Chapter Twenty-One

Would they ever start the music and get this show on the road? Dave rolled his shoulders and tugged at his jacket cuffs as he waited for Livie.

Nate shook his head, gray eyes twinkling with humor.

“What?”

“It’s just good to see you here.”

Lloyd grinned, hummed an atrocious attempt at “Another One Bites the Dust” complete with air guitar, and broke up laughing, along with Nate, Christopher, and Pastor Benson.

Dave laughed along with them; he deserved the teasing.

He’d met Pastor Benson last Christmas Eve. The man worked from a wheelchair and over the past five months they’d shared some down-to-earth talks. Of course, Pastor Benson liking to fish didn’t hurt any.

Dave looked toward the rear of the sunlight-filled church, stunned again at the packed place. Between Olivia’s large extended family and friends, his friends making the trek to Florida, including Martinez, Smitty, and other firefighter buddies, to Jake’s friends and bar customers, Royce and his granddad, and some folks from the church, he doubted there was an empty pew.

Nate’s and Lloyd’s parents filled the right-hand front row, standing in for his parents. Nate’s mom was laughing and dabbing at her tears. Nate’s brothers, Gabe and Danny, and their sister Callie and her husband Zeke occupied the second row. Louise waited in the left front pew, surrounded by her sisters. Paul had agreed to attend and walk Livie down the aisle, but still opposed her decision to rebuild and her wish to marry now.

Now he just needed Livie.

Finally, finally, the organist segued into Clarke’s “Trumpet Voluntary” and everyone rose. Aside from Paul’s unending stick-up-the-ass attitude, rehearsal yesterday had been smooth and easy. Now, time for the real thing.

First, JoAnn appeared, with Daisy toddling alongside her as a mini flower girl, drawing awws and rippling laughter, then Margie stepped into the aisle. Kay followed, nodding to him with a wide smile…

Livie glided into sight, arm in arm with her dad, and stole Dave’s breath. She looked like a princess with her hair curled and upswept into the sparkling, delicate crown-like affair she wore without a veil and her simple, elegant gown. They paused in the doorway, and she whispered in Paul’s ear, but he shook his head, and remained stern. She briefly turned away, as if blinking back tears.

Damn the man for casting a shadow on Livie’s happiness.

She raised her chin and met eyes with Dave as Paul guided her along the aisle, her rising, joyous smile sending Dave’s heart leaping.

Reaching the front row, Paul kissed Livie’s cheek and, with a tense inhale, released her to take Dave’s waiting hand.

Livie slipped her warm hand into his, and he shoved the conflict with Paul from his mind as they faced Pastor Benson.

Looking into Livie’s gleaming eyes and radiant smile as they made their vows, he felt like all the scattered, dissonant notes of his life were coming into harmony.

“I do.” He did. He would. Oh, yeah. No doubts.

There’s just now.

Dave grinned. Thanks, Jake.

“You may kiss your bride!”

He cupped Livie’s face in his hands, the gold band she’d placed on his finger a welcome new weight, and kissed her sweet and slow. Thanks to her love, his life’s freefall was over.

Applause and laughter rang through the church, adding to the jubilant music in Dave’s mind, and he slowly ended the kiss. “Can we leave early?” he whispered in her ear.

She laughed. “If only we could.”

Mouret’s joyful “Le Rondeau” concluded the service, and they exited the church to a beautiful May afternoon, loud congratulations, handshakes and hugs, and flashing cameras.

A white Mustang convertible waited at the curb for their drive to the reception and for their honeymoon trip to the Keys tomorrow. Livie’s suggestion of renting the Mustang had puzzled him at first, since during the planning they’d discovered, to their surprise, they both wanted mostly traditional.

Livie had given him a glorious smile, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “Because you’re my Knight, of course, and every knight needs a good set of horses.”

They had the reception set up around the pool and on the lawn between the house and parking lot. With all the canopies, the place looked like a circus had taken over.

Posing for photos kept them busy as guests arrived. Louise must have spoken to Paul, because he managed some reasonable smiles for the photos.

They opened the reception with a simple toast in front of the framed-out structure of the new bar. Nate, Lloyd, and Martinez had promised to hold off on their speeches until the cake. If only Jake was here to see all Livie had accomplished. Choked on emotion, Dave managed his thank-you-all-for-coming speech and stole a kiss with Livie before they touched glasses. He didn’t need champagne when he had Livie.

His wife. His head spun. What changes a year made.

Through the ebb and tide of conversation with their guests during the cocktail hour and buffet meal, he’d lost Livie in the happy chaos. He’d conveniently forgotten what a social mêlée a wedding could be. As he craned his head around searching, he missed the simplicity of Nate and Kay’s small Vegas wedding.

