Page 59 of Incoming Layne Shift

Holding tight onto the bundled stems of her bouquet’s mixture of traditional white roses and the less traditional green hue of Bells of Ireland, Layne took the first step towards the stone steps that led the way to the entrance.

Once inside the church, the large and ornate double doors leading into the nave where all the guests were gathered were shut, blocking her view of what awaited her. Those doors were separating her from the two most important men in her life.

She swallowed hard, feeling the nerves vibrating all over her body with anxiety. Irrational thoughts flooded her mind. What if he hadn’t shown? What if she couldn’t say the words? What if this was all a dream?

Rebecca gave another fluff of the short lace train of Layne’s dress before coming around to stand in front of her with a smile full of love and eyes glistening with proud tears. “You look absolutely gorgeous and deserve every bit of this happiness. I will be upfront cheering you on. Just one foot in front of the other, okay?” She leaned over and hugged Layne.

Moments later, Rebecca disappeared beyond the doors. Layne knew there was classical music playing just inside, but she couldn’t hear it over her thoughts. She wondered if her dad would have been proud and walked her down the aisle to give her away to commit her life and love to a man like Joey. She knew Liam wouldn’t have.

Breaking free of her thoughts, she noticed a little old woman had her frail hand on one of the doors and was waiting for Layne to indicate she was ready. After getting a small smile from Layne, the elderly woman nodded to the man standing behind the other door. Simultaneously, they drew the doors open revealing the sight down the length of the path she was about to walk.

The aisle was lined with flowers in various shades of green. Light poured in through the massive stained glass windows. The rows upon rows of pews filled with guests all on their feet with their eyes all looking at her. Layne could have sworn the church was void of any guests at all because her eyes immediately found her entire universe standing up by the altar. The pianist began to play a romantically slow version of Wherever You Will Go by The Calling.

Joey stood tall, his hands clasped in front of him. The rich hues of his brown eyes stared at her. His dirty blonde hair was neatly styled and locked into place and his scruff precisely trimmed. He was wearing a black tux that fit against each of his muscles, and paired with a white shirt and black tie just underneath the jacket. The wings of his neck tattoos playing peekaboo just above the edge of his shirt’s collar.

At his side was the other half of her heart, Gage—Joey’s Best Man. His tux mirrored Joey’s except instead of a white shirt it was all black. Gage had a hand holding onto the top of Joey’s shoulder supportively, and to perhaps prevent him from running to Layne to scoop her up into his arms halfway down the aisle.

The first thing Joey saw when he saw those doors open was a goddamn Irish angel. He was pretty sure that if he was ever allowed to pass through the Pearly Gates, this was exactly what he would see waiting for him. His heart damn near stopped for what felt like hours as he drank in the stunning sight slowly walking down the aisle, moving closer and closer to him.

Layne’s long chestnut locks were drawn back from her face and off of her bare shoulders. Her hair was all pulled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck with a couple of small decorative white roses tucked into the top of the bun. The scripted letters of her tattoo, ’Luck’ on the back of her neck, was on full display. Her sparkling emerald eyes left the window to her soul wide open for him to see right into everything that made her the woman Joey adored.

Her strapless white dress was a seamless blend of lace with a sweetheart neckline. Scallop-edged lace arm bands hung loosely around her trim biceps, the body of the dress hugged her petite figure and perfectly clung against the curves of her hips. Across her mid back was a band of matching lace in a design similar to the pattern of butterfly wings.

Around her throat was the thin gold chain Gage had given her just last week. She had refused to take off his discreet collar, keeping it on served as a reminder of all his promises to her. While he wasn’t the man being recognized by church or state as Layne’s soon-to-be husband, that necklace was his vow to have and to hold her all the same.

Joey was rendered breathless, his heart swelling so much he swore it would burst through his chest. Next to him, Gage was grinning like a damn fool at the beauty nearly at their end of the aisle. He nudged Joey to go get their girl as she reached the steps that led up to the space where they stood in front of the altar.

Layne’s eyes never left Joey’s face as her heart moved her feet down that aisle. Rebecca had come to ease the bouquet out of Layne’s hands before Joey joined her at her side, extending his hand to her. She placed her hand in his, watching as his tattooed fingers curled over her hand as he guided her up the steps where they could turn and face one another.

The priest began to speak and the ceremony commenced, Joey’s hold on her hands being a constant reassurance of his devotion to her happiness. Soon they were exchanging rings and saying their vows out loud to one another. Layne shifted her eyes to Gage every so often so he knew he was included in every promise she was making.

The man cloaked in holy robes addressed Layne, “Do you, Layne Nicole O’Reilly, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

She gave the widest smile at Joey. “I absolutely do.”

The priest then shifted to look at Joey. “And do you, Joseph Elliot De Luca, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Joey squeezed Layne’s hands tightly in both of his. “I do. She’s mine, always and forever.”

Before the officiant could complete his statement declaring them both joined in holy matrimony, Joey jumped the gun and immediately pulled Layne into his arms crashing his lips onto hers. Layne’s hands held onto the sides of his face as her mouth welcomed him, her tongue eagerly pushing past his lips to sensually dance with his. It most definitely was not a chaste kiss that most couples engaged in before such an audience.

Several drawn-out moments passed before there was a stern clearing of a throat from the priest, prompting the newlyweds to separate themselves just enough to regain their composure while they both donned giddy smiles.

“I now present Mr. and Mrs. De Luca.”

Layne looked over at Gage giving him a subtle wink. Joey wasn’t the only Mr. De Luca she was tied to.

After Layne and Joey walked back down the aisle together, the formalities continued at the front of the church. Greeting all the guests on their exit from the holy building, they shook hands and shared hugs with some of New York’s wealthiest and some of its most corrupt.

Once everyone cleared out, Gage nodded at them both. “I will tell the driver to meet us out front so we can get this party started.” He smirked before heading out the front doors.

Joey grinned at Layne as he wrapped his hand around hers. “C’mon.” He began leading her back into the expanse of the empty nave now that everyone had gone on their way.

She giggled as she had to quickly move her feet to keep up with him. “What are you doing? We have to get to the reception.”

“I’m not waiting for tonight.” He pulled her toward the altar.

Layne couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose in confusion at the nonsense he was spouting off. “For what?”

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