The Baby Battle Page 16
For Olivia, walking hand in hand with Tag in warm, late-spring sun felt like a fragile dream. “That was some scene in there, huh?”
“Yeah,” Tag grumbled. “I feel played. I’m never speaking to my sister again.”
“If you think about it, we should both take all of that effort as a compliment. We have great family and friends.”
“Buttinsky family and friends. How did they fit so many people in that courtroom? How did they even get the key to that courtroom?”
A faint smile playing about her lips, Olivia said, “Little known fact, but the county’s always in a budget deficit, meaning for the right price, plus an additional cleaning fee, they’ll rent out a courtroom for business meetings and such. Being the wife of a judge, Gabby would know the logistics.”
“Swell.” Stopping on a park bench facing a splashing fountain ringed with red, white and purple petunias, Tag motioned for her to have a seat.
She did. And suddenly, staring up at the man she loved, at his brown eyes and mussed hair, his square jaw and slightly crooked nose, reminded her all over again of why she’d first fallen for him. It wasn’t because he was movie-star gorgeous, or always said the right thing. It was because unlike Phil, Tag was real. He didn’t lie. He didn’t play games. He was just his goofball, lovable self. How had she gotten so caught up in her fear of repeating the past that she’d failed to see what an amazing future she and Tag would share if only she’d give him a try?
“I’m sorry,” she said when he’d sat next to her, warming her thigh with his. “When you came to me, telling me you’d put away all of Maria’s things, I should’ve right then and there hugged you and never let you go. I’m ashamed that I ever doubted your commitment to Flynn and me.”
“I’m the one who’s ashamed,” he said, cupping his hand to her cheek. “You snuck into my heart so quietly, yet so completely, I never even saw it coming. I love you, Olivia Marshall. I love our son. I want you to marry me and be by my side as long as God allows.”
Nodding and crying, she kissed him, then pulled him into a hug. “I love you so much. I never want to let you go.”
“That can be arranged,” he said with his slow, sexy grin. “Now, seeing as how our self-appointed facilitators have spied us kissing and are headed this way, what would you think about picking up Flynn and running off to our cabin at Rolling Rock?”
“Why, Mr. O’Malley, you wouldn’t be planning on breaking Ms. Eleanor’s commingling rule, would you?”
“Hell, yeah…” He kissed her again, melting her through and through.
Once they came up for air, she asked, “One more thing. Can we stop off at a store along the way?”
“What do you need?” he asked as he rose and held out his hand to help her from the bench.
Easing her fingers between his, she said, “I need everything but killer meat loaf.”
STANDING ON the courthouse steps, hands on her hips, watching Tag and Olivia run toward the parking lot, Stephanie was not a happy camper. “Where do they think they’re going? Are they trying to ditch us?”
Gabby put her arm around her friend’s shoulders. “Look on the bright side—though they might not be eating any of the breakfast casseroles and breads we slaved over, we did fully accomplish our goal of getting them together.”
“I guess you’re right, but I’m still bummed. I never have gotten to see them as a happy couple.”
“Pace yourself.” All smiles, Gabby said, “I have a feeling they’re going to be together for a nice long time.”
Epilogue
“Nervous?” Steph asked Olivia just before stepping out into what used to be Tag’s backyard. With the sun setting on a perfect July night, it currently resembled more of a wonderland than an average yard, with hundreds of pink old-fashioned roses, ivy and tulle festooning two hundred white chairs. Serving as the altar was a brand-new white gazebo that Tag had had constructed especially for this day. It, too, was decked out in a cascade of roses and hydrangea and lily of the valley, all intertwined with ivy and air fern and still more tulle. Mother Nature provided the ultimate wedding accessory in the form of a breathtaking view. Lightning bugs glowed amongst hanging candles and miniature white lights strung high in the trees.
“I’m a little shaky,” Olivia said, feeling bridal in a princess-cut, white satin gown. Lavish swirls of Swarovski crystals and beading twinkled on the bodice and long skirt. “But more for the ceremony to be over so I never have to be apart from Tag again.”
Gabby and Fiona were also bridesmaids, but since Gabby was pregnant again and had had to make a pit stop, they were both back upstairs.
Rather than having a maid of honor, Olivia had opted for a best man in the form of her son. Sitting in a souped-up stroller that Aunt Fiona had volunteered to push, Flynn was decked out just like his father in mini tuxedo pants, a white dinner jacket and all the trimmings.
“Whew, that’s better,” Gabby said, with Fiona running up behind her. The bridesmaids’ dresses were pink satin with plenty of crystals and full skirts.
“Ready?” Fiona asked. “My mom’s looking antsy.”
Laughing, Olivia asked, “Does she think Flynn and I are going to bolt?”
“Lord knows—you two have done it before. Plus, she’s so worried about Dad’s tux pants fitting after all of the parties and showers you and Tag have had that she might just be having a general meltdown.”
“I hope not,” Olivia said, adjusting her veil. “I want her to be able to enjoy our happy day.”
Fiona signaled to the harpist and string octet that they were ready to begin.
“Breathe,” Gabby reminded Olivia.
“I’ll try.”
And then they were off. Stephanie and Gabby, Fiona and Flynn.
To the elegant strains of Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” Olivia began her walk toward the man of her dreams. Tag stood with his brothers and father, his face brightened by the smile she’d so grown to love.
The seats were filled with friends and loved ones. Even the famed Grandma Myrtle had made it to Little Rock for the big event. Tabitha, upset by the fact that she had yet to perform a single night of sitting, had sent her regrets. Feeling bad about that fact, Olivia had sent her a large consolation check that would hopefully be used for med-school tuition rather than more piercings.
Their vows passed in a blur.
As did the formal photos and receiving line.
Not that Olivia didn’t relish every minute of the day she’d been dreaming of her entire life, but the moment she most looked forward to was when she and her new husband stole a quiet moment alone. She had a special gift for him that she selfishly wanted to give him on her own.
The time finally came after their prime rib and lobster dinner, after they’d cut the five-tiered cake and after their first official dance as man and wife.
“Have I mentioned how beautiful you looked strolling down the aisle toward me?” Tag said, holding her in his arms while they swayed to a local big band’s rendition of Glen Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade.”
“Thank you,” she said, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “And you, sir, looked very handsome. Were you scared?”
“Not at all. You?”
“Just during the part where the minister asked if anyone objected.” Laughing, she said, “I could just imagine Steph, Gabby and your sister cooking up something to mortify us. I’m relieved they decided to keep it classy.”
“Me, too.” He stole another kiss. “Excited about our honeymoon?”
Nodding, loving the sensation of being back in his arms, she said, “I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland. I just wish Flynn were a little older so that he could appreciate the sights.”
“We’ll go back when he’s taller than me.”
“Sounds great,” she said, inching away so that she could see his dear face when she let him in on her surprise. “But would you mind springing for one extra plane ticket?”
“Sure.” His expression questioning, he asked, “
Are you wanting to take a friend or Tabitha or something?”
“That would be nice, but I was thinking more along the lines of somebody a little smaller.”
Dawning came slowly, but when Tag finally got the gist of what she was saying, his smile lit the night.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5042-4
THE BABY BATTLE
Copyright © 2010 by Laura Marie Altom.
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