Page 81 of Anything For This Love

My leg shakes, my palms dampening as I wait for Abby to emerge from the old cobblestone building. Martin was ecstatic the day I called him to book the vineyard for our wedding. He was practically giddy over the prospect of us marrying here, considering the role this place played in our love story.

Before my bride makes her entrance, Chloe skips happily into the spotlight, all eyes focused on her as she tosses petals onto the path and watches as they float to the ground. A chorus of “awws” resounds through the crowd. Her dark curls bounce as she makes her way toward me, her cheeks split into a gleeful grin.

The side doors of the winery finally open and my gaze lifts from my exuberant daughter as three people step into view. They walk arm-in-arm, giving me their side profile. I try to peer around Ama to catch a glimpse of my bride, but most of her body is eclipsed by the older woman. All I can see past Ama’s form is the skirt of a flowy white gown billowing in the breeze. When they make it to the aisle, they turn and the breath is stolen from my lungs.

Ama and Raven flank Abby’s sides, escorting her to the altar. When I asked Ethan to be a groomsman, I fully expected Abby to have her grandmother walk her down the aisle, but I never expected her to include Raven in the same way. My mouth fell open in surprise when she announced both women would be escorting her to the altar. After months and months of counseling – and Raven staying clean – Abby and her mom have managed to heal years of emotional baggage and invisible wounds. Their relationship isn’t perfect, but it’s on the mend. They’re in a much better place than they were a year ago. Raven has worked tirelessly to regain Abby’s trust.

Abby glides toward me, an angel in white, her dark hair pinned away from her face with curls draped down her back and delicate flowers placed throughout the strands. Her wide, bright eyes shine with affection and unshed tears as she nears, and I fight back my own choking emotion. I swallow thickly, hoping I can keep it together long enough to get through the ceremony.

Her soft pink lips curve into a smile and my chest constricts, my heart pounding as I take her in. The white dress hugs her curves, the neckline dipping just slightly between her breasts. Embroidered flowers trim the lace bodice and thin straps and spread out over the skirt, creating the illusion of them floating to the ground. She’s stunning, a vision more beautiful and perfect than I could’ve ever imagined.

It seems to take forever for her to make it to me and when she does, I reach for her hands. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her now, but I don’t think the minister would like that very much.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today,” the officiant begins, but his voice fades away as I gaze into Abby’s eyes. They shine with joy and peace and something else that makes me abundantly happy: certainty. There is no doubt or second-guessing in her expression. She’s exactly where she wants to be.

Our road to happily ever after has been riddled with pain and heartache, but it led us here. We’ve overcome every obstacle. Our love was enough. It will always be enough.

Abby and I recite our vows, our eyes and hands locked. When the rings are asked for, I turn to my best friend and best man and hold out my hand. Luke pats his chest, then his pants pockets, dramatically searching for the ring. I know he’s attempting to offer a little comic relief, but part of me gets anxious thinking he may have actually lost the ring.

“Ah, here it is!” Muted chuckles erupt from the audience as he hands it over with a flourish.

I pluck it from his fingers with an eye roll and turn back to my bride. Taking her hand, I hold it at the tip of her finger and wait, repeating the vows we practiced just yesterday.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” I declare, sliding the cool metal onto her ring finger and placing a kiss to her knuckles. With both rings in place, there’s just one thing left to do. I fidget impatiently, awaiting his final instructions.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

Thank fuck!

I step in close and frame her face, bringing my lips down on hers gently. The kiss is soft and sweet at the beginning, her small hands flattened to my chest, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. I drop one arm to her waist and slide it to the small of her back. My tongue brushes her bottom lip and she instinctively opens to me. In one swift movement, I press her backwards into a dip and slip my tongue inside, giving her a passionate but tasteful kiss. Our guests clap and whistle while someone behind me whoops. I finally stand her back up and pull away. Her smile is broad and infectious, her skin glowing under the late September sun.

Hands entwined, we turn to face our loved ones as they stand and welcome us for the very first time as Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Daniels.

It wasn’t easy getting here, but we finally have our happily ever after.

Epilogue

Abby

The sunshine seepsinto my skin, warming me all the way to my bones. A cool breeze lifts my hair and it drifts across my face, tickling my nose and wafting the scent of fresh gardenias and jasmine through the air.

When Jacob asked me where I wanted to go for our fifth anniversary, I knew immediately I wanted to return to Tahiti where we spent our honeymoon. The week we spent on this beautiful tropical island was magical. We made love lazily in the middle of the day in a hut overlooking the water. Jacob rubbed my body with sweet smelling oil, teasing the most sensitive parts by getting close but not quite touching them. We drank cocktails by the pool and dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean. We hiked to the waterfalls one day and went snorkeling the next. It was an adventure I’ll never forget. It was hard to leave our daughter at home for that week, even though I knew she was in good hands. This time with two little girls waiting for us to return, it’s no easier.

Amelia, our four-year-old is most likely the result of our continuous love making during our honeymoon. She came screaming into this world approximately nine months after our return, looking like her dad’s clone. With his sandy blonde hair and blue eyes, she’s the spitting image of Jacob.

A shadow looms above me, blocking out the sun. I peel one eye open and find my husband standing next to my lounger. He’s just as handsome as the day I married him, his eyes still a vibrant, icy blue and his body muscled and toned. He doesn’t hit the gym much these days, but the physical labor around our farm keeps him fit.

“Wanna go for a dip?” The side of his mouth quirks up, giving away his intentions. A cool, refreshing dive in the crystal blue waters will most likely turn into more. He’ll wrap his arms around me and pull me closer to him, bringing our bodies flush with each other. He’ll nibble on my ear and kiss my neck and I’ll turn to putty in his hands. I am totally down for that.

“Sure. It’s getting a little hot out here, anyway,” I reply, slipping my hand into his. He wades into the water, letting it cool our skin. Dipping below the surface, I submerge myself completely, tilting my head back when I break through the surface to keep my long hair out of my face. I rub the water from my eyes and wring it from my hair. When I lift my gaze, Jacob’s searing eyes are on me, his lids half lowered as he watches the water sluicing over my body.

“Like something you see?”

“I think you already know the answer to that.” His gaze heats as he takes a step toward me. “You ready to go in? Maybe get a snack? I’m gettingrealhungry.”

My stomach dips at his insinuation, my heightened libido kicking into overdrive, but I resist the urge to give in easily. It’s much more fun when I prolong the inevitable.

“Hmmm, I don’t think so. I wanna stay out a little longer.”

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