The Back-up Bride (The Billionaire's Bride Book 2) (completed)✔️

39

The limo pulls into the parking lot of St. Andrew's Church and the lot seems empty. The only car there is the hearse that will be transporting Mr Kristofferson to the cemetery after we have the funeral.

Chad steps out of the car first and he holds his hand out for me take, which I do. Standing next to him he says. "I can't believe my family aren't here yet. First they don't help us with organising it and then they can't be here on time."

I place my hand on his face. "Don't worry about them. Your father knows who his true family was and if they don't show up it's their problem. This day is about the memories you have of him and I'm here for you. When you give your speech and you start to get choked up, just look at me and I'll help you get through it."

A half smile spreads across his face. "Thanks, Grace." He wraps his arms around me. "If you weren't here with me this week I don't think I would have made it through it all." He leans forwards and claims my lips. He pushes his tongue into my mouth and I allow him access.

Someone clears their throat from behind us and we pull apart to see Mrs Kristofferson with her arms crossed. She has a smile on her face. "Hello, Chad. Grace."

Chad and I stand up. He looks at his Mom. "Hey, Mom." He wraps his arms around her, giving her hug. "How are you feeling?"

She looks away from him to the guy that's standing next to the stairs and he nods. "I'm getting there, Chad. I'm sorry for what I said to you when you're father was in the hospital. I'll always carry the guilt of those actions with me until I die."

He whispers. "You weren't yourself, Mom. You were losing Dad and the last member of your family. All the kids you had grew up and moved on with their lives. They don't have time for you and lastly they're probably not going to let you live with them."

She has tears falling down her face and I walk over to them. "You can stay with us until you're ready to get back on your feet." Looking at me she says. "How can you be so kind to me after the way I treated you?"

"With the sincerity of the apology that you gave Chad, shows me that it was grief that led to your actions in the hospital. Since, I married, chad, I have realised that I have been distracted with starting a life with him that I have forgotten about my family too."

Mrs Kristofferson steps away from her son. "I need to apologise to you too, Grace. I hurt you the most and I didn't mean too." The next second she's in my arms crying and I pat her back. "Thank you for apologising to me, Mrs Kristofferson." She pulls slightly away from me. "Call me, Katerina. It feels weird to hear that name without my husband with me."

Everyone starts arriving shortly after that conversation and we greet the guests as they walk into the church. My feet and back start to hurt and I say to Chad. "I need to go inside. My back and legs are hurting."

"Shit," he lifts me up and carries me inside. "I should have taken better care of my wife instead of allowing her to stay on her feet for that long, greeting the people that are walking the door."

The room begins to fill up and we sit in the front row with Katerina. Chad's brothers, sisters and their families sit next to us and on the chair on the other side in the front row. On the stage in front of us is a maroon casket and theirs picture of Mr Kristofferson on it, with his family and friends. There a jersey with his name on it as well.

Chad points at a trophy on the casket. "I'm putting that in the casket. It was the first trophy I ever won and it was the most prized possession that my father received. He told me that when he died he wanted it with him. I can't deny my father the one thing he wanted in the world."

"That's sweet, Chad. Even in death he's surrounded by love and prized possessions."

A smile spreads across his face as he thinks of his father. "Do you think Dad is with my mother?"