Page 120 of Grasp The Moment

Delilah was hell-bent on being with the guys today; she’d said it herself that she wanted to be surprised when she saw her mamá walk down the aisle. She hasn’t seen my dress, and I’m happy that I’ve been able to keep it hidden from her for this long.

As I turn around, ready to face the wedding bells, the door to the bridal suite opens and in walks my mother. Her blonde hair is pulled into a French roll with a single strand of hair framing her face, and her pastel green dress hugs her body beautifully.

I design clothes for all walks of life, but in the past year, I’ve put a lot of my focus on bridal wear. Every outfit that’ll be worn in the chapel today is designed by me, including Remy’s, our Elvis officiant. You’d be surprised how long it took me to convince him to let me design his clothes.

“You are absolutely breathtaking, honey.” She frowns; crystal-like tears pool in her eyes as she hugs me. I melt into my mother’s embrace, grounding myself in her presence.

It’s been a few months since I last saw her. She retired last summer and has been traveling with her new boyfriend, Paulo, for the past few months. Hell, I’m surprised she could make it to the wedding with all their traveling.

“Thank you, Mom.” I smile, hugging her again as she sniffles.

When we pull away, she gives me a long, steadying look, allowing a tear to fall. “Georgia, I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become,” she says.

I can’t say anything; my tongue feels heavy, emotion clogging my throat as I look my mother in her eyes. If Sienna could see me now, she’d laugh at the irony of me holding back tears on my wedding day, seeing as I nearly killed her two years ago when she started to cry at her own wedding.

Ironic, really.

Mom pulls me in for yet another hug, and when the door to the suite opens again, I already know who’s walking in.

Lidia gives my mom and me time to be with one another, and when my mom steps away, she sweeps in, pulling me into a tight hug.

“I can’t believe I’m watching the two of you get married. I’m so proud of you,” she says, her voice muffled by my shoulder, but I can hear her clearly.

When she pulls back, she cups my cheek.

“I’m so happy that you didn’t walk away from them. I was nasty to you in the beginning, and it pains me every day to think about how horrible I acted. I love you, mija?1. Thank you.”

“I love you too, Mamá.”

Didn’t see that coming, did you?

Lidia has apologized to me multiple times over the years, which is crazy considering our first meeting came from Hell. She and I have a weekly Wednesday brunch and monthly nail dates. It’s safe to say that my mother-in-law loves me and is now one ofmy best friends.

She walks me out of the bridal suite and into the main lobby, just outside the chapel doors. Standing here, I try to recollect any of our previous memories from the first wedding and come up short. It’s safe to say, those lemon drops did a number on me, four years ago. Lidia gives my cheek a kiss before she steps inside, leaving me alone in front of the chapel doors.

When the familiar cadence of “Three Little Birds” begins to play, a smile breaks out on my face, and the doors swing open.

Derek stands at the front of the aisle in a crisp yellow suit, bawling his eyes out like a baby. Our friends and family sit in the six pews of the chapel, all dressed in a sea of dark and pastel greens, and I feel accomplished knowing I dressed everyone.

A low, familiar gasp from my right causes my smile to grow larger as I take a step in front of my husband, who’s still sobbing like Juniper.

“Mamá…” Delilah whispers, and from the corner of my eye, I can see her begin to cry in her yellow tulle dress, matching the same one that I’m wearing.

I wink at my girl before turning back to her beautiful mess of a father.

Derek frowns as he places a kiss on my temple. “I’m so lucky.” He says, melting my heart into two.

“You better know it.” I chuckle, using that same humor he fell in love with, as Remy clears his throat.

“I am Remy, and I am officiating this wedding… again. Georgia, do you take this man?—”

“I do,” I cut him off, my smile brighter than the sun as Remy rolls his eyes, turning to Derek.

“Derek—”

“Always and forever, I do.” My husband cutsRemy off, and I’m starting to feel bad for the old sap, but then again, this isn’t his first rodeo with the two of us.

“Please remember that this marriage is not a subscription that can be cancelled, you two. Remy has blessed you, now ki?—”