There were so many people talking to us, I honestly didn’t have a chance to eat anyway, so it could have been lasagna for all I know.
All I could think about, in between answering questions about our “honeymoon” and our decision to sell Clare’s house and move into mine, was
the time we’d spent in that ballroom.
Visions of Clare lying on that table flashed before my eyes. Her hair fanned out in every direction like a whimsical goddess. The touch of her
skin as I held her and slid inside her for the first time as husband and wife. The look in her eyes as she came.
Then it hit me. I’d taken my wife for the first time in a dark ballroom, fully clothed, backed up against a wall. I was an animal. I looked
over in her direction and took her hand. She caught my eye and smiled, a faint blush spreading across her face.
I should have waited. Taken her slowly and lovingly. Stripped her down and spent hours kissing every inch of her skin. Instead, I’d taken her
fast and hard, slamming her and that stunning wedding gown into a wall.
I suddenly had this overwhelming desire to show her exactly how much I treasured, loved and adored her. Maybe it was the whole cancer thing or
just the high of getting married, but I decided to be spontaneous.
Rising from my seat, I gently kissed her temple. “I’m going to run up to the room and grab something. I’ll be right back.”
She gave me a confused look but just nodded and said okay.
Within fifteen minutes, I was walking back into the reception having completed my task.
Leah spotted me first, and her lips upturned into a smile.
“Hey, Superman, are you going to serenade me?”
Clare turned and saw my guitar slung over my shoulder and her eyes widened in surprise.
“No, I’m going to serenade my wife,” I said with a grin.
The hotel staff was just about done setting up the impromptu stage, putting together a microphone and amp they had stored for larger weddings
and business meetings.
All eyes were on me now as I set up, pulling my guitar out and taking a seat. I plugged everything in and then looked up to find Clare’s green
eyes staring back at me. I wasn’t much of a performer. I played for myself, so I took a deep breath and tried to focus.
“I hadn’t planned on entertaining everyone tonight, but one of Clare’s favorite things lately has been listening to me play the guitar. So,
today…on our wedding day, I wanted to sing her something special.”
It had been a song I’d been working on for a while now. I’d heard it on her iPod a few weeks ago and I knew she loved the band, but probably
didn’t know I knew.
I started strumming the opening of “I’m Yours” by The Script and her eyes sparked in recognition.
Leaning into the microphone, I sang each word like they were written for her.
When I finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Except for Maddie who came bounding up to me and jumped in my lap the moment I set the
guitar down.
“I liked that song. It’s pretty.” she said.
“It is. A pretty song for your pretty mommy.”
Clare came up to us, her eyes still wet from tears and she kneeled down in front of us, completing our new little family.
“You married my Mommy.”
“Yes, I did,” I answered, grinning at Clare.
“Mommy said that means I can call you Daddy.”
Clare smiled and my full attention turned to Maddie who was looking at me with her big brown eyes. I couldn’t put words together fast enough
so I just nodded.
“So, can I call you Daddy now?”
Still nodding, I choked out a yes and pulled her to me. She’d been my daughter since the moment I committed myself to Clare, but this? This
was more than I ever expected. I never wanted to replace the father she lost, but I also didn’t want to go through life being known as Logan,
the stepfather.
Tears I couldn’t contain anymore broke free and I felt Clare lean in to join us. I pulled my two girls closer, and thanked every deity known
to man for bringing them into my life.
Clare
After cake, which we very nicely fed to each other, and many well wishes later, we were set free. Maddie gave us hugs and said she was sorry
she was leaving us to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa. We laughed and told her it was okay and we’d survive one night without her.
As soon as we made our way up to the top floor and into our extravagant honeymoon suite, I gasped. He’d had the entire room covered in
flickering candles and roses.
“You’re crazy.”
“Yes. Maybe a little,” he said, “But only about you.”
“This is over the top.”
“I’m trying to make up for earlier.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
He pulled me towards the bed, which was covered in red rose petals. There was a bucket of champagne chilling in the corner, and chocolate
covered strawberries on the windowsill.