Chapter Twenty-One
Annistyn
KREED TOOK ME to visitmy parents’ graves almost a week ago.I cried the rest of the day and he let me.When I wanted to talk, he listened and responded.If I needed silence, he gave it to me.Somehow he always seems to know exactly what I need and just gives it without hesitation or thought of what he wants.No one came to the house and I know it’s because of him.I heard him tell Master the house was off limits to everyone.Just one more thing he understood I needed and gave it to me.I’ve only been back a few months now and there’s a million ways he’s been there no matter what I want or need.He’s the most selfless man I’ve ever met in my life and one I will never take for granted.Even now, he calls or messages me while he’s at work to check on me and make sure I’m okay.He even called my therapist to make sure she was available if I needed her.Roger has also spent time with me each day and gives me the space I need while he remains at my side.Both men are my silent pillars of strength and I don’t know what I’d do without either one of them.
Cali, Sam, and Kreed’s mom have spent time with me.They gave me three days before they showed up with a giant tub of ice cream, soda, and all the junk food I could want.Cali knows I don’t drink, but the three of them shared a bottle of wine.We laughed, cried, and just hung out.For the first time I understood what it means to be part of something bigger.These women are my chosen family and I made the decision to open up and share more of my story with them.Sam got blood thirsty and promised revenge on my behalf.I can’t believe how detailed she got in her description of how she’d take care of my aunt and uncle.It only made me love her even more.Kreed’s mom even got in on the revenge talk.She wasn’t as detailed as Sam, but she made her points very clear.She also shared her story with me.Cali did too.Sam said she would when it was just us.Not that she’s ashamed of her life but because Kreed’s mom and Cali already know what she’s been through.
Today is an important day for me.Roger has a photography job at a wedding and I get to go with him.Not just as his assistant or something like that but as someone who will take pictures next to him.Between the two of us, we should be able to capture every special moment of the day.I’m nervous, but really excited to do this.My main subjects are still the men, women, and kids of the club but I want to branch out and see if this is something I should go to school for.
“Are you ready for today?”Kreed asks me as I leave the bathroom and enter the room we both sleep in every night.
“I think so.Roger has been working with me on the different settings and what I need to do to capture the best pictures.I’ve already checked my camera bag a million times to make sure I didn’t forget anything.I’ve got my extra memory cards, batteries, and the strap is secure on the camera so I don’t drop it while I’m moving around.Roger said we can eat there and he’s bringing bottles of water in case they don’t have any there for us,” I tell him as I check my appearance in the mirror one final time.
Usually I don’t care what I look like, but today is important and I need to appear professional.I’m wearing a black dress Kreed got me.It goes down to my ankles and leaves my arms and back bare.Knowing I have scars no one needs to see, I have a sweater on over it to cover my body.I’m still really self-conscious about the scarring I’ve received over the years.It’s why I keep refusing to join Kreed in the shower and cover my body when I’m in bed with him.
“You look amazin’, Pixie,” Kreed says as he steps up behind me and wraps his arms around me.“I wish you’d see what I do when you look in the mirror.One day, I’ll make sure you know the scars and marks you received over the years mean nothin’ to me.They’re a part of your story and showcase how strong you truly are.”
Kreed pushes my hair to the side and pulls my sweater down the smallest amount to reveal the skin between my neck and shoulder.He places a kiss there while keeping his eyes locked on mine in the mirror.I can’t stop myself from melting into his body as goosebumps break out across my skin.
“You don’t know how bad they are, Kreed,” I say honestly as I look at him while he continues kissing me and I tilt my head to give him better access.
“I don’t need to know how bad they are, Pixie.They won’t change how I see you and I will prove that to you one day.Whenever you’re ready, let me know,” he says before moving my hair back and securing my sweater on my shoulders once more.
