Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“Mine,” he says and fastens his mouth to my throat, sucking and licking. I lift on my toes and drag my fingers through his hair, frenzied.
It’s wild and desperate—making love with this intensity, the intimacy of knowing we’re about to be married, we have a baby on the way. I feel like I’m completely his for the first time.
The rest of my day is a whirlwind. Three people arrive speaking French rapidly. They set up a mirror and fitting block in a bedroom and tailor a wedding gown right then and there. The one I choose is a soft ivory made of silk chiffon that skims over my baby bump. I’m not sure if it’s the dress, the flowers in my hair or the man waiting for me that makes me feel like I’m floating.
My dad is there in a nice suit, opening the door to say how beautiful I am, how pleased he is for me. A photographer snaps a picture as I take his arm. Someone is playing the harp as I walk down the stairs to my handsome groom. Jack looks like James Bond’s wicked brother in a tux as he holds out his hand for mine.
At sunset, we marry in a tiny ceremony in our new home, with Lynette and Louie standing as our witnesses. It’s a sweet blur of flowers, vows, kisses. “I, Giancarlo Marcello Marino take you, Serena Lynn Mayfield to be my wife.” That was the most beautiful thing I ever heard.
We kiss in the back of the car all the way to a fancy hotel where our reception is waiting, which is the biggest party I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine how Jack’s assistant put it together so fast, but it looks like the entire Marino organization is there.
It’s the warmest welcome anyone ever had into a big family, and the food is amazing. Jack keeps checking in—am I cold? Do my feet hurt? Should I sit down? I laugh at him because I could dance until dawn, I’m so happy.
It’s probably four in the morning when the food trucks pull up out front. The guests stream out into the street which is blocked off for us. There’s cotton candy, a cupcake truck, and a van from my favorite bodega sets up a table with sandwiches, chips and orange soda. I clap my hands in delight and head straight for the turkey sandwiches. A mariachi band starts up—like where did they even come from? And I laugh because my life feels like a movie right now. Like everything has a happy ending full of fabulous surprises.
I grab Jack’s hand and place it on my belly so he can feel the funny gurgle of our baby moving. “He wants to dance too, I think he likes the mariachi band,” I tell Jack. He beams, kisses me.
“I think I like being married to you, mariachi band or not,” he says, “And I can’t wait meet our baby.”
EPILOGUE
SERENA - 18 MONTHS LATER
I’m only a little nervous, standing up straight on the stage in the college auditorium alongside my classmates. The dean finishes his welcome speech, and the head of nursing takes over the podium. She details the diverse group of students completing the accelerated RN program today.
“I know each candidate personally because this program has been my pet project for several years. Seeing it come to fruition with this first cohort is very special to me, and I have the greatest regard for all eight of our graduates today. They’ve balanced the demands of their studies and clinical responsibilities with busy personal lives. One of our graduates went home after her licensure exam last month and baked her little boy’s first birthday cake!”
She glances back at me, and I smile a little bashfully. I am proud of myself, and I know none of it would have been possible without her guidance and Jack’s support. She calls our names, gives us our certificates and pins us as registered nurses. The small crowd of faculty and families rise to their feet. I feel a rush of love so overwhelming I nearly sway from it when Jack stands up, holding Lucas and helping him clap his chubby little hands as he squeals.
As soon as the graduation is over, I run to my husband and son. “Mama,” Lucas shrieks excitedly. I scoop him up in my arms and give him kisses.
“We’re very proud of you,” Jack says, kissing my forehead and then Lucas’s dark hair.
“Were you a good boy for Daddy?” I ask, bouncing him. He gurgles and grins and I grab a wipe from the bag to clean off his chin. “Did Daddy give you cookies?” I tease.
“Guilty. He did great though,” Jack says proudly. “Now, where do you want to go to celebrate? Dinner? Dancing? Bodega sandwich?”
“I want to go home. There’s no place I’d rather be than home with my boys. I love you,” I say, choking up a little.