because she comes from a line of unwed mothers and she wants our child to be legitimate. I wish I could say that I’m excited about getting married again, but I feel like a passenger on a runaway train. It’s all happening so fast, and I don’t know if I’m going to be any good at it.
“I talked to Ryan about it earlier and asked him to be my best man. After I told him how I felt, he tried to discourage me from getting married so soon. But I have to do what’s right for Dana and the baby, even if I’m nervous about it...” He paused, blew out his breath. “That makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Naturally, he didn’t get a response. There was nothing but a stone marker and his own rambling words.
“Kaley thinks it’s fate. She thinks it’s meant to be. She’s thrilled about the baby. She and Dana are getting along great, too. They’re planning the wedding together.”
Again, he was met with silence.
He kept talking. “I’m scared about becoming a new father. I was young and hopeful when we adopted Kaley. It’s not the same this time. We gave the baby a cute nickname, though.” He couldn’t help but smile. “Sweet Bean. Dana framed the ultrasound picture for me, and I put it on the mantel.” He stopped smiling. “It’s sitting there, next to our wedding photo. What am I supposed to do with that picture now, Corrine? I can’t leave it on the mantel after Dana and I get married. That wouldn’t be fair to her. But it’s going to feel strange to remove it. I’m so confused about how to have a new wife and a new child. Dana is handling everything much better than I am. But life hasn’t beaten her up the way it has with me. She’s never been in love or lost the person she loved.”
He plucked mindlessly at a blade of grass.
“The good thing, though, is that she understands what I had with you. I’ve been able to talk to her about it. She’s a pretty amazing girl, sweet and understanding.
“The problem is me. I’m concerned that I won’t be able to live up to my promise. I’m going to try to make her happy, but what if I fall short? What if I can’t pull it off?”
Eric glanced up at the heavens and noticed how closely the sky mirrored the color of Dana’s eyes. “How weird is that?” he said to Corrine. “Your eyes were blue, too, but today I see hers. Do you think that’s a good sign?” Surely, it must be. Dana was alive and Corrine was gone.
He stopped looking at the sky. Even if it was a positive omen, he was still worried about fulfilling his upcoming vows.
He stood up, preparing to go home. He couldn’t stay here forever. “I’ll see you next time,” he said. He would be back to visit Corrine, as always. But for now he needed to get a grip on becoming Dana’s husband.
* * *
The ceremony was officially two weeks away, and Dana was grateful for Kaley’s and Candy’s help.
Today they were shopping—again—for the dresses, hers included. They hadn’t found anything on their previous excursions, but they were going to more stores this time.
The wedding colors would be determined by the dresses that Kaley and Candy chose. Dana didn’t mind leaving it to chance. She trusted their judgment, whether they chose matching garments or two separate styles. It didn’t matter, as long as everyone felt good in what they were wearing.
By one in the afternoon, Candy found her prize: a turquoise-colored granny dress from the early 1970s, with an embroidered neckline.
That set Kaley in motion, looking for a seventies granny dress, too. She squealed when she uncovered a yellow one with a similar neckline that looked incredible on her.
There it was. The colors were turquoise and yellow, a super combination. Dana couldn’t have been more pleased. Her bridesmaids were going to be bright and beautiful.
“Your turn,” Candy said to Dana. “We have to find the perfect dress for you. This is going to be your day, after all.”
Her day. Her new life. “I’ll find the right one. I
“I talked to Ryan about it earlier and asked him to be my best man. After I told him how I felt, he tried to discourage me from getting married so soon. But I have to do what’s right for Dana and the baby, even if I’m nervous about it...” He paused, blew out his breath. “That makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Naturally, he didn’t get a response. There was nothing but a stone marker and his own rambling words.
“Kaley thinks it’s fate. She thinks it’s meant to be. She’s thrilled about the baby. She and Dana are getting along great, too. They’re planning the wedding together.”
Again, he was met with silence.
He kept talking. “I’m scared about becoming a new father. I was young and hopeful when we adopted Kaley. It’s not the same this time. We gave the baby a cute nickname, though.” He couldn’t help but smile. “Sweet Bean. Dana framed the ultrasound picture for me, and I put it on the mantel.” He stopped smiling. “It’s sitting there, next to our wedding photo. What am I supposed to do with that picture now, Corrine? I can’t leave it on the mantel after Dana and I get married. That wouldn’t be fair to her. But it’s going to feel strange to remove it. I’m so confused about how to have a new wife and a new child. Dana is handling everything much better than I am. But life hasn’t beaten her up the way it has with me. She’s never been in love or lost the person she loved.”
He plucked mindlessly at a blade of grass.
“The good thing, though, is that she understands what I had with you. I’ve been able to talk to her about it. She’s a pretty amazing girl, sweet and understanding.
“The problem is me. I’m concerned that I won’t be able to live up to my promise. I’m going to try to make her happy, but what if I fall short? What if I can’t pull it off?”
Eric glanced up at the heavens and noticed how closely the sky mirrored the color of Dana’s eyes. “How weird is that?” he said to Corrine. “Your eyes were blue, too, but today I see hers. Do you think that’s a good sign?” Surely, it must be. Dana was alive and Corrine was gone.
He stopped looking at the sky. Even if it was a positive omen, he was still worried about fulfilling his upcoming vows.
He stood up, preparing to go home. He couldn’t stay here forever. “I’ll see you next time,” he said. He would be back to visit Corrine, as always. But for now he needed to get a grip on becoming Dana’s husband.
* * *
The ceremony was officially two weeks away, and Dana was grateful for Kaley’s and Candy’s help.
Today they were shopping—again—for the dresses, hers included. They hadn’t found anything on their previous excursions, but they were going to more stores this time.
The wedding colors would be determined by the dresses that Kaley and Candy chose. Dana didn’t mind leaving it to chance. She trusted their judgment, whether they chose matching garments or two separate styles. It didn’t matter, as long as everyone felt good in what they were wearing.
By one in the afternoon, Candy found her prize: a turquoise-colored granny dress from the early 1970s, with an embroidered neckline.
That set Kaley in motion, looking for a seventies granny dress, too. She squealed when she uncovered a yellow one with a similar neckline that looked incredible on her.
There it was. The colors were turquoise and yellow, a super combination. Dana couldn’t have been more pleased. Her bridesmaids were going to be bright and beautiful.
“Your turn,” Candy said to Dana. “We have to find the perfect dress for you. This is going to be your day, after all.”
Her day. Her new life. “I’ll find the right one. I
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