“Yes, he is,” my father said from behind me.
My eyes caught his reflection in the mirror, and he smiled.
My father placed his hands on my shoulders. “You look beyond breathtaking, Emma Rose. I’ve never laid my eyes on such a rare beauty. Someone should probably be ready to hold Garrett up when he sees you.”
I quickly spun around and went to talk when my father held up his hand.
“Wait. Before you say anything, let me speak first. I couldn’t have picked out a better man for my little girl if I had handpicked him myself. The love in Garrett’s eyes when he looks at you is evident. I see the way he can’t pull his eyes off of you, and I know he would lay down his life for you and your safety at any given moment. I know with all my heart that he will love you, like I love you, for the rest of your life. I’m so proud of the man he has become, and I’m so proud of the woman you’ve grown to be. I love you, Emma Rose, and no one, not even Garrett Mathews, could ever love you as much as I do.”
I threw myself into my father’s arms and began crying as he held on to me.
He whispered, “No, baby girl, don’t cry.”
“Daddy,” I whispered, “I love him so much.”
My father pulled back and used his thumbs to gently wipe away my tears. “Your mother is going to be upset with me for making you cry and for ruining your makeup.”
I shook my head. “I don’t care.”
My father laughed and then looked into my eyes. “I know you love him, Emma. I also know he loves you so very much. That is the only reason he is alive today.”
I felt the heat move up to my cheeks as I looked down. I was pretty sure my father and mother knew I hadn’t been a virgin when Garrett and I had gotten married last year.
“Charles Birk, did you make her cry?” my mother said.
When I looked behind my father, I saw my mother standing there with her hands on her hips, ready for all-out war.
“I have something else for you,” Daddy said in almost a whisper.
I looked as he pulled a box out of his pocket.
“They were my great grandmother’s. She wore them in her wedding and then passed them on to my mother. Your grandmother gave them to me the day before I married your mother. Now, it is your turn to wear them.”
I let out a gasp as he opened the box and revealed the most beautiful set of pearl earrings I’d ever seen. There were hints of rose, green, and gold colors.
“These are a very rare pair of copper baroque pearl earrings. When I first saw them on your mother, I couldn’t believe how beautiful they were. Now, to see them on my own daughter…” His voice cracked before trailing off.
I struggled to keep from crying again.
Daddy cleared this throat. “To see them on my own daughter is an even more rare gift.”
I gently took one of the earrings out, and I turned to face the mirror. I put the earring on, and when I took the other earring out, I glanced over to my mother. She was now crying, but she smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. I couldn’t help but let out a giggle.
Once both earrings were in, I just stared at my reflection. I looked like a princess.
My father kissed me on the cheek. “Okay, well, I’m going to go take my place now.”
Peggy walked in with my veil and said, “Next step is the veil.”
Margie and Peggy walked up and began pinning the silk and lace wedding veil on. I just stood there and dreamed of what Garrett’s face would look like when he saw me walking down the aisle.
Margie gave me a smile. “He’s gonna shit his pants when he sees you.”
Peggy and I both started laughing.
Peggy reached for my hand. “Shall we make you Mrs. Garrett Mathews…yet again?”
I nodded my head and took a deep breath to settle my nerves. “That sounds like an amazing idea.”