“Jack, from this day forward, I promise to love and cherish every part of who you are. I want all of you. The broken parts, the dark parts, all the hard edges. I want the man you are when no one’s watching. I want forever.”
I can’t hide my tears. “You’re it for me, Lennon. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you. Everything I ever thought wasn’t real, I found in you. And I promise to spend every day for the rest of my life proving it to you.”
The priest announces us as husband and wife.
“You may kiss your bride.”
And we do. Hard and deep, while people clap and cheer.
At the reception, I keep her close. My hand never leaves her waist. When family and friends pull her away to dance, I watch every move, every laugh. I catch her dad watching her with tears in his eyes, and for a second, I think he might actually change.
We cut the cake and feed each other. I take the liberty of smearing a little extra icing across her lips. Then lick it away slowly and filthy, making her gasp. “Jack, not here.” She giggles, nervously glancing at the guests.
“Don’t care,” I whisper, nipping her ear. “You’re mine now. Nobody is stopping me.”
Trent walks over, glass raised. “To the craziest couple I’ve ever known. You two deserve…something. Not sure what, but you do.”
I laugh, clink glasses, and drag Lennon to the dance floor for one last slow song. I hold her tight, swaying, pressing my lips against her temple.
“Ready to get out of here, Mrs. Delaney?”
She grins, looking up at me with that familiar heat in her eyes. “Hell yes.” We slip away, running through the halls, ignoring everyone calling out behind us.
In the elevator, I pin her to the wall, my mouth greedy and hands everywhere. She moans, fingers tangling in my hair as she presses her body against mine.
“You’re supposed to wait until we’re in the room,” she pants.
“Can’t,” I growl. “I need you now.”
The doors open, leading directly into the honeymoon suite, and right away, I scoop her up, carrying her over the threshold. Candles flicker all around the room, while champagne sweats in a bucket, the bed scattered with rose petals.
On the pillow, there’s a little gold box waiting. Lennon’s eyes go wide the moment she sees it.
“What is that?”
I set her down gently, “I don’t know, why don’t you go find out?”
She opens it with trembling fingers, gasping when she sees what’s inside. “Oh, Jack. It’s beautiful.”
While admiring the delicate gold chain attached to a perfect clover, she reads the note aloud.
“For luck. For always. -Jack.”
“Here.” She hands me the necklace. “Help me put it on.”
When she turns back to me, there are tears in her eyes. “You keep showing me things I thought weren’t possible anymore.”
I tug her against me. “I meant what I said, Lennon. And I’ll keep doing it, for the rest of our lives.” She pulls me in for a kiss.
“Now, can I make love to my wife?”
“Undress me,” she demands.
“My pleasure, Mrs. Delaney.”
I drag the zipper down, peeling the dress from her body. She stands in front of me in nothing but the necklace and a pair of lace panties.
“Fuck. You’re so beautiful. And all mine.”
