Page 354 of Under Her Skin

“Wow! Okay. I know that sounds stupid to askthat.”

I hold up my hand, stopping her. “Not really. I know how they’ve kept you well-guarded all these years. Go have fun. Be careful driving around. I know the snow has stopped, but now it’s getting dark and there may beice.”

Kate laughs and comes to hug me. “Yes, Mom. We’ll be careful. Thank you too, soon-t0-be sis. I love you guys. Call me foranything.”

Then I watch them leave and wonder what mom and dad want to do. “You guys want to come withus?”

Mom shakes her head. “To be honest, it’s been a long day and that bedroom with the attached bathroom is calling my name. There’s so much to take in, and I think I’d like to spend the rest of the night alone with your dad,Delaney.”

“I understand,” I say and give them each a hug before we head off to our bedroom tochange.

“You guys make yourself completely at home. There’s wine in the chiller and all kinds of things to drink at the bar in the main living area. Feel free to roam around all you want to. My home is yours,” Blaine says, making my heart jump, as I think he’s the best man on the face of theEarth.

Leaning into him as we walk away from my parents, I find myself feeling as if I’m walking on air. “Is this all real,Blaine?”

His arm tightens around me. “If it’s all a dream, please don’t wake meup.”

With a light laugh, I say, “Me neither. I want you to know I think you’re the absolute best man in the world. You’ve given so much this holiday season. I know everything will happen for the best with your newfoundfaith.”

“I think so too. And now to go make it official and start a new chapter in my life. One with hope, faith, love, and you,baby.”

I giggle as he picks me up and carries me into our room.He is gorgeous, sweet, and he is all mine. I could not behappier!

Chapter7

BLAINE

December30th:

As the light leaves the sky on the day before we’re going to be married, I hold Delaney in my arms as we lie in our bed. “It has been one hell of a week, but it’s behind us now. Tomorrow we start a new day, and by noon, we’ll be man andwife.”

“I cannot believe how exhausted I am,” she says as she snuggles close to me. Her hand rests on my chest as she looks up at me. “I cannot believe this is all about to be over and we’ll start living a normallife.”

“Your parents will be off to Lake Tahoe tomorrow after the ceremony. And you and I will be off to honeymoon in Ireland. I have to tell you, I didn’t think things would turn out quite likethis.”

“Neither did I.” She turns and lays her head on my chest. “To think how I started out treating you makes me want to kickmyself.”

“I deserved it, Delaney. I thought of no one but myself. And that’s over. This new year is all about change. I plan on making things right. And with what I saw happen at Christmas, I think doing business different will make us even more money. And spreading it out over more people is a thing that makes mehappy.”

“I know your parents are proud of you, Blaine,” she says, and that means more to me than I think sherealizes.

“Thank you, baby. I hope they are. I hope you aretoo.”

“I am extremely proud of you. I can’t think of a single thing you need to do to be a better man than you are right now.” Her finger moves in a trail over my bare chest. “I’m going to rest up tonight for tomorrow. But tomorrow, on the jet to New York where we’ll take off on the commercial flight to Ireland, I’m going to be all over you, Blaine. So you should get some sleeptoo.”

Her words have visions going through my head that call for anything but sleep. But she’s been so busy that it’s almost inhuman what she’s accomplished. She’s managed to get her work done while still going shopping and making arrangements for ourhoneymoon.

With seeing how hard see’s working to cover all of her bases, her boss had a change of heart and let her have the morning shifts, Monday through Friday, the way she asked for. Plus, she was able to get her a two-week vacation for thehoneymoon.

It seems when you stop trying to accomplish things all on your own, things seem to fall into place. We’ve prayed every morning together before heading off to our prospective jobs. And each night before climbing into bed, we get on our knees beside the bed and thank the Lord for what he did for us and all the people we love and care about on thatday.

It’s a system that seems to be working. Terry and Colby were released from the hospital on Christmas day. Tammy went home two days ago. Her mom is going to work at our office next week. And little Adam went home today. The only one left in the hospital is Meagan and she’s gained all but one pound, then she’ll get to go hometoo.

The animosity between her father and me is over. He’s all smiles when I go to visit her every day at lunchtime. I’ve made it a thing I do eachweekday.

I go eat lunch with Delaney, then visit at least two kids there and give them small gifts of coloring books and a box of crayons. Not anything to spoil them, as some parents look at gifts that are too extravagant as bad things. But I give them something to help keep them entertained during such hard times in theirlives.

It’s always there, in the back of my mind, that our children might one day be in their shoes. It’s something I hope never happens, but one never knows about thesethings.