89
Two weeks later, in Las Vegas, Candy met with all her friends at a cute bistro for lunch. Sahara, Isis, Jenna, and Tomi were waiting for her while drinking mimosas and chatting. Her mother was sitting quietly with the girls.
Tomi saw Candy coming and leaped to her feet. “There’s our girl!”
All the friends rushed into a big group hug, when Sahara pulled away. “Your mom made it here. She’s been pretty quiet.”
Candy walked over, and her mother stood to hug her. “My baby girl.”
“Mom, how are you adjusting? How have things been with Dad while I was at Martha’s Vineyard?” she asked, as everyone sat at the table together.
Candy held her mother’s hand, and Sophie smiled, patting her hand. “Kevin has been wonderful. The IWX lawyers helped us to find someone to clear his record for good. With Mateo’s help, we’ll have a fresh start. The money he gave us will help give us a fresh start. We’re moving to Florida to be near you. I don’t want to go back to Colorado and remember that nightmare. Since Pop-Pop and Nana are gone, I don’t have family there, anyway.”
“Yeah. I didn’t want to go back to live there either. I’ll help you find a nice place. I honestly rather you and Daddy stay at my place until you’re ready.”
Isis touched her shoulder gently with a kind smile. “Are you adjusting well, Sophie?”
Sophie nodded. “It was hard at first. The first couple of days alone with Kevin, I was afraid to tell him about what Candy and I went through. He just held me in his arms most of the time until I was ready to talk. I didn’t want to tell the love of my life what vile things James did to me. Kevin has been so understanding and we are going to counseling together.”
Candy squeezed her hand. “Daddy loves you. Nothing that monster could have done would ever change that.”
Sophie looked at her daughter with a little sadness behind her eyes. “I’m sorry I never told you that your father was ill. I haven’t seen him in so long, and was afraid maybe his cancer had come back, or he had passed. Until a few months ago, when he came to the nursing facility, I had lost all hope.”
“Mom, you did what you could to protect Tyler and me from all the bad things around us. I don’t blame you, and I know Tyler wouldn’t either. I love you, and having you in my life again is all that matters.”
“I love you too, baby.”
Candy turned to her friends. “I wanted to get all you girls together today to talk. I am going to make some changes in my career for a little while. After the pay-per-view, I won’t be part of Retribution. I know Tomi is going to go on to start her new storyline. I’m so proud of you, Tomi.”
“Thanks, sweets. I’m proud of you too. You’re a tough chick and I really admire you.”
“I should be telling you that. Anyway, Isis and Gage helped me to talk with Davis. I’m going to be the temporary general manager of the show. I won’t be doing any ring action.”
Sahara seemed disappointed. “You won’t wrestle anymore?”
Isis smirked. “Not for a while.”
“Isis is right. At least not for the next... say... nine months.” Candy smiled at her mother.
It took a second for it to register with the women until Sahara blurted it out. “You’re pregnant?”
Candy rubbed her belly. “Yep. I’m not far along, but Slade and I want this. We found out when we went away for a few days with Gage and Isis. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Sophie furrowed her brows, asking, “Sweetie, you aren’t getting engaged because of that, are you?”
“Oh, no, of course not. Mom, I love Slade. He asked me the night I told him.”
Isis spoke up. “But he had already planned the engagement. He bought the ring months before while we were in LA.” Isis covered her mouth. “Shit! I shouldn’t have said that.”
Candy turned to her friend. “He did what? That was over a month before we even talked about our feelings. Before the handcuffs even.”
Isis blushed, saying, “He bought it before you ever even went on a date. He really loves you.”
All the girls cooed at how sweet it was.
Candy held the ring to her heart. “That sweet annoying man.”
Everyone laughed as Tomi raised her glass. “To the men of IWX. May they always be crazy and a little weirdly romantic.”
***
Isis and Sahara were in Candy’s luxury hotel suite, getting ready for the engagement party.
Isis cooed. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see your parents together tonight. It’s so sweet how much your dad still loves her. I hope Gage and I always have a romance like that.”
“Me too.” Sahara agreed. “Drake and I are perfect together. We’re going to have a long engagement, but I don’t want to rush into marriage. We’re still young and working on our careers.”
“I think Slade and I do whirlwind romance well. I don’t want to drag it out. I don’t care for the idea of being huge and pregnant when I walk down the aisle either. I want our baby to be born with a mommy and daddy who are together.”
A knock came on the door. “Room service!”
Candy jumped up. “Mmm yummy! Slade said he has a surprise for us.”
Candy opened the door, and the man brought in a cart of food. Another bellhop walked in behind him with a large box.
“What’s this?” Candy looked at the boutique logo.
“A gift for Miss Candace Smith. There’s a card.”
“Thank you.”
The men left, and Isis shut the door, following Candy and the large box. “Well, open it!”
Candy looked at her perky friend. “Calm down, giggles. Give me a second.”
Candy opened the card, reading:
Sprinkles,
You have made me a happy man in the short time we’ve known each other. From the first day we met, I knew one day I would make you my wife. With you and our child, I promise to be the man you deserve. One who shows you happiness, love, and kindness for the rest of my days. In this box is a very special gift I hope you love. I know you’ll look like the beautiful pink angel I know you are. I hope to see you in it tonight.
With all my love,
Slade
Candy handed the note to Isis who read it out loud to Sahara as Candy opened the box.
“Uh… Look.” Candy pulled the off-shoulder tulle ball gown with flower adornment from the box. “It’s a wedding dress… how did he know?” She looked at her friends with tears in her eyes, trying to catch her breath.
“It’s beautiful.” Isis ran her fingers over the soft fabric.
Sahara smiled at Candy, reaching to feel the fabric between her fingers “It’s your dream dress.”
“I bet he saw your Pinterest page.” Isis giggled. “Gage knows Candy and I've been sharing ideas for our dream weddings since I got engaged.”
“It’s the exact one I wanted. It looks like a fairytale.” Candy cried, putting her fingers over her quivering lips. “It’s perfect.”
She pulled her dress to her chest and spun around as her friends watched pure joy spread over her. It was long overdue for her to finally get her happy ending, and it was all falling into place.
Isis looked through the dress box, pulling out garments. “He thought of everything. Look. There are pink dresses for Sahara and me, and a bouquet to match your dress; shoes, jewelry, the works. I knew him and the guys have been sneaky all week. They were getting everything ready. That must be why he asked us to stay with Candy until the party.”
Candy took a deep breath, smiling from ear to ear. “He’s going to marry me tonight. I’m going to be Mrs. Slade Logan.”
Sahara perked up. “Well, then let’s get ready. We have a wedding to attend!”
***
Kevin entered the hotel room in his tuxedo with the look of a proud father spread across his face “Baby, you look like a dream. You remind me so much of your mother. We’re so proud of you.”
Sophie rushed over, kissing her daughter on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you, baby. Slade is a good man.”
“He is Mom. He really is.”
“I hate to give you away so soon,” Kevin said as he reached out his arm for his daughter to take. “I just got you back in my life and I’m already losing my little Pumpkin.”
“I’ll always be your Pumpkin, Daddy.”
Kevin kissed the top of her head. “Always. It’s time. Your future is waiting.”
***
Candy made her way to the wedding venue in a pink limo, along with her friends and parents. As they pulled up, her mouth dropped open, and she started laughing. “Oh, my goodness, the Sugar Factory.”
The Sugar Factory and Chocolate Lounge were known for designer sweets and the perfect spot for a candy-addicted wedding. Inside, Candy was in awe. A perfect view of the Vegas strip with playful candy sculptures was all around, including an adorable carousel that fit her colorful image to a tee.
Kevin patted his daughter’s hand as they waited to head down the aisle. “He did a good job.”
“It’s like he knows me so well. Nothing could have been more perfect.”
As the wedding music started, Slade was shifting back and forth; waiting anxiously for his pink angel. When the music played, Slade turned to face her, swallowing hard as he watched in awe as she glided gracefully toward him.
In his tuxedo, she noticed a pack of pink Starburst sticking out of his jacket pocket, giggling when she saw it.
Slade just chuckled, patting his blazer breast pocket. “It’s in case you change your mind, I can lure you in with your favorite candy.”
“I’ll never change my mind, but I’ll still take the candy.” She winked at him.
As the wedding started, Slade stood with pride, mouthing the words I love you while the officiant said the vows.
“The groom has asked me to say the traditional vows, but he would like to add his own in addition.” The man finished reciting the vows. “Slade, you may recite your vows.”
“Thank you. Candy… I’ll keep this short and sweet; literally. I just wanted to add that I promise to always bring you Starburst and I will never eat your pink ones. I promise I will not complain about all the pink stuff you buy, as long as we have a baby boy you don’t dress him in pink every day. And most of all... I promise to love you all the days of our life and have the eternal love that both our parents always had in their relationships.”
Candy blushed and touched his cheek.
“Candace? Do you have something you would like to add?” the officiant asked.
“Yes. Slade, I promise to not force too much pink into our lives and promise to always have a set of handcuffs handy.”
Slade wiggled his eyebrows and gave a thumbs-up to the crowd of friends and family.
Candy ticked, saying, “Not because of that, you kinky weirdo. Handcuffs to remind us of how we first started. To remind us no matter how tough things may become in our lives, we will always be stronger together.”
Slade took a deep breath, fighting back his emotions.
“Oh! And I promise to always…” Candy whispered dirty thoughts in his ear, making his eyes bug out with a grin.
Slade laughed. “Now we’re talking.”
With that, the officiant announced, “Now, with the power vested in me in the state of Nevada, I pronounce you husband and wife. I introduce to you Mr. & Mrs. Slade Logan.”
All their friends and family cheered as Slade and Candy headed back down the aisle to their new life as husband and wife.
As they celebrated with their guest, Candy pulled Slade aside. “Tomorrow is the cage match.”
Slade pushed a piece of pink hair behind her ear. “You’re worried.”
“Yes. I don’t know why. You are such an amazing wrestler, but I just hate those cage matches. Every match I’ve seen with you and Gage is brutal.”
“Baby, we’ve done this for years. It’s going to be the icing on the cake when I bring home that gold. We need something to break up all that pink, and gold will look nice hanging over our bed.”
Candy gave him a slight hug. “All right. Show Gage what Retribution is all about.”
“Yes, Mrs. Logan.” He kissed her nose and rested his forehead on hers. Truth was, he was worried, too. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind, and he wasn‘t sure he was ready. But as a fighter, he knew he had a job to do. “Don’t worry, Sprinkles. It’s going to be fine.”
