“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” Sadie said wiping the tears from her daughter’s eyes. The room was silent as the bridesmaids were lost for words. “Ladies, could you excuse us for a minute.” The women quietly left he room in a buzz, anxious to see what would come of Ivy’s confession.
Ivy found a seat across the room and sat down carefully. Her Vera Wang wedding gown danced about her. Pulling the veil off her head, she wiped the tears from her eyes and sighed, looking up at the ceiling to keep from ruining her makeup.
“Well, what do you need me to do?” Sadie said closing the door behind the women.
“I don’t know. We’re getting married in forty-five minutes. Everyone is filling the seats outside. And now, like some king of sick cliché movie, I have to go out and break off this wedding with Memphis’ most eligible bachelor for a man that may not even want me anymore. Plus, I’ve spent ungodly amounts of you and dad’s money on this wedding.” Ivy laughed at the thought. “This is crazy.”
“Little girl, don’t you dare worry about the money. I’m more than happy to pay for this wedding not to take place. The Henderson clan is a bunch of psycho wannabe Jones.” Sadie said taking off her heals. “And as far as your other love interest…I think he’s more than interested. It’s just a pity that you can’t see that. The man was out there practically sulking a minute ago like you would never believe.”
“Really?” Ivy wiped her eyes and blew her nose in her handkerchief. “Momma, I’ve got to figure out a way to tell Nicola before it’s too late.”
“Now you’re coming to your senses. Face this head on,” Sadie said happy of her daughter’s decision. “As a matter of fact, I’ll go and get him for you.”
“And bring him in here?” Ivy asked eyes wide.
“Yes, now is the time to discuss it,” Sadie said with her hand already around the knob of the door. “Oh, give me my shoes.” She slid on her pumps. “Now, I’ll be right back.”
“Oh…okay.” Ivy deflated at the thought of what she would say to him.
“Ivy, don’t worry. You’re making the right choice. And I’m very proud of you.” Sadie knew that Ivy needed to hear her approval.
“Thanks, ma.”
Sadie walked out of the chambers and closed the door carefully behind her. As she looked up, she saw Nicola walking slowly down the corridor with a nervous frown on his face. Apparently, he was coming to tell Ivy the same thing that she was about to tell him. For Sadie, it was the most wonderful sight that her eyes could behold. She wouldn’t have to walk so far in her painstaking pumps.
“Nicola,” Sadie said beckoning him quickly to the bench as she sat down to kick her shoes off again.
“Yeah,” Nicola said approaching her. “Is Ivy in there? I need to talk to her before…”
Sadie nodded. “She was just sending me to come and get you.” Rubbing her feet, she motioned towards the door.
“She was?” Nicola looked confused. “I don’t know how to ask her what I need to ask her. I can’t say that it just came to me, but it was just made apparent to me that if I don’t ask now, it will be too late.”
Sadie read between his words and his fidgeting fingers. She looked down at her own hands and smiled. “You know, Ivy and I wear the same size rings. It’s like God gave her my hands.” She wiped proud tears from her eyes. “And now I know why.” She slid her wedding ring off her finger. “This was supposed to be passed down to the next generation anyway.” She nudged him a smiled.
“I…” Nicola took the ring from Sadie and looked over at Ivy’s door. “I’m scared.” He clasped the diamond ring in his hand. “I’m proposing to her on her wedding day.”
“I know. Good luck, boy” Sadie said hugging him tightly and kissing him on his cheek.
“Thank you. I’m going to need it.”
Nicola knocked on the door as Sadie scurried down the hall in her stockings to inform Madison of the recent changes in the day’s events. Hearing Ivy’s voice, Nicola opened the door and walked inside the room, where Ivy stood by the window, visibly torn. She gave a weak smile as he closed the door behind him.
“Hi,” Nicola said in awe at her beauty. She looked more beautiful that he had ever imagined.
“Hi,” Ivy said glad to see his face. She walked up to him quickly and wrapped her arms around him. He held her close and hugged her tight. Then he pulled her away.
“Nicola, I love you,” Ivy said simply. “I’m sorry that I’ve put you in this position, but I need you.” Her soft rose-colored lips trembled.
“I need you too,” Nicola said in nearly a whisper. “Will you forgive me for everything up until this point?”
“Yes,” Ivy said rubbing his face. “Will you forgive me?” Her brow lifted.
“Yes,” Nicola said feeling his heart in his throat. Tears came out of Nicola’s eyes as he tried desperately to find the right words for the moment. He felt himself getting dizzy, but he pushed out his emotions, all of them for the first time. “Since the first time that I laid eyes on you, I’ve wanted you for my own. I’ve never regretted giving you my children. I’ve never regretted loving you. Ivy, we were made to be together. And everything in our lives had happened to build
