Emma pushed them away. “Okay, okay, I won't cry.”
“Good.”
With a strand of pearls in her hand, Grammy stepped over to them. “Can you all give us a moment?”
Casey smiled. “Sure. We’ll go get the bouquets out of the fridge.”
“Don’t even think I’m letting you put on my boutonnière.”
“And just why not?”
“Because you always end up stabbing me!” Connor cried. They continued bickering as they went out the door.
Once they were alone, Emma arched her brows expectantly. Grammy’s expression was so serious it made Emma uneasy. Trying to lighten the mood, she joked, “You know you don’t have to have the sex talk with me, right?”
Grammy waved her empty hand dismissively. “I should hope not. Of course, I assume that ship sailed back with Travis.”
Emma’s face warmed as she nodded. Without another word, Grammy moved to stand behind Emma. She brought her hands over Emma’s head and then slipped the strand of pearls around her neck. They rested a little past Emma’s collarbone.
After she fastened the clasp, Grammy gripped Emma’s shoulders and then caught her gaze in the mirror. “All my life, I wanted a strand of real pearls. For our third wedding anniversary, your granddaddy worked two extra jobs to buy these pearls for me after he did something much like Aidan did.”
Emma gasped in horror. “Oh Grammy, I can’t believe Granddaddy would ever do something like that!”
“He thought he could run from marriage and commitment, but when he did, he realized his mistake. It’s something I’ve never told anyone, not even your mama.” Grammy smiled. “Of course, our making up after his affair was the whole reason why she was here in the first place. I guess I got these pearls and your mama out of the deal.”
“So you forgave him?”
“I’m still with him, aren’t I?”
Emma fingered the pearls while thinking of all the happy years her grandparents had together. Never once had she ever seen a crack in the façade. They were what she aspired to be when it came to a married couple.
Grammy patted Emma's back. “I wanted to tell you this today so you would understand that no marriage is perfect. There’s going to be good times and bad times and heartache and joy. Don’t ever think that because of what happened before that your love isn’t as strong or as beautiful as anyone else’s. It's the love that goes through the hardest trials and survives that is worth having.”
“Thank you, Grammy.” She leaned over and kissed Grammy’s wrinkled cheek. “Do you think Aidan and I will be as happy as you and Granddaddy have been?”
Grammy smiled. “I think you will.”
“I hope so.”
“Time flies so fast when you’re happy and in love. One minute you’ll be young, and the next minute you’ll be standing in front of your granddaughter, who looks so much like her mama did on her wedding day.”
At the mention of her mother, Emma’s eyes misted over again. She would have given anything for her mother to be standing beside her, adjusting her veil, and telling her she made the most beautiful bride.
When she met Grammy’s eyes again, Grammy shook her head. “The last thing on earth your mama would want is for you to be sad today. She would want you to be happy and to embrace the wonderful future ahead of you with Aidan and with Noah.”
“I know she would. It’s just hard.”
Grammy stepped around to touch Emma’s cheek. “I know, baby girl. She was my only daughter, and I’d give anything to have her here. But she’s never very far away. She’s always right here.” Grammy placed her hand over Emma’s heart. “She’ll be there with you today, and when that sweet baby boy comes into this world and is put into your arms for the first time, she’ll be right there too.”
Emma bit down on her lip to stifle her emotions before throwing her arms around Grammy. “Thank you for being here with me today.”
“It’s my pleasure honey.”
Granddaddy cleared his throat in the doorway. “All right, that weddin’ plannin’ woman said to tell y’all it’s time.”
Emma pulled out of Grammy’s arms. For a flickering second, she saw Granddaddy in a different light for the mistakes of his past, but then she thought of Aidan and of forgiveness, and a smile curved on her lips.
She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. When she pulled away, she grabbed the lapels of his suit and smiled. “Look how handsome you are.”
Granddaddy beamed. “It’s my best suit. I hoped it would do.”
“I’ll be honored to be on your arm.”
As they started out the door, he stopped her. “Virginia told you about the pearls, didn’t she?”
Emma’s mouth gaped open. “How did you know?”
“The look on your face when I walked in.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, Emmie Lou. I’m just surprised that Aidan didn’t tell you.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You told him? When?”
“The time he came up here to get the food while you were on bed-rest.”
“But why?”
Granddaddy grimaced. “I wanted him to understand that I knew where he was coming from, but at the same time, I wanted him to fight like hell to get you back.”
“You like him that much?”
“I do.” Granddaddy grinned. “I think I might even love him.”
Emma jerked her head up to stare at him in surprise. “Seriously?”
“I’m happy for you, Emmie Lou. I think ol’ Aidan’s gonna make you a mighty fine husband.”
“Oh Granddaddy,” she murmured, her eyes filling with tears.
“Don’t cry now.”
“They’re happy tears, I promise.”
“Yeah, but you’ll get me in trouble with all the hens around here if you mess up your make-up.”
She giggled. “All right then. I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.”
“Good then.” Eying Emma’s dress, he scratched his head. “Let’s see how we’re gonna get you out of here in that thing.”
She giggled as she turned to the side and slid out of the bedroom doorway. As she swept out into the living room, she found the wedding planner organizing the bridal party. “How do I look Aunt Emma?” Georgie asked, spinning around in his tiny tux.