Chapter Twenty-Five

Grace stared in the mirror and couldn't believe she was looking at herself. She looked as if she'd been pulled off of a nineteen-fifties movie screen.

"I told you the Grace Kelly look is the look for you," Patricia said with a smile as she stood behind her.

"You truly do look beautiful, Grace. That Vince is one lucky dog of a man," Meg agreed with a smile.

Grace couldn't help but smile. The dress, the hair, the diamond and gold necklace glittering in the bathroom light... Grace looked like a queen. Regal, sophisticated and gorgeous. Three things she had never once even considered for herself. Even her fingernails were clean after Patricia's hour of careful attention.

"Mommy, you look like a movie star," Cadence said with awe and then she gave a twirl, spinning the belt skirt of her flower girl dress around her legs. "How do I look?"

Grace smiled at her daughter and laid a gentle hand on her cheek. "Like the prettiest little gremlin I have ever seen." Cadence giggled and took off bouncing down the hall.

"My son did very well for himself," Beverly admitted with a tear. "You are beautiful."

"Thank you," Grace replied awkwardly. She wasn't accustomed to anyone saying things about her looks.

"Okay, ladies! We have to be going now!" Patricia exclaimed as she glanced at the dainty silver watch on her wrist. Grace smiled at the other woman. She was wearing sky high heels, a flirty floral knee length skirt and a mauve ruffled top. Her dark hair was pulled back intricately upon her head and her make up was flawless. She looked as if she'd been pulled off the covers of vogue.

Grace and Vince had chosen not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen and opted to instead keep things as simple as they could. Grace would have chosen Meg for the maid of honor had she had one and Meg certainly looked the part in her emerald green strapless dress that brought out her eyes and her black kitten heels.

Even Ester had dressed in her Sunday best and put her favorite strand of pearls, which her husband had bought for her on their wedding day, around her neck.

"We're going to be late if we don't get going," Patricia urged, trying to usher everyone toward the door.

"We cannot be late," Beverly warned. "Punctuality is of the utmost importance to the Griffins."

Grace found herself laughing for no real reason as she was rushed from the house and into Meg's waiting car. She, Meg and Cadence were riding together and Patricia, Ester and Beverly were riding in Patricia's red jaguar.

"Are you nervous?" Meg asked Grace as they started down the road.

"Yes and no," Grace replied vaguely as she laid her hand over her stomach.

"Why are you nervous?"

"I'm not sure Vince will be happy about the baby," Grace admitted. "We never talked about having children."

"Grace of course he'll be happy!" Meg insisted. "A man can't be that good a father to one child, who isn't biologically his--,"she whispered, so only Grace would hear while Cadence played with her skirt in the backseat. "--and not want a child of his own with the woman he loves."

Grace nodded and bit her lip as she stared out the passenger window. Of course Meg was right. Grace knew she was right. But the nagging doubt in her mind still reared its head. The last time she had told the man she loved that she was expecting his child, it hadn't gone over very well.

"Stop that!" Meg scolded.

Grace looked over at her. "What?"

"I can read your mind after all these years and I know what you're doing. You're comparing Vince to Tyler. I have news for you, my dear, those two men have absolutely nothing in common.

"They were both quarterbacks on their high school football teams," Grace countered with a smile that had Meg shaking her head. Her friend knew her well enough to know that her attempt at humor was nothing more than a cover.

"You're not being fair, Grace. Vince is no Tyler."

Grace twirled her ring around her finer. "No, he's not," she agreed quietly. "I'm not going to tell him about the baby yet though. I want to wait until after the wedding."

"I won't say anything," Meg assured her. "But with everyone else that knows, you'll be lucky if it stays a secret. You know how secrets are in this town."

Grace sent up a silent prayer that she'd be able to keep this one if only for a couple of hours--just until after the ceremony. That wasn't asking too much, was it?

***

Vince looked out around the park and knew that Grace would love it. White flowers, mostly daisies because they were Grace and Cadence's favorites, covered the park. Soft music came from the speakers of the stereo beside the first row of white chairs. A young man from town, who ran a video game store, was in charge of manning the songs and so far was doing a good job at it.

