Lies Inside (33 page)

“And Finn will love it. You’re going to be the perfect bride tomorrow, and you’ll look amazing in that little number you got.”

“I tried it on, and it does look pretty good. I’m a little nervous.”

“Lucy. The first time is always a little awkward, but you and Finn have talked about it, right?”

“Yes, we talked and talked and talked. We even talked to Dr. Styles about it. We’ve done almost everything except it.”

“Really? What did you do?” Rylan said in a voice pitched higher with excitement.

“You want to hear this stuff about your brother?” Lucy raised her eyebrows at her as she nodded.

“You hear all about me and Jack. I don’t see how this is any different.”

“Well...you know about the night on the beach, but that was before he told me everything. I think one of our favorite things is to shower together. While we were...away, it’s when we really felt close to each other. Skin on skin. Then the first night we were home, we got into the shower and he let me...you know.”

“Wow. He was okay with it?” Rylan asked cautiously.

“I tried to stop, but he asked me to keep going. When we were done, he told me how much it made him feel like a man. I was kind of proud that I could make him feel that way. The next night, he…did the same thing to me. It was like his hands were made to touch me. He might not have consciously known what he was doing, but his touch was hitting all the right spots.”

“It was that way for Jack too. He fumbled around a bit, but when he got used to everything, he was a pro. I know it won’t take Finn long.”

Lucy smiled knowing her friend let her talk to her about that kind of stuff. Friend...no, not friend anymore. Sister.

Lucy’s hair was perfect, gently falling down her back. The sides were delicately pinned back with diamond combs. She hoped they weren’t real diamonds. Being her something borrowed from Claire, she wasn’t sure. Her something blue was her new bracelet from Finn. She had several something news: her shoes, all her undergarments including the garter, and her dress.

Her dress, well, it was exquisite. It was strapless to show off her shoulders. The white taffeta wouldn’t have been her first choice of material, but it turned out stunning. The A-line design gently hugged her curves. It flowed out behind her with a short chapel train. Crystal beading and embroidery covered the bodice. She never thought she would ever look that beautiful. She prayed Finn would love it.

“Now for something old.” Her father handed her a small blue box.

She opened it to find a pair of diamond stud earrings. “Dad...Grandma Butler’s earrings?”

“I knew she always wanted you to have them. What would be more perfect than to wear them for the first time on your wedding day?”

“Thank you.” She hugged her father as she began to cry for the tenth time that day. “Oh, crap. I’m going to ruin my makeup. Can’t have my mascara running again.”

Lucy dabbed the tears from her eyes as her father ran his hand across her shoulder.

When she pulled the studs from the box and slid them in her ears, she noticed Rylan standing in the doorway.

“Right. Now, I need to finish my maid of honor duties.”

“I’ll see you down there.” With that, Lane kissed Lucy’s cheek and left the room.

“I thought he’d never leave.” Rylan took both of her hands.

Lucy was proud of the maid of honor dress she’d selected. It was a knee length, strapless, cocktail dress in midnight blue with a silver ribbon below the bodice. It looked good on Rylan. The little girls’ dresses were only slightly different with spaghetti straps and a hem that went to their mid-calf.

“What’s left to do?”

“Nothing. I wanted to have this last minute with you before we went down. I just saw Finn, and I must say...my brother looks hot.”

“Really?”

“Would I lie to you? He looks almost as handsome as Jack.” Her nose scrunched up as she smiled. “You ready to become Mrs. Finn O’Malley?”

Lucy took one last look in the mirror. She didn’t see a girl there anymore; she saw a woman. All her best features highlighted to make her look beautiful. So many years had been leading up to that day. The first time she saw Finn eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, he offered half of it to her. The only time she beat him in a race, he was so proud; he took her in his arms and twirled her around. She loved to sit and listen to him play for hours. Their first wedding, toilet paper and all attested of their connection. The first time she saw him when he finally came home and the way his arms wrapped around her made her heart flutter. How he played for her, how she fell asleep in his arms, that first kiss, and all the kisses after that, even with all the tragedy, theirs was a beautiful love story. Though there were many things she would have changed, she knew she and Finn might not have reached that point if these shared experiences hadn’t happened. No matter what had taken place in their past, Lucy was ready to embrace their future.

Finn stood at the end of the garden path under the silver canopy. There was a soft breeze wafting the scents of the hundreds of flowers surrounding him. The sun seemed to hang perfectly above the horizon, and he realized how long it had been since he’d last seen Lucy.

Even though they were in the same house all day, Claire made sure they didn’t catch even the slightest glimpse of each other. Finn thought he might get a peek when someone came in and out of Rylan’s room—no such luck. He finally gave up after a while and left to get ready.

He knew most everyone considered him handsome, but all he really saw when he looked in the mirror was just him. Then that day, he saw something different. He saw his eyes and his smile. He saw how endlessly happy he was because of the love of the most beautiful and loving woman in existence.

