Page 26 of Anchored Love
Everly
I Smile Because You’re My Sister-In-Law. I Laugh Because You Married My Brother!
“Today’s your big day.How are you feeling?” I asked Kelsey as she was fussed over in the salon chair. It was early morning, and we had just docked in St. Thomas. The men had already left for Magens Bay Beach to make sure everything was in place. It was my first time away from Mason outside of showering since we’d started our vacation. I had this strange sensation like I missed him. Maybe it seemed silly, but I had grown accustomed to spending all my waking moments with him.
Jess busied herself snapping pictures. Casey had volunteered his camera and photography services. He only took pictures as a hobby, but he was actually great at it. I knew he’d do a fantastic job capturing all the good stuff.
The dress I had packed for the ceremony on the beach had been lost with my luggage, but my mother had scored me a beautiful blue sundress that matched not only the colors of the wedding but my eyes as well, from one of the shops she visited on the ship.
I was shocked when last night over dinner Drake and Kelsey pulled Mason and me aside to ask if we’d stand in today as the best man and maid of honor. I only hoped Jess wouldn’t feel left out. Kelsey and I were closer in age and had more in common. She fit seamlessly into our family like the older sister I never knew I wanted but desperately needed.
It didn’t hurt that she also shared my shoe fetish and often invited me on shopping excursions to feed the addiction. I spent more time with her than I had Jess the past few years, since Drake introduced us. Though to be fair, my sister was always busy with Casey or dedicating her free time to whatever save the world crusade that struck her fancy.
I glanced down at my feet and smiled.
We wore the same size, and she had the perfect sandals to match my dress.
My gaze shifted to Kelsey and how gorgeous she looked. Her dark hair hung down her back in long, wavy ringlets. A halo of blue and white flowers adorned her head, tasseled with ribbons to match.
Her dress was form fitting, hugging her shapely hourglass figure. The dress cut off above her knees with a plunging neckline and a train that attached with Velcro and snap buttons.
Kelsey made a gorgeous bride, and my brother was a lucky man to have found her. He said the moment he saw her he just knew. I didn’t think love like that existed outside of books and movies, but my brother proved me wrong.
Some final touches to her makeup, waterproof mascara and peach lip gloss, and she looked perfect. Her cheeks were naturally tinted with freckles and sun kissed.
We arrived at our destination. Blue water and white sand awaited us along with the brutal heat, which was why the ceremony was being held as early as it was. My skin glistened with coconut-scented sunblock. I didn’t put on much makeup because I knew I’d only sweat it off and end up looking hideous with mascara running down my face. No one wanted to see that, and I didn’t want to look like a drenched rat in the wedding photographs.
Herbert greeted us with our flowers. They matched the halo Kelsey wore on her head like a crown. Since Kelsey’s father wasn’t here for the wedding, Herbert would be escorting her down the aisle; well, the sand. My soon to be sister-in-law didn’t have the best relationship with her birth father nor her mother. Kelsey didn’t mention them often, and I never pried, figuring if she wanted to talk about them or share that part of her life she would when she was ready to do so.
My stepfather beamed with pride to fill the shoes. The day carried a tinge of bittersweet-ness with it. I couldn’t help but miss my dad and wish he was here to see Drake start the first day of the rest of his life. Dad would be so proud of the man he’d raised. It hit me square in the gut. My chest constricted, and my breath stuck in my throat. Tears threatened to make themselves known, the urge to cry burning in the back of my throat as a tight knot formed there. My father would never see any of us get married or have children. Someday, if I ever did find a man to spend the rest of my life with, I’d have to depend on Drake or Herbert to be the man to walk me down the aisle. The thought absolutely gutted me. I knew they’d both step up for me, but neither could replace my father. No one could.
I wrung my hands around my flowers and concentrated on happy thoughts, taking deep breaths. I glanced up and found Mason smiling at me brighter than the sun, standing next to my brother in a blue shirt and white pants, mirroring Drake and matching my dress. The bottom of his pants were rolled up above his ankles. Mason and Drake were both barefoot. Kelsey too. I was too chicken to chance burning the soles of my feet on the gorgeous white, but hot, sand.
The sky held big, fluffy clouds that were so close to the water you’d think you could reach up and pinch a piece off one as though they were made of cotton candy. A white archway awaited Kelsey’s arrival. Adorned with gorgeous white lilies and greenery, the aisle was marked by matching garland held down by giant seashells. White chairs with blue satin bows were separated into two rows on each side. Jess gave Casey his camera, and he sprung into action like a professional photographer. My sister took her seat after greeting our brother. She whispered something in his ear and hugged his neck.
Mom took her seat, leaving me to walk down the aisle with Mason. He appeared at my side and held out an arm. My bad mood disappeared the moment I gazed into those warm honey brown eyes.
“You’re simply stunning, Everly.” He leaned in to kiss my cheek. His lips were soft. Butterflies fluttered in my lower belly. My nerves hummed with anxiety, and I wasn’t even the one getting hitched. Though the thought was planted in the back of my brain that I was nearing thirty and hadn’t settled down or even attempted to really meet the man I’d marry. Deep down every woman secretly fantasized about meeting Mr. Right and having their dream wedding. I was proud of Drake for stepping up and going the extra mile to make this day as special as possible for Kelsey and for bringing us nuts along with them to witness the occasion.
I smiled back at Mason and sucked in a final breath.
I accepted Mason’s arm, getting a whiff of his Dior cologne and feeling settled because I was in his arms, which was completely crazy. Did he feel it too? This invisible thread seemed to be tethering us together in ways I thought only existed in my dreams.
Soft music played from nearby, and I walked down the aisle on Mason’s arm. Drake shot us a wink when we made it to the archway where he waited with the man officiating the ceremony. My brother and Kelsey didn’t need big and fancy. All they needed was each other, and they had that. I wanted a slice of that for myself. I moved to my spot on the left while Mason joined Drake on the right. The happiness pouring out of my brother was contagious, and I couldn’t help but match his enthusiasm and blushed deep crimson when Mason snuck glances my way.
He looked at me as though he cherished me. Like I was the only girl on the beach that day. Like maybe I could be the only girl in his world. Man, did part of me crave that.
The wedding march began to play in the background. I sucked in a breath. A breeze from the ocean blew in, and chill bumps fanned up and down my arms. My gaze met Mason’s, and he winked at me. Casey was moving all around, snapping pictures. My mother dabbed at her eyes with a hanky. The ceremony had only begun, and she already appeared a blubbering mess. Drake had always been a momma’s boy, and today would be no different. My mother sobbed, and I wanted to hug her more than anything. She’d raised Drake to be a pure gentleman, and she should be proud of the man he grew into. She had reacted the same way the day he left for college. The house grew quieter that day. We’d always been close. Though since we’d transitioned into adulthood, we weren’t as close as we used to be. We were busy living our lives, but we made it a point to talk at dinner at Mom’s every Sunday. Family dinner on Sundays was a tradition she started after our father passed away.
Sweat beaded down my back, and my dress stuck to my body like a second skin. Perspiration formed on my upper lip, and the sun beat down on us, showing no mercy. Kelsey looked graceful and elegant as she walked down the beach on Herbert’s arm, and he grinned from ear to ear. He’d never had children of his own. Mom was his first wife. Which I found shocking because he was a nice, attractive man.
Mom said he’d been holding out for the best. Meaning all of us.
I glanced at my brother, and he wiped under his eyes, wearing his charming smile that reminded me of our father.
The officiant stepped forward, dressed similar to my brother and Mason; except he wore all white. “Who gives this woman in marriage?”
“I do,” Herbert answered, linking Kelsey’s arm with Drake’s.
