Well, here it is! Clawen wedding and baby gender reveal! PLEASE review! I can't wait to read your reactions. Happy reading!
I blinked a few times and automatically stretched my arm across to Owen's side of the bed before remembering he wasn't there. Sighing heavily I rubbed my eyes.
There was a light knock on the door and I sat up in bed. "I'm awake." I informed the person on the other side. The door opened slightly and Maisie poked her head in.
"Can I come in?"
"Of course." I stifled a yawn and stretched.
She hurried over to the foot of the bed and climbed up. Crawling across the bed she sat on Owen's side and pressed her back against the headboard. "What's wrong?" I asked reading the look on her face.
She glanced down at her hands and nibbles on her bottom lip. "I don't think I can do this."
I tilted my head to the side. "Do what?"
"Walk down the aisle."
I couldn't hold back my laugh. "That should be my worry. Not yours."
Maisie shrugged.
I turned to fully face her and took her hands in mine. "What has you so worried?"
"I don't want to trip and disappoint you. Aunt Karen has worked so hard to make things perfect. What if I mess up?"
"Oh, Honey," I reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "The only way you can disappoint me is not being a part of today."
She looked up and met my eyes. "Really?"
"Yeah, really. Dad and I talked about getting married a few years ago, but it just wasn't the right time. Now I understand why." Maisie pursed her lips, confused. "You weren't a part of our lives yet. Having you here now makes everything perfect. Don't be afraid. You'll be great."
She leaned over to hug me. "I'm glad I'm here, too."
"No one's getting cold feet, are they?" Karen asked as she stepped into my room.
"Just Maisie, but I think she's ready now." I giggled and poked her side.
"And the bride?"
I smiled up at my sister. "I'm good."
The morning moved quickly. Everything was a blur. I did my own hair, curls hung loose with half my hair pinned up with sapphire clips.
I was working on Maisie's when there was a knock on the door. "I got it!" Karen hurried passed Maisie and I in the living room to answer the door.
"Who is it?" I asked her.
"Photographer!" Karen cheered and flung the door open.
"We didn't have one..."
my sister spun and patted the man on the back. "You do now!"
"I'm Bill. You must be the bride."
"Claire." I informed him.
He nodded and since I had both my hands tangled in Maisie's hair he didn't attempt to shake my hand. "Don't mind me. I'll just be in your face most of the day." He smiled and immediately began to set up His equipment.
I flinched with every snap of the camera, finding it hard to concentrate on Maisie's hair.
Glancing at the clock there was only one thing left to do. Karen and Maisie were dressed and ready. It was my turn.
"Need help?" Karen asked and began to follow me to my room.
I spun quickly, "No I'm fine."
I stared at myself in the mirror and rubbed the bump. "No more hiding you." I sighed.
"There she—" Karen's loud gasp echoed through the living room when I entered. "Where the heck did that come from?!" She shrieked and pointed at my stomach.
I shrugged "Surprise?" I didn't mean for it to come out as a question.
"I've been here for a week! A week, Claire! How did I see past that?"
I brought my hands up, palms facing the ceiling "you were busy?"
My sister shook her head slowly. "No, I should have noticed! I had two kids!" She clapped her hands against her temples. "You're pregnant, Claire!"
"I am."
"Oh my God!" Karen shrieked and threw her arms around me. "How far along are you?"
"5 months."
"Boy? Girl?" Her hands moved around my stomach.
I shrugged. "We will find out today with everyone."
"I'm a horrible big sister! This is something I should have noticed right away. Especially when you're this far along…" She trailed off as she counted back in her head. I bit my bottom lip.
"So this was right after you came back from…" She cut off and smiled down at Maisie.
I nodded. "Pretty much, yeah. Not planned of course, but it's happening. No we aren't getting married because I'm pregnant. He purposed way before." I tried to think of all the other questions she was going to throw at me and answer before she had the chance to even ask.
She opened and closed her mouth a few times before hugging me tight. "This dress really shows off that little belly. You were made to look like this. You're absolutely glowing!"
I swept my hand across my forehead. "I think it's just sweat. I didn't know how you would react." I let out an uneasy laugh.
"This is great news! Oh I want to know if I have another niece or a nephew!"
Maisie smiled at that. "They said I can read the result."
Karen looked at Maisie and hugged her. "Us big sister's have to stick together. Trust me, it's the younger sibling who is the trouble maker."
I rolled my eyes. "She's lying. I was the good one."
Maisie giggled.
We took a few pictures in the cabin. When we were finished, Maisie sat by the front window and peered out, playing our lookout for when Owen and the boys arrived.
I paced the floor in front of the couch, fanning my face with my hands.
"You ok?" Karen asked, sipping on her mimosa.
I shook my head and sat on the couch. "I'm panicking and I don't know why."
My sister gathered her dress and sat on the coffee table across from me. Her hands rubbing my arms soothingly. "Completely normal."
I looked into her eyes, tears threatening to spill from mine. "I love Owen, but this… you and Scott didn't work out. Marriage is just… Karen, I'm not you! I can't be the doting wife and loving mother. Dinosaurs. I'm good with dinosaurs."
"Hey," Karen gripped my arms and gave a hard shake, "look," she pointed to Maisie on the other side of the room, her face glued to the window. "she's already made you a mother. She put you and Owen in a married situation. What you and Owen have is… is real. I see the way he looks at you. It's the same look he's had for almost four years. I loved Scott, but we grew apart. I know you and Owen had your differences, but you found each other again. This is the real deal. Where's my overly confident sister?"
I swiped the back of my hand across my cheek to catch the tear that fell. "She's here somewhere."
