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“Papa, you didn’t have to do that,” I insist.
“Well, it’s about time for it anyway.” He winks a wrinkled eyelid at us. “Mia, I know you know this place inside and out, and the Bellamy company is going to need someone experienced to oversee the renovations. That’s why I’m promoting you to Seaside Inn manager.”
“Seriously!” Mia’s eyes light up and she wraps her arms around our grandfather, thanking him repeatedly.
“You’ve worked very hard and it’s well deserved,” he nods. “As for you, Missy,” he points at me. “I made sure that when the Bellamy family worked with us on plans, they included a generous place for doggy daycare. That will be for guests AND others in the community who need it. I’m going to need someone to run it. Are you interested?”
Now it’s my turn to hug and thank him over and over again. Not only am I marrying the man of my dreams, but my dream job just became pure heaven. Working with dogs and taking care of them all day long? That’s the easiest yes ever, besides saying yes to Drew’s proposal, of course.
“And I heard you still need something old and something blue, is that right?” He asks me.
“Yup.” I nod.
“Am I old enough?” He offers to walk me down the aisle.
“I would be honored,” I say, hugging him again.
“And this,” he says, reaching into his pocket. “Can be your something blue.” In the palm of his hand is a handkerchief that has our parents’ names sewn into it in dark blue thread, with their wedding day just underneath it.
“I know they can’t be here in person,” Grandpa starts, holding back tears of his own. “But they can still hold your hand on your big day.”
“This is perfect,” I say, wiping away tears as he wraps me and Mia in one more group hug.
“Well good.” He clears his throat, snapping back into stern business grandpa. “I’ll see you two tomorrow.”
Mia and I are still giddy by the time we’re done putting the ceremony area together. As the sun is setting, I abruptly excuse myself, but before Mia can ask why, she sees Drew walking down the aisle.
He joins me by the sunflowers and we stroll down to the sea. His hair is a little bit longer than it was when I first met him, but I love it. It’s lighter too, no doubt from all the walks on the beach we’ve shared.
He faces me and takes my hands in his before kissing the top of each of them, then kissing my lips once, then twice.
“Tomorrow’s the big day. Are you nervous?” He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear.
“I’m more excited than anything else.” I lean into his hand a little. “You?”
“Likewise,” he says, with a soft smile.
“Are you going to tell me what song you picked for the ceremony?” I ask, hoping he’ll tell me.
“Nope,” he grins, knowing he’s driving me crazy. It was his only request during the entire planning process. He wanted to pick the song I would walk down the aisle to, but I don’t get to know what it is until the ceremony.
“Ah! You’re killing me!” I gasp dramatically. “Your blushing bride is losing her mind. Can’t you see things from my perspective?”
He tilts his head as if contemplating my question. Then he squats down, just enough, until his eyes are level with mine. He kisses my nose, stands up straight, and says: “Nope, you’re too short.”
At this moment, I can’t decide if I want to laugh and kiss his adorable face or thump him right in the middle of his forehead.
“You think you’re so funny, huh?” I poke him in the chest, but this only makes him laugh louder at his own joke. “Remember, you’re marrying a little chaos pixie,” I tease him, but he only tickles me back in return until I’m breathless, calling a truce.
“I promise you’ll love it,” he assures me. “The rest of my family is really excited to attend. Mona sends her best.”
“Tell her she needs to send me pictures of the baby when he gets here, to make up for not being here. If he’s half as cute as you were when you were little, I want to see it.” I’ve already seen Drew’s baby pictures. His brother and sister made sure of that.
I couldn’t help but laugh when grumpy Troy flew down with Lillian, bringing plenty of baby pictures and other hilarious childhood photos of Drew with him. They were splayed across the cottage’s dining room table for all to see.
“I just figured she should know what she’s getting into,” Troy laughed, when he held up the bath-time photos of Drew with the biggest smile on his face and suds stacked on his head.
“Aww, such a happy boy,” Meg laughed. “Oh, look at this one!”
