Page 28
Story: Born a Hero
Now, instead, they were joining together as a family.
Justin’s young boy’s voice rang with frustration and brought him back to earth. “Storm, stop that.” He was wrestling his shoe from the now almost fully grown pup who no one had retrieved. Even though they’d listed the lost canine with the animal shelters in the neighborhood, online, and in the local stores, no one had stepped forward. Thankful they were able to adopt him as theirs, both the naughty puppy and the ecstatic boy were now an inseparable team.
Bryce cut off the mischief-maker at the side of the bed and made him stop running with the dangling shoe hanging from his mouth. “Drop it, brat.”
Tail wagging, the midsized poodle-type fluffball did as he was told and jumped up on Bryce to get his pat for following orders. And of course, he got one. “Good boy, Storm. Are you ready now, Justin?”
“Yep, all set. I still have to put Storm’s tux on though.”
“Maybe best to wait until we get in the car to wrestle him into it.”
“Right. He doesn’t mean to be bad, Dad, you know that right?” Justin’s face wore a frown of worry.
Bryce understood his son hadn’t quite gotten used to the knowledge that this doting man was actually his real father and loved him. For a boy who’d only had a mom to rely on, this often seemed too good to be true.
The more time they’d spent together over these last months of helping Jamie fix his mom’s storm-ravaged house and finding a new home for him and Dena close to Sonja’s, he noticed so many small similarities and odd mannerisms in Justin that reminded him of himself. No man could ignore the pleasures they brought him.
And since Bryce had asked Justin to be his best man and stand beside him at the altar, the boy had been fretting that he’d make a mistake.
Stopping the rush, Bryce scooped the boy into his arms and hugged him close. “Today is the best day of my life, Justin. I’m with my wonderful son getting ready to wed his mom, the woman I love. And… I have a canine groomsman too. How can life be better?” He hugged the boy and the returned affection had tears starting to build. Knowing he couldn’t give into those kinds of feelings, he swallowed and pretended to be in a rush.
“Okay, men. We’re ready and it’s time to move along. Let’s get the show on the road.”
Justin nodded, the happiness on his face a memory to cherish.
***
When Dena’s successful search for her wedding dress ended, she couldn’t have been more in love with the world. With the help of two ecstatic assistants, Charlene and Sonja, they’d made the event into a day she’d never forget.
Now, her white satin gown with ruffles of silk flowing to the floor made her feel like the princess Bryce insisted on calling her. Looking into the mirror, the dream of a lifetime faced her. She’d always wanted to be a bride. Now here she was, her hair all piled up with the white blossoms she loved so much. Beside her, the other two women outfitted in beautiful long flowered gowns looked beautiful.
Her bouquet of red roses was huge and smelled like a handful of heaven. “Lady Dena, you do look like a princess.” Sonja came close to wrap an arm around her shoulder. “I’m so glad you allowed me to put the wedding on here for you and Bryce. After everything you’ve done for me, it’s the least I could do in return.”
Charlene linked arms with Sonja, knowing she’d be welcomed, and added, “Jamie and I were thrilled when Mom told us you were willing to hold the wedding here. It’s given us a date to work towards. I can’t believe how much we were able to do in such a short time.” She reached her hand out to gently touch Dena’s flower-filled curls, tucking one back into place without hesitation.
Dena thought about how close all three women were and how much Charlene and Sonja cared about each other now. Things had fallen into place from the time they’d gotten drunk on margarita’s on Bryce’s patio… and they’d reenacted that night a few times since.
In fact, they’d become the family she’d always yearned for. Sonja was like a surrogate mom for her, and Charlene like a sister.
Sonja looked at her fancy new watch Charlene had given her for her birthday and the thrill came again. Then Sonja zeroed in on the time. “Oops, we need to move. The guests are all here and the boys will have arrived a few minutes ago. Not fair to keep them waiting. Are you ready?”
“I’ve never been more ready in my life. Let’s do this.” Dena softly kicked at her skirts and moved forward.
When she appeared at the wide-open doors leading to the patio where the altar sat, she saw her men waiting for her… all three of them. One a tall, dark-haired man wearing a huge smile, eyes glinting, filled with loving tears as soon as they saw her.
The boy next to him, dressed like his father and wearing the identical grin looked proud to be a part of the proceedings.
And who could forget the tail-wagging poodle-pup, his tux lopsided and his tongue hanging within the silly grin, happy with his world.
