her actual answer totally threw me for a loop.
“Ice cream. I want ice cream.”