Max expelled his breath as if he’d been holding it, anxiously awaiting her answer. Then he released her chin and wrapped his arms around her in a hug so tight it was like he’d never ever let her go.
“That, my dear, has sealed your fate. I will never let you escape me again.”
And Silken, pressed against the body of the man she loved, felt the rumble of laughter in his chest.
“And just in case you have any more tricks up your sleeve,” he said as he rested his chin on top of her head, “tomorrow I’m finding myself a judge.”
Silken tucked her face into his shoulder and smiled. Like Max, she’d had enough of wedding planning. She just wanted to get on with her life, with this man by her side.
And if Max followed through with his threat like she knew he would, she would have her greatest wish.
Because by tomorrow this time, she and her beloved Max would be husband and wife.
EPILOGUE
The wedding of Duke and Suave Davidoff was the talk of the town and the church was packed with family members and well-wishers. And by his brother’s side, best man to the groom, stood Max. And by the bride’s side, reveling in her role as chief bridesmaid, stood Silken.
And as the bride and groom exchanged their vows, Silken and Max gazed into each other’s eyes, confident in the love that they shared.
They’d beat Duke and Suave to it and they never stopped teasing that they would always hold the position of honor – a union of marriage between the first-borns of the Davidoff and McCullen families.
But Suave did some teasing of her own. “No need to mother me anymore, Silken. Duke told me to tell you, you’re being laid off. He’s made your position redundant.” Then she hugged Silken. “So sorry about that. I’ll see if I can get a good severance package for you.”
But Silken only laughed and it was a laugh filled with love and just a bit of relief. Now her little sis had two people looking out for her, and with the close knit relationship of the Davidoff family, maybe more. And, of course, she’d always be mother hen to Suave but at least now she had more help than she could ever need.
At the wedding reception that evening as Silken stood by her husband’s side, Mother Davidoff waved her over to where she was standing with Suave and Duke.
As soon as she approached, that regal lady opened her arms wide and drew both Silken and Suave into her embrace.
“My daughters,” she said, her eyes filled with tears, “the daughters I’ve always dreamed of.”
And as Silken and Suave stepped into her loving arms their eyes met and Silken knew they were thinking the same thing. Charlene was their mother now. She was their dream, finally come true.
THE END