Page 72 of Turbulent Fires

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Wolf

The Catalina Casino Ballroom looks like something plucked from the golden age of Hollywood and dropped into a dream. Massive arched windows line the curved perimeter, opening to a panoramic view of the glittering ocean, moonlight dancing across the waves like they’re celebrating our union, too.

Art deco chandeliers spill light across the circular dance floor. The dome ceiling above, mosaic-tiled and more grand than anyone could imagine, reflects the soft light like a night sky filled with unimaginable stars. It’s simply spectacular.

Audrey and I stand hand-in-hand outside of the grand entrance, her thumb gently brushing my knuckles. We’re ready to run away together, but our guests are waiting.

“Are you ready?” I ask. I haven’t left her side from the moment she walked down that aisle straight into my arms.

She gives me a smile, her skin still glowing, and laughs. “To be introduced to a roomful of people while wearing four-inch heels and pretending we didn’t want to elope?”

“Yep.”

She nods. “I’m ready.” We might be joking but we love all that’s been done for us, even if it was overwhelming and over the top.

The band shifts keys, and the doors open. “And now,” the announcer booms, “for the first time as husband and wife, I present Wolf and Audrey Young!” The crowd rises as they applaud. We step forward and wave to our friends and family.

Audrey’s dress is shimmering in the low light as her skin glows radiantly. The world stands still to watch her. I don’t care what I look like, no one notices me. This is about her, and her alone, and I couldn’t be prouder to have her on my arm.

The orchestra starts a soft, sweeping jazz arrangement ofMoon River,one of Audrey’s favorites. This is a surprise for my bride, one of the few things I arranged for this wedding. She turns and smiles at me.

“This was you,” she says with confidence.

“We needed a few things about us.”

She laughs as tears sparkle in her eyes. “And I thought the wedding was about our families.”

“This moment is all about us,” I assure her. “I want you to know I listen when you speak.”

“Since I speak so much, you must have a Webster’s dictionary of information swirling in your head.”

“That I do.”

I pull her to the dance floor, and she melts into my arms. We move with perfect ease, as if we were created for one another. I know we were. This union was meant to be. Every step we take is gentle, intimate, and timeless. She rests her head on my shoulder halfway through the song, and we float. I wouldn’t be surprised if our feet lift from the ground. The rest of the world fades as it often does when she’s in my arms. Though I’ve flown thousands of hours in the sky, for the first time I feel absolutely weightless.

When the song ends, she pulls back and looks at me as her fingers caress my cheek. “I love you.”

I lean in and kiss her. “I love you isn’t strong enough for what I feel.”

“I’m glad we have an eternity to express it all.”

Our intimate moment is broken too soon as we’re pulled off the dance floor. We’re barely able to sit before the sound of clinking glasses and stomping shoes signals the next act in a day of very planned moments.

Drake and Jayden take to the stage, grinning, one wearing a pale suit, the other in classic black. They stand together behind the mic like a comedy duo no one has asked for, but everyone desperately wants to hear.

Drake begins. “I was going to come up here and tell embarrassing stories about Wolf. But then I realized that was Jayden’s job.” I shake my head and chuckle as I squeeze Audrey’s hand. I can get through anything as long as she’s at my side.

Jayden clears his throat with his usual serious flair. “Indeed. You see, Wolf’s the oldest brother, the daring one, the leader of the pack. He’s the man who thinks flying into a thunderstorm is a personality trait.” I can’t argue with that. The crowd chuckles.

Drake grins. “But he’s also the guy who will give you the shirt off his back, the last bite of his cheeseburger, and once, very memorably, his kidney to a stray dog.” Everyone gasps as they look at me, wondering if this is a joke or true. “It’s a long story.” Drake winks, and I laugh, loving that the crowd’s confused.

Jayden gives a solemn nod. “Don’t worry, that dog now lives in Colorado and sends Christmas cards.” Again, there’s more laughter.

“But, for a moment of seriousness on this sacred day,” Drake continues. “Audrey, you’ve done something none of us thought possible.”

Jayden picks up smoothly. “You grounded our brother without clipping his wings. That’s true love, and it’s rarer than any of us could imagine.”

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