Page 29 of Claiming Bennett (Montgomery Dreams #3)

MAGGIE

“This is real, right?” I ask for probably the hundredth time today.

Mom chuckles as she pats Sean’s back, his tiny fist wrapped around a lock of her hair.

“It’s real,” Sophia assures me with a smile. “Dab your lips.”

I obediently tap the tissue she passes me against my lips, taking the excess lipstick off with it.

Obviously, it’s real. We planned for over a year.

We spent half of my trust on the wedding and half of it on a down payment on a house in Dallas, even though Joseph was insistent they could pay for it all.

Dad was more than happy to give me access to my trust fund after Bennett and I laid out our plans for the future, and my plans to work with Sophia.

My dream dress drapes elegantly behind me, all delicate lace detailing and sweetheart neckline, the ivory cloth a perfect contrast to the tan I’ve developed over my time spent in Texas.

The engagement ring Bennett gave me sparkles brightly on my finger, and I go a little lightheaded at the thought that another ring will sit above it in just a few minutes.

“You ready, sweetheart?” Mom asks, coming to join Sophia in front of me.

They both look stunning in their silk sage gowns, mirrored adoring smiles on their faces.

Sean is fast asleep in Mom’s arms, his tiny tuxedo onesie magically stain free and unrumpled.

While I’m absolutely terrified to step out of the dressing room and into the chapel, there’s only one answer I can give.

“Of course I am.” It comes out less snarky than it would have a year ago, but both Mom and Sophia grin at the little spark of sass. “I—thank you. Both of you. I’m glad things worked out this way.”

It wasn’t easy to get to this point, Dad and Joseph both so stubborn it took the threat of Bennett and I eloping and not talking to either of them again to get them to pull their heads out of their asses.

Funnily enough, as soon as they sat down and talked out their decade of misunderstandings, they were back to being good friends, like no time had passed.

Chuckles all over.

“I’m proud of you,” Mom says, teary and fond. “You’ve worked so hard for all of this, and you deserve every last bit of it.”

It still surprises me how proud I can be over the work I do, considering I never wanted a career before moving here.

Sophia took me under her wing, and I wound up working alongside her with the women’s shelters around Texas.

Even more surprising is that I’m good at it.

I don’t really get along well with a lot of people.

I’m abrasive and a bit annoying to most, but a lot of women who are fighting to get out of their situations take one look at me and see someone strong .

It’s the first time my attitude has come in handy, and the first time I haven’t felt like it was a hindrance.

“I love you, Mom,” I say, fighting back my tears for now.

Can’t cry before pictures, after all.

“I love you, too, sweetheart,” she says, feathering a kiss over my cheek, careful not to mess up my makeup.

“I couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law," Sophia adds, blue eyes sparkling with affection. “It’s showtime.”

I take a deep breath and square my shoulders, pushing my anxiety down and focusing on my excitement.

Penny and Oakley are out there waiting, already in place if the swell of the music through the door is anything to go by.

Mom and Sophia will join them after passing me off to Dad and Joseph.

We decided to have both of them walk me down the aisle, both as a display of their healed friendship and to showcase just how important both of them are to me.

I wouldn’t be here today without them. Our families wouldn’t be the same without either of them.

I focus on nothing but calming myself down until Mom and Sophia pass me off. Dad’s arm links with mine first, then Joseph’s on the other side, and I finally open my eyes again, unable to tamp down the smile spreading across my face.

“This is real,” I whisper.

“It sure is, kiddo,” Dad says proudly.

“It better be,” Joseph says with a laugh.

“Thank you for standing with me.” I mean it more about the time they’ve both given me to grow into the person I am today than the literal interpretation of it, but I can’t put all that into words right now.

“Always, sweetheart.”

“You know it, mija .”

The music on the other side of the doors drops off before tapering into the swell that announces my entrance, and all my anxiety vanishes in a blink. Dad and Joseph push the doors open, and I don’t even get one foot through the door before my eyes lock on Bennett.

He looks so perfect that it almost hurts, dark hair swept back, adoring eyes drinking in every inch of me as he stands before the altar, hands trembling where they’re clasped in front of him.

His tuxedo is black as night, perfectly tailored to his frame, and I’m so proud to call him mine that it nearly brings tears to my eyes.

We’ve both grown so much over this last year together, and the strength of the love we’ve built shines brightly in his eyes.

I don’t need confirmation that it’s real this time.

It couldn’t be anything else.