Merry Christmas, Cotton Babies! Second update (honeymoon, etc.) this evening. ;)

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Reflections & Receptions

"Cotton."

"Cot-ton."

"Cottttt-tonnn…"

I peek open one eye to see Jessie staring back at me, poking me in the cheek with her stubby finger. And it's sticky. "What?"

"You're gettin' married!"

"No," I moan, rolling over. "Too sleepy!"

"Is this what you're supposed to do on your wedding day?" Jessie climbs under the covers with me, swinging her arm, which hits me in the face. "Ugh … too sleepy!"

"Jessie, get out."

"No. I wanna go to sleep with you." She stretches her legs out and knees me in my lower back.

"Cut it out, Jessie."

"I can't get comfortable." She rolls over, nearly pulling a chunk of my hair out, and plants her face right on top of mine. Now we're cheek to cheek and she's stealing my oxygen under the hot blanket.

"Cotton?"

"What?"

"You know how we had to choose between salmon or chicken for the redemption? I chose the fish thingy, but I changed my mind. I want chicken."

"It's a reception, not redemption. And I don't care."

"But Mrs. Hale said when she was little they used to eat fish and chips. And I was like oh, that's nice. I like fish and I like chips. And then she said, not real chips. They're actually taters! And oh, I cried Cotton. I cried like somebody done stole my Baby Jesus. And I told Ma I won't eatin' no taters, and she said I was and I told her I was gonna shit 'em out and she said I was gonna get a spankin'! So I ran, Cotton. I ran and I ran and here I am. So I need you to wake up and change my salmon to chicken so I don't have to eat no taters!"

Jessie slobbers on me through all of her excitement and I've finally had enough. I huff and throw the blanket down, sitting upright. "Fine. I'll change your choice."

"Goodie!" Jessie kisses me on my cheek and hops up, taking half of the comforter with her.

She starts to skip out the door and I finally realize something: Jessie's never going to wake me up again and I'll miss her. I'll actually miss her.

"Jessie?"

She turns around, her ponytail a'swinging. "Huh?"

"I love you. I just wanted you to know that."

"I love you too, Cotton." She grins and races down the hall, screaming, "Rowdy! Cotton said I could change it! You're a liar and you're not my brother-in-slaw no more!"

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"No, Ma! I'm telling the story! The whole truth and nothing but the truth!" I stomp my bare foot as Esme giggles, turning my head as she pins another curl.

"Go on, Cotton. We're listening." Esme prods me as all of the women folk lean forward for the juicy details. We're crowded in Ma and Papa's bedroom and I try my best not to glance in the vanity mirror. Ma rolls her eyes at my hand gestures and loud voice.

"So, like I was saying … there I was, as pretty as can be, standing in the middle of the bridal store and Ma tells me she doesn't like the dress."

"No!" Mrs. Weber gasps and I nod my head.

"Yep. She told me it was too simple and this won't a pageant and it was my wedding day. 'Go big or go home,' she said."

"So what did you do?" Charlotte Rose asks.

"I went home," I say, sticking my tongue out at Ma. "I told Papa and he marched us right back into that store. He said, 'Go ahead, Cotton. Go get that dress you wanted.' So the lady brings it out…"

"And he bought it for you, right?" Mrs. Hale questions.

"No," I answer pouting. "He said it won't grand enough and no daughter of his is going to walk down the aisle lookin' like she fell out of the ugly tree and hurt herself on the way down."

Everyone starts laughing at my pain. They don't understand how traumatic the dress shopping was. I'm scarred for life. I still have nightmares and everything.

"Well since that fibbing daughter of mine is telling a tale, I'll show you what she got." Ma walks into her closet and toward the back. She comes back out, holding the garment that's covered in a white bag. Slowly unzipping it and holding it out, everyone gasps.

"Oh my!"

"Ain't that the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen?"

"It's beautiful, just like her. It truly is."

Esme tells me to stand, but blocks me from the mirror. It takes all of the grown women to help me out of my robe and into the gown. Rose Charlotte, AJ, and Jessie hold out the train, but I swear one of them is giggling at my undergarments. Ma zips me up and I feel a hundred pounds heavier.

"Stunning, I tell you. Absolutely stunning."

"I saw your butt, Cotton!" Jessie snickers.

"It's a thong!" AJ explains. "She's getting married. She's supposed to wear one."

