Mama's Song
Author's Note: This is another short songfic that I needed to write, and I felt it belonged with "This is Home". Not great literature, but another sweet chapter/pov for a day I wish really happens. All of the characters belong to Janet Evanovich. The song is "Mamma's Song" by Carrie Underwood.
Valerie fluffed out her dress while she was waiting in the back of the church. Here she was, in another wedding, as a bridesmaid. She had been the bride twice so far in her life, even if she did skip the last church wedding to go to Disney World instead. She couldn't help but smile at the memory. She may have disappointed her mother, but she stood up for herself and Albert instead of having the wedding from hell. Their actual wedding had been a surprise that her sister had planned for her, and Valerie would always be grateful to Stephanie.
As she heard the organist start to play, she thought back to the conversation between Stephanie and their mother she had overheard just an hour before.
"Momma, you taught me to do the right things
So now you have to let your baby fly
You've given me everything that I will need
To make it through this crazy thing called life
And I know you watched me grow up and only want what's best for me
And I think I've found the answer to your prayers.
And he is good, so good
And he treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good
He makes promises he keeps
No, he's never gonna leave
So don't you worry about me
Don't you worry about me
"
Valerie agreed with Steph. She was proud at the choices that her sister had taken, even when it seemed that her life was more than crazy, but dangerous. Steph had always been a little different, wanting to fly instead of make her life on the ground, like she had. And, she couldn't help but give a bitter snort at the memory of her first wedding and her own conversation with their mother.
"Momma there's no way you'll ever lose me
Given me away is not goodbye
As you watch me walk down to my future
I hope tears of joy are in your eyes
Cause he is good, so good
And he treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good
He makes promises he keeps
No, he's never gonna leave
So don't you worry about me
Don't you worry about me
."
She had been so wrong, but it had taken over 10 years before Steve's true character had shown. Steve had not been good. Stealing all of their money and escaping to the Bahamas with their babysitter was something she would have never suspected of him. Valerie gave herself a shake and was thankful for Albert. He loved her and all of her children. He was good to her and would never leave her. She smiled at him as she walked past him on her way to the altar.
Valerie looked over at her daughters, Angie, Mary Alice, and Lisa. They were all flower girls, standing at the bottom of the altar. She loved her daughters, and now knew that the Burg belief that just getting married was not enough for true happiness. She looked forward to the day when her daughters were married, but only when they found the right man. Just like Albert. Just like Stephanie waited for her Ranger.
And when I watch my baby grow up
I'll only want what's best for her
And I hope she'll find the answer to my prayers
And that she'll say
He is good, so good
And he treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good
He makes promises he keeps
No, he's never gonna leave
So don't you worry about me
Don't you worry about me
Momma don't you worry about me
Don't you worry about me.
Happy tears fell from her eyes as the minister said, "May I present Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Manoso."