"They're here!" Maisie cheered, jumping off the chair and hiding from view of Owen outside.
"Well you better find her because you're getting married!" Tears slid down my sister's cheeks and I couldn't help but cry with her.
I stood up and fixed my dress. "I'm ready."
Karen smiled and winked. "There you are." She turned towards Maisie and clapped her hands. "Ok, Maisie. Can you run to the kitchen and make sure everyone is sitting down?"
Maisie nodded and hurried out of the room. "They're all here!" She yelled from the kitchen.
"Show time, ladies!" Karen ushered us out of the door and I could hear a soft violin playing in the distance.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Violinist. I hired her. She's the best in the area!" Karen turned to smile at me. "Owen chose the song."
I knew immediately what was playing and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore as the soft music filled my ears.
"What song is it?" Maisie asked, watching my reaction nervously.
"A Thousand Years." I whispered, not able to find my voice.
"Maisie, you go when I say so and walk slow." Karen instructed.
Her eyes immediately glanced up at me and I leaned down to hug her, "You can't do anything wrong. Dad is down there. You'll be fine." I kissed her cheek and she took a deep breath and walked around the corner. I stepped close to the edge of the house to see Owen's reaction to her dress.
His smile grew as soon as he saw her and It was easy to see the tears in his eyes. He was quick to swipe them off his cheek.
"You are following me, right?" Karen giggled.
I laughed through my sob. "Yes, Karen."
She turned and walked around the house. Receiving another smile from Owen, but he wasn't looking at her. He was trying to see behind her. He was looking for me.
Once she met Maisie at the front I took a few deep breaths and tried to control my tears.
I stepped around the house and Owen stood taller, our eyes immediately locking. I tucked my bouquet close to me as I forced myself to walk slowly towards him.
He reached for me when I was close enough and I placed my hand in his.
"Damn I'm lucky." Owen whispered as we turned to the officiant. He leaned over quickly to whisper in my ear. "The blue dresses and accents in your hair? Perfect touch. Thank you."
I looked up and smiled at him. "I thought so."
The officiant spoke for a while, but I didn't hear a word he said. My eyes were locked on Owen and everything else disappeared.
It was Owen who broke his gaze as he turned to take my ring from Zack.
The officiant smiled at Owen before he spoke. "Do you, Owen, take Claire to be your wife, to cherish in friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live, to trust and honor her, to love her faithfully, through the best and the worst, whatever may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each other and the reason why you came together with her this day?"
Owen nodded and slid the wedding band on my finger. "I do," he smiled through his tears.
The officiant looked at me and it was my turn to talk. He nodded at me and I took Owen's ring from Karen. "And Do you, Claire, take Owen to be your husband, to cherish in friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live, to trust and honor him, to love him faithfully, through the best and the worst, whatever may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each other and the reason why you came together with him this day?"
I choked on my sob, receiving a chuckle from Owen. "I do." I vowed and slid his ring into place, forever bonding us as husband and wife. I couldn't help but laugh when the tiny kicks sealed the moment. I let go of Owen's hand and touched the side of my stomach where the baby kicked. Hearing soft whispers and sniffles from our friends and family I leaned in to whisper to Owen, "Someone approves."
He placed his hand over mine and we both turned as the officiant ended the ceremony.
"By the powers invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Owen, you may kiss your bride!"
The cheering from the small group of friends and family was off in the distance as soon as Owen took me into his arms. His lips met mine in a tender kiss that had me weak in the knees.
Owen was first to break the kiss and smiled down at me. "I love you, Mrs. Grady."
"I love you, too, Husband."
He turned us to face our guests and Maisie ran from her spot to wrap her arms around us both.
"Now we're a real family!"
Owen and I both nodded and leaned down to kiss each of her cheeks. "Shall we?" Owen asked, holding his free arm out for Maisie to link hers with him. He escorted both of us back down the aisle. Where this time I could hear excited shrieks and whispers of "baby" being repeated through the crowd.
We immediately moved on to celebrate. The first to claim us was Zia and Franklin. "How the hell did you hide this?" Zia smiled and pointed at my stomach.
I laughed and shook my head. "It wasn't easy." They hugged us both and we continued to be hugged and congratulated on both the wedding and baby.
Owen took my hand and we walked to the center of the makeshift dance floor, which was just the part of the yard where the DJ was set up.
"What are you doing?" I asked once he pulled me close to him.
"Dancing." He chuckled.
This time the original song, A Thousand Years, played through the speakers and I met Owen's eyes. He was not much of a romantic, but after the fall of Jurassic World and we were settled into a life together, he would walk around and sing the song. It was never discussed, but this had become our song.
Though we were both not very good dancers, we moved together, swaying to the music.
Dancing turned into dinner and before the cake was to be handed out, Owen handed the envelope to Maisie and reached for the microphone from the DJ.
"Good evening. My wife and I would like to thank you all for coming out to help us celebrate. As you all noticed we have something extra to be celebrating tonight." He reached out and placed his hand on my stomach. Everyone erupted in claps and cheers.
Once they calmed down Owen continued. "Now we wanted to wait to announce the gender until we were all together. Our daughter will be informing all of us who this little one is."
I squeezed Maisie's hand and she smiled before pulling her hand from mine and ripped open the envelope. She looked up and smiled at Owen.
"What?" He yelled into the microphone. "Am I going to be outnumbered forever? Come on, Kid!"
"It's a boy!" She yelled.
I immediately burst into tears and Owen scooped me up into his arms, his lips crushed against mine. "Charlie." We both sighed at the same time.