I blush shades I didn't know existed as Ma hushes them both. "Y'all stop it. Cotton becomes a grown woman today. Or maybe she did a while ago, I'm not sure. But the point is, she looks beautiful, so let's just leave it at that!"

"You're all done, Cotton. Take a look." Esme beams at me as I walk slowly towards Ma's full-length mirror. I lose my breath because the reflection in front of me looks nothing like myself.

My hair is curled and pinned to the side, with tendrils sweeping across my face. The makeup is soft and simple, and somehow it makes me glow. But the dress is beyond my wildest dreams.

Two thick beaded straps hang just below my shoulders to make the scoop right above my chest. The gown hugs my every curve and flows out right at my waist into a layer of tulle. The best part of all is the diamond detailing that swirls throughout the top portion of the dress. I look older than I feel. Even though I had my heart set on the mermaid gown, this is much, much better. It's me.

Classy. Southern. Dramatic.

I hope it knocks Rowdy right off of his feet.

Well, not literally 'cause that would suck, but a big ol' smile will do.

"When you're done staring at yourself, sweetie, I've got a surprise for you." Ma chuckles at me because I can't seem to tear my eyes away from the mirror.

"For your something blue, I thought you might like these." Esme helps me sit on Ma's bed as I take the box from Ma's hand. I unwrap it, lifting off the top. Pushing the tissue paper to the side, I gasp.

"Ma!"

She smiles and holds up a pair of mint colored wellies. "They're the color of your wedding. I couldn't find a coral pair, but I hope these will do."

I squeal and lift up my dress so she can put them on. "I do, Ma. I do. Thank you, thank you!"

"Since we're going out of order here, I got you something borrowed." Esme hands me a veil and I touch the soft, thin fabric. "I know it's not all fancy like your dress, but-"

I cut her uncertainty off with a wave of my hand and kiss her on the cheek. "It's perfect, Esme. Thank you."

"Our turn!" Mrs. Weber walks forward with one box while Mrs. Hale and Charlotte Rose hold another. "This is our something new. Just don't tell my husband we got these for you."

I unwrap both boxes, which hold champagne glasses. Laughing, I give them all hugs. "I won't say a word, I promise."

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…" Ma sings the traditional chant and frowns. "Shucks, Cotton! I forgot your something old…"

"It's okay, Ma. I don't need it."

"Hold on!" Jessie runs from the room as we glance around, puzzled. Within a minute she's back, holding something behind her back.

"I got you something old," Jessie explains, shifting from one foot to the other. "For your wedding day, I always want you to know how special you are. So, from me to you, I give you this."

Inside of a grocery bag is a balled up grocery bag. And another. And another.

I frown when I finally get to the "something old".

"Jessie! This is not a gift. This is a rotten potato!"

"Well, it was either that or AJ's broken teeth." Jessie shrugs and kicks the empty plastic bags to the side.

"I swear, Cotton, you can be so un-grape-ful!"

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"Papa, are you crying?"

Papa sniffles as we wait in the back of the church. Jessie's just now taking her turn as the flower girl, and she's swaying left and right like the aisle is her stage.

Unbelievable.

"I'm not crying, honey. I've got something in my eye!" Papa turns to the side and wipes his face with his handkerchief.

"Tears, perhaps?" I ask, giggling. I know this is a big moment for him, giving away his first born and all, but I can't help but grin. My tough, gator-catching Papa is weeping his eyes out.

"Just you wait. One of these days, Cotton, you're going to give away your only child and you'll see how I'm feeling."

"Sorry, Papa. I was just trying to lighten the mood. It's going to be hard for me too, you know?"

Papa looks at me with red eyes. "It is?"

"Sure," I say, wrapping my arm around his. "You're the one who taught me how to ride a bike. And how to tell a baby gator from a momma gator. And how to stay away from boys."

"Well, two out of three ain't bad," Papa chuckles.

I grin, laughing along with him. "I promise, I'll visit often. You and Ma can't handle AJ and Jessie all by yourselves."

"You mean it?"

"I promise," I repeat, and this time I have to wipe away my own tear.

"I love you AnnaBella Rain Cotton Swan."

"I love you too, Papa."

We hug and it's the last time I'll get to embrace him while having his last name.

