Page 44 of Kiss me Forever

We step through the door and about three-hundred people stand, oohs and ahhs sounding as Isabella and I begin walking down the aisle. I’m glad she’s beside me to hold me up. I make it a few steps before my eyes lock with Magnus’s who’s gazing at me like I’m the only person in the room. Once I see him, my step picks up and Isabella chuckles, but walks a bit faster with me.

“He’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“Yes he is, but I might be partial,” Isabella agrees. He looks so handsome in his perfectly fitted suit. All of the fuss has been worth this beautiful moment. I’m walking straight into my future, straight into the arms of the man who’s completely stolen my heart.

As soon as I meet him, he steps down. He leans into his mama and kisses her cheek, his eyes filled with tears. “You’re beautiful, mama.” She kisses him back.

“You take care of our girl,” she tells him.

“I promise I will. You taught me right.” There’s a sigh from the first few rows of guests that hear this, and more tears fall.

Bianca helps her mother to her front row seat, then moves back to her place as Magnus takes my arm, his eyes shining. “I thought I was happy before this moment, but seeing you walking down that aisle showed me how wrong I was. This is the ultimate happiness, right here, right now. You complete me.”

I hug him, and the preacher clears his throat as chuckles flow through the building. We pull back and hold each other’s hands as we obediently stand in place. All I want to do is hold him. I want this part done with. Thankfully, the ceremony goes by in a blur. We exchange vows, each word carrying the weight of our journey together. Magnus’s voice is steady and full of promise as he speaks to me, straight into my heart. I fall in love with him a little more. I hope I say my vows correctly. I don’t even know.

Suddenly he’s kissing me, and our marriage is complete, our vows said, our love there for all the world to see, a perfect start to our newest chapter in a beautiful life we’re already sharing. We’re announced as man and wife, and then we walk back down the aisle together as we will be from this moment on.

The reception that follows is nothing short of magical. The decorations are breathtaking with elegant centerpieces and twinkling fairy lights creating a soft, romantic glow in the stunning area. The food is exceptional, each thing a testament to the care and love that has been put into this special day. We laugh, accept congratulations from our friends and family, and celebrate our union.

We cut cake, listen to toasts that make me laugh and cry, and then finally, it’s time for our first dance as husband and wife. Each time I dance with this man I remember why I fell in love with him in the first place. “Never has there been a more breathtaking bride,” he whispers, holding me close and pulling me into the cocoon of his strong body.

“Well, you’re the most handsome groom of all time,” I tell him. “I can’t believe we’re married, that this isn’t just a dream or the ending of one of my favorite books.”

“Oh, Piper, this isn’t an ending at all, this is the beginning,” he assures me.

I melt against him, and the night continues with more dancing, more laughter, and so much happiness a person surely can’t take much more. I grumble when the girls come to get me to help me from my dress. But, as it takes them nearly twenty minutes to get me out of it, I realize this is a good idea. I quickly change, then rush back downstairs to Magnus. I don’t want to be away from him on this magical day. I’m not even tired when it’s finally time for us to say our goodbye’s.

We run through a line of our guests, give some heartfelt hugs, and then finally we’re alone together in the back of a limo on the way to a private jet. He immediately pulls me into his arms. We kiss for long minutes before he leans back.

“I love you, Piper Carter,” he whispers, sending a shiver through me. I love the sound of hearing his name with mine.

“I adore you, Magnus Carter,” I reply.

We’re rushing off to places unknown and I’m not worried at all. I’m with my husband and that means anything we do together will be beautiful.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Piper

The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea. I can’t believe how wonderful life is as I wake up another morning in Greece on my honeymoon. Yes, my honeymoon. This is unreal. We’ve been here a week, and next we’ll fly over to New Zealand. Magnus says we need to celebrate our lives joining together and we’re in no hurry. I don’t even feel guilty for leaving my work behind, not when I’m this happy.

I lazily stretch in our king-sized bed, savoring the gentle sway of the yacht we’re on. Yep, we’re in Greece on a yacht. I honestly can’t believe this is my life. This is the life I write about, the life I dream about. I still have to pinch myself each new morning just to know it’s real life, and not a dream.

“Have I told you how much you’ve outdone yourself yet?” I ask as I open my eyes and look around at our huge bedroom on this luxurious boat. The videos and images I’ve devoured of Greece have nothing on the reality of being right here with this man. It’s more beautiful, enchanting, and wonderful than I ever could’ve imagined.

“Multiple times,” he murmurs as he pulls me closer. “Good morning, Mrs. Carter,” he says as he nuzzles my neck. The familiar tingles flow through me as his hot breath whispers against my skin.

We lay together in perfect bliss, basking in the comfort of being in each other’s arms, knowing we get to do this for the rest of our lives. We start our day making love, unable to get enough of each other, but soon the call of the beauty all around gets us out of bed. It’s the only thing that can pull us from our perfect cocoon of happiness. I’m eager to explore more of this glorious country. There’s so much more to see and do.

We share a leisurely breakfast on the huge deck of the boat, the staff operating this giant vessel giving us plenty of space, making us feel like we’re alone most of the time while serving all of our needs. It’s going to be difficult coming back to the real world after all of this luxury.

“Your fishing gear is ready,” our butler says, making me grin at him.

“Thank you so much Gio. I don’t know what we’d do without you,” I tell the man who beams at me. We’ve become friends. How can I not love everyone here who’s so good to me?

Magnus is great at everything he does so as soon as we move decks and start fishing, he gets one on within minutes. I grumble as I wait for my pole to go down. Some people have all the luck. In my defense he’s done this many times before, and I’m a fishing novice. It’s okay, though, it’s about more than catching the fish, it’s about the whole experience.

He laughs when I can’t cast once again. He gets behind me and places his hands on mine. “Remember, it’s all about the flick of the wrist,” he instructs, guiding me through the motion before moving to his pole and showing me.

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