Page 104 of Beyond the Spotlight Discreet Version
Her parents are tall like her, their Southern accents even thicker. They were nice and welcoming. More than I could ask for with in-laws. I almost forgot what it was like to be part of a family. The inside jokes and full belly laughter, the home-cooked meals and sharing life events. Her parents told stories about Savannah’s childhood. How she was a ‘Chatty Cathy’ who liked to pick fights with schoolyard bullies.
Savannah learned more about my life through old family photos. I rarely take them out of storage, but that’s because I’ve had no one to share them with. For our honeymoon, we’re going to England and we’re bringing Adeline with us. I can finally show them where I grew up and take them to all my favorite places. We’ll spend two weeks there before sending Addy to stay with Savannah’s parents while we go on a second honeymoon to Bali... just for us.
Our wedding is small, smaller than Jensen and Rebecca’s.
Aside from Savannah’s parents, and her best friend Justine—a short brunette plus-size woman who grilled me with a million questions and threatened to beat my arse if I hurt her best friend—our friend group are the only ones attending.
I make my way to the gazebo to stand with our officiant, Victoria, for the start of the ceremony. She and Savannah have become good friends. When we had her over for dinner one night, I mentioned we were searching for an officiant. We wanted a close friend or relative to do it since neither of us are religious. Victoria offered, saying she became ordained through one of those online churches so she could officiate her sister’s wedding a few years ago.
Two columns of white chairs are placed on the green lawn before the gazebo—four chairs to each row, leaving an aisle for the bride to walk down. A string quartet plays a classical song as our guests find their seats.
Lana and Mylan take the first row on the groom’s side. They have an adorable, raven-haired, blue-eyed boy named Zack in between them. They officially adopted the seven-year-old six months ago. Adeline is already in love with him and says they’re going to get married someday.
Ginger and Bruno tote around their little girl Gracey, who is almost two years old now. They sit in the row behind Mylan and Lana, placing Gracey in Ginger’s lap.
Rebecca and Jensen walk up the aisle next and sit on the bride’s side with their son Luke, who is about fifteen months old now. He’s feisty and energetic and squirming in Rebecca’s arms, trying to escape so he can run all over the place.
Eloise and Kelly sit in two chairs behind Rebecca and Jensen. They eloped last month, not wanting the pomp and circumstance of a wedding. We were all pissed, but then they let us organize a reception at a rooftop bar overlooking the Empire State Building where we showered them with gifts and love.
The music changes over to an instrumental version of (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonightby Cutting Crew. It was the song Savannah and I danced to in the kitchen the first night we made love. Savannah told me she never felt so cared for in that moment. That no one had ever slow danced with her in a kitchen. She knew that song would signify love and our relationship from that night on.
Adeline emerges from a building where the reception will be held. She’s wearing a light orange dress, her curly red hair in pigtails. Carrying a white basket with flower petals inside, she walks down the aisle, picking one—only one—petal and tossing it to the ground. She repeats the action, pausing to concentrate on selecting the perfect petal.
“Come on, Poppy,” I say, amused. “You’re going to have to throw more than one at a time. Get a handful.”
She rolls her eyes, but complies, and moves faster down the aisle. We hired a photographer recommended by Eloise and he snaps photos of Addy being an adorable flower girl. She runs out of flowers mid-way and turns back around to pick some up and puts them in her basket, causing a roar of laughter from our guests.
When she reaches the front, she sits next to Savannah’s best friend, Justine, in the front row on the bride’s side.
“Everyone please stand.” Victoria announces.
Savannah appears in the doorway of the reception hall, her parents on each arm.
I suck in a sharp breath.
She’s stunning.
She’s wearing a ball gown wedding dress with a V-neck bodice and embroidered lace cascading down to a sparkling tulle skirt. It has short appliqué sleeves with floral designs. Her blonde hair falls in waves around her face.
She’s absolutely magnificent.
Her parents walk her down the aisle, giving her kisses on the cheek before handing her off to me. I take her hand.
“My love,” I say.
“My British Guy,” she quips with a smile.
Victoria begins the ceremony, talking about love and soulmates and other words that I pay no attention to because I’m distracted by the woman in front of me.
When it comes time for us to recite our vows, I’m sweating. I’m nervous because here I am about to bare my soul to the woman who brought me back to life.
“Savannah Beth Monroe, you’re a thief in the night who walked into my life and stole my heart. From the moment we met, I knew you were special. I’ve never met another soul that spoke to my own. You challenge me and make me want to be a better man. You push my buttons and put me in line. You are my mirror because without you, there is no me to see. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I plan to spend every waking moment thanking you for seeingmeand not the man made of fame. And thank you for opening your arms and accepting my daughter, Adeline, as your own. You are an excellent mother to her and you will be to all our future kids.”
“All?” Savannah quips. “How many are we talking?”
Our guests laugh and I squeeze her hands. “As many as you’ll give me.”
Savannah’s bottom lip shakes. She lets out a long breath, preparing herself for her vows.