The music starts and it's my turn to walk down the aisle. Papa smiles at me and pulls the veil over my head. I shift the coral roses in my hand and try to shake away my nerves. "This one's for you, baby girl."

I listen closely and it's not the traditional wedding march playing. Charlotte Rose sings Etta James' "At Last," and I look at Papa in shock. "You did this?"

"Your mother walked down the aisle to this. About gave my parents a heart attack."

I giggle and Deacon Biers and Riley open the doors wide for us.

Breathe, Cotton. Breathe.

My eyes drift to the pews, decorated in ribbons and hydrangeas. The wedding party is dressed in hues of mint and coral, and friends and family crowd the church until it overflows. Charlotte Rose belts into the microphone, giving me a wink as I walk with Papa

But all I can focus on is my boy standing on the right side of the arch, prepared to wed his Southern-Baptist, rainboot-wearing, brown-eyed girl.

My Rowdy.

He gives me that crooked grin of his, and he is everything, everything, everything I've ever wanted.

I love him so much.

I love him in time that can't be counted, in amounts that can't be measured.

I love him more than I love myself.

Somehow, someway, Papa manages to get me to the end of the aisle. He kisses me and squeezes my hand, and I can hear Ma sobbing in the background.

Rowdy intertwines our fingers and he is my happy-beautiful-heart-fixer-green-eyed-moss boy. I am a ball of flutters and nerves but they're the good kind.

Everything about Rowdy is good.

Reverend Weber clears his throat to begin the service.

"To saints and sinners, family and friends, the righteous and the wicked, we have come here today…"

I sigh out loud because I know the wedding ceremony I've waited for all my life has come down to the pastor preaching to the ungodly.

He drones on and on until my feet start to go numb. When I glance over, I swear I can hear Rowdy snoring.

"Rowdy!" I hiss. "Wake up!"

"Huh? What?" He shakes his head. "I won't sleeping."

"Liar," I breathe, the air blowing against my veil. "You're so full of shit your eyes are green."

Rowdy snorts and raises an eyebrow.

"Cotton, that's disgusting."

I blush and look down.

I guess it's only cute when he says it.

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"Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Masen!"

The crowd cheers and they lined up on both sides of the ballroom. I hold my husband's hand as he kisses me and we walk into the reception area.

Rowdy leads me to the main table on the right end of the dance floor. Pulling out a chair, he bows. "For you, Mrs. Masen."

"Why thank you kindly, Mr. Masen." I grin and take my seat. Someone's already started the music as the other guests take their seats.

"Oh, cut it out you two! It hasn't even been half an hour!" AJ throws a random flower at me and takes her seat a few chairs away.

"Jealous!" I yell back and Rowdy chuckles at our fussing.

While we wait for the food to be served, Rowdy leans over and whispers in my ear. "I love you, Cottonseed."

Somehow, he still makes me blush. I grin widely as people walk by to give us their regards and best wishes. Papa and Ma sit on my side of the table while Esme and Carlisle sit on Rowdy's end.

"You think they're serving gator?" Papa asks. "I'm in the mood for gator."

I groan loudly. "No, Papa. Fish and chicken. Ma told you already, remember?"

"Right, right." Papa nods and adjusts his wide brimmed hat. "I just wish they were serving gator."

I roll my eyes and when I look up, Victoria and Bree stand in front of me.

"Hey, Cotton. Rowdy." Victoria greets us shyly. "We just wanted to tell you congratulations."

"Um, thanks," I say. "We appreciate it. Thanks for coming."

"No problem." They stand there awkwardly until Maggie calls their names from across the room.

"That was weird," I whisper to Rowdy. "They were actually being nice."

"I reckon they would after what happened to Angela," he says sarcastically.

"Yeah, probably." I don't mention it, but I think they really have changed. Angela, never in a million years, but I think Bree and Victoria have seen the error of their ways.

Or at least the Baptist in me hopes so.

The staff begins to bring out platters of food and I push the expensive silverware to the side. They place two plates in front of us, and Rowdy and I lift our lids at the same time.

"You got chicken," I say.

"You ordered fish?" he asks.

"Y'all see that, don't you?" Papa says, pointing. "That's how it starts. First it's over meat, then who's driving what, and the next thing you know, you're sleeping on the couch!"

"Hush, Charlie!" Ma whacks him with her napkin and Papa grabs his arm.

