Chapter 73 Part 73
Maggie
She’d wrestled with her news the entire night. Eden had stayed true to her word. They’d done facials, manicures, and talked about the new baby. Eden was so excited, but dread filled Maggie.
Her dress was a classic A-line silhouette, and had a regal crepe back with satin fabric that made up the train of her dress. She’d loved the dress because of the pockets, but Eden claimed it was the embroidery on the back with the satin buttons that truly made it the perfect one.
She’d chosen a light ivory color, and Eden had insisted on brown cowboy boots. It was a stunningly beautiful dress, one she could see herself in. She hadn’t even looked at other dresses. Her mind was made up.
Her hair was swept up into an elaborate bun, with braids on the sides. Her makeup was subtle and perfect. When she looked in the mirror, she grinned. She really did look beautiful.
Her timing was perfect. She stepped into the foyer at the same time as a knock came at the front door. She opened the door, and Thomas stood there, his mouth open.
“Maggie, you look simply magnificent, my girl,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“It really is my honor to walk you down the aisle today.”
“I’m the honored one, Thomas. You are such a good man. I’m thankful each day for your acceptance, your guidance, and your love.”
Thomas smiled, the emotions in his eyes betraying him. “It’s a glorious day; don’t make me cry now.”
As they walked down the aisle, her guilt resurfaced, and it made her feel nauseous. Asher looked dashing in his suit, the cowboy hat giving him that ruggedly handsome look.
“I have to talk to you before we do this.” She saw the moment of conflict in his eyes. Doubt was settling there, and she hated it, but he had a right to know before they made their vows.
“Okay,” he said. They walked down the aisle together, people whispering, and frowning, but she didn’t care.
When they were far enough away, she turned to look at him and took his hand in hers. “I love you, Asher, but I have to tell you this before we get married.”
“Tell me what?”
“Yesterday, I found out that I’m pregnant,” she whispered. Asher kept looking at her, his face void of any emotion, and dread filled her once again. “Please say something.”
He started to laugh instead, and now Maggie had no idea what he was thinking. He wrapped himself around her, kissing the top of her head. “We’re having a baby. I couldn’t be happier.”
“Good, let’s go get married, then,” Maggie said.
Asher chuckled, as he got back to his feet, took her hand, and led her back down the aisle. Pastor Mitchells smiled at them, finally starting the ceremony.
“For a moment there, I thought we might have a runaway pair,” Pastor Mitchells said. The guests chuckled as he opened his Bible.
“We are gathered here today, to join Asher and Maggie, in holy matrimony. Today is a celebration. It’s a celebration of love, commitment, friendship, family, and two people who share a love so real that I know you two are in it for forever. This is a story of two people that met by chance, fell in love, and showed their commitment each day. It’s a moment in time that we can all remember when a love story’s chapter reached the ultimate conclusion. Marriage.”
Pastor Mitchells looked at Maggie and Asher first, smiled, then looked at their guests.
“Will you, Asher Fitzgerald, keep Maggie Conroy as your best friend—to laugh with her, go on adventures with her, support her throughout your lives, be faithful to her, and keep your love and relationship intact for the rest of your days?”
Asher smiled again as he looked into Maggie’s eyes. “I will.”
“Will you, Maggie Conroy, keep Asher Fitzgerald as your best friend—to laugh with him, go on adventures with him, support him throughout your lives, be faithful to him, and keep your love and relationship intact for the rest of your days?”
“I will,” Maggie said. She couldn’t imagine loving Asher more than she already did.
“You may now exchange rings.”
Asher took Maggie’s ring from his pocket, and slid it onto her finger. “With this ring, I promise to love you, to remain faithful to you, to stand by your side, no matter what life throws at us.”
Maggie smiled when she took Asher’s ring from her dress pocket, and he chuckled. “With this ring, I promise to always love you, stand by your side, be faithful to you, and be your biggest champion.”
“May your marriage be filled with love, may your house be filled with warmth and laughter, may you be continuously blessed by the Lord’s grace, and may you always be as happy as you are right now. I now have the absolute honor of declaring you husband and wife. You may now kiss each other.”
Asher cupped Maggie’s face, kissing her as their guests cheered and clapped their hands. Pastor Mitchells cleared his throat, and Asher started to laugh as he broke the kiss off.
Asher signed the register and handed the pen to Maggie. She signed her new name, Maggie Fitzgerald, and smiled at him. He sensed another presence and turned to look at the man.
“Sean,” Maggie gasped, and Asher could hear the fear in her voice.
“I want what you took from me, Maggie,” he said, as he aimed the gun at them.
“You don’t want to do this,” Thomas said angrily, as he stood up from his chair.
“Everybody stay in their seats!”
“Just do as he says,” Asher said, moving to stand in front of Maggie. He slapped his thigh once and moved his forefinger in a circling motion.
“Now, I want Maggie to walk over to me, and then we’ll leave. Nobody needs to get hurt,” Sean said.
“She’s not leaving with you,” Asher said. He took a step backward, his eyes trained on something behind Sean. “Stump!” At the same time as he yelled that word, he turned and wrapped himself around Maggie.
Dakota growled once, and Sean fired two shots right before the dog’s jaws clamped around his throat. Dakota had launched himself onto Sean, and they both went down to the ground. Dakota growled again and shook his head. Sean screamed, and after a few seconds, his screams died down.
Asher could feel hands on his back, people screaming, and then he was shifted onto his side. When Maggie’s face appeared, he looked her up and down. She was unharmed.
“Call an ambulance!” Blair yelled, pressing his hands against Asher’s back.
“I’m fine,” he said, trying to move.
“You’re not fine. You were shot, Asher; you’re bleeding a lot,” Blair said.
“Sean?”
“He’s dead. Dakota ripped his throat out. I thought you were losing your marbles when you yelled, ‘stump.’ Damnit, Asher, don’t you close your eyes!”
Darkness overtook him, and he sighed peacefully.