Page 2 of Always and Forever

My mother gives me one last kiss, then grabs both of my hands. “I’ll see you out there, honey.” I smile and she leaves to take her seat at the front of the garden where everyone is seated. We had a wedding planner out to help design our outdoor wedding. There are lines of chairs, each one covered in white, and pink roses are fixed to the end of each row. A beautiful marquee covered in white silk stands at the front of the aisle, and this is where we will take our vows. Flowering vines are placed strategically all around the marquee, and a trail of rose petals covers the length of the path I’ll soon walk.

Luisa straightens my train one last time and then takes her place in front of me, behind Hailey and Tess.

The song “All of Me” by John Legend begins to play, and that’s Hailey’s cue to start down the aisle.

Butterflies erupt once again in my stomach, and I begin to tremble with my nerves. My dad strokes my hand and smiles at me. “You’ll be okay, baby girl. You have a good man out there.”

I take a deep breath to steady my racing heart, and watch as Tess takes her turn walking down the path. Lu looks at me over her shoulder and whispers, “Here goes nothing.” I give her a warm smile before she takes her first step down the aisle, making her way to Hawke.

My father and I step forward now, and I look up and see Quill standing at the end of the path, just inside the marquee. Everything else becomes a blur when Quill’s eyes lock with mine. He’s so handsome he takes my breath away. His hair, usually messy, is styled and combed, but he still has that rough look I love going on. He’s standing tall, wearing the black suit with tails and the bow tie I’d chosen for him, and it brings me back to a time he was wearing something similar, at a fundraiser, but it’s nothing compared to how attractive he looks today. His piercing blue eyes, traveling over my face and the length of my body, have me quivering all over.

I’m distracted when I feel a kick inside my stomach, and I place my free hand on my baby. “Not long now, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy are getting married,” I say, leaning down and whispering the words.

I take my first step toward my future husband, listening to the words of the music, loving that they feel like they’re coming from my heart.

Tears roll down my cheeks as I get closer and see that Quill’s eyes are shimmering with the moisture gathering in them. He gives me a warm smile when I reach him, and my father hands me over to Quill. “Take care of my baby girl, son,” he demands.

Quill nods at him but only has eyes for me. He helps me up the step to the altar, and turns me to face him. He leans in and his warm lips touch mine. I’m home. The scent of his cologne and soap reach my senses, warmth rushing through me. I can’t believe I’m marrying him.

Whistles and clapping surround the garden, and I laugh against Quill’s lips. We pull back from one another and Quill whispers, “You look beautiful, baby, and you’re mine.”

“Yours,” I reply and he leans in, kissing me again.

“Ahem.” I pull back and look at the celebrant, all but forgotten, then smirk at Quill. Looking into his stunning blue eyes, I wonder how this gorgeous, hot as hell man chose me to be his wife.

“You look good enough to eat,” Quill whispers in my ear, and I laugh.

“Quill, we’re getting married here,” I explain, nervously looking over at the celebrant.

“Don’t care, baby. I can’t wait to get you out of that dress.”

“Um, can we begin?”

Quill looks over at the celebrant. “Sure, let’s get this over with so I can have this woman to myself.”

“Quill!”

He shrugs his shoulders. “What?”

“Everyone can hear you,” I say, feeling my cheeks flush with my embarrassment.

“You’re so cute when you blush,” he teases.

His gaze travels from mine to the celebrant. “Let’s begin.”

My eyes lock onto Hawke’s, looking so handsome with his hair down, combed back with some product. I smile at him, and he winks at me in return. He’s also wearing a tux with tails, but his bow tie is silver.

Luisa walks up beside me and takes my bouquet. Quill immediately takes hold of my hands in his, and their warmth has me feeling like I’m home—like I belong. My heart is so full of love for this man, and I’m so happy I feel like it will explode.

The celebrant begins. “We are gathered together on this beautiful afternoon to share this time with Quillentine and Jasmine, as they exchange vows of their everlasting love for each other. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

“I do,” my father answers, and I give him a warm smile.

“As Quillentine and Jasmine take their vows today, we are privileged to witness the joyous love of a new family—a family that will be nourished and nurtured through the devotion of two separate individuals growing together through the common bonds of love.”

Quill squeezes my hands, and the love and adoration I see on his face has me tearing up again.

“Quill, would you like to begin?”

Quill nods his head at the celebrant, but only has eyes for me.

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