"Watch out, Rowdy," Papa says to him, talking across us. "The Swan women are dangerous."

"Don't I know it," Rowdy quips.

And just for that, I pinch his arm.

"NO! I ordered chicken!" Jessie screams from the children's table. Emmett reaches for her plate but she slaps his hand away. "Not fish. Chicken!"

The waiter leans over and whispers something in Jessie's ear, but it just makes her madder. "I ain't a liar! The bride is my sister and she said I could have chicken, so that's what I want!"

Jessie climbs onto her chair and yells at the top of her lungs. "Tell 'em, Cotton! As Baby Jesus is my witness, you said I could have chicken!"

I sink down in my chair, hoping to disappear. She just calls my name louder and finally Ma gets up and marches over there.

"Welcome to the family," I mutter to Rowdy.

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When everyone finishes eating, and Jessie finally gets her chicken, the DJ lowers the lights and we all turn our attention to him.

"Now y'all know the bride and groom usually have their first dance together. But the bride requested that both families come and join in this next one together."

Rowdy mumbles to me under his breath. "What did you do, woman?"

I smirk and grab his hand. "You'll see."

Cautiously, all of the Masens and Swans stand up and join us on the dance floor. I point to the DJ and he grins back, starting the music.

Left a good job in the city
Working for the man ev'ry night and day

Papa looks at Ma, and then at me, shouting above the music. "Proud Mary by Tina Turner?"

I blow Papa a kiss and wink. "I learned from the best, remember?"

Papa grins and takes Ma's hand as they dance to the music.

Then I never lost a minute of sleep
When worrying 'bout the way that things might have been

"Mr. Masen, I'm gonna show you how the Swans get down!" I grab Rowdy's hands as he swings me around. We roll our arms to the music, a'swinging here and a'tapping there.

Big wheels keep on turning
Proud Mary keeps on burning
Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river

Carlisle and Esme laugh, trying to copy Ma and Papa's moves. Esme's dress swings in circles as Carlisle dips her low.

Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
Pumped a lot of 'tane down in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of the city
'Til I hitched a ride on a river boat queen

I keep twirling until I end up in Papa's arms. He sings along to the tune, snapping as we lean forward and then back. I giggle as Emmett and Jessie skip and hop along to the lyrics.

Big wheels keep on turning
Proud Mary keeps on burning
Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river

We laugh hard and we dance even harder. I soak in every detail of Rowdy swaying with Ma and of AJ and Jasper turning and prancing.

If I looked real close, I would've seen Jessie's plate still full of chicken that she never ate.

I would've noticed Jasper stepping on the hem of my dress or AJ's front partial slowly loosening in her mouth.

I could've seen a lot of things that night, but the details didn't matter. We were surrounded by love, our two families joining as one.

We smiled like we hadn't ever smiled before and danced like there was no tomorrow.

We stayed up late that night, the party going into the wee hours of the morning.

I didn't mind it though.

We were doing what families do best: loving one another.

And with a love that deep, that devoted, and that dedicated, we turned Forks County into a night to remember.

So we kept that love rolling.

Rolling, rolling, rolling, right into forever.

I'm going to say thank you here, so everyone can enjoy the last chapter without me babbling at the end.

Cherry- Beta, Beta, Beta. I don't know how you do it. You've got that red-ink, Sparks-sad, love-you-crazy, you're-a-monster vibe that I can't get enough of. This story would be crap without you. We love easy, we love hard. *fist-bump*

Mia- We all know half of these reviews are yours. You're the biggest supporter, ever. Thanks for Carlisle-head-rolls, get-better-poisoned-soup, keys-to-the-world and Jessica Simpson. XOXO's are all we know.

Readers- WOW. I can't even write this without tearing up. I'm sappy like that. You followed me from Cadillac and here we are. We made it past cheating-chickens and kill-Angela-already-dammit. I write how you feel. Thanks for your reviews, but mostly your heart. I'm tater-hatin', eat-dem-gators grateful.

True Story: Cotton Belt is based on my husband and I. Except I'm Rowdy and he's my Cotton. Thanks Mr. Happening for hospital-kisses, seizure-hugs, wheelchair-rolls, and physical-therapy-tears. We're so easy-peasy, that's-my-blanket, blue-eyes, don't-stop, don't-stop lovin'.

See ya next time,

TIRH