Epilogue

So where did we ride on the rusty and treacherous tandem bicycle?

Well, first I picked up the tiny stuffed cat and tossed it into the garbage. I did not want a wanton act of littering to mar our beautiful day.

Then we rode to Athena and Aphrodite: A Grecian Boutique.

Shane parked the bike and helped me down with a gallant bow.

We walked into my workplace arm in arm.

I hid a smile as Agathi Papalia, my boss, paled a shade at our entrance.

She had not seen Shane since the day we’d brought a deceased feline into her boutique.

I was not surprised that the memory was not a fond one for her. It had taken some fast talking and a month of probation to get my position back as her new bridal designer.

I held out my ring, and the shop girls squealed and attacked me in a rush of hugs.

Ms. Papalia fanned herself with one manicured hand.

I showed Shane my favorite gowns, and he barely took his eyes off me to give them a glance. But he nodded and squeezed my hand, and I figured that having him in love with me rather than a heap of satin was perfectly acceptable.

We were separated when he excused himself to use the bathroom. Then, he came back around the corner looking for me.

My boss pounced. Uh oh.

I had seen this lecture before. In fact, I had given this lecture before, and I wouldn’t stand for it.

“Mr. Elliott. You claim to love our Jacqueline, correct?”

“Yes, Ma’am. I love her more than the mountains, and the sea, and everything that lies between. I love her with all that I am.”

“Yes, yes. But that is not nearly enough. If you love this girl then you must sacrifice. I could tell from across the room that you do not love her enough. Do you love her enough to wear a black tuxedo with tails and a top hat?”

Shane grimaced.

“I thought not! Now is the time to prove your affections; you must—”

My feet had rushed me across the room before I realized I had taken a step. I slid my arm around Shane’s and pulled him toward me.” “I love him, Ms. Papalia, exactly how he is.”

My boss gasped and raked her eyes over Shane’s jeans and vintage video game t-shirt. She paused on the frayed flannel, and then gave me “the look.”

I returned it with a look of my own. “Absolutely not,” I said. “Not him. You leave my guy alone.”

Shane kissed my hair and grinned at Ms. Papalia. “Don’t you fret, Ma’am. I’ll freshen up before the big day. Lead me to the suits, and I’ll see what I can stomach.”

She marched away.

Shane leaned close and whispered against my ear. “Do you want tails and a top hat? I will wear any atrocity that you demand, Miss Jack. You know that, don’t you?” He gently kissed the crest of my ear and then pulled me against his chest.

I listened to the deep beat of his heart and slid my arms around his back. I closed my eyes and let the world slip away. “I know.” I whispered. “But I don’t need the top hat. The day will be perfect, even if the cake falls over, no one eats my hand-pressed mints, and the bridesmaids’ dresses are constructed of mounds of horrible, itchy lace that makes them look like rampaging birds’ nests.”

“Why?” He whispered against my hair, so soft I could barely hear.

“Because it is our wedding, and you are perfect for me.”

Shane straightened suddenly and grabbed my hand. “Good. Let’s go see if your boss has any tie and cummerbund sets in red flannel.” As he dragged me into the back, where Agathi Papalia was indeed pulling out tie and cummerbund sets for his perusal, I shot up a quick prayer.

“Thank You, God. Thank You for loving me, even though I am not perfect. Thank You for Your gifts of beauty in the middle of all the hurt. Your way has been better. Control is nice, Lord, but love is from You. Thank You for all that it took to show me that. Thank You for being bold enough to risk my hatred in order to show me how to love.”