Rows of white chair covered the neatly trimmed grass and a white satin runner ran from the sidewalk up to the bridge where Vince was currently waiting with the preacher from Grace's church. The preacher was once again wearing jeans and a cowboy shirt complete with black fringe and rhinestones. His white hat was clearly new for the occasion and he was reviewing the vows he'd chosen for the couple.

Vince saw his father and Widget at the other end of the park and all of the townsfolk were milling around and dressed in their Sunday best as they chitchatted and gossiped. This was home now and always would be. Vince knew that as he took a deep breath and looked around him.

Movement caught Vince's eye and he turned to see Old Man Foster rounding main street and stepping into the park. He was dressed in head to toe camouflage with a rifle over his shoulder and a pistol on his hip. Vince found himself chuckling as the Sheriff Short asked Old Man Foster why he was dressed the way he was.

"The Charlie don't stop just because it's a special occasion," Old Man Foster assured him.

Suddenly Patricia came breezing into the park. "Okay, everybody. The bride is coming!"

Vince felt his stomach tie up in knots as his heart pounded. What if she changed her mind? What if she decided he wasn't worthy? Sweat formed on Vince's brow and he wiped it away with his suit sleeve.

"You okay there, big city?" the preacher, Brother Mark, asked with a chuckle. Vince glanced at him and nodded but he wasn't at all sure it was the truth.

He watched as Patricia guided everyone to their seats with an ease and precision that could only be perfected by the fast paced business world she thrived in.

Vince saw his mother enter the park next. She gave him a teary smile before taking a seat next to his father in the front row of chairs. She glared at Widget when the dog quickly began to chew on the sleeve of her jacket.

Meg entered next with Cadence on one arm and Ester on the other. Vince smiled at the little girl God had blessed him with. His daughter. He would do anything for that child--and for Ester. Lord, he'd fallen in love with that crazy old woman as well.

The three of them took their seats and after a glance from Patricia, the young man in charge of music pushed a button and the sound of the wedding march filled the air, causing everyone to get to their feet. Vince waited with baited breath for his bride to walk around the building and come into view. He waited...and waited...and waited.

'Where is she?' he mouthed to Meg who shrugged and got to her feet.

"One moment, everyone," she announced. The bridal march stopped playing and murmurs and whispers filled the park. Vince felt his stomach roll. The woman had changed her mind and he was going to be left standing at the alter.

***

Grace took a deep breath when she heard the bridal march begin to play. She took a step forward, eager to reach Vince, but was stopped when a calloused hand closed around her arm.

"Wait, Grace."

Grace froze. She knew that voice. It had been a long time since she had heard it but it was a voice she would never forget. Slowly she turned, her grip on the rose and daisy bouquet in her hands tightening. She glared at the man who had walked out on her and her daughter so long ago.

"What are you doing here, Tyler?" she demanded. "I have to go. I'm getting married!"

"I need to talk to you about something," he replied, his blue eyes pleading with her to listen.

Grace looked at the man she hadn't seen in over ten years. The years had been bad to him and he looked old and washed up. "What happened to your nose?" she asked, seeing the white tape over the swollen and bruised bridge.

"I uh.. I got some sense knocked into me last night, I guess you could say."

"You can let go of my arm now," Grace warned and Tyler quickly did before running his hand over his greasy blond hair. "What do you want, Tyler?"

"To apologize for being such a stupid man," he replied sadly. "I wasn't good to you, Grace. I had an image of how my life was supposed to go and in my mind you screwed that up...."

"I didn't get myself pregnant," she reminded him harshly, feeling old anger bubbling up to the surface.

Tyler winced. "Yeah I know. And I was a loser and a jackass and I ran out on you and our daughter."

"I already know all of this," Grace grumbled. "So what exactly is your point?"

"Psst... Grace, we're all waiting on you.." Meg whispered as she came around the corner. "What are you doing back here with.. Tyler?"

Tyler held up his hands at the look of rage on Meg's face. "I'm just talking to her, Meg. I only need a minute."

"You've had ten years to talk to her," Meg scowled.

Tyler nodded. "I just need one more minute."