~*~*~*~
Justin’s young boy’s voice rang with frustration and brought him back to earth. “Storm, stop that.” He was wrestling his shoe from the now almost fully grown pup who no one had retrieved. Even though they’d listed the lost canine with the animal shelters in the neighborhood, online, and in the local stores, no one had stepped forward. Thankful they were able to adopt him as theirs, both the naughty puppy and the ecstatic boy were now an inseparable team.
Bryce cut off the mischief-maker at the side of the bed and made him stop running with the dangling shoe hanging from his mouth. “Drop it, brat.”
Tail wagging, the midsized poodle-type fluffball did as he was told and jumped up on Bryce to get his pat for following orders. And of course, he got one. “Good boy, Storm. Are you ready now, Justin?”
“Yep, all set. I still have to put Storm’s tux on though.”
“Maybe best to wait until we get in the car to wrestle him into it.”
“Right. He doesn’t mean to be bad, Dad, you know that right?” Justin’s face wore a frown of worry.
Bryce understood his son hadn’t quite gotten used to the knowledge that this doting man was actually his real father and loved him. For a boy who’d only had a mom to rely on, this often seemed too good to be true.
The more time they’d spent together over these last months of helping Jamie fix his mom’s storm-ravaged house and finding a new home for him and Dena close to Sonja’s, he noticed so many small similarities and odd mannerisms in Justin that reminded him of himself. No man could ignore the pleasures they brought him.
And since Bryce had asked Justin to be his best man and stand beside him at the altar, the boy had been fretting that he’d make a mistake.
Stopping the rush, Bryce scooped the boy into his arms and hugged him close. “Today is the best day of my life, Justin. I’m with my wonderful son getting ready to wed his mom, the woman I love. And… I have a canine groomsman too. How can life be better?” He hugged the boy and the returned affection had tears starting to build. Knowing he couldn’t give into those kinds of feelings, he swallowed and pretended to be in a rush.
“Okay, men. We’re ready and it’s time to move along. Let’s get the show on the road.”
Justin nodded, the happiness on his face a memory to cherish.
***
When Dena’s successful search for her wedding dress ended, she couldn’t have been more in love with the world. With the help of two ecstatic assistants, Charlene and Sonja, they’d made the event into a day she’d never forget.
Now, her white satin gown with ruffles of silk flowing to the floor made her feel like the princess Bryce insisted on calling her. Looking into the mirror, the dream of a lifetime faced her. She’d always wanted to be a bride. Now here she was, her hair all piled up with the white blossoms she loved so much. Beside her, the other two women outfitted in beautiful long flowered gowns looked beautiful.
Her bouquet of red roses was huge and smelled like a handful of heaven. “Lady Dena, you do look like a princess.” Sonja came close to wrap an arm around her shoulder. “I’m so glad you allowed me to put the wedding on here for you and Bryce. After everything you’ve done for me, it’s the least I could do in return.”
Charlene linked arms with Sonja, knowing she’d be welcomed, and added, “Jamie and I were thrilled when Mom told us you were willing to hold the wedding here. It’s given us a date to work towards. I can’t believe how much we were able to do in such a short time.” She reached her hand out to gently touch Dena’s flower-filled curls, tucking one back into place without hesitation.
Dena thought about how close all three women were and how much Charlene and Sonja cared about each other now. Things had fallen into place from the time they’d gotten drunk on margarita’s on Bryce’s patio… and they’d reenacted that night a few times since.
In fact, they’d become the family she’d always yearned for. Sonja was like a surrogate mom for her, and Charlene like a sister.
Sonja looked at her fancy new watch Charlene had given her for her birthday and the thrill came again. Then Sonja zeroed in on the time. “Oops, we need to move. The guests are all here and the boys will have arrived a few minutes ago. Not fair to keep them waiting. Are you ready?”
“I’ve never been more ready in my life. Let’s do this.” Dena softly kicked at her skirts and moved forward.
When she appeared at the wide-open doors leading to the patio where the altar sat, she saw her men waiting for her… all three of them. One a tall, dark-haired man wearing a huge smile, eyes glinting, filled with loving tears as soon as they saw her.
The boy next to him, dressed like his father and wearing the identical grin looked proud to be a part of the proceedings.
And who could forget the tail-wagging poodle-pup, his tux lopsided and his tongue hanging within the silly grin, happy with his world.
~*~*~*~