Page 79 of The Biggest Secret
“No! Stop it! Right now!” She’s crying too, but we both start laughing. “No tears on your wedding day!”
“Oh god, it’s the hormones!”
“Then what’s my excuse?!” We grab some tissues from the box sitting on the counter and dab our eyes.
“Ladies! What is the holdup? We’ve got an anxious groom in there who thinks his woman is a flight risk. Let’s get a move on!” Billy comes out, clapping his hands and bellowing down the hall. There are a few other couples waiting their turn and they snicker at his comment.
“BJ! I’m so glad you’re here.” He narrows his eyes and flashes that famous Casanova smirk. “We were just coming in. You ready for us?”
“Born ready, baby.” He winks and walks ahead of us, prepping the door for our entrance. I get a little flutter in my belly, and it gives me pause.
It’s too early to feel you, baby.
My sister hands me a small bouquet that Britt picked up from her Aunt Shannon this morning and links arms with me. Billy opens the double doors, and we step through. There is a little radio playing the wedding march. The room is small, only about a twenty-foot walk from the door to where Adam is standing. The family is split evenly, crammedtogether on each side and the officiant wears a long black robe with the governmental insignia on it.
Seeing Adam and Dominic standing together at the front, waiting for me, waiting for our family to become complete makes my heart skip a beat. I’m smiling but tears run down my face again and I’ve just given up on trying to stop them.
I reach the front, Adley steps to the side taking my bouquet and I take Adam’s outstretched hand.
The look on his face says it all. I am in for it tonight. His eyes display love and fire, and I can’t believe I get this man for the rest of my life.
“Chelsea. Adam. We’re going to make this quick. We’re overbooked out there and overcrowded in here.”
“Fine by me. Let’s do it,” Adam announces and the family chuckles.
“Chelsea Jo. Repeat after me. Do you take Adam Frances Casanova to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and comfort, for better or worse, in sickness and health until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“Adam Frances. Repeat after me. Do you take Chelsea Jo Sutton to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and comfort, for better or worse, in sickness and health until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“Let’s put a ring on it, shall we?” We both giggle and the room is quiet yet filled with so much excitement and love.
“Each of you take your rings and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and a promise that I will honor you for all of our days together.”
Adam and I state our vows, slide the rings on and the smiles that take over our faces turn everyone giddy in the room.
“Here we go!” Jackson rubs his hands together with excitement and the girls let out whispers of joy.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” There’s a pause. “Go on, kiss her!” The family breaks out into laughs and cheers. Adam yanks me close, wrapping one of his large hands around my growing waist while the other lands on my back. He dips me, kissing me like I’ve never been kissed before. It feelsdifferent, it feels like the new beginning we’ve been working toward for years.
Hoots and hollers and a bump from Adley brings us back to reality. She directs us back through the room, making our way out as the next couple is called in. We file out the front door and stand on the steps, the family milling around, taking pictures and having fun.
“I love you, wife.”
“Mm I like the way that sounds, husband.” We’re being cheesy and the happiness is just flowing from us.
“You’re officially mine now, Chelsea. Do you know what that means? It means every sexy inch of you belongs to me. To do and play with as I please. You own my heart. And I own that ass.” In a very public, uncharacteristic move, Adam lifts me so that my legs automatically wrap around his waist and his hands are on my ass. The kiss that follows elicits whistles, cheers and barks from our family.
“Daddy!”
Breaking the kiss and laughing against his lips at our son’s voice, I teasingly scold him. “Mr. Casanova! You are in public!”
He nibbles at my lips again, nudging his forehead against mine. “I don’t care anymore, Chelsea. I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
“Alright, move it along before our brother arrests you for public lewdness.” Billy gathers everyone and we head to Moose’s for a daytime celebration.
