Chapter 19
Jack
I tug at my tie and adjust the vest of my tux in the vestibule of the old church. “Do we really have to go through with this? We’ve been legally married for months.”
Blakely pulls my lips to hers and kisses me softly. “It’s time for our real wedding followed by the un-divorce party.”
“No such thing, I checked online.” I wink as she waves the specially engraved party napkin in front of my face. “Not what these little suckers say.”
I take it, squeeze it into a little ball, and stuff it down the front of her dress. “Know what? I think Melanie needs another hobby.”
She slowly pulls the napkin from between her two lovely breasts in a kind of a tease. “It’s sweet, her throwing us this wedding.”
“I know, luv, I’m just teasing.” I pull her into my arms, careful not to muss up her white gown or her makeup. “You look so beautiful.”
I’m still a little hungover from how my buddies took me out last night but other than that, I’ve never felt better. I reach into my pocket to assure myself I got the ring and the vows I wrote.
“It’s time.” Slate slaps me on the back, grabs my arm and walks with me to the altar to wait. “Nervous?”
“You seem to forget, we’ve been married for months.” However, if he were to check, he’d see how I clutch the small paper in my pocket.
When the familiar wedding march starts, my mouth goes dry as the most beautiful creature on earth glides down the aisle. She holds a simple bouquet of purple flowers that match her eyes. The dress hugs her breasts perfectly while hiding the tiny baby bump she hasn’t wanted anyone to know about until after the wedding.
She says it’s too soon but I think she loves the fact it’s still our secret.
At the front of the church, Melanie, in a light violet gown, takes Blake’s flowers. She adjusts the long train so my lovely bride can face me and hold my hand. Isabella, another woman in the party, wears a darker version of the dress and sits next to her husband, Grayson.
Time stands still as friends take photos, cry, and the priest says his thing about how love is patient and kind. We both know all about that because we grew up without it.
When it’s time to say our vows, she has hers memorized as she slips a gold band on my finger. “I take thee Jack, to have and to hold, to love unconditionally and to never let go. I will always listen, communicate, and occasionally obey, even if I don’t agree. I will always love you, no matter what, until death do us part.”
My turn, I uncrumple the paper and will my hands to stop shaking as I put the diamond encrusted ring on her finger. “Blakely, when I met you, I thought, here is one crazy woman and holy shit, was I right.”
People in the church chuckle and when they’re done, I continue. “ButI was mostly dead and you got my heart beating again. I promise to listen to your point of view, take care of you, and protect you and all the children you give me. And, I will always love you, no matter what. I will also keep my phone on so I don’t miss your texts.”
Then, Andy’s girlfriend, Sienna, sings a song about flying higher than an eagle and not an eye is dry in the whole church. The priest says a final blessing, and we’re done.
Thank God.
Much later, I take her in my arms and rock my wife to some love song she picked out. It wouldn’t matter to me if there were none. When she’s in my arms, I always hear music.
My thigh between her legs, I hold her close and whisper into her ear, “I love you, Doctor Smythe-Taylor.”
“Taylor-Smythe.”
“Whatever.”
“Are you still sorry we accepted this gift from your boss?”
I spin her in a circle and bring her back to my chest. “Nah. Mel and CJ were right. You deserve this kind of wedding. It was just that I was the one who wanted to give it to you.”
She kisses me, her hands behind my head. “I know. It’s sweet you let them pay for it. They really are going to miss you.”
“We’ll visit often.”
“Agreed.” Other couples have joined us on the dance floor but for me, it’s just the two of us and I’m sorry when the song ends.
We eat, drink, and dance some more. Then, I’m supposed to say hello to everyone and thank them for coming but what I really want is for everyone to go home so I can take my wife to bed. It’s been ten days and twelve hours since we last made love.
