Page 18 of Midnight
I didn't have anyone to invite, but Lexi said her, Lin and Brynn would be there for me and Noah offered to walk me down the aisle.Since neither our soon to be house or Mrs.Adam's house has a fence in the backyard, she allowed us to spread the reception over into her yard.
So, I stand here staring at the bride in the mirror, and I can't believe it’s me.I can't believe we pulled off this wedding so fast.The most amazing part is that it doesn't look like a wedding that was thrown together at the last minute.It looks like something out of a magazine.What makes it even more special, is I'm getting ready in my soon to be house.My room overlooks the backyard and there are flowers and twinkling lights everywhere, and folding chairs set out in front of the most beautiful arch for us to get married under.If I had a year to plan it, I don't think I could have put together a wedding this beautiful.
"All right, the house is cleared out for us to do some photos in the front yard while Nate and the guys are in the backyard having their photos," Brynn says, stepping back into the room.
"I really appreciate both of you being here for me today.I always assumed I'd be doing this alone."I tell them as tears start to fill my eyes.
"Don't cry!Not yet, anyway.Trust me, we know what it's like not to have our families here.We were extremely lucky to have each other, but there is no way we would let you do this alone today," Lin says.Then her and Brynn give me a huge hug from both sides.
After a final makeup check, we go downstairs and get pictures taken in the front yard.Time seems to fly by because before I know it, Noah's walking up to me with a big smile on his face.
"If I wait any longer to get you down the aisle, Nate might come over here, throw you over his shoulder and carry you himself.He is beyond restless and ready to get the show on the road," Noah says, causing us all to laugh.
"Don’t act like you weren't the same way on our wedding day," Lexi says, giving him a kiss before we all take our spots.
Lin and Brynn are also serving as my bridesmaids, so before they each walk down the aisle they turn and gave me a hug.Then in a blink of an eye, it's just Noah and me.
"Take a deep breath and really soak in the moment.To this day, I still remember every detail of Lexi walking down the aisle to me.The look on her face, the way the light hit her dress, and even the way she had styled her hair.Soak it all in."
Taking his advice, I take a deep breath before it's our turn to walk down the aisle.From the moment Nate is in sight, he's all I see.He's wearing a tux and his eyes are locked on me.But it's the expression on his face, the look of pure awe and love that I know I will never forget.
As we get closer, it's easier to see the tears in his eyes.He tries to regain his composure by looking down at his feet and wiping his eyes, but it doesn't help because as he looks back up at me the tears go down his face.
The raw emotion there triggers my own tears.As we say our vows, I don't notice anyone else there.The rows of people do not exist.It’s just him and me making the promises that will start the rest of our life.A life of freedom, love, and happiness.All things I have been denied for so long.
Hummingbird Island sure know how to party.Our reception goes on long into the night.Everyone dances and are enjoying the food and the cake, but most especially, each other's company.
All of our guests make it a point to come and introduce themselves.They say how excited they are to have Nate coming back to the island, and how thrilled they are for me to be joining him.They talk about me, themselves, and they share a little bit of gossip about each other.
I've always wanted that sense of community, and in such a short time I found it here.
Underneath the glittering twinkling lights of my wedding reception, it's way too easy to forget the darkness that's chasing me.
Chapter 13
Nate
Mrs.Kincaidgaveusthe most amazing gift, and moved out quickly.Apparently, she was so excited to have sold the house to us that she didn’t want us to wait.On our last night in Hummingbird Island, we were able to spend it on an air mattress in our new house.We got takeout from one of Jasper's restaurants, and had no TV other than what we could watch on my phone.It was just us on the air mattress in the middle of an empty house on the last night of our honeymoon.But it was perfect.
We spent the first part of the night going room by room talking about what we wanted to redo, things like paint and how we wanted to decorate.Seeing how much Harper's face lit up when talking about decorating the house, told me I made the right choice.
When we first move in, we decided that we'd redecorate our bedroom first and stay in one of the guest rooms.It doesn't need much but we're going to refinish the floor, repaint it and do some updates to the bathroom.We both wanted our space in the house be calm and relaxing and updated as we finished the rest of the house.
Now we're on our way home, well it's not really home anymore but back to the apartment in Washington, North Carolina.Also, it's time for me to come clean.
"Sweetheart, I need to tell you something, but I want you to remember that I will always take care of you, so you must trust me on this," I tell her, rambling just a bit.
She squeezes my hand and looks over at me, pure love on her face.
"I do trust you, Nate.What’s going on?"
"Your father has filed a missing persons report on you."Instantly the happiness falls from her face and the grip on my hand tightens.
"All you have to do is go into the station with me and file a dispute.You are eighteen and they cannot make you go back.Especially since you are now my wife which gives you another layer of protection.You are part of the police family and we protect our own.But going in and filing the not missing removes any power he has that way."
"Okay," is all she says as she slowly nods her head.
"We have time, or we can swing by the station and do it now so that it's not something you have to be worrying about."
