“Thanks for doing this,” I said to Mom and Auntie as they each latched on to one of my arms.
“Sweetheart, we are honored you would even ask,” Mom said with unshed tears in her eyes.
“Do you need one of us to have the famous ‘honor my daughter or I’ll kill you’ type of dad talks with Hector? Cause I’ll definitely do it,” Auntie offered, and I laughed.
“Your turn,” Hazel said, letting me know to start walking down the aisle.
I walked around the giant plants that were being used to hide us—as well as they could on an open farm—and walked under the flower arch covered in irises.
It matched the bouquet of blue and purple irises in my hand. Was it cheesy? Yes. Did I care? No.
My parents had only ever given me one thing that I loved, and that was my name, so I leaned into it and had irises all over the ceremony and even the reception tables.
I looked up and stared right at Hector as I walked down the aisle. God, he was a five-alarm fire in his three-piece suit. It was a dark cream that showed off his tanned skin and dark hair. He had on a periwinkle dress shirt to match my flowers.
I couldn’t believe this was the man I was about to marry. He was sexy as hell, yes, but he was also humble, loyal, protective, and treated me like I was the best thing to ever happen in his life. Everyone needed a partner like that in their life. Someone who supported you in every facet of your journey.
His gaze was on me the entire time I walked, and for the 4,973rd time, I wished I knew what he was thinking. I may not know his exact thoughts, but I saw the happiness mixed with lust in his eyes.
When we made it to the front, he walked down to take my hand from Mom and Auntie.
“Congratulations, and welcome to the family,” Mom whispered to him.
“You hurt her, I’ll kill you in your sleep,” Auntie also whispered but with a smile on her face as she gave him my hand.
Hector snorted as he thanked Mom and then moved to Auntie. “You have my permission.”
He then leaned down to kiss my cheek and whisper in my ear. “You look absolutely stunning, and sexy, and all mine.”
I smiled at him as we made our way to the front.
I looked out at all the people who had come to celebrate our special day and smiled.
My sisters, foster mothers, my coworkers, as well as all of Hector’s friends and family.
Ann and Steve had also come to the wedding—as a couple. Hector thought I was a little crazy for inviting them, but I simply reminded him that we wouldn’t be able to have this moment without them. If they hadn’t come to my rescue, I may not have been here today. He’d quickly relented.
I may not have a biological family, but my found family was better than I could have ever imagined.
An hour later, I was staring out at the valley in the distance as the dusk light started to spread beautiful colors everywhere. We had just finished with our pictures, and I was enjoying the moment and the views.
“Hello,wife,” Hector’s voice sounded behind me just as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
His body heat felt like a blanket at my back, and his warm breath and beard tickled my cheek.
“Hello,husband,” I responded as he nuzzled into my neck, peppering me with kisses.
“I can’t wait to take this dress off with my teeth.”
Shivers rolled through my body, and I knew he felt it too.
“Hmm…You like that idea, don’t you?”
“Do you think we could just sneak away and leave now and no one would notice?” I asked as I turned to face him.
He leaned down, putting his forehead against mine. “I like where your mind is headed, sweetheart, but I’m starving, and I need you to have energy for later—lots of energy.”
He tilted my head back, and his mouth found mine with desperate need.