"You have thirty seconds," Grace snapped, turning back to face him. She didn't owe the man even that much of her time but he seemed to have something to say so she figured she might as well let him say it.

"I have been my first twelve hours without a drink since I left you and Cadence. It might not sound like long but for me it is and I have your man to thank. He put me in my place pretty good..."

"Vince?" Grace frowned and had a sudden sneaking suspicion that she knew who had broken Tyler's nose.

"Yeah. I just wanted to let you know that you and Cadence deserve a good man like him. He'll provide for you and treat you good.. I uh.. I won't stand in the way of the adoption. Just let me know the day I need to be at the court house to sign papers and I'll do it."

"Adoption?" Grace was confused.

Tyler nodded. "Yeah."

Meg stamped her foot. "Grace, you better hurry. Vince is about to head this way if you don't get your butt to him. The poor man looks lost!"

Tyler sighed. "I won't keep you any longer, Grace. I just wanted to let you know that I won't stand in the way of the adoption. I figure I never have given Cadence anything so the least I can do is give her a good dad.. He'll be better for her than I could ever hope to be..."

"Thank you, Tyler.." Grace whispered, biting her lip to keep from crying. She wasn't sure when Vince had talk to Tyler about adopting Cadence but it didn't really surprise her. She had figured that Vince would want to and she knew Vince well enough to know that he was a man who did what he wanted without taking the time to talk to anyone about it--even her.

"No problem," Tyler replied and then he surprised her when he hugged her tight. "I'm sorry for all I put you through and I'm sorry I wasn't around to help. Thank you for taking such good care of Cadence all these years and being so strong. She sure was blessed to get you for a mama."

Grace just nodded and pulled away. Tyler reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek before smiling and pointing toward the park. "Now go on and marry your city boy, Grace. You look real damn pretty." Tyler shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and walked away with his head low and his shoulders slumped.

"Grace!" Meg insisted.

Grace turned to her and nodded and Meg quickly rounded the building and went back into the park. Putting her conversation with Tyler out of her mind, Grace took a deep trembling breath. Tyler was her past and all Grace wanted was to get to her future--to Vince.

The wedding march once again filled the air and Grace stepped around the building and onto the white satin runner. She saw Vince standing on the bridge and that was all she could see.

He appeared tense and nervous but all of that vanished from his face when he caught sight of her and his green eyes filled with love. Grace knew a woman could get spoiled by a man looking at her that way and she knew that Vince, being the man he was, would make sure she got spoiled every day.

Letting out a deep breath, Grace began to long walk to her man. Smiles and whispers surrounded her but Grace wasn't focused on any of that. The words and faces all seemed to blend together.

All Grace could focus on was Vince. He looked so regal in his tailored white tuxedo. His black hair was slicked back much like a man from the nineteen fifties. Grace smiled when she realized that Patricia must have picked his outfit and told him how to style his hair. She had made him into the Cary Grant to go with her Grace Kelly.

It seemed to take hours but finally Grace reached him and he took her hands in his tenderly. "What took you so long?" he whispered as they turned to face Brother Mark and everyone once again took their seats.

Grace tipped her head to the preacher before whispering back, "Tyler, a broken nose and an adoption."

Vince's eyes narrowed a fraction. "Do I need to..."

"No, you hit him good enough last night. He said to let him know when he needed to be there and he'll be at the courthouse to sign whatever you need him to sign."

"Can we start now or do the two of you have more catching up to do?" Brother Mark asked with a chuckle.

Vince smiled. "Go ahead, preacher man. I've been ready to marry this woman since I saw her in that garage all covered in grease."

Laughter rang out in the park and Brother Mark began talking about love and marriage but Grace kept her attention on Vince. How had she gotten so lucky? He was strong, loyal, loving generous and self-sacrificing and he was all hers. How did she, a poor struggling mother with nothing but a lot of baggage and quite a few stretch marks, ever turn his head and win his love?

At Brother Mark's request, Grace said the words she was supposed to say when she was supposed to say them and she heard Vince do the same. "I now pronounce you husband and wife," Brother Mark announced, his voice ringing out in the late morning air. "You may kiss your bride."

