He takes my hand, andhis eyes never leaving mine for a second.He mouths, “I love you.”I swallow the lump in my throat and hold back the tears threatening to come.Looking into his eyes, I can see the love we share, and I hope he can see it in mine as much as I see it in his.Those same beautiful eyes have haunted me many nights when I was all alone.Standing here, looking at them, I know he will always be by my side.When I’m weak, he will be my strength.If I’m cold, he will keep me warm.If I’m lost, he will find me.I am his, and he is mine, forever.I look at him and hope I can keep it together till the end of my vows to him.
The minister speaks, and I wait nervously for him to indicate it’s time for me to share the words in my heart.“It took three times to finally get this ring on my finger.The third time, when you put this ring on my finger, in my heart and mind we were already married.We have a bond that can’t be broken.Our son is an extension of that bond, which draws us together whether near or far.I’ve shared a lot of firsts with you, first kiss—yes, for those of you who didn’t know that’s how far back we go,” I say smiling.“There is no other person I would rather share my firsts with in this life.I know we’re just starting our lives together, and we have many more firsts to come, good and bad.I can’t wait to share them all with you by my side, because with you, everything is better.”For the first time since I walked out, Nick breaks eye contact and turns to the minister.
“Can I kiss her?”I laugh and so do our guests, along with the minister.
“Not quite yet, son.You still have to go over your part.”
He locks eyes with me again with a beautiful smile.“Catherine Emerson Reed.It took three proposals to get here.The first time you were pregnant with our amazing son.The second time I didn’t even ask you anything.You were like, I’m accepting your proposal I turned down, where’s my ring?”
I bite down on my lip and smile.“I did not say it like that.”
“Close enough.Two days later, for the third time, I decided to do it right.Here in this rose garden, under the trellis.I said you’re more than the love of my life, you are my life.I will never want to walk this earth a day without you by my side.You have made me happier than you will know.I love you, Cat.I will love you till the day I die.”
“Oh crap.I tried to hold it together,” I say under my breath so only he can hear.When a tear rolls down my cheek, he wipes it away and kisses the tip of my nose.Hearing a loud sniff, I look behind me and smile at Ava, who pretends like it wasn’t from her.
“Do you, Nicholas Harrison Alexander, take Catherine Emerson Reed to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, through good times and bad times, forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, so long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Catherine Emerson Reed, take Nicholas Harrison Alexander to be your lawfully wedded husband, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, through good times and bad times, forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, so long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“What therefore God has joined together, let no man or woman put asunder.By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.I can now grant your request—”
The minister looks at Nick with a smile.Before he finishes, Nick pulls me up against him in a smoldering kiss.I wrap my arms around his neck and melt against him in front of God and all who are watching.
“By all means, you may now kiss your beautiful wife, which you are already in the process of doing,” the minister says with a chuckle.So does everyone else clapping and cheering.
Holdingme close to him on the dance floor, surrounded by family and friends, I run my fingers through his hair as I gaze into his eyes, wishing we were somewhere else.
“So, Mrs.Alexander.”
“Yes, Mr.Alexander?”
“How does it feel being my wife?”
“Like nothing I could have imagined.We should have done this sooner.”
“I tried to tell you.”
“And this time I will admit, I should have listened.”I pull his head down, fitting my lips between his, kissing him softly.“How do you feel?”
“Like I’m an instant billionaire, a rags to riches story.I’m on top of the world.”He smiles and kisses me on the cheek.“When can we get out of here?I need to be with you.I seriously need to be with you.Alone.”
I smile, nodding my head.“Twenty minutes.”
“Thank God.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind not going on a honeymoon?”
“Anywhere we are is a honeymoon.”
“We only have a few hours alone till your mother brings Jace back.I’m sorry, I couldn’t leave him alone, not yet.”
“Nothing to be sorry about, I feel the same way.As long as we’re together I’m happy.”He brushes his thumb across my cheek.Holding me still, he holds up his other hand in the direction of the band and a different song starts playing.I feel my cheeks heat at the memory.
“This is our song.”A slow smile creeps up my face.Mikki Ekko’s “Pull Me Down.”
