Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
I spun around and pushed Thano toward the window. “Go! Go! Go!”
JUNE—THE BAHAMAS
Standing in front of the mirror, I fought to hold my tears back. If I ruined my makeup Aunt Maria would have a fit.
Claire and her mother, Kim, stood behind me with a huge grin across their faces. “Oh my. Kilyn, you look beautiful,” Kim gushed.
Claire and I froze as we looked around the room.
No one heard her. Thank God.
“I can’t believe this day is finally here,” I said in trembling voice. “Did the flowers finally arrive for the tables?”
The wedding and reception were being held at my parents’ house on the beach. Well, I guess it was actually my house. When Thano and I arrived four days ago, I thought it would be hard to walk into the house knowing my parents wouldn’t be here for my wedding. It was the opposite. My heart was filled with so much joy. Especially walking around and showing Thano family pictures. We had yet to go to the house I grew up in back in Colorado. I wasn’t ready yet. But being here . . . this was a step in the right direction.
“Everything looks amazing.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled at Claire. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I hope you know that.”
With a smile and a quick nod of her head, she took my hands. “There were a few moments I didn’t think we would make it.” She leaned in closer. “Like the day you told Katerina you were not wearing her dress.”
We both trembled at the memory. I had to hand it to Thano’s mother, though; she handled each letdown with grace and poise. Of course, that was after she spat something off to me in Greek.
Turning back, I looked at my wedding dress. It fit me like a glove, hugging my curves until it flared out at the bottom just enough to make walking easy. Thano was going to die when he saw me in this.
My hands ran down my body as thought about what I had under the dress.
“You’re blushing,” Claire whispered as she reached over my head and placed the diamond necklace that my mother wore on her wedding day around my neck.
My shaking hand came up to it and lightly touched it. My voice faltered as I said, “It’s beautiful.”
Kim opened up the wedding book I had made all those years ago with my mother and put a check in the box that read, Mom’s diamond necklace.
With a chortle, Kim walked up and showed me the book. “The only thing left to check is, Marry the man of my dreams.
When she handed me my bouquet, I covered my mouth to keep from crying. I’d have given anything to have my parents here, but I knew deep down inside they were with me. God, how they would have loved Thano.
Taking the flowers in one hand, I dropped my other hand to my side. “I’ll check that one myself after the wedding.”
With a wink, she shut the book and set it on the table.
“Your mother and father would have loved Thano. You can see how much he loves you when he looks at you.”
Blinking rapidly, I tried to keep my hands from shaking.
Kim reached up and placed her hand lovingly on the side of my face. “They would have been so proud of you. I hope you know that.”
With a weak voice, I replied, “I do.”
“You’re so blessed to have a new family who loves and cares about you my darling.”
Looking into Kim’s eyes, I smiled. “I am. But I’m more blessed having you and Scott in my life. I’ll never forget what you’ve both done for me and the hurt you’ve had to go through.”
Her hand lifted as her fingers wrapped around a loose curl framing my face. “I’m so happy you found happiness.”
Pressing my lips together, I barely was able to speak. “Me too.”
She leaned over and softly kissed my cheek. “I’m going to go check on everything. The wedding will be starting soon.”
With a nod, I took in a deep breath as I watched her walk away. It was then my eyes caught Katerina’s. She slowly walked up to me, reaching her hand out for mine as she squeezed it.
“You make him so happy.”
Swallowing hard, I replied, “He makes me so happy.”
She nodded. “Do you know what I admire the most about you, Kilyn?”
I shook my head.
With a crooked smile, she answered. “Your strength. I know the family can be a bit overwhelming at times.”
With a chuckle, I replied, “At times.”
“But you never let it scare you off. And most of all, you followed your own dreams.”
Looking down for a quick moment, I peered back into her eyes. “You’re not upset with me that I didn’t want to marry in the church?”