Axel looked down at me in surprise. “What are you thinkin’?”
“Home,” I grinned up at him. “The back deck would be perfect. It’s big enough.”
“I thought we’d all just go to Vegas,” Sal admitted.
I shook my head. “I want to get married in the only place that’s ever felt like home.”
Axel’s face warmed as he pulled me close. “You’re okay with that? I figured you might want something more…” he searched for the right words.
I shrugged. “We can always do something more formal later if we want to. For now, I’m fine just having a big party as long as everyone can come on such short notice.”
“I’ll call the girls. We’ll get everything planned for the day after tomorrow? That soon?” Kat verified.
“That soon,” Axel nodded as my head spun.
She winked at me. “I love spontaneous marriages. I think they’re good luck,” Although engaged before their trip, she and Sal were married on a whim in Spain.
“Baby, don’t get all spun out over this. Let Scar and Connie handle it. I don’t want you stressed out,” Sal told her.
“Okay, babe,” she agreed, turning to me to roll her eyes.
“I saw that.” Sal slapped her firmly on the ass.
The next twenty-four hours were a chaotic blur as the whole club worked to pull our wedding off. I was exhausted but so full of love for everyone around us that it gave me all the energy I needed.
The house was transformed in such a short time; I wouldn’t have thought it possible if I hadn’t seen it myself. The living room became the reception area filled with flowers and tables and chairs. Kat even insisted on a dance floor. I had no idea how she got her hands on it.
The back deck had chairs lined up with a proper aisle down the center. We’d say our vows with the backdrop of evergreen and mountains.
The cake was ordered along with the food. Wes volunteered to handle the alcohol, which didn’t surprise anyone in the least. We had our marriage license and Ryker got ordained online to marry us. It was all coming together.
During a quick trip to Vegas with the girls, I found a beautiful dress that fit like a glove. It was a gorgeous champagne color with a hint of a peach hue. Strapless with a tulle skirt, it was elegant and fun.
I’d meant it when I said I didn’t need anything formal. If anything, this felt like the perfect way to marry the man of my dreams. In our home, doing what felt right to us without anyone else’s expectations affecting our day.
In lieu of a formal bachelorette party, the girls were all coming over for drinks the night before the big day.
I’d put Mad down for the night and had fingers crossed that he stayed that way.
“I’ll be back,” Axel told me just as Connie, Scar, Ettie and I were settling in with our drinks in the living room.
“Back?” I asked, confused. I’d thought he was going to hang out with the guys until later.
“I have something to drop off,” he replied mysteriously.
“Okaaay,” I replied, intrigued by what he meant.
“Hank and Tag drew the short straws. They’re on their way to watch over you ladies tonight,” he chuckled.
Short straws indeed.
“Thank you, guys, so much for everything,” I sighed wistfully. I looked around the living room, which was – despite a few small details – ready for my wedding day. White string lights hung throughout the room, basking the space in a warm glow, lighting the room. Axel was going to have to fight me not to keep it just like this.
“It was fun.” Connie smiled, clinking her glass with mine. “You ready?” she asked with a grin.
“Yeah, I really am,” I nodded. “It’s fast but nothing about our relationship has been conventional so far; might as well stick with the trend.” I laughed with a shrug.
“I think it’s really freaking romantic,” Ettie sighed. “The man is practically salivating to marry you as soon as possible. If you hadn’t been the one talking to your mother, I’d have thought he made the whole thing up just for an excuse.”
