The door opened again, and Finn’s face appeared. “Are you ready, Bran?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“What’s going on?” Steph stopped, her fingers still poised over her laptop keyboard. “Why is Finn here?”
Strains of music began to play over the room’s audio speaker, and a deep voice sang, with thick vibrato. “Wise men say… Only fools rush in…”
“What’s going on, Bran? Why are you playing Elvis music?”
Branson lifted her by the elbow and edged her away from the table until they stood, facing the door on the other end of the room. “I thought Ellie ought to see it in person.”
Right on cue, Ellie stepped inside, dressed in a beautiful coral chiffon dress, and carrying a basket with a white ribbon. She took a few halting steps, before breaking into a run. She crashed into Steph’s arms, sending rose petals flying.
“Mom, I got to skip school and I got a new dress and—”
“Shhh…” Branson was on his knees, his hand on Ellie’s shoulder. “Remember… don’t spoil the surprise.”
Ellie’s arms switched from Steph’s waist to Branson’s neck, and he lifted her up, securing her on his hip.
Laurie came through the door in a simple satin gown, the same color as Ellie’s. Stephanie knew without a doubt Laurie had chosen the dresses, since it was her favorite color—simultaneously contrasting with her dark skin and making it glow.
“Traitor,” Steph whispered, as Laurie took her place beside her. “How long have you known about this?”
Her dark eyes sparkled with humor as she shot back, “Not as long as you waited to tell me you got married in Vegas.”
As Elvis’ voice continued to croon over the speakers, Finn, Cole, and Jarrett strolled inside. Finn wore what Steph now recognized as his customary expression—a grin that said he was in the midst of a great practical joke, which seemed to be his ultimate goal in life.
When Fordham materialized in the doorway, Steph expected him to follow the other men down the aisle. Instead, he motioned with his hand at someone out in the hallway. Who else are we expecting? Hopefully, not Carina. She’s been a lot nicer lately, but I don’t want her at my wedding.
The first thing Steph saw was a mass of red curls, then a blue velvet dress with an ample bosom spilling out below massive shoulders.
“Priscilla?” Steph slapped both hands over her mouth. “Oh my gosh! Branson, what have you done?”
As Priscilla moved forward, Steph could see Billy waltzing toward them, microphone in hand, poured into a white bell-bottomed suit that sparkled in the conference room lights. George followed behind, beaming with excitement, probably because Bran had paid them more than the chapel made in a year.
She felt Branson’s warm breath in her ear. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting, but I wanted it to be the perfect surprise. Forgive me?” His lips nibbled on her earlobe, ripples of pleasure shooting all the way down into her toes.
“You’re cheating.” What was meant to sound stern came out weak and breathless. “You’re forgiven, but only if you promise this is the last surprise.”
“Then, I’m afraid we’re both out of luck.”
With Priscilla poised to begin the ceremony, Branson dropped to one knee. “Stephanie Knight, love of my life…”
Time stopped—no one breathing, no heart beating. The second hand froze in place. Though Branson’s lips moved, no sound penetrated Steph’s ears. She didn’t see the diamond engagement ring he slid onto her finger. For one single moment, she was blinded to all but one thing… she glimpsed into the soul of the man who loved her. The soul who refused to reject the society who rejected him. The soul who loved with his whole heart, even though his heart had been broken. The soul who saw her, with all her flaws, and called it beautiful. She saw a lovely thing—a treasure—Branson’s soul, offered into her hands for safekeeping.
As cheers and clapping broke into her cocoon, Bran kissed her hand, then turned to Ellie. From his coat pocket he retrieved a folded paper, which he handed up to Stephanie, while opening a small black jewelry case in front of Ellie.
“Ellie, will you do me the honor of being my daughter? I promise to—”
“Yes,” she cried as she jumped against him, her arms strangling his neck.
Not an eye was dry in the room, as Branson promised to love Ellie and be the best possible father he could be, over Ellie’s tearful wails. Stephanie unfolded the paper and almost choked when she recognized what she held in her hands—a legal form with Jeff’s signature. Her ex had given up his parental rights, paving the way for Branson to legally adopt Ellie.
“Surprise!” whispered Branson, as he stood up beside her. “Told you I couldn’t make any promises about that. Sorry it took me so long to get all this legal stuff done.”
“So it’s all done?” she murmured. “Because I’d like to sign that prenup and get that behind us.”
“Don’t you realize I trust you, by now? The only thing you need to sign is our will. It’s pretty simple. If I die, I’m leaving everything to you and Ellie.”
“But—”
His mouth descended in a kiss that made her toes curl.
A hand tapped her shoulder. She opened her eyes to find Priscilla peering at them, her toothy smile accented with bright pink lips. “Are we ready to start the wedding?”
“I am.” Branson stole another kiss. It was easy for him, since he couldn’t see George raise a disapproving eyebrow.
This time, when Branson spoke his vows, Steph knew he meant them as much as she did. Ellie was bouncing on her toes as Billy sang Love Me Tender to end the ceremony.
Ellie tugged on Branson’s sleeve, and he scooped her up to watch from a perch on his shoulder. “This is way cooler than a picture. It’s the real thing.”
Steph gazed at the two people who owned her heart. “Yes, it is.”
Within the crush of hugs at the wedding’s end, Fordham pushed his way forward and pulled the two of them aside. He handed a manila envelope to Branson.
“What is this?” Bran asked, extracting the enclosed papers. Finding no identifying Braille, he handed the pages to Stephanie. She stared, trying to make sense of the documents.
“It’s your wedding present,” Fordham told Bran. “I’ve been collecting these for the past year and a half, since you first realized you wanted to make that cystic fibrosis drug more affordable. I believe these shares of Parker-Aston should be enough to give you a controlling interest.”
