Page 49 of Prairie Nights

“Who gives this woman to this man?” Mr. Estes asked, looking towards her father.

“I do,” he answered, clearing his throat.

“I do too.” Whitney’s mother echoed from behind them, making Whitney roll her eyes.

Dan leaned over and kissed his her on the cheek, placed her hand on Hayden’s and walked back to the others.

Hayden took Whitney's hands in his and smiled, his eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

Mr. Estes cleared his throat to begin. “We are gathered here today in Baker’s field to witness the marriage of Hayden Hastings to Whitney Faris, under a sea of stars on this glorious prairie night. This couple has wasted no time starting their life together, so we’re not going to make them wait another minute longer. Do you have vows?” he asked, looking towards Hayden and then Whitney.

Hayden shrugged and looked at Whitney. “Can we wing it?”

Whitney laughed, causing snickers behind them. “I think we can!”

“Okay then, Hayden you start,” motioned Mr. Estes to him.

Hayden’s gaze met Whitney’s, so soft and tender her heart fluttered wildly. “Whitney, I always searched for my true love, doing strange and often stupid things…” he paused, and he could hear a snicker from Ben and Bea. “To find that one person who was going to fill that void in my heart. That one person who I could share my life with. That would put up with me, would laugh with me and would make me feel whole and happy. Then when I least expected it, on a day that I was there to support my brother finding his happily ever, I met you. There you were, a vision in a green dress. I hadn’t even spoken to you yet, and I knew, right then and there, that you were exactly what I wanted.” he continued, his voice brimming with emotion. “And as I got to know you more, I found out that you were exactly what I needed. You are my everything, Whitney. The stars, the moon, this entire prairie night sky. Today and for the rest of our lives, I will choose you, Whitney. You are enough and so much more that I deserve. I love you, gorgeous.”

Sniffles sounded behind them, and Betty exclaimed. “Oh, good heavens. That was just the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Everyone laughed through their happy tears, and Mr. Estes gestured to Whitney.

“Hayden, when we met, I thought you were this impossibly handsome, charming playboy. Someone that was dangerous and would hurt my heart. What you turned out to be was one of the sweetest, kindest, most selfless people I have ever met. And quickly, you became my safe haven. My port in the sea. You are more than I had ever hoped for or thought I would ever have. You have already given me more than I dared to dream, and you have been the sweetest surprise!” she smiled at him; her eyes were wet with tears. “You, Hayden, are my everything. I want to grow old with you, I want to have lots of babies with you, I want to live the rest of my life happily by your side. Every day, I will choose you. I love you, Hays.”

“That was beautiful. Rings?” Mr. Estes asked.

Ben stepped forward and handed Mr. Estes two simple gold wedding bands. He handed one to Hayden.

“Do you take Whitney to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I DO!” Hayden shouted into the night air.

Whitney took the other band and held it on his ring finger.

“Do you take Hayden to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“Heck yes, I do!” she exclaimed.

Mr. Estes clasped his hands together and smiled at them brightly. “Then by the power vested in me, by the Province of Manitoba, I now pronounce you officially married! Hayden, you may kiss your bride!”

Hayden took Whitney’s face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. His blue eyes brimming with pure unbridled joy. “My wife,” he whispered.

“My husband.”

Their lips crashed together, every single emotion, every moment of doubt, everything they had been through worth it, in that life affirming moment. All that was left now was their happily ever after.

EPILOGUE

Christmas, 5 Years later

“Bauer and Beckett, it's time to go. Come get your boots and jackets on!” Whitney shouted across the house.

Giggles and the stampede of footsteps echoed down the hallway as two little boys bounded into the front entrance.

“Hey, you two goofballs.” Hayden laughed, chasing them, swooping them up into his arms.

Whitney felt her heart flutter at the sight of Hayden with their two oldest sons, Bauer, their eldest now four and Beckett, now three, both spitting images of their daddy with shaggy brown hair and striking blue eyes. A little chubby hand reached out and touched her face gently and she turned to meet the chocolate brown eyes of her third son, one-year-old Bodhi.

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