He tried to control what he could of his hair before running his fingers down his black tuxedo jacket. He had opted for the long black tie and vest instead of a bow tie and cummerbund. It seemed to suite him better. He made Jack and Aiden wear midnight blue ties and vests while the fathers wore silver. They all looked good, but Finn felt more. Not that he was ever vain, but that day he felt like he was glowing.

“Can we get this thing started already? I can’t stand this monkey suit. I’m roasting in here.”

Finn shook his head at Jack tugging on his collar. He’d been dressed for all of fifteen minutes and was already complaining.

“I saw Rylan before I came out here. She was on her way to get Lucy.”

“Thank God. It won’t be long now.” Jack patted Finn on the shoulder before his thoughts carried him away again.

Finn could imagine her standing inside the house, having a heart to heart with her father. A smile crept upon his face at the thought of how beautiful she must be. He thought how hard it all must be for Lane giving away his only daughter to someone like him with all his baggage. Finn loved her with every part of him, and Lane knew that. Because of their love, he was finally becoming the man he’d always wished he could be.

“You ready, Finn?” The minister placed his hand on Finn’s shoulder.

“I’m ready.”

The soft music flooded the garden from the hidden speakers. Aiden had set everything up with a remote control. With just a push of a button, he filled the entire garden with music.

Sam’s wife, Martha, was the backup photographer. She was poised at the end of the path snapping pictures as everyone started to make their way to the garden.

Jack escorted Claire down the path to where the minister and Finn were standing. Olivia with a pillow and Chloe with her basket of rose petals soon followed. Once the girls reached the end of the aisle, they ambushed Finn with a barrage of hugs before running back to sit with his parents.

Rylan came down with her arm securely wrapped around Aiden’s. As Rylan made her way toward Finn, she admired all their hard work, seeing it had turned out exactly as they had planned.

Aiden released her before she rose up on her tiptoes and gave Finn a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t forget to breathe,” she whispered in his ear.

Finn looked down to her a little confused. She turned her head, and he followed her line of sight to see Lane escorting Lucy down the path.

Nothing could have ever prepared Finn for that moment. She was utterly breathtaking. Her dress was beyond beautiful; she was beyond beautiful. Her skin looked almost illuminated. His fingers ached to touch her. Her gorgeous auburn hair he’d fallen in love with so many years ago had returned. The way it trailed across her bare shoulders and down her back astounded him.

When his eyes met hers for the first time, he felt completely mesmerized. His heart beat wildly in his chest, his palms slick with sweat. If Aiden hadn’t elbowed him in the ribs, Finn might have very well passed out from lack of oxygen.

She was standing just a few feet away, and Finn still couldn’t take his eyes off her. He saw Lane stick out his hand for him to shake. Finn took it, his eyes still focused on hers, his lips set in a stupid grin.

“Take care of my little girl.”

“With my life.”

Lane gave Lucy a kiss on the cheek, and he saw a tear fall from the corner of her eye. Lane then put her hand in Finn’s, causing that familiar ebb and flow of heated passion to flow through his body.

Traditionally, they would have stood side by side, but at that point, Finn needed Lucy as close to him as possible. He took her bouquet and handed it to Rylan. Lucy started to tug on that top lip of hers as he slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her in as close as possible. She took his lead by snaking her arm around his waist while lacing the fingers of their free hands together.

Finn could have stayed in that moment forever, but then he remembered why they were there in the first place.

“May we begin?” The minister asked as politely as he could.

Finn turned to him. “Yes...sorry.” He turned his gaze back to his bride. “I’m having a little trouble concentrating on anything but her.” Lucy’s cheeks blushed scarlet.

“Let’s get started then.” He cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Finn and Lucy in the bonds of holy matrimony. An estate that isn’t meant to be entered into lightly, but reverently and advisedly. In this holy estate, Finn and Lucy now come to be joined. Who gives Lucy to be wed?”

Lane stood. “I do.” He gave her a smile and winked before sitting back down.

“I understand at this time, Finn would like to say a few words.” The minister motioned for Finn to take the floor.

Finn turned to face his bride, both of her hands now in his. “Lucy, there are no words to explain what you mean to me. I’ve tried expressing my love through my music, through my voice, through my touch.” He brought his thumb up to caress her cheek. “None of it will ever be enough. I will spend the rest of my life trying to let you know.” He smiled as the next thought entered his mind. “Who would have ever guessed the little girl I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich with all those years ago would be the love of my life? Lucy, you are my everything. You—” He felt his first tear fall as his voice tightened with emotion. “You brought me back to life. For all those years, I was a shell of my former self, living only to get from one day to the next. Then in that one moment when we wrapped ourselves up in each other, I thought for the first time in years that everything might be all right. Now, here I am, very likely the luckiest man in existence. It’s because of you. You helped make me into the man that stands before you. I love you, Lucy, with all that I am.” He took both of her hands and brought them to his lips as another tear escaped.