Grace smiled, threw her arms around Vince's neck and rose on her toes to press her lips to his. She felt his hands close around her hips and he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

Whistles and laughter rang out around them. "Alright, you two lovebirds! That's enough of that!" Uncle Pete bellowed loudly.

Vince smiled down at her before lifting Grace into his arms and carrying her down the satin runner. Rice and confetti were tossed over their heads and Grace found herself laughing with pure joy.

Then Grace saw the limousine pull up and she gasped. "Vince, I said I wanted simple!"

Vince kissed her nose. "And I gave you simple while also giving myself a limousine." He sat her on her feet and opened the door.

Grace waved at her family and friends before climbing in, though not before seeing Tyler down the road. He gave her a little wave and then turned back around and continued walking.

"Meet us at the community center, everyone!" Vince called out before getting in behind her and closing the door. "Do you know the best thing about limousines?" he asked with a wicked grin that sent Grace's heart racing.

"Plenty of leg room?" she teased.

"Tinted windows," Vince corrected and then he pulled her into his lap and kissed her hungrily.

"Wait!" Grace insisted, coming up for air. "I need to talk to you about something."

Vince sighed. "I know I should have talked to you about adopting Cadence, but I wanted to surprise you..."

"No, it's not that," Grace assured him. "But you are amazing by the way and the way you love Cadence is one of the many reasons why I am so in love with you.."

"Then what is it?" Vince asked, sweeping a strand of hair from her face.

"I was going to wait until tonight when we were back home but too many people know now and it's going to slip out..."

Vince frowned with concern. "Grace, what is it?"

Grace let out a breath and decided that if shit was going to hit the fan, it might as well hit it now. "I'm pregnant, Vince."

Vince's face remained unchanged. He blinked several times and Grace stared around the interior of the limousine, wishing he would say something. "Pregnant?" he repeated, his voice void of any emotion.

"Yes." Grace forced a smile. "With child. A bun is in my oven. Expecting. Preggers...." Vince put his hand over her mouth to stop her nervous rambling.

"That happened fast," he stated.

"Yes it did," Grace agreed, peeling his fingers away from her lips.

"When did you find out?"

Grace swallowed hard. "This morning. I got sick again and Meg got me a test...."

"I know a pediatrician," Vince interrupted, pulling out his phone. "He's a damn good one and he works with some of the best Obstetrician's in the country so we can interview them if you'd like and find the one you want to see. You won't be wanting to travel I'm sure but I can make arrangements to fly them out here. They'll give you the best treatment and...."

"Vince!" Grace scolded, her nerves getting the better of her. Vince's voice was silenced as his jaw slammed closed and he frowned at her. Grace threw up her hands. "I just want to know if you're happy or not! I wasn't asking you to lay out a plan of action and begin making calls!"

"Happy?" Vince tossed his phone to the side and a wide smile split his face. It was the biggest smile that Grace had ever seen there and there was certainly nothing faked or practiced about the joy she saw in his green eyes. "Of course I'm happy. Grace, you've given me so much already! Your love, Cadence, a life and now a baby? I love you."

"I love you too, Vince. Even if you are a bit too take charge at times."

Vince rested his forehead against hers and smiled. "You picked me."

Grace rolled her eyes and pressed her lips to his and he returned the kiss eagerly, reaching one big hand up and laying it across her belly as if trying to touch the life that grew there.

***

"Marriage looks good on you, dearest friend," Meg said with a smile as she handed Grace an ice old water and sat down at the table beside her.

The reception was in full swing. Ben and his band and everyone was dancing--even Beverly and Vincent much to Grace's surprise. Patricia had made Uncle Pete's night when she had allowed him to spin her around the dance floor and then she had gotten every single guest up on their feet and dancing the Macarena, claiming it was the single best dance craze to ever hit the world.

Sheriff Short had caught the garter when Vince had thrown it, much to Mavis's delight since it was she who had tacked four other women and came out of the scuffle with Grace's bouquet.

"Marriage feels good," Grace replied, twisting open the water bottle and taking a long drink.

Meg raised her brow. "Have you told him yet?"

"Yes," Grace nodded. "And you were right. He was happy.. More than happy."

"Told you so," Meg replied, nudging her gently with her shoulder.

"Look what a good father he is.." Grace sighed, looking out at Vince who was dancing with Cadence and allowing the girl to stand on his shoes, (which must have cost a pretty penny), as he twirled her around and around. Somehow the man was ballroom dancing to bluegrass music and making it look good.

Meg clicked her tongue. "You did good, Grace."

"Okay, everyone!" Patricia exclaimed as she stepped up onto the community center stage. It was clear from her lack of shoes and let loose hair that she'd had more than a few drinks. "It's time to do the train. Boss, you and the bride have to be up front!"

Vince was laughing as he came to Grace and took her hand, helping her to her feet. He put his hands on her hips and soon nearly every guest in attendance had joined their train, going around the room with hoots and hollers.

Grace was truly getting into the fun spirit of things and she threw her head back and laughed, only to stop suddenly when the door to the community center burst open. At the sight of Brittany barging in, Grace stopped in her tracks, causing a chain reaction down the train, as people crashed into one another.

"What are you doing here?" Meg demanded as she stormed forward.

Grant came running into the community center next. "Sorry, Vince, I kept her locked up for as long as I could but she said she had to use the restroom and she got away from me."

Grace threw Vince a look of shock. "You had her locked in the jail?!"

He shrugged. "It kept her away from the wedding, didn't it?"

Brittany stepped forward. "Vincey, I need to talk to you," she chirped in that high pitched voice as she batted her long, fake lashes.

Grace saw red. She was tired of this barely dressed, platypus lipped, piece of city trash chasing after her man! Grace was not a mean or violent person by nature but a woman could only handle so much before she snapped.

"Hold my water," she ordered as she held the bottle out to Meg.

Meg frowned. "What?"

"Hold my water," Grace said more firmly.

Meg took the bottle and Grace lunged for Brittany. Two strong arms closed around her from behind just before she reached the brain dead little twit. Grace found herself pulled back against Vince's broad chest. "Calm down, Rocky. You don't get to fist fight with my child growing in there," he whispered in her ear and Grace calmed down--a little.

"I want her gone!" Grace snapped.

"Wait!" Brittany exclaimed, holding up her hands as Sheriff Short started her way. "I'm not here to try to come between you anymore," she promised Vince and Grace.

"You aren't?" Vince, Grace and Patricia asked in unison.

"No, I'm not."

"Then why are you here, horrid woman?" Beverly sniffed.

"To wish the newlyweds well." Brittany's eyes turned sad as she looked up at Vince. "Vincey, I know how much you loved me and how we both wanted us to work out but, I'm afraid it's just not going to."

"You're right, Brittany. It won't. For once we agree on something," Vince muttered.

Brittany nodded as she took a step back. "I want you to know that I've moved on and found someone else and I want you to be as happy as you can be with Gail."

"Grace," Grace all but growled.

Brittany smiled. "Right. You and Grace will be happy, Vincey, and so will Grant and I."

"What?!" Grant exclaimed with true horror.

"Oh silly, Granty," Brittany giggled as she turned around and plucked at a button on his shirt. "You didn't have to lock me up all day to get me to spend time with you. You could have just asked, silly."

"No, no, no! I think you got the wrong idea!" Grant assured her, taking three giant steps back.

"Good luck, Grant!" Vince called out as Grant ran for the door with Brittany on his heels. "I guess now I owe you one!"

The whispers and laughter eventually died down and everyone went back to what they'd been doing before the train had been formed. Vince pulled Grace into a corner while Ester and Cadence went onstage and danced in front of Ben, causing the poor man to laugh so hard that his banjo skills deteriorated greatly.

"Brittany is gone, Cadence will be officially mine soon, you are my wife and we're going to have a baby... Can life get any better?" Vince asked with a smile.

Grace rose up on her toes and pressed her mouth to his ear. "Cadence and Ester are staying with Ben and Meg tonight. We'll have the house to ourselves..."

Vince let out a deep chuckle that was nearly a growl and it caused a delicious little tremor to run down Grace's spine. "I guess it can."