Cami
“He’s not supposed to see you before the wedding!” Mom says for the third time.
“Mom, it’s called a first look,” Jenna explains, also for the third time. “It’s a thing now.”
“It’s super popular, Mrs. Coleman,” Izzy tacks on.
Mia and Tamara nod seriously while Annie presses her lips together to keep from laughing.
“Just because it’s a thing doesn’t mean she has to do it,” Mom argues.
“Mom,” I say, glancing at her in the reflection of the mirror.
She meets my eyes and hers fill with tears. “You look beautiful, Camille.”
“Ooh! I said I wasn’t going to cry!” Izzy fans her hand in front of her eyes and turns away from the mirror.
I hold out a hand and Mom takes it. I squeeze. “Thank you. But I want to see Leif. Nothing about us is traditional so why break our winning streak now?”
Jenna laughs.
“Fair point,” Annie says.
Mom dabs at her eyes. “Fine. If you insist on having bad luck, go see him before you make me cry and mess up my makeup.” Mom reaches for a tissue, which Izzy readily provides.
A knock sounds on the door. “There’s a guy here waiting to see you,” Rhett calls through the door.
My sister bites her bottom lip and lifts her eyebrows. “I’ll go check!” She moves to the door, giving me one final moment.
“I’ll follow her because Rhett is hot,” Mia whispers.
Tamara rolls her eyes. “She’s harbored this crush for far too long.”
This time, Annie does laugh. “I hear that. Having older brothers is a curse.” She tilts her head and grins at me. “And at times like these, a blessing.”
I smile back. Then, I take a deep breath and stare at my reflection. My dress is perfect. The seamstress executed my design perfectly and I revel in the fact that I’m wearing a custom-made design by moi. Leif thinks I should pursue fashion design on the side, since it’s something I love so much. It’s a path I’d like to consider in the future but right now, I enjoy working with Maria, Tarek, and Sam too much to let those social connections ease.
Besides, I want to settle more firmly into my life, my new beginning, in Knoxville. And I don’t want to miss any of Leif’s games or opportunities to wear his jersey.
I sway from side to side, my hands clutching at the delicate lace of my gown. My purple ring is on my right ring finger, my diamond engagement ring on my left. “Happy wedding day,” I tell myself. Then, I turn away from the mirror and walk to the door. I’m ready to surprise the groom.
I pull open the door to the cottage my parents rented for the wedding, and step into the hallway. “Where is he?” I ask Jenna.
She points toward a room down the hallway that serves as a library. “He’s waiting for you there.”
I grin and walk into the library.
Leif is standing by the window with his back to me. He’s surrounded by sunbeams and books and it’s a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
“You ready?” he asks.
“I’m ready.”
He turns and I revel in the emotions that cross his face. Joy, disbelief, happiness, love.
He blinks back tears, which causes my own emotions to rise to the surface. I blink rapidly.
“Don’t make me cry, Ten.”
Leif clears his throat and shakes his head, coming toward me. “You’re so beautiful, Knox.” He takes my hand, cups my cheek, and gazes into my eyes. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” I place a hand on his hip and lean forward to kiss him.
When he pulls back, he keeps my hand in his. “Give me a spin, let me appreciate all your hard work.”
I do as he says and love that he studies the details of my dress. “It’s stunning,” he murmurs. “You’re stunning.”
“I’m yours,” I remind him.
He chuckles. “I know. I can’t wait to officially make you Mrs. Bang.”
“I’ll never hear the end of jokes, will I?”
“Nope! And if we have kids, oh, get ready,” he warns me, lacing our fingers together.
“I’m ready for anything if we’re doing it together,” I tell him seriously.
“Me too, Cami.” He brushes his thumb over my knuckles. “Let’s go get married.”
“Let’s get married!” I agree.
And we do.
Surrounded by the love and support of our family and friends, I marry Leif Bang at midday in front of a glistening lake in our home state of Minnesota.
It’s a beautiful wedding, a perfect day, and a series of moments I’ll never forget.
And at the end of it, the man of my dreams takes me to bed and makes me his forever.
Well, Diane, I did it!
I saw Leif properly married to the perfect woman for him, Cami Coleman. Well, now she’s Cami Bang.
Do you remember the Colemans? Oh, they’re a wonderful family and they’ve embraced Leif the same way we’ve embraced Cami.
Fully, wholeheartedly, and happily.
You would have loved Leif and Cami’s ceremony! It was a beautiful and picturesque wedding. Do you remember that summer trip we took to Crosslake? It was a bit like a homecoming—all the kids there together with Lars and me. Plus, Cami spent her childhood summers there.
While these events are certainly joyous occasions, they’re also bittersweet since I know your presence would have made the day richer. You were missed beyond measure, but I felt you there in spirit.
And I needed that, my friend.
It’s hard to believe Kingston, Jakob, Jensen, and Leif are settled in beautiful relationships. They’re thriving, Diane, and I am truly thrilled. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders and now, when I slip my hand into Lars’s at night, I know we’ve done right by the kids.
Only Annie and Tanner are left. And you know how much I adore New York City…
Until my next adventure!
Love, Stella
Thank you so much for reading Cami and Leif’s story! I hope you loved it! Want more Bang Brothers? Make sure you check out LIGHT ‘EM UP! She hates me, but when I’m around her, my skate blade’s not the only thing made of steel…
CLICK HERE TO READ LIGHT ‘EM UP NOW>
If you want to meet the Thunderbolts—and fall in love with their found family—from the beginning, don’t miss Mila and Devon’s steamy, workplace romance in Hot Shot’s Mistake! Intrigued by Levi Rousell? Gain more insight into his backstory in The Burnt Clovers Trilogy.