Mimi's Daddy Ch. 24: Dream a little

That night, Mimi climbed into her bed and marveled at the silky smoothness of her legs, sliding them along the covers and against each other. Fragrant and soft as a newborn, a concubine should be so lucky. Like a promise, her wedding dress hung from a hook on the back of her closet. Tomorrow, she was going to look like a princess. Even as a fake bride, she was determined to enjoy the day with Adam and her family.

During dinner, Jen hadn't been able to stop talking about being an officiant. Sarah had announced that she was the maid of honor, and Mimi had immediately agreed. Of course she was. She wouldn't be surprised if Noah announced tomorrow that he was the best man.

When Adam appeared on her doorstep, his presence didn't totally surprise her. She heard the scrape of his key, and the familiar sound of him removing his boots. Within moments, he was in her bedroom doorway. Adam stood backlit by the light from the lamp she had left lit in the living room.

His voice was soft. "Still awake?"

Mimi drew the covers back and slid toward the wall. The bed was too small for them, but they had been finding a way.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on her hip. "I wanted to tuck you in."

"Can you stay a little while?"

"No Cupcake, leaving a sixteen-year-old alone in the middle of the night only leads to trouble. I told Sarah I would be gone less than an hour."

She raised her arm and let it fall back on her pillow, languid in a peach silk gown. "You should hire her. A job would keep her out of trouble."

He looked surprised. "I should. That is a good idea. She can come to work after school. There is plenty for her to do." He touched her cheek with his fingertips. "Did you have fun today?"

"I did."

"Sarah was so happy about your girl's day. She kept texting me. I'm surprised she didn't drop her phone in that big pool she described. Was there really a wall of fire?"

Mimi grinned. "A column."

"I wonder what they have on the men's side." He leaned down to kiss her forehead. "You have a busy day tomorrow, young lady."

Sneaking her leg out from under the covers, she whispered, "Feel me. I opted for the salt scrub."

He grunted. "You like to torture me."

With a tiny kitten grin, she pointed her toes. He slid his warm hand along the length of her leg and cupped her calf. "Siren."

She wiggled under the covers. "All of me is soft and fragrant."

With a tortured groan, Adam stood up. He tucked the covers back around her with playful aggression and pushed her down into the bed. "Succubus."

Feeling wicked, Mimi snuck a hand free and reached out and skimmed her fingertips across his jeans, pleased to feel the bulge of his erection. "We could be quick."

"No fair, temptress." After he removed her hand, he tucked it back under the comforter. With her arms securely trapped under the covers, he pinned her down and kissed her forehead again. The scent of his aftershave tempted her, and she just missed biting his jaw as he drew back from her.

At the bedroom door, he turned and looked at her with a smoldering look. "Tomorrow, wife."

She pulled the covers up over her head and giggled. They were doing this, the two of them. Both of them were going to get exactly what they wanted. The chemistry and passion were an unexpected perk. Nestled deep in the covers, she started to fantasize about what the farm could become as he left the house and locked her in. The new barn. Her kitchen garden. Two rocking chairs on the back porch. Adam peacefully rocking. As she drifted into sleep, she dreamed of sitting down on his lap to watch the sunrise with him, one hand resting on her swollen belly.

***

Their wedding day...

Holding as still as possible, Mimi sat at her childhood dressing table in the morning light while her mother arranged her red curls, pinning them into a lovely mass on top of her head. Outside the door, her little brother and Sarah were having a heated argument under their breath. After a sharp knock, the door burst open and Noah dragged Sarah into the bedroom by her elbow. "I picked them, but she put the ribbon on."

"We picked them," Sarah corrected. He wrinkled his nose at her. Pale green ribbons danced against Sarah's wrist. They'd bound the stems of a lovely bouquet of daffodils, brightest yellow and delicate paper whites.

Turning toward them, Mimi said. "Those are beautiful. Thank you both."

"You are beautiful," Noah said, staring at her.

"Thank you."

Her mother gripped Mimi's shoulders and squared her with the mirror. "Be still. I'm not done." Obediently, Mimi kept her position wrapped in the love of her family in her fuzzy blue robe. The fancy new underwear Adam had chosen for her was hidden from sight. When their mother snapped her fingers, Noah jumped. "Give me a few paper whites." Sarah helped him remove some of the snowy blooms from her carefully constructed bouquet. As Mimi's mother tucked the blossoms into her curls, she pinned them in place.

The rest of the family was at church. Her Mother and Noah had stayed behind to help her. Sarah's arrival had been a happy surprise. Mimi had applied a very modest amount of makeup. Her lips and cheeks were tinted pink. In the mirror, she faced a fresh faced bride.

