The day moved quickly. Carrie and my mother helped me into my A-line off-white satin dress that fitted to my curves, with a draping neckline, spaghetti straps, and a mermaid tail bottom.
“Stunning,” my mother cooed and fussed, fastening my necklace. I wore my hair half back pinned in place with a simple diamond-studded clip.
A knock sounded at the door. “You ready to go in here?” My father dipped his head inside the room and choked immediately at the sight of me.
“Dad,” I cried, waving a hand under my eyes.
“Don’t ruin her makeup,” Mrs. Davenport chastised him, biting back her own tears.
The day was perfect. I was surrounded by the people I loved most in the world.
“I’m ready.” I gave a nod, and Carrie and our moms left me in the hallway with my father, waiting our turn. My pulse hammered in my ears with excitement. Butterflies fluttered in my belly.
“It’s not too late to make a run for it. Got a car running.”
I knew my father was teasing me, trying to ease my nerves. He loved Conner like his own son.
“Stop it.” I smiled.
“I’m serious, princess.”
“I can’t stay your little girl forever, Daddy.” I squeezed his hand.
The wedding march sounded, and I knew it was time. A woman opened the doors to the chapel for us.
“This is it. The first day of the rest of your life.” Dad kissed my temple. He made it hard for me not to cry.
“Oh, Dad.” I sighed, and we entered the chapel. The pews were dressed in white satin ribbons and red roses. Drew stood at the front next to Conner. Carrie waited on the opposite side as my maid of honor. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Conner dabbed under his eyes with a handkerchief as did my brother. Carrie sniffled into her flowers. My man looked handsome in his three-piece tuxedo. Those sky blue eyes I could gaze into for hours penetrated through me, searing my skin as I marched toward my soon-to-be husband.
“Who here gives this woman’s hand in marriage?”
“Her mother and I do,” my father answered, placing me in Conner’s hold.
“We are gathered here today to join together Conner Davenport and Quinn Landis in holy matrimony. Quinn and Conner have opted to write their own vows. Conner, I’ll let you take the lead, son”
“Babe.” He grinned, holding me captive under his gaze. I heard my father chuckle, but I couldn’t tear my attention from Conner if I wanted to. I was rooted to the spot, mesmerized by his words. By his love for me. “The day I first met you I felt something I couldn’t explain, but I knew you were special. That you were someone to be treasured. As time went on my love for you continued to grow, but I was young and knew I wasn’t ready to give you what you needed from me. I’m just glad I didn’t wait too long and lose out on the best thing to ever happen to me. Love is patient, strong, and kind. My love for you is pure, and you’ll never question where you stand with me because you’ll always be by my side as my equal. My partner in all life throws our way. I want to grow old with you, Quinn. I want to live my life devoted to making you happy and secure. I can’t wait to start a family with you. I love you.”
“That’s a tough act to follow. Way to make it easy on me. No pressure, right?” I giggled. “My father said something to me before we entered the chapel that resonated with me. He said, ‘Today is the first day of the rest of your life’, but that’s not true. The first day of the rest of my life already happened. It was the day I met you. I crushed on you hard from afar. I thought I was being sneaky stealing glances your way, but apparently everyone caught on to the fact I only had eyes for you. That still holds true today, and it always will. I love you more than you’ll ever know, and I can’t wait to make beautiful babies with you.”
Conner grabbed my hand and made like he was about to run out of the chapel with me. Everyone laughed, and his little tease lightened the heavy and emotional tone of our vows.
“Do you, Conner, take thee Quinn to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” he murmured, gaze never leaving mine.
“Do you, Quinn, take thee Conner to be your lawful husband, to have and to hold in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“I’ll ask now that you exchange your rings. These rings symbolize the unbreakable bond the two of you share.”
Drew stuck a hand in his pocket and handed Conner my ring. Carrie had Conner’s attached to her bouquet.
Conner slipped my wedding band onto my finger, and I repeated the act, pushing his over his thick knuckle.
“By the power vested in me and the great state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Cheers erupted around us, but I only had eyes for my husband.
Conner embraced me, holding me tight and dipping me backward as his mouth closed in on mine. Hot and needy with lots of tongue, my man kissed me deep and wet.
“Babe?”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s blow this place and get started on them babies, yeah?”
“Absolutely.” I smiled.
THE END