A knock sounds on the door downstairs and I know it’s Roger here to pick me up.Kreed grabs my camera bag and carries it down for me as I grab my cell phone and follow him.Roger is standing just inside the door and he’s dressed up.I give him a hug before Kreed hands over my bag and we leave.Kreed gets a kiss and he tells me he loves me before watching me walk toward Roger’s truck.It’s going to take us a few hours to get to the wedding venue and we don’t have time to spare so we can set up and get pictures of everyone as they get ready for the ceremony.
***
The ceremony was absolutelybeautiful.I took pictures of the bridal party getting ready while Roger dealt with the groomsmen.Other than a few staged pictures before the wedding ceremony and the ones we’ll do after it’s done, every picture we’ve taken is candid.I honestly love the candid shots more than staged ones.There’s something so raw and genuine about candid shots you don’t capture in a staged picture.The couple already have a young son and he made the day absolutely perfect.He’s adorable and brought some funny moments as he moved between his mom and dad.I have a lot of pictures of him and the bride loved the ones she saw.
Roger and I set up in different places in the church so we could get different angles of the ceremony.It’s not something we discussed beforehand and just went with where we felt the best place for each of us would be.I watched on as Roger moved around the room several times while I remained in the spot I chose.No matter how much my cousin moved around, he never interfered with anyone watching the wedding.I took pictures of the decorations along with the couple as they professed their love to one another.They said their own vows and I can admit I did tear up as they spoke of love and devotion to one another.
After the ceremony was over and the couple walked down the aisle together, we got the wedding party set up for the staged pictures.Again, their son killed it and made us all laugh as he posed and hammed it up for the camera.The smile he flashed us was so large and I could see the innocence of his perfect world.A world where nothing bad has ever touched him because his parents are there to protect him from it all.He’s living his best life and I can’t help but be drawn to him as I take one picture after another.He honestly reminds me so much of Dakota, Kylan, Bryce, and Rory.
“Take a break,” Roger says once we have the staged pictures done.“There’s food waiting for us in the kitchen.A breakroom is just off that where you can sit for a few minutes and take a break.Are you feeling okay?It’s hotter than I thought it would be out here.”
“I’m okay.It is hot, but I’ll be good.The sun is already starting to set and it will cool down.Are you sure you want me to eat first?”I ask my cousin as he checks a few things on his camera.
“Yeah.I’m gonna keep working.I had a large breakfast before heading out so I’m still good.I put the water in the refrigerator so just grab a bottle when you get your dinner,” he says before turning and leaving me alone to head inside for dinner.
Thankfully the reception is being held in the hall in the basement of the church.We don’t have to travel anywhere else so it’s easy to keep everything straight and we don’t risk losing any of our equipment in transit.Roger has had it happen in the past and it sucks to replace this stuff.Not that I’d really know, but I could tell by his tone that Roger was upset when he had to replace things because they disappeared.
I head inside and for the kitchen.The staff greets me and hands me a takeout container filled with food.None of them say a word when I reach in the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water.One of the older women points out the breakroom for me and I quickly make my way there.Taking a seat, I open the container to find it overflowing with food.This is enough to last me three meals.Or one for Kreed.There’s chicken, asparagus, mashed potatoes, and a roll.One of the spots holds gravy and my mouth waters with the smell of the food in front of me.
I add some gravy to the chicken and butter my potatoes before digging into the food.It’s just as good as it smells.Each bite is tender and full of flavor.I eat all of my chicken and most of my potatoes.The asparagus is tender and melts in my mouth and the roll is still warm.I eat until I can’t take another bite.My body still doesn’t tell me when I’m full so I have to guess most of the time.When my stomach starts to hurt, that’s when I stop.I grab my bottle of water after closing the takeout container and writing my name on top so I can put it in the refrigerator to take home with me when we’re done.
Heading to the hall, I find Roger and send him to eat his own dinner while the wedding guests eat.I take a few pictures here and there because I really don’t believe they want to see people eating.There are still options for the bride and groom though.Roger doesn’t take long before he joins me again.The two of us separate and take pictures as everyone starts to dance before the cake is cut.I keep track of the little boy and make sure to take pictures of him along with everyone else.
***