With a flick of her fingers toward the door, their mother said, "You two go wait on the porch for Jen's cousin. The cake should be here any moment. Noah, you know where it goes. And put the ends of those flowers in some water, for goodness' sake."

"Yes Mam." Noah tugged Sarah along, and she good-naturedly followed the excited little boy.

"I think she might have trouble getting rid of him," Mimi said.

"He always likes the pretty ones."

"Runs in the blood."

Her mother squeezed her shoulders and stepped away from her long enough to shut the bedroom door. Mimi turned on the stool, using a hand-held mirror to look at the back of her hair. Her tumbling curls looked perfect for a country wedding. "Mom, it's perfect."

Dropping to her knees on the braided rug, her mother opened the big trunk at the end of the bed and began digging in it.

"What are you looking for?"

"You should have worn this to your first wedding. Maybe you would have had better luck." From near the bottom, under the family quilts, she drew out a paper-wrapped package tied with string. She leaned over and placed it on Mimi's lap. "Something borrowed, something blue."

Inside the brittle paper was a delicately embroidered handkerchief. Soft from wear and careful washing, a wild rose pattern claimed the corners. The thin blue ribbon threading through the leaves was so fine it was difficult to make out individual stitches. When she brought it to her face, she could smell the lavender sachets that were stuffed between the quilts.

"When you married Wade, I thought you would find it too old-fashioned. You were so young. My grandmother carried it at her wedding, then Nana, then me. I think it's your turn." The handkerchief was feather light. "It's just for borrowing, though, unless you get a girl of your own."

Mimi's throat tightened. Unlikely. "Thank you."

"Don't you cry." Her mother got up as if she hadn't just done something sweet. "I won't be blamed for messing up your makeup." She stepped to where Mimi's dress hung on the back of the door and fluffed the skirt. "This will do for the something new."

"I think so too." Mimi touched the corner of her eye with the back of her index finger to remove a gathering tear. Her mother's superstitions might work on a real wedding, but probably not on a fake one. "The handkerchief is beautiful."

"My great grandma had a fine hand. She made the tiniest stitches."

Noah pounded on the door. "Ma, people are here!"

With a glance at her watch, her mother cracked the door open. "Who would be here so early?"

Mimi offered, "Is it the cake?"

Her mom extended her hand out toward her, palm open. "You. Stay here."

Rolling up her sleeves, ma headed to find out what was happening. Still in her jeans and boots, the woman hadn't changed into what she was going to wear to the wedding yet.

Peeking through the curtains was irresistible. The truck didn't sound like her dad's. Several burly guys were unstrapping a large grill from a flat bed trailer. When she realized the guy disconnecting the trailer was Adam, she dipped backwards behind the curtains, lingering to watch through a gap. He talked to the other guys with ease. There were tables and a bank of chairs. Where did it all come from? They had planned for cake. What was he doing?

She got as far as placing her hand on the doorknob before superstition kicked in. What if it really was bad luck if a man saw you before you married him? Since they were already married, would it count?

Noah burst through the door before she'd decided. In a flurry, he slammed it shut, and the windows rattled. "Mimi, we are going to grill out." He was jumping about with excitement. "They have all the stuff, like a real party."

"Adams doing?"

"And Pa's." Wiggly and full of secrets, he leaned forward and whispered, "They didn't go to church. They went to Adam's work to pick up party stuff. Now look!" He peeled back the curtain and Mimi stepped to the side to make sure she was out of sight. "It's the biggest grill in the world."

"It is pretty big, kiddo."

"I'm going to work there when I'm older. Adam said I could. Did you know that Sarah works there now?"

"He told me she starts next week. I think she will do great."

With a puffed out chest, he said, "I will do better."

A familiar knock sounded on the door, and Noah sprinted to open it. Mimi caught him by the back of his shirt.

"Leave it shut." Mimi placed both hands on the door.

"Surprise," Adam said from the other side. "I thought you deserved more than cake."

"Thank you."

"Is Jen in there with you?"

"No, she is over at my house practicing the words she is going to say." Mimi spread her fingers wide, tempted to open the door. "She is pretty nervous."

"Jen is going to be great. I'm going to take my shirt and tie into the twins' room. My guys might have gone a bit overboard."

"Is your entire crew here?"

He rapped on the door playfully. "Not yet, but soon. Noah's gonna have some new friends."

Squirming his way past her, her little brother tugged on the door knob. "Let me out Mimi, I want to go help."

Placing her body behind the door, out of sight, she opened it enough for Noah to slip out. Adam slid his hand through the gap, palm up. When she placed her hand within his, he squeezed her fingers warmly. "We are doing this, pretty girl."

"We are."