Page 105 of When Ben Loved Jace
“My only concern,” Allison continues, “was how he’d ever find someone worthy of him, because my best friend is something special. When he loves, he does so withallof his heart. I’ve never met anyone like him, or I would’ve taken that man for myself, so I feared it was impossible. Until I met Jace, who is kind and patient, caring and sweet. Not to mention that he’s a tall drink of water who is easy on the eyes. In other words, exactly what Ben needed. They were meant for each other. Anyone who has seen them together knows what I mean. This ceremony feels more like a formality, because nobody here has any doubt that they’ll spend the rest of their lives together. Some things are simply meant to be. But for the sake of my best friend, who has been waiting an awful long time for this, and who is looking less and less patient by the second, let’s make it official.”
The crowd laughs. I can’t stop grinning. I’m so excited!
“Before they exchange rings,” Allison says, “let them exchange vows.” She hands the microphone to Jace.
I don’t know what he plans to say. Only that we agreed to phrase our vows as a series of promises. Which I thought would make it simple, but what I feel for him is so monumental—even more so than this moment—that words simply aren’t enough.
“Ben,” Jace says, his green eyes twinkling, “the man who has filled my every day with light, and who I will soon have the honor of calling my husband. When you are happy, I promise to lift you up even higher. When you are sad, I promise to hold you while I listen. I’ll never lose sight of how beautiful you are, or let us forget how fortunate we are to have each other. I’ll be there to protect you when you don’t feel safe, and I’ll be vulnerable when you need to know how much I care. I promise you that this is just the beginning of a story that never has to end, and that we’ll share every adventure, living our lives together, hand-in-hand, as our love continues to grow.”
My heart feels like it’s about to burst. I can’t take it anymore. I launch myself forward and kiss him. I hear the mic drop, but both the sound and world around us are distant. I’m only aware of Jace’s arms wrapping around me as the kiss intensifies.
“Nobody said those vows had to be spoken,” I hear Allison say, her voice amplified again. “There’s more than one way to profess your love. Shall we keep going?”
The question is directed at me. My face is burning. Jace is smiling. He doesn’t seem disappointed. Not in the slightest. I did have a speech planned. I kept rewriting it, never completely satisfied. I can’t remember a single line of it now. Except for the most important part. “I love you,” I murmur. “More than I’ve ever loved anyone else.”
My chin is trembling.
He wipes a tear off my cheek.
“Considering how big your heart is,” Jace replies, “that’s saying a lot.” His fingers stroke my cheek again. Then he gently releases me and nods. “We’re ready.”
“I don’t know if the mic got all that,” Allison says, her voice sounding strained, “but I think I’m gonna cry. What’s supposed to happen next? Oh right. I remember.”
She picks up a tray. Resting on a square of black velvet are two rings made of silver. Some might think the metal too humble, but I don’t care. What we have together is invaluable. Diamonds and gold can’t come close. And anyway, they would have drained our bank account.
Jace places the ring on my finger for a second time. I didn’t want another. The one he proposed to me with is too special. Only his ring is new. I can hardly believe my luck when I take hishand and slide it on, because it’s finally true. He’s my husband!
“I now pronounce you husband and husband,” Allison declares. “You may now kiss each other.Again.”
I don’t regret jumping the gun earlier. That I get to kiss him twice during the ceremony is the sweetest serendipity. Jace takes me into his arms, presses his lips against mine, and the truth is made evident for everyone to see.
What we have is love. And this time it will last forever.
Chapter Twenty-five
After we returned from Paris, Allison joked that Jace had made a tactical error, since no honeymoon destination could possibly compete. Well, there just so happens to be another place way up on my list. Hawaii! I’m a sunflower, a solar-powered baby. I can’t wait to bake on a beach next to him while sipping fruity cocktails. I’ve never been to a tropical island. To say that I’m excited is an understatement. We’re soaring toward the Pacific Ocean at this very moment. I didn’t marry a rich man—and hecertainlydidn’t!—but Jace being a flight attendant sure has its perks. He was able to get free airline tickets through his work. Our parents paid for the rest. We’ll be there for an entire week!
The row we’re in is toward the back of the plane and only has two seats on each side. I’ve raised the armrest between us so I can snuggle up to Jace. Flying economy has never been so comfortable. Who needs a first-class seat when you’ve got a first-class man? I’m so relieved to be alone with him at last. I adored our wedding, but this is what I’ve been craving. I just want to focus all of my attention on him and nothing else. With the exception of the book I’m reading, because it is a good one.
I glance at him while turning the page. Jace is watching the flight crew, like he often does when we travel anywhere together. This is his workplace after all, even if he’s not on duty. There isn’t a ding that doesn’t attract his attention or an announcement that he doesn’t listen to carefully. Me? I try to tune it all out. I’m reaching the end of a chapter when I feel my husband tense next to me.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“There’s no reason for the fasten-seatbelt sign to be on,” he says as one of the flight attendants hustles down the aisle past us, followed shortly by another.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure,” Jace says. He leans into the aisle when one of the flight attendants returns. I know they’ve worked together because he spoke to her earlier. “Linda?” he says with an inquiring expression.
She slows and glances around before bringing her head close to his. “Fuel gauge,” she whispers.
“Do we need to divert?”
“Looks that way,” she replies. “Sorry.”
Linda hurries away. Jace leans back and sighs.
“Are we going to die?” I ask him.