“Dave! Hey!” Gabe and Danny pulled him aside. “We gotta rescue your pal Royce from that granddad of his.” Gabe nodded at a grimly resigned Royce sitting with Old Roy.

Danny grinned. “We found a cute blonde chick willing to give us a hand. You in?”

“Gabriel and Daniel Quinn! You boys better not be planning any mischief here.” Mrs. Quinn slipped an arm around Dave.

The two big soldiers grinned guiltily at their petite mom, half-hiding their beer bottles behind them. “No, Mom.”

“Mission of mercy more like it.” Danny failed miserably at an innocent shrug.

“Well, no involving Dave or Nate in your mission or anything else today. Got it? Behave.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She shooed them off and turned to Dave. “I’m so proud of you, Dave. I know your parents are too.” She kissed his cheek.

“Thanks. I know I’ve said thank you for all you’ve done for me over the years, but, again, thanks.”

“You’re one of our boys.” She hugged him tightly. “Seeing you happy is more than enough thanks for Tommy and me. Livie is a doll, and we couldn’t be happier for you. Now, go find your bride. The DJ wants to start the dancing. I need to find Tommy. He and Grif better not have snuck off to fish.”

Just then, Livie walked through the pool gate, laughing with Kay and JoAnn.

“There you are!” She swung into his embrace, her smile glowing, and she kissed him hard.

A hand fell on his shoulder. “I’d like to speak with you, Dave. Olivia, if you’ll excuse us for a moment?” Paul spoke in his usual pedantic way.

Why now? Dave gritted his teeth and turned. For better or for worse…The elderly pain-in-the-ass was his father-in-law now, and, for Livie’s sake, he was determined to keep the peace.

“No.” Livie’s calm voice vibrated with pent exasperation, and her arm tensed around Dave’s waist, keeping them defensively joined. “Anything you need to say to either of us, Daddy, you can say to us together.”

“Very well.” Paul locked gazes with Dave, and shifted on his feet, linking his hands behind him. “My brother and I were close, but we didn’t always see eye to eye. Jake tended to snap decisions. I do not. Jake claimed I would not find my trust misplaced with you. I have waited and watched.” Paul’s voice caught, the arrogance vanished from his stern face, and he abruptly looked all of his eighty years. “I love my daughter and above everything want the best for her and her happiness. Olivia was always happy here, years ago, and she’s been happier this year than she has been in far too long, all because of you, Dave.”

Paul turned to Livie, warm anxious love crumpling his face. “Olivia, I’m sorry. I’ve made so many mistakes trying to do what’s best for you. You’re my baby girl, but you’re right, I need to remember that you’ve grown into a lovely, talented woman. Forgive me. I’m very proud of you and always have been. Rebuilding was the right decision, for you both.”

“Oh, Daddy.” Tears gleamed in her happy eyes.

Dave offered his hand. “I love her. I will always stand by her.”

“I’m counting on it.” Paul shook his hand, the former threat in his grip replaced by welcome. “Welcome to the family.”

“Hello, folks. I hope you all are having a great time today,” the DJ announced. “If you’d please gather around for the bride and groom’s first dance? And can our bride and groom please join me here on the dance floor?”

Paul patted Livie. “That’s my signal to find your mama. We’ll meet you there.”

Livie and he took their place out on the dance floor. Although they’d picked a slow and easy song, Nat King Cole’s “When I Fall in Love,” and he’d secretly taken lessons to ensure he’d get this first dance together right, he had lingering concerns.

He slipped his hand to her waist and, as he looked in Livie’s eyes at the first sentimental notes, he forgot every worry. While his gait remained uneven, dancing with Livie was as effortless as loving her.

“I’ve always known Daddy loved me, but that was the first time ever he said he was proud of me.”

“I’m so glad, sweetheart.”

She brushed her lips over his mouth. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Helping me learn to be strong.”

“You’ve always been strong. You’re amazing. I love you.” After the crash, the doctors had pulled his body back from death, but Livie had pulled him into life.

The last sweet notes slowed, and they finished in the middle of the dance floor, meeting in a deep, melting kiss.

When they broke the kiss, Dave whispered in her ear, “I learned something from you too, sweetheart. That I could stop running—” He kissed her and grinned. “And just learn to dance.”

A word about the author…

Babette James writes contemporary and fantasy romance and loves reading nail-biting tales with a satisfying happily ever after. When not dreaming up stories, she enjoys playing with new bread recipes and dabbling with paints. She lives in New Jersey with her wonderfully patient husband and extremely spoiled cats. A teacher, she loves encouraging new readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. Her class cheers when it’s time for their spelling test!

http://www.babettejames.com