The Wedding Wish

champagne, but neither one cared. They just stayed locked in a tight embrace, each sensing the rhythm of the other one’s heart. It was just like it used to be, only better. And nothing could be better than this. Isabel was so happy, she felt she could fly, straight up to the moon and past the third star…straight on till morning.
    “You’ll always be my girl,” he said, holding her close. And, in her heart, Isabel knew that she would.
    “That’s the only way I’d have it,” she said, hugging him back.

Epilogue

    Cindy sat beside Trudy at the head table. Both were dressed in elegant attire.
    “I want to thank you for helping organize the wedding,” Trudy told her. “It was a beautiful affair, and you were a lovely maid of honor.”
    “Isabel was a beautiful bride,” Cindy said, motioning with her champagne flute toward the dance floor.
    Isabel and Kip were enjoying the traditional father-daughter dance, while Robert waited in the wings, prepared to take over.
    “She certainly is,” Trudy said with a smile. “You know,” she said to Cindy, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Kip so happy.”
    “What happened to the overprotective dad?”
    “I guess he grew up.”
    “Yeah,” Cindy said with a longing look at the happy couple. “I suppose a lot of people did.”

    On the dance floor, Kip gathered Isabel and her billowy gown in his arms. It seemed an eternity he’d waited for this day. Waited for it and dreaded it both. For the main thing he feared was that Isabel wouldn’t find somebody good enough. Someone to love and care for her in the special way that Kip hoped. Now that she had, Kip’s spirit had lightened. Robert was a good man. A man who deeply loved his daughter. He would look after her, Kip was sure of it. And nothing gave him greater peace.
    “Dad,” she said, looking up at him, her eyes a beautiful blue. “I want to thank you for this day. For everything.”
    “I’m glad you’re happy,” he said, holding her close. Then he swirled her around, those old memories flooding back. Cradling Isabel as a baby… Isabel dancing on his shoes at his cousin’s wedding… Isabel beaming in his arms in her first communion dress… Isabel in her graduation cap and gown… And now, Isabel the beautiful bride, about to leave his arms forever.
    Robert approached, and Kip graciously stepped aside. “Take care of my baby girl,” he said in a hoarse whisper.
    “I will, sir,” Robert assured him.
    Kip passed off Isabel as she gave them a laugh. “Come on, guys,” she said, rolling her eyes. “ I can take care of myself.”
    “I believe that,” Robert said, taking her in his arms.
    “Then you’ve learned a lot already.” Kip studied him with admiration, then walked away.
    “What did you two talk about on that walk?” Isabel asked Robert beneath the sway of the music.
    “Oh, you know… Stuff.”
    “Stuff?” Isabel playfully swatted his shoulder. “Fine. Keep your little secret.”
    Robert thoughtfully watched Kip pull Trudy onto the dance floor. Even after all their years together, when Kip looked at Trudy, she still blushed like a bride. “Something tells me I could learn a lot from your father.”
    “What?”
    “He won the love of two terrific women. That says something.”
    Isabel grinned broadly. “Yeah. It says a lot.”
    “Will you promise me something?”
    “Anything you wish.”
    “Promise that you’ll go easy on me…if we have a daughter.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “It’s nothing, really,” he said, studying Kip and Trudy from across the room. “It’s just that I guess I’m starting to understand your dad.”
    “Robert Reed,” she scolded, “swear to me you won’t be that impossible.”
    He held her close, kissing the top of her head. “Sorry, Izzy. Can’t promise you that.”

    The End

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