Relief washed over Jessica as she lay limp across his lap, sniffling a bit. But she also had to admit that she was calm again, just as he had predicted. No headache. She wasn't thinking about her sunburn. All the details that had been mounting, growing in her mind, were gone, poof, a million miles away. But damn. That really hurt.
Worth moved his leg and pulled her into his arms, cuddling her very carefully before picking her up and carrying her to the bed. Tenderly, he stripped off her cover-up and untied the bikini top, then reached for a bottle of gel from the table. Very sensuously, he rubbed it into her skin, all over her body. That was hell, but I think I'm in heaven now. The memory of the pain was gone as well. This feels so good. She uttered a low moan of relaxation but couldn't decide if it was his hands on her body or the gel. When Worth had finished, he pulled the top sheet over her and shut the curtains so that not even the sunlight could intrude on her rest.
As promised, he called room service and ordered several bottles of sparkling water. When they arrived, he opened one bottle and poured it into a glass, over ice, and carried it to her. "Drink, love. You need to hydrate." He went into the bathroom where his toiletry bag was and returned with some ibuprofen.
"You take such good care of me, husband," she said sleepily.
"And I always will, wife. Now rest. I've got some work calls to make but then I'll join you. And after a nap, perhaps we'll find something to do for pleasure."
With her eyes closed, Jessica smiled. "I'll behave, don't worry."
A few days later, they flew home. They unpacked and spent the day opening wedding gifts and writing thank-you cards. Worth helped her find a place for all the new things and they relaxed with wine, still surprised to be married. They had come so far, gone through so many ups and downs.
Two days later, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent shared a padded pew with other wedding guests, many from the magazine, and watched as Jessica's ex-boyfriend married her best friend.
I'm so happy for them. For us. For Mom and Chet.
Everyone had gotten their own flavor of happy ending.
Epilogue
Art Class
Miss Burns and her assistant walked around the classroom, oohing and aahing over her students' drawings. The assignment had been to create a picture about their Halloween celebrations the weekend before, and although the children's skill levels ranged from stick figures to budding artists, she showed wonderment at each one.
Lily, a dark-haired snip of a girl, showed real talent, far beyond that of her fellow second graders. Miss Burns pulled up a stool beside Lily's desk to watch her work. "That is amazing, Lily! You have such nice detail. Did you have a Halloween party at your house?"
Lily smiled but kept working. "Yes, ma'am. It was a lot of fun. We had popcorn and candy and games and so many people came over." She stopped and looked at her teacher. "I didn't get to go trick or treating, but that's okay. It was my job to answer the doorbell and give out candy. That was even more fun than all that walking!"
The little girl frowned at the large, colorful paper on her desk. "Do you think I'm through? I think I've got everyone now."
Miss Burns turned the paper so that she could study it, pointing to the various figures so Lily could tell her who was who.
"That's Grandma and Poppa, Nana Molly and Fred." Here Lily leaned closer to Miss Burns to whisper, "I think they're getting married soon. That's what Mommy told Grandma at the party when she didn't think anyone could hear her." She turned her attention back to the paper. "Over in the corner, on the floor, is my baby brother Greg—I call him Greggy—and that's Suzi playing beside him. They had such tiny costumes, didn't they? The fairy princess is Suzi's mommy and the cowboy is her daddy, Mr. Eric."
One by one, Lily described the party guests, cousins, aunts and uncles, and friends, to Miss Burns, rattling off names that meant nothing to her teacher, of course, but who politely said that it looked like a wonderful party. "Is Halloween your favorite holiday, Lily?"
Lily assumed a look of bewilderment that only a second grader can pull off. "Miss Burns!" she exclaimed. "Are you crazy? Christmas is way more fun. I mean, I like candy as much as the next kid, but at Christmas, you get a tree and presents and sometimes it snows."
Miss Burns stifled a laugh. "Of course. How silly of me."
Lily shrugged. "Halloween is Mommy and Daddy's favorite, though. They always throw a big party and they always dress up exactly the same way, although Mommy says she had to get the next bigger size after she had me and Greggy."
Miss Burns scanned the detailed drawing for anyone Lily hadn't already described, finally pointing at a couple—the colors weren't exactly right, but a quick glance at Lily's desk revealed the lack of a dark blue colored pencil. "Is that Wonder Woman?"
Lily beamed. "Yes! That's Mommy. And the man in the helmet is Daddy. Aren't they silly? They are so silly, you wouldn't believe."
Miss Burns scrutinized the figures. While all of Lily's other drawings were separate, eating or playing a game, Wonder Woman and—was that Darth Vader—faced each other. Lily needed to work a little on her arms and hands, but they appeared to be locked in an embrace.
Lily giggled as her teacher leaned in for a closer look, putting her hand over her mouth to stop a squeal of laughter. "They're k-i-s-s-i-n-g." She threw her head back, as if it was absolutely